Liverpool V Arsenal: 10 Bold Predictions for EPL Showdown

Arsenal are a club that have been declining all season and over the course of the last few years.

Liverpool likewise have had a down period but they look to be in the ascendancy after their thrilling penalty shootout victory in the Carling Cup final.

The Reds claimed a narrow 2-0 victory over the Gunners on August 20, 2008 and will hope to do so once again when Arsenal come to Anfield.

Kenny Dalglish has cemented his job for the moment it would appear with Liverpool winning their first trophy in six years.

However, Arsene Wenger is very much in the firing lines.

With so much at stake in this match it will surely be a cracking match between two of the leagues most storied clubs.

Yossi Benayoun Gets a Tight Angle Goal

When he was at Liverpool Yossi Benayoun made a habit of being in the right place at the right time.

One of his best skills was finding a way to score a tight ankle goal that made a difference like the one he does against Wigan Athletic in the opening of the above video.

I see him having a chance at doing just that if Arsene Wenger chooses the same first team he did in the North London Derby against Tottenham.

Steven Gerrard Scores from the Spot

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was on the wrong end of a fantastic penalty save by Cardiff City's Tom Heaton in the first chance of the 2012 Carling Cup Final penalty shootout.

However, Arsenal have had defensive falterings all season long, and are likely to give up a spot kick just as they did at home to Tottenham.

Gerrard is not going to miss two in a row from the spot.

Jordan Henderson Starts, Again

Jordan Henderson is a great talent and there is no doubting that.

However, he is not a great talent as a right winger.

He has shown time and time again that he just does not know how to create width for the club but he continues to keep a place in the starting 11 over Dirk Kuyt or Maxi Rodriguez.

Rodriguez has a knack for scoring key goals with the Reds, but they have missed him as of late as he has not been seeing as much playing time lately.

Dirk Kuyt does have a tendency to drift into the middle like Henderson but not as much. Also you can never suffer from the Dutchman's industry on the flank especially against a top side like Arsenal.

Craig Bellamy Gets a Goal

Craig Bellamy has started the last two matches off the bench for the Reds and he is now due for a run in the starting line-up when Arsenal comes to town and he s due another league goal.

The issue is who to sacrifice for the Welshman.

Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson or even Stewart Downing could be sacrificed for Bellamy.

Liverpool Get the Opener from a Set Piece

The Reds have been deadly all season from set piece play.

What was once a dreadful horror show under the tenure of Rafael Benitez and his zonal marking system has become one of the Reds biggest strengths.

Robin Van Persie Suffers Major Injury

Robin Van Persie has been sensational for Arsenal all season.

The newest Gunners captain has fired his team to victory time after time and looks to have put his injury plagued career in the past.

However, nearly every other member of the club has spent time injured this season and RVP unfortunately could be due if the Reds defense gets physical with the Dutchman.

Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll Continue to Improve Together

Liverpool's trifecta of talent between Andy Carroll, Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez have now spent two games together on the pitch.

The performance against Cardiff City was not as effective as their performance against Brighton, but the challenge of Arsenal after lifting the Carling Cup will bring out the best of them all.

Liverpool Get Closer to Europe

While a victory over Arsenal would not move the Reds out of seventh in the table it brings them to within four points of the Champions League with a game in hand.

With Chelsea facing an inform West Bromwich Albion side at the Hawthorn's, and the Tyne-Wear Derby—between Newcastle and Sunderland on the weekend—Liverpool have a high likelihood of making up ground as they push towards their primary goal of the campaign.

Liverpool Ride the Wave of Success

Victory in the Carling Cup Final has been tipped as the catalyst for the Reds to get their season into high gear just as it did for them in the 2001 season.

The calendar year of 2001 saw the Reds lift the League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, European Super Cup and the 2001 FA Community shield.

Arsene Wenger Criticised Again

Before the weekend is over Arsene Wenger is most likely to be back on the rocks if his side fail to mount a descent challenge against Liverpool.

The victory against Tottenham is a week removed for Wenger.

With it being the "anything can happen" English Premier League, Arsenal could suffer the same fate that they dealt to Spurs when they travel to Anfield this weekend.