Premier League
Wednesday 30th January 2013
The Emirates
Arsenal VS Liverpool
There is no time whatsoever for anyone to dwell on what happened at Oldham as we go to Arsenal for potentially one of the defining fixtures of the season. The next two games are arguably our most difficult and if we can get through them without any real damage then we'll be set up to make a run at the top four. Losing tonight would all but put an end to that.
If nothing else, what should have happened after our FA Cup defeat is that everyone should be completely focused on this game and getting back to winning ways as quickly as possible. There's a tendency to take Arsenal too lightly - especially by me - but the truth is that until we can oust them, they are above us for a reason. Their degree of mental instability might be far and above any of the problems we have right now but that doesn't discount the sheer quality that they have at their disposal. The Gunners are a side as likely to give a game to you as anything else but tonight I don't want us to give them that chance. We must take it from them right at the start.
The signing of Coutinho now complete, albeit far too late for any part in this game - which is a shame, I think it would have been a good one for him to make a late cameo in - we're going to have to go back to what we know works best in order to get something from this game. That means three rather than four attackers and a midfield headed by Jordan Henderson so he is able to get in their faces. This will be a game where space will be at an absolute premium so we cannot allow Arsenal the room that we afforded Manchester United.
Most importantly tonight, I'm really hoping that Rodgers gets it right from the start. Regardless of scoreline, every match we've played away from home against a team above us so far this season it's involved a major shake up at half time. While it's a positive thing that Rodgers has it in him to be bold enough to make those changes, I think tonight we need to be brave enough in our approach so that they aren't necessary.
As is ever the case with a high profile encounter, this one result will change the complexion of Brendan Rodgers and our season thus far. Sometimes that's not entirely fair or accurate but the difference between being potentially four points off fourth and level with Arsenal and being ten with Manchester City still to play on Sunday is huge. I'm expecting a massive reaction from the players after an embarrassing performance against Oldham. Prior to that things were really starting to look up, a team that could seemingly score at will and had bags of potential. I really hope we see that Liverpool tonight.
There is no time whatsoever for anyone to dwell on what happened at Oldham as we go to Arsenal for potentially one of the defining fixtures of the season. The next two games are arguably our most difficult and if we can get through them without any real damage then we'll be set up to make a run at the top four. Losing tonight would all but put an end to that.
If nothing else, what should have happened after our FA Cup defeat is that everyone should be completely focused on this game and getting back to winning ways as quickly as possible. There's a tendency to take Arsenal too lightly - especially by me - but the truth is that until we can oust them, they are above us for a reason. Their degree of mental instability might be far and above any of the problems we have right now but that doesn't discount the sheer quality that they have at their disposal. The Gunners are a side as likely to give a game to you as anything else but tonight I don't want us to give them that chance. We must take it from them right at the start.
The signing of Coutinho now complete, albeit far too late for any part in this game - which is a shame, I think it would have been a good one for him to make a late cameo in - we're going to have to go back to what we know works best in order to get something from this game. That means three rather than four attackers and a midfield headed by Jordan Henderson so he is able to get in their faces. This will be a game where space will be at an absolute premium so we cannot allow Arsenal the room that we afforded Manchester United.
Most importantly tonight, I'm really hoping that Rodgers gets it right from the start. Regardless of scoreline, every match we've played away from home against a team above us so far this season it's involved a major shake up at half time. While it's a positive thing that Rodgers has it in him to be bold enough to make those changes, I think tonight we need to be brave enough in our approach so that they aren't necessary.
As is ever the case with a high profile encounter, this one result will change the complexion of Brendan Rodgers and our season thus far. Sometimes that's not entirely fair or accurate but the difference between being potentially four points off fourth and level with Arsenal and being ten with Manchester City still to play on Sunday is huge. I'm expecting a massive reaction from the players after an embarrassing performance against Oldham. Prior to that things were really starting to look up, a team that could seemingly score at will and had bags of potential. I really hope we see that Liverpool tonight.
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