Liverpool vs. Arsenal: The Pre-Ramble

With all the focus in the run up to tomorrow's match being firmly on Arsenal, Liverpool's hopes for their first win of the season could be on the cards.

Here's my preview for the match, with the possible lineup and my prediction, but first, so that I can get it out of the way and focus on Liverpool, I'm going to talk about Arsenal.

It may be the best time for Liverpool to face the Gunners, with arguably their best player leaving, another on his way out and a few Arsenal players either banned or injured, I could just leave it here and say Liverpool will win, hands down.

Cesc Fabregas leaving Arsenal is obviously a plus for Liverpool in this match, and also, without many of their creative forces, I think Arsenal are going to find it hard to get past the Liverpool defence.

I'm going to say it now to anyone watching the match or highlights: watch Lucas Leiva. He will be the key player in this match. We've seen it in the past against Arsenal; Lucas has the ability to stop Arsenal's creative flow, and with Arsenal lacking that flow right now, Lucas might be the best player on the pitch.

But of course, it's not that simple. Arsenal still have some good players, and they have the ability to play with or without their best players. Although they haven't had the best start, they beat Udinese mid-week, scoring early on, and had many chances against Newcastle. I, for one, am not going to underestimate Arsenal.

I must also point this out: Liverpool have not won at Arsenal since 2000, when they won 1-0 with Titi Camara scoring. Yeah, exactly, it was that long ago.

Now about what we all came here for, Liverpool. I had some positives from the Sunderland match and, if they can start against Arsenal as well as they did at Anfield, it may be over by halftime, which would suit me perfectly.

Besides that, Liverpool have had a break this week without any European qualifiers to play. They have almost got a full-strength team, except for Steven Gerrard, who is out 'til mid-September.

Any player could get a start, but I'm going to say that rushing Glen Johnson back would be a bad idea. I'd far prefer Martin Kelly to start (although I said that last week, and I might have jinxed it, sorry, Martin) and have John Flanagan play mid-week vs. Exeter. 

Predicted Liverpool Lineup

Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique, Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll

I've gone with Kuyt instead of Jordan Henderson because I think he needs to adjust to the setup at Liverpool at the moment. But, other than Kuyt and Kelly, I can't see a change to the team.

Maybe we'll get a better look at the situation depending on the performances in this match, but until then, this will most likely be the team tomorrow. 

Predicted Result

Arsenal 1, Liverpool 3

I've gone out on a limb a bit and given Liverpool a comfortable win despite my argument earlier.

For me, Liverpool just look the stronger team at the moment, but they have to get the job done this time. Unlike they did against Sunderland, when they are dominating the match, they have to take their chances.

I could say that in any match of course, but it holds true against Arsenal especially, because if this doesn't happen, that one goal Arsenal will most likely score may prove to be the difference.

Thank you for reading, and feel free to comment below. Hopefully next time I'm writing, Liverpool will have their first win under their belt.