Arsenal vs Liverpool - Pre Match Thread (PL)

Here's an good article from the Liverpool Echo website to put this series of matches in perspective  :


Arsenal v Liverpool: We faced Gunners FIVE times in 1980!

TO paraphrase Monty Python's famous Yorkshiremen sketch ever so slightly . . . "Three games against the Arsenal in six days? That were nothing! We played them five times in 19 days, with the same team. And there were only one goal between us at the end."
Except it’s not a parody. Liverpool and Arsenal really did meet five times in less than three weeks.

And after an intense marathon of matches between April 12 and May 1 1980, just a solitary goal separated the Gunners from Bob Paisley’s all conquering side.
Former Reds striker David Fairclough remembers the series of matches clearly, especially the name of the decisive goalscorer, the Arsenal midfielder Brian Talbot, who had joined the Gunners from Ipswich.

For Bob Paisley, though, the name was not so memorable. “I remember those cup ties vividly,” said Fairclough, who scored in the first FA Cup semi-final replay at Villa Park. “But it was an incident before the matches which I probably remember most. “Before the first game Bob Paisley had delivered his team talk and told us ‘You’ll have to keep an eye out for the boy Osborne coming late on the scene.’

“We all looked around at each other muttering ‘Osborne?’ “Aye,” said Bob “Osborne. You know, the lad from Ipswich.” “There were a few more puzzled faces until someone whispered ‘He means Brian Talbot. He signed from Ipswich.’

“Well that was a story he repeated before every one of the four semi-final ties – ‘Keep an eye out for the boy Osborne coming late on the scene.’ “We all knew that he meant Talbot, and he was right. The man who came late on the scene to score the winner in the fourth game at Coventry was . . . Brian Talbot!”

In 1980 FA Cup replays were usually scheduled to take place within days of the original drawn game, and penalty shootouts were still only restricted to European competition and the occasional Charity Shield. So when Liverpool faced Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final, the teams had to play, and play, and play until a winner could be found. With Everton playing Second Division West Ham in the other semi-final, the prospect of a first ever all-Mersey Cup final was still a reality. Except neither side could overcome their London rivals.

“The first semi-final was a scrappy game,” recalled Fairclough. “It was very nervy, very tense and there weren’t many chances. “I remember sitting on the coach afterwards thinking ‘Well that was a bit of a non event.’ “Everyone was wound up to put it right in the replay and I managed to score to put us ahead. “If I remember right they didn’t equalise until the last couple of minutes and there was a bit of controversy about the goal. We thought they were offside and there was a sense of injustice that Arsenal escaped with a draw.

“We played them in the league after that, and if I’m being totally honest, I don’t really remember that game at all, which shows how much focus we had on the cup ties. “Mind you, Arsenal were just the same. They were a good side at the time, but you always had the feeling that they raised their game for the cups, and that’s borne out by their inconsistent league performances at the time, even though they reached three successive FA Cup finals.

“When we met them again, at Villa Park again, it was on a Monday night and Kenny Dalglish scored a last minute equaliser for us. “We thought that had given us the momentum to go on and win the third replay, which was played at Coventry’s ground, but this time Arsenal scored the only goal. “There’s no doubt it was tough playing the same players time after time. Arsenal had Willie Young and David O’Leary in central defence, with John Devine at full-back and Pat Jennings behind them – and it’s rare to play really well against the same player time after time. “If you have done well against an individual, they will be even more focused to get you back the next time.

“It becomes a real test of mental strength. At best you’d probably come up against the same defender three times at the most in a single season, but five times in less than three weeks is very unusual.”

In 1980, squad rotation was an unheard of concept and the same group of players cancelled each other out time after time during that FA Cup saga. Fairclough has every reason for believing Rafa Benitez’s men can exact revenge for that FA Cup semi-final exit 28 years ago. “I watched the Arsenal game at Bolton last weekend and I saw plenty to give Liverpool encouragement for tomorrow,” he added. “Bolton outclassed Arsenal and for long periods I thought the Gunners looked tired.

“Liverpool, on the other hand, looked full of running on Sunday in the derby and I think we can go there and have some joy. “I think Liverpool could be too strong physically for them.” We’ll meet again . . .

LIVERPOOL’S remarkable run of games against The Gunners in 1980:

12.04.1980: 0 - 0 Arsenal (Hillsborough) FA Cup semi-final

16.04.1980: 1 - 1 Arsenal (Villa Park) FA Cup semi-final replay

19.04.1980: 1 - 1 Arsenal (Anfield) 1st Division

23.04.1980: 2 - 0 Stoke (Victoria Ground) First Division

26.04.1980: 0 - 0 Crystal Palace (Selhurst Park) First Division

28.04.1980: 1 - 1 Arsenal (Villa Park) FA Cup semi-final 2nd replay

01.05.1980: 0 - 1 Arsenal (Highfield Road) FA Cup semi-final 3rd replay

Saturday, 5th April, 12:45 KO


Well what a game we have here then. I don't think this game will have an effect on the Champions League game on Tuesday, and I don't think it'll be as intense as the one that was played Wedensday night.

