EPL : Liverpool vs Arsenal, Are the Reds Braced for Yet Another Draw at Anfield?

Liverpool vs Arsenal in the English Premier League has often been a match few have wanted to miss over the past decade. Be it Arshavin's four goals in a 4-4 draw, a Thierry Henry masterclass in Arsenal's 4-2 win or Neil Mellor's last-kick-of-the-game thunderbolt, this game has had almost everything over the past 10 years. In fact, this fixture has arguably brought more excitement to the table than any other touted blockbusters including the top 5 or 6 teams in England.  

Let us look at last season. The first tie at Anfield ended 1-1. Joe Cole was sent-off in the first half after being shown a direct red card.

10 man Liverpool took the lead in the second half through David Ngog only to be denied all three points in the dying stages by Tomas Rosicky's cross and the sun in Pepe Reina's eyes. Although that game was exciting, it did not live up to the billing that games between these two seem to offer at times.

For that, let us move onto the second game played at the Emirates on April 17, 2011. This one was another 1-1 draw. However, it was an epitome of the benchmark that this match has been setting over the years.

A 97th minute penalty scored by Robin Van Persie of Arsenal cancelled out by a 102nd minute penalty scored by Dirk Kuyt of Liverpool. Yes, you heard that right; Dirk Kuyt salvaged something for the Reds as late as the 102nd minute. 

If the early kick-off this weekend is anything similar, the supporters at the game will feel that their money had been spent well. Liverpool come into this game on the back of two successive wins, albeit against lower league oppositions of Brighton in the FA Cup and Cardiff in the Carling Cup final. More importantly, the Reds have achieved silverware after six years and Merseyside is buzzing.

For most Liverpool players like Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam who have won nothing and little respectively, this achievement will transform their Liverpool careers. 

Arsenal were having a torrid time when they were to face a confident Tottenham side at home last weekend. The Gunners had been humbled by Milan in the Champions' League before being dumped out of the FA Cup by Sunderland. But then form goes out of the window in any derby match and the Arsenal players certainly forgot the woes that had been haunting them after they went 2-0 down to Spurs.

The Gunners responded by scoring five goals without a response from Spurs to win the tie 5-2.

It might have been a good time to play Arsenal a week ago. It certainly is not right now. Being a Liverpudlian, that is not good news, but if you are a football fanatic, Saturday's kick-off shall certainly quench your thirst for some great football.

My head says that it is going to be a 2-2 draw. My heart, which is almost never right, is signalling a 3-0 win for the Reds.