Here we go again, onto Anfield and the third instalment of this fascinating trilogy. The sides have already played out two 1-1 draws at the Emirates in less than a week and now the action moves from north London to Liverpool where the home side look to hold a slight edge with an away goal in the bank and a fervent home support behind them.
The Premier League game on Saturday between the two sides saw both managers take the opportunity to rest players ahead of the second leg. Benitez surprised most people by making eight changes to his side and ensuring danger men Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt and Babel were well rested ahead of Tuesday night’s rematch.
For Arsenal, with the title still a possibility, there were less changes to the side. Hleb, Clichy and Adebayor all started on the bench but were forced into the fray after Liverpool had taken the lead.
As a much weakened Liverpool side managed to again hold Arsenal to a draw at the Emirates, it has been suggested that Liverpool hold the psychological advantage heading into the second leg. Certainly their superior European record and the fact they have an away goal will help the home side, as well the infamous Anfield crowd.
Arsenal’s youth has been much vaunted and praised this season but it may be their undoing in the second leg. Certainly they will need their more experienced players such as Gallas and Toure to be at their best if they are to make it into the semi-finals.
The Premier League game on Saturday between the two sides saw both managers take the opportunity to rest players ahead of the second leg. Benitez surprised most people by making eight changes to his side and ensuring danger men Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt and Babel were well rested ahead of Tuesday night’s rematch.
For Arsenal, with the title still a possibility, there were less changes to the side. Hleb, Clichy and Adebayor all started on the bench but were forced into the fray after Liverpool had taken the lead.
As a much weakened Liverpool side managed to again hold Arsenal to a draw at the Emirates, it has been suggested that Liverpool hold the psychological advantage heading into the second leg. Certainly their superior European record and the fact they have an away goal will help the home side, as well the infamous Anfield crowd.
Arsenal’s youth has been much vaunted and praised this season but it may be their undoing in the second leg. Certainly they will need their more experienced players such as Gallas and Toure to be at their best if they are to make it into the semi-finals.
As the teams have already played each other three times this season and drawn on each occasion it is perhaps reasonable to assume the tie could end up honours even once again. This is something neither team will mind too much as, depending on the score line, a draw could send either side through to the next round.
Having scored at the Emirates, Liverpool will know that a 0-0 draw will be enough to take them through to the semi-finals. However Rafa Benitez will also know that that is a dangerous tactic to go for, especially against a team with the attacking prowess of Arsenal.
A 1-1 draw will take the tie into extra-time and possibly penalties and seeing as the sides have already played out this score line three times this season, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see it again.
Anything more than a goal each and the tie suddenly swings in Arsenal’s favour. A 2-2 draw or above will see Liverpool’s one away goal at the Emirates all but forgotten and the Gunners triumph.
Of course if the match does go the way of the previous three then Arsene Wenger’s side will need to have practised their penalties. Liverpool’s record at penalty shoot-outs is nothing short of phenomenal having lost just once on penalties in 11 attempts (against Wimbledon in the League Cup in 1993).
Some of the Reds most recent triumphs have come from the penalty spot, as they took both the FA Cup Final against West Ham in 2006 and the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 on spot kicks. If after 120 minutes there is still nothing between the sides, Benitez’s men will not be afraid to win the tie from the penalty spot.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
5 April (Premier League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-0
30 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) WON 1-0
23 Mar (Premier League) v Man Utd (A) LOST 0-3
15 Mar (Premier League) v Reading (H) WON 2-1
11 Mar (Champions League) v Inter Milan (A) WON 1-0
Arsenal
5 April (Premier League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-0
29 Mar (Premier League) v Bolton (A) WON 3-2
23 Mar (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 1-2
16 Mar (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 1-1
09 Mar (Premier League) v Wigan (A) DREW 0-0
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Rafa Benitez surprised everyone by making eight changes for the league game at the Emirates but don’t expect him to keep the same team for the second leg. Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Babel and Skrtel should all return after being rested at the weekend and expect Mascherano to return after suspension. Saturday’s goal scorer Peter Crouch may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Liverpool last Starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Plessis, Pennant, Benayoun, Lucas, Riise, Crouch
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger made five changes for the league game against Liverpool but expect his big hitters back for this match. Adebayor, Hleb and Clichy who all started on the bench on Saturday should be back in the first XI. Robin Van Persie is still struggling with injury so Bendtner may retain his place up front.