I feel that Rafa will make a fair few changes for this game. He knows we cannot win the Premiership this season, and he knows we are a good five points ahead of Everton who sit in 5th place in the league.

I would go for this team;

-------------------Reina
---Finnan----Hyypia----Skrtel-----Riise
---Pennant---Lucas----Alonso---Benayoun
--------------Crouch--Voronin

It's quite obvious that we won't win the Premiership this season, and I feel we are too strong to allow Everton to finish 5th so I'd seriously go for this team. Give Carragher, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel & Torres a rest. Or is that too many key players to be resting? I think it's obvious that a lot of our players are feeling jaded, especially Torres & Babel so I think if we want to really win at Anfield in the return leg, we'll need players such as these feeling as fresh as possible!

I agree wholeheartedly

Saturday, 5th April, 12:45 KO


Well what a game we have here then. I don't think this game will have an effect on the Champions League game on Tuesday, and I don't think it'll be as intense as the one that was played Wedensday night.

I feel that Rafa will make a fair few changes for this game. He knows we cannot win the Premiership this season, and he knows we are a good five points ahead of Everton who sit in 5th place in the league.

I would go for this team;

-------------------Reina
---Finnan----Hyypia----Skrtel-----Riise
---Pennant---Lucas----Alonso---Benayoun
--------------Crouch--Voronin

It's quite obvious that we won't win the Premiership this season, and I feel we are too strong to allow Everton to finish 5th so I'd seriously go for this team. Give Carragher, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel & Torres a rest. Or is that too many key players to be resting? I think it's obvious that a lot of our players are feeling jaded, especially Torres & Babel so I think if we want to really win at Anfield in the return leg, we'll need players such as these feeling as fresh as possible!

Not a bad idea there RaRa especially since they will probabally rest some players too. Alonso for captain btw

LIVERPOOL’S remarkable run of games against The Gunners in 1980:

12.04.1980: 0 - 0 Arsenal (Hillsborough) FA Cup semi-final

16.04.1980: 1 - 1 Arsenal (Villa Park) FA Cup semi-final replay

19.04.1980: 1 - 1 Arsenal (Anfield) 1st Division

23.04.1980: 2 - 0 Stoke (Victoria Ground) First Division

26.04.1980: 0 - 0 Crystal Palace (Selhurst Park) First Division

28.04.1980: 1 - 1 Arsenal (Villa Park) FA Cup semi-final 2nd replay

01.05.1980: 0 - 1 Arsenal (Highfield Road) FA Cup semi-final 3rd replay

We didnt hear Bob Paisley whinging about congested fixture lists then did we ?   and Squad rotation was a foriegn language back then !
Fergie and Arse  would have gone into meltdown with a list like that one   

I know it's off topic and apologise !

This would be my team

Itjande

Risse Hobbs Hyypia Finnan
Pennant Lucas Spearing Leto(if hes had his work permit sorted)/Or Kewel Even if hes injured F**k him hes had a free ride long enough
Crouch Status Quo/Triple H

F**k what the media have to say and the FA F**k em all, we know what we have to do and where our priorities lye.

The whole line-up thing is becoming more of a mystery. Rafa Benitez just hinted that he will rest players and also that it is impossible to have his players play three games in a week. Surely Hyypia, Torres, Gerrard, Babel & Carragher might be rested.

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_3383952,00.html

Whatever we do, our midfield needs to be strong; also our keeper.

Difficult team selection this one On the one hand we don't want to give ""mind games " Wenger an motivation edge for tuesday, but we do need to rest some players. I would suggest that Benny, Crouch and pennant should all start with Fernando  on the bench. If Mascher had been available then I would have beched Stevie G as well.Alonso and Lucas will play and the back four should be Arbeloa,Carra,Skrtl and Riise. This side should earn a valuable point at least.   

Forget the mind games, let's just do the talking on the pitch.
Hopefully we won't give too much away to how we play at Anfield

This game is clearly playing second fiddle in Rafa's mind,i think we will see at least half the team changed.I reckon the likes of Crouch,lucas,benayoun,Voronin will all start.This game is a must with for them,not so much us,even if the bitters have an easy game against Derby.We should still easily finish Fourth.

Got this on Sky...

Benitez - Expect changes
Liverpool boss set to ring the changes
By Joe Drabble   Last updated: 4th April 2008


Rafa Benitez could gamble on wholesale changes when Liverpool return to the Emirates Stadium for the second time in four days on Saturday.
The Spaniard has often been criticised for selecting his team to accommodate upcoming UEFA Champions League fixtures, but with the quarter-final against Arsenal so evenly poised, Benitez admits it is likely he will rest key players for the clash in the capital. Striking sensation Fernando Torres was taken off in the final minutes of Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League draw and is highly unlikely to be risked again. Benitez may also opt to rest skipper Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel as his eyes gaze firmly at the second leg on Merseyside. Benitez, who could play Peter Crouch and fit-again Andriy Voronin up front, said: "I will need to think carefully about my team for the league match.

"Torres and Gerrard will need to be strong for the second leg, and Kuyt ran himself to a standstill on Wednesday.

