Liverpool are hoping to have midfielder Xabi Alonso back for their Barclays Premier League home clash with leaders Arsenal on Sunday.Manager Rafael Benitez also expects Fernando Torres to be available, the Spain international having been close to fitness for the midweek trip to Istanbul where Liverpool suffered their shock Champions League defeat to Besiktas.
Benitez is optimistic Alonso will be available to face Arsenal
Central defender Daniel Agger is still a minimum of 10 days away from being available following a broken metatarsal, while full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is fighting to recover from a thigh injury.
Harry Kewell scored in the reserves' 2-1 win over Newcastle on Thursday in his comeback from groin problems. He was replaced at half-time.
Squad (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Arbeloa, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Benayoun, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje, Lucas, Hobbs.
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TACTICS CORNER
The cloak of caution usually hovers over Liverpool under Benitez but they'll throw the kitchen sink at Arsenal in the opening 20 minutes, allowing the visitors to hit them on the counter-attack.
The pace and interplay of Arsenal's front five will put Liverpool's once iron defence to the test and goals are to be expected. There were 18 in three matches in this fixture at Anfield last season; Arsenal winning twice, Liverpool just the once.
The cloak of caution usually hovers over Liverpool under Benitez but they'll throw the kitchen sink at Arsenal in the opening 20 minutes, allowing the visitