Depleted Arsenal 'still a threat'
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Tuesday, 21 April Kick-off: 2000 BST
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 MW and DAB, and BBC Radio 5 Live; score updates on Final Score and BBC Sport website
Lucas and Fabregas could face each other in midfield
Liverpool assistant boss Sammy Lee says Arsenal are a threat even though Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor are out of Tuesday's Premier League match. The Reds, who will be without injured Steven Gerrard, will leapfrog leaders Manchester United if they draw or beat the injury-hit Gunners side.
But Lee said: "We have a healthy respect for Arsenal and we know they won't be weak in any shape or form.
"Whichever team they put out tonight we know it will be a very difficult task."
Liverpool go into the game at Anfield one point behind United - although they have already played one match more than their Old Trafford rivals.
And Lee concedes it is a must-win game for Liverpool if they are to realistically maintain their challenge for a first league title since 1990.
We have to win every game - Lee
He added: "It is six games that we need to get maximum points out of and then we will see what happens.
"We don't prepare for failure, we know what we have to get out of each game - none more so than in these last six games.
"We can't look at what anyone else is doing or for anyone to do us favours, we have to do our own job."
Manager Rafael Benitez is likely to stick with the same team that lined up in the Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge - once again with Gerrard unavailable to him.
However, the Spaniard insisted that his side can cope without the England midfielder, who was sorely missed when Liverpool drew 4-4 with Chelsea in their second-leg tie.
"It's always disappointing when Stevie isn't in the team but we have won games without him and played well without him at times this season," stated Benitez.
"We have quality in the squad and I am sure we can still play nice football, score goals and win games, whoever is in the team."
Lee is also confident that Liverpool have the quality to get the result they need.
"Whoever we put on that park will be our best team. Obviously, if you are missing your star players it is going to be a big miss but all credit to these lads," he added.
"We are a strong squad and we are all working together. They have stuck to it this year and the mere fact we are talking about the title shows the improvement this club has embarked upon this year."
Arsenal have long been out of the title race and recently have concentrated on ensuring they secure fourth place in the league - and the Champions league spot that goes with it.
With fifth-placed Aston Villa now seven points behind them - and having played a game more - Arsenal appear to have some breathing space.
Title still a target - Wenger
But manager Arsene Wenger insisted: "Winning is what we live for. We cannot be happy with only trying to remain fourth.
"We want to get closer to the top and have a good opportunity to come back to six points within Liverpool.
"Third place is important, second place is important and why not first? You never know.
"You do not want to have regrets. We want to win every single game, no matter what competition we play in."
However, the Gunners' chances of victory have been hampered by injuries to leading scorer Van Persie and fellow forward Adebayor - although Croatia international Eduardo is available again.
And Arsenal also have problems at the back, with second-choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski again set to deputise for the injured Manuel Almunia (ankle), while defenders Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) are all sidelined.
But full-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from a virus and could feature.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Insua, Benayoun, Riera, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, El Zhar, Cavalieri.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner, Eduardo, Mannone, Eboue, Nasri, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Ramsey.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Tuesday, 21 April Kick-off: 2000 BST
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 MW and DAB, and BBC Radio 5 Live; score updates on Final Score and BBC Sport website
Lucas and Fabregas could face each other in midfield
Liverpool assistant boss Sammy Lee says Arsenal are a threat even though Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor are out of Tuesday's Premier League match. The Reds, who will be without injured Steven Gerrard, will leapfrog leaders Manchester United if they draw or beat the injury-hit Gunners side.
But Lee said: "We have a healthy respect for Arsenal and we know they won't be weak in any shape or form.
"Whichever team they put out tonight we know it will be a very difficult task."
Liverpool go into the game at Anfield one point behind United - although they have already played one match more than their Old Trafford rivals.
And Lee concedes it is a must-win game for Liverpool if they are to realistically maintain their challenge for a first league title since 1990.
We have to win every game - Lee
He added: "It is six games that we need to get maximum points out of and then we will see what happens.
"We don't prepare for failure, we know what we have to get out of each game - none more so than in these last six games.
"We can't look at what anyone else is doing or for anyone to do us favours, we have to do our own job."
Manager Rafael Benitez is likely to stick with the same team that lined up in the Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge - once again with Gerrard unavailable to him.
However, the Spaniard insisted that his side can cope without the England midfielder, who was sorely missed when Liverpool drew 4-4 with Chelsea in their second-leg tie.
"It's always disappointing when Stevie isn't in the team but we have won games without him and played well without him at times this season," stated Benitez.
"We have quality in the squad and I am sure we can still play nice football, score goals and win games, whoever is in the team."
Lee is also confident that Liverpool have the quality to get the result they need.
"Whoever we put on that park will be our best team. Obviously, if you are missing your star players it is going to be a big miss but all credit to these lads," he added.
"We are a strong squad and we are all working together. They have stuck to it this year and the mere fact we are talking about the title shows the improvement this club has embarked upon this year."
Arsenal have long been out of the title race and recently have concentrated on ensuring they secure fourth place in the league - and the Champions league spot that goes with it.
With fifth-placed Aston Villa now seven points behind them - and having played a game more - Arsenal appear to have some breathing space.
Title still a target - Wenger
But manager Arsene Wenger insisted: "Winning is what we live for. We cannot be happy with only trying to remain fourth.
"We want to get closer to the top and have a good opportunity to come back to six points within Liverpool.
"Third place is important, second place is important and why not first? You never know.
"You do not want to have regrets. We want to win every single game, no matter what competition we play in."
However, the Gunners' chances of victory have been hampered by injuries to leading scorer Van Persie and fellow forward Adebayor - although Croatia international Eduardo is available again.
And Arsenal also have problems at the back, with second-choice keeper Lukasz Fabianski again set to deputise for the injured Manuel Almunia (ankle), while defenders Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) are all sidelined.
But full-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from a virus and could feature.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Insua, Benayoun, Riera, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, El Zhar, Cavalieri.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner, Eduardo, Mannone, Eboue, Nasri, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Ramsey.
Comment