"Some players recover in two or three days, others need four. Maybe we will need to change some players.

"The age may be the key. Fernando can recover in two days, but Sami could take five. We will have to wait and see.

"I am expecting to make changes, I cannot expect them to play three times like that in seven days, certainly with the very high tempo of the games.

"It is impossible to play these same players three times in a week. Impossible."

Good job I say, let the arse run themselves into the ground trying to keep up with the scum. Hope our lads lay back with thier feet up watching them self distruct. Old arsene will have a few choice comments if they lose to us in both games. Don't care about the prem game. Can't wait until Tuesday. Do you think arsene will have the balls to rest his big names on Sat?  considering thier position in both comps.

We shouldn't rest all our best players because we know this game needs to be won. 2 points in front of everton wont be good enough. Having said that I'd still rest most of them or give them a bench start.

The team I'd like to see tonight would be:

-----------------------Reina-----------------------

----Finnan------Carra----Skrtel-----Riise-----

--Pennant---Gerrard--Alonso---Benayoun-

--------------Crouch--Voronin-----------------

SUBS: Torres, Lucas, Babel, Kuyt, Aurelio

Crouch is more than capable to start, Voronin needs to prove himself worthy of his place and why not use this as the opportune time, Pennant needs more game time, Gerrard thrives on big matches and has the engine to push through these big games one after another (plus i think he'll be disappointed if he was on the bench which wouldn't be good for Tuesday) In fact i think if Gerrard played this game I'm sure he would work out his strategy for the CL game on Tuesday, Alonso needs this i think, Benayoun deserves a start and Babel needs a rest because we'll need him fresh for Tuesday as he's allready stated on lfc.tv that he was worn out by the time he came off, if Finnan is fit he should play, Carra is our stability in defence and Hyypia needs a rest because he cant play these 3 games in a row, id like to see hyypia play on Tuesday, Skrtel is more than capable of playing these games, Riise should play and have Aurelio on the bench.

If anyone doesn't look like they are coping then we have a bench that is more than capable of turning the game around.

I dont see the point having Torres on the bench. I think he will start for the first 60 then Voro or Crouch will come on for him. Rafa will rotate no question but it will be the likes of Dirk and Ryan and Sami so we still have the spine of the side playing. Sticking to my line up.

ARSENAL V LIVERPOOL: MATCH PREVIEW

Liverpoolfc.tv 05 April 2008 

  Liverpool travel to North London this afternoon for what is only our second ever league visit to the Emirates Stadium. 
Rafa and co have had mixed fortunes against the Gunners in recent years and our first visit to their new ground ended in disappointment, as the hosts ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
 
There have also been some disappointments at home in the knockout competitions as a 3-1 reversal in the FA Cup was followed by an embarrassing 6-3 thrashing in the Carling Cup days later.
 
However, a 4-1 win at Anfield last season and a solid performance in a 1-1 draw earlier in the this campaign prove that we are more than capable of giving the Gunners a match.
 
And there was further evidence of this in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg draw that saw Dirk Kuyt plunder an invaluable away goal.
 
With the second-leg following hot on the heels of this fixture, many observers feel both sides will rest their star names for the second part of the trilogy of games - and yet neither can afford to falter in the Premier League.
 
A defeat for Arsenal would all-but end their slim hopes of winning the title, while three points would also go some way to ensuring Champions League football will be played in the red half of Merseyside again next season.
 
With Everton not playing until Sunday the Reds could extend their five point lead over their Merseyside neighbours.
 
As far as team news is concerned Rafa Benitez will be without Javier Mascherano who is suspended for the next two league games. Brazilian international Lucas Leiva could step in alongside Xabi Alonso.
 
Jermaine Pennant will be hoping for a recall after an impressive outing for the reserves in the mini derby on Tuesday.
 
Sami Hyypia could make his 300th Premier league appearance at the Emirates and in doing so he would become only the second Liverpool player to achieve this feat after Jamie Carragher.
 
As far as the Gunners selection is concerned, Arsene Wenger is likely to be without the injured Robin van Persie who has an ankle problem but Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to be fit.
 
Wenger is also without injured pair Tomas Rosicky and Bacary Sagna.

***************************************************************************************


Need to get some sort of result today to keep the pressure on the bitters, another draw would be good
To be honest I can't see us winning this game today..........although I'd love to be proved wrong.

 
 

As Rafa has indicated there will be changes today I think we could see a line-up similar to this:

                                           Reina

Arbeloa                   Hyypia                   Skrtel                         Aurelio

                             Alonso                   Lucas                         

              Pennant                 Benayoun                  Riise

                                           Crouch

Subs: Martin; Gerrard; Kuyt; Babel; Carragher

I dont see the point having Torres on the bench. I think he will start for the first 60 then Voro or Crouch will come on for him. Rafa will rotate no question but it will be the likes of Dirk and Ryan and Sami so we still have the spine of the side playing. Sticking to my line up.

Really think it's a question of priority, if we play our best 11 today, they will be exhausted before the final whistle on tuesday. What we don't want against Arsenal is a tired Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt.