Plenty at stake at Anfield
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Article summary
Liverpool FC's meeting with Arsenal FC tonight may have no bearing on the title race but it could help define the shape of the rest of their campaigns.
Article body
Local rivalries
With most - if not all - English football observers conceding that Chelsea FC are not likely to be caught at the top thanks to their 12-point lead over Manchester United FC, the opportunity arises for Liverpool and Arsenal to close the gap on their rivals in the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots and also set themselves up for crucial battles ahead.
European target
For their part, Liverpool will be aiming to win their game in hand to move to within three points of Manchester United in the second automatic UEFA Champions League qualifying place before they take on United in a huge FA Cup tie at the weekend. Arsenal, meanwhile, are in danger of missing out on qualifying for Europe's premier club competition for the first time since the 1997/98 season and may have to displace north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur FC from fourth position in the table if they are to make it this time.
Chasing Tottenham
Victory at Anfield would bring the Gunners, currently fifth, within a point of Tottenham but Arsenal's situation is already mirroring that of Liverpool's last season. Then edged into fifth place by city rivals Everton FC, the Reds ultimately had to rely on winning the UEFA Champions League to secure their passage into this season's qualifying rounds.
Low confidence
Indeed Arsenal's one remaining chance of finishing this season with a trophy rests on the UEFA Champions League and with Arsène Wenger's side seemingly short of confidence, a good performance against Liverpool is vital before they travel to Real Madrid CF for the first leg of their last-16 tie next week. Liverpool are also on the road in Europe next week as their defence of the European Champion Clubs' Cup continues at SL Benfica.
Stars missing
The Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez is set to be without striker Peter Crouch (heel) and Luis García (knee) tonight, although both will make the plane to Lisbon. Wenger is grateful to have defenders Emmanuel Eboué and Kolo Touré back from the African Cup of Nations, but has three injured strikers unavailable in José Antonio Reyes, Robin van Persie and Dennis Bergkamp.
