Arsene Wenger knows his Arsenal side must be wary of "dangerous" Liverpool frontman Fernando Torres and pass a "test of character" when the two English sides go head to head for a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Gunners host the first leg of the all-Barclays Premier League affair on Tuesday night in what will be a run of three matches against the Reds, with a domestic fixture at Emirates Stadium to come in between on Saturday.
Even though the Arsenal manager accepts both sides know each other well, Wenger maintains there will be no chance of his men underestimating the challenge which lies ahead.
"I rate Torres," said Wenger of Liverpool's in-form Spanish frontman. "I believe he had quite a good start after a spell when he was in and out.
"Since he is back on a regular basis, he is extremely dangerous."
Wenger revealed: "We have known about him for a long time, but I never tried to sign him.
"We were interested when he first started at Atletico Madrid, but we never made any offer."
Wenger maintains the familiarity of the opposition means mental focus will have a big influence.
"When you play a 'local' team in the European Cup it is a test of character. We know we can do it, but who wants it the most?" he said.
"Against an English team the competition is always different. You come back more to a formula - the mental strengths of the two teams will make all the difference in the game.
"We know each other well, so there are two things which will make the difference - the quantity of the mental strengths available in the teams and how well the players who can make a decision perform.
"We play each other three times in six days and it will be a case of 'who is ready again'?"
Wenger accepts preparation for the tie will be similar to what would happen in the build-up to a Premier League game, but with a different approach to the games themselves, given it is effectively a cup competition.
"You know in this game - a direct knockout - the goal conceded at home is the killer," he said.
"In a league game you think even if you can concede a goal you can still win it.
"So we have to be organised, cautious and make sure you defend well first before you attack."
Having knocked holders AC Milan out in the last round, following a goalless draw at Emirates and then a fine 2-0 win in Italy, Wenger accepts it will take another composed all-round display to see off the Reds, who won the Champions League in 2005 and reached last year's final.
"Liverpool will be more rough, more edgy and difficult to penetrate," he observed.
"Milan was a confrontation of two similar styles where we were better. Against Liverpool we will have to win the physical battle as well.
"They can raise their game and it is a team which at home can dig deep and produce a result."
Wenger noted: "We want to win the game on Tuesday, but 0-0 is never a disappointing result at home in the first leg because it puts the team who plays against you at home under huge pressure.
"They play with the idea that if they concede a goal they are out. That puts them a little bit in between - do we go for it or do we wait? It gives you a good chance."
Chelsea await the winners in the semi-finals, should they come through against Fenerbahce. Manchester United take on Roma in the other half of the draw.
Wenger - who guided his men to the European Cup final two seasons ago - sees no reason why there should not be Premier League representation again in Moscow.
"Certainly one English if not two will be in the final this year," he said.
"We were in the final in 2006 and we can come there again."
The Gunners host the first leg of the all-Barclays Premier League affair on Tuesday night in what will be a run of three matches against the Reds, with a domestic fixture at Emirates Stadium to come in between on Saturday.
Even though the Arsenal manager accepts both sides know each other well, Wenger maintains there will be no chance of his men underestimating the challenge which lies ahead.
"I rate Torres," said Wenger of Liverpool's in-form Spanish frontman. "I believe he had quite a good start after a spell when he was in and out.
"Since he is back on a regular basis, he is extremely dangerous."
Wenger revealed: "We have known about him for a long time, but I never tried to sign him.
"We were interested when he first started at Atletico Madrid, but we never made any offer."
Wenger maintains the familiarity of the opposition means mental focus will have a big influence.
"When you play a 'local' team in the European Cup it is a test of character. We know we can do it, but who wants it the most?" he said.
"Against an English team the competition is always different. You come back more to a formula - the mental strengths of the two teams will make all the difference in the game.
"We know each other well, so there are two things which will make the difference - the quantity of the mental strengths available in the teams and how well the players who can make a decision perform.
"We play each other three times in six days and it will be a case of 'who is ready again'?"
Wenger accepts preparation for the tie will be similar to what would happen in the build-up to a Premier League game, but with a different approach to the games themselves, given it is effectively a cup competition.
"You know in this game - a direct knockout - the goal conceded at home is the killer," he said.
"In a league game you think even if you can concede a goal you can still win it.
"So we have to be organised, cautious and make sure you defend well first before you attack."
Having knocked holders AC Milan out in the last round, following a goalless draw at Emirates and then a fine 2-0 win in Italy, Wenger accepts it will take another composed all-round display to see off the Reds, who won the Champions League in 2005 and reached last year's final.
"Liverpool will be more rough, more edgy and difficult to penetrate," he observed.
"Milan was a confrontation of two similar styles where we were better. Against Liverpool we will have to win the physical battle as well.
"They can raise their game and it is a team which at home can dig deep and produce a result."
Wenger noted: "We want to win the game on Tuesday, but 0-0 is never a disappointing result at home in the first leg because it puts the team who plays against you at home under huge pressure.
"They play with the idea that if they concede a goal they are out. That puts them a little bit in between - do we go for it or do we wait? It gives you a good chance."
Chelsea await the winners in the semi-finals, should they come through against Fenerbahce. Manchester United take on Roma in the other half of the draw.
Wenger - who guided his men to the European Cup final two seasons ago - sees no reason why there should not be Premier League representation again in Moscow.
"Certainly one English if not two will be in the final this year," he said.
"We were in the final in 2006 and we can come there again."
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