Arsenal last Starting XI (v Liverpool): Arsenal: Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Traore, Eboue, Fabregas, Silva, Flamini, Bendtner, Walcott.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool: Dirk Kuyt
Whilst Fernando Torres has been, quite rightly, taking most of the plaudits the much-derided Dirk Kuyt could be the man to watch against Arsenal. He had an eventful first leg, scoring the equaliser and being lucky not to give away a penalty. However the Dutchman is the man to watch in Europe, not only is he Liverpool’s leading scorer in Europe this season with six goals he also has seven goals in his last ten European appearances.
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas
The little Spaniard has looked tired in recent weeks but he is still probably one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet. In the last round against AC Milan in the San Siro he produced a match-winning performance that took his team into the quarter finals. If the Gunners are going to triumph again, Wenger will need his midfield maestro to pull a similar performance out of the bag again.
Having scored at the Emirates, Liverpool will know that a 0-0 draw will be enough to take them through to the semi-finals. However Rafa Benitez will also know that that is a dangerous tactic to go for, especially against a team with the attacking prowess of Arsenal.
A 1-1 draw will take the tie into extra-time and possibly penalties and seeing as the sides have already played out this score line three times this season, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see it again.
Anything more than a goal each and the tie suddenly swings in Arsenal’s favour. A 2-2 draw or above will see Liverpool’s one away goal at the Emirates all but forgotten and the Gunners triumph.
Of course if the match does go the way of the previous three then Arsene Wenger’s side will need to have practised their penalties. Liverpool’s record at penalty shoot-outs is nothing short of phenomenal having lost just once on penalties in 11 attempts (against Wimbledon in the League Cup in 1993).
Some of the Reds most recent triumphs have come from the penalty spot, as they took both the FA Cup Final against West Ham in 2006 and the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 on spot kicks. If after 120 minutes there is still nothing between the sides, Benitez’s men will not be afraid to win the tie from the penalty spot.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
5 April (Premier League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-0
30 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) WON 1-0
23 Mar (Premier League) v Man Utd (A) LOST 0-3
15 Mar (Premier League) v Reading (H) WON 2-1
11 Mar (Champions League) v Inter Milan (A) WON 1-0
Arsenal
5 April (Premier League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-0
29 Mar (Premier League) v Bolton (A) WON 3-2
23 Mar (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 1-2
16 Mar (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 1-1
09 Mar (Premier League) v Wigan (A) DREW 0-0
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Rafa Benitez surprised everyone by making eight changes for the league game at the Emirates but don’t expect him to keep the same team for the second leg. Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Babel and Skrtel should all return after being rested at the weekend and expect Mascherano to return after suspension. Saturday’s goal scorer Peter Crouch may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Liverpool last Starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Plessis, Pennant, Benayoun, Lucas, Riise, Crouch
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger made five changes for the league game against Liverpool but expect his big hitters back for this match. Adebayor, Hleb and Clichy who all started on the bench on Saturday should be back in the first XI. Robin Van Persie is still struggling with injury so Bendtner may retain his place up front.
Arsenal last Starting XI (v Liverpool): Arsenal: Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Traore, Eboue, Fabregas, Silva, Flamini, Bendtner, Walcott.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool: Dirk Kuyt
Whilst Fernando Torres has been, quite rightly, taking most of the plaudits the much-derided Dirk Kuyt could be the man to watch against Arsenal. He had an eventful first leg, scoring the equaliser and being lucky not to give away a penalty. However the Dutchman is the man to watch in Europe, not only is he Liverpool’s leading scorer in Europe this season with six goals he also has seven goals in his last ten European appearances.
Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas
The little Spaniard has looked tired in recent weeks but he is still probably one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet. In the last round against AC Milan in the San Siro he produced a match-winning performance that took his team into the quarter finals. If the Gunners are going to triumph again, Wenger will need his midfield maestro to pull a similar performance out of the bag again.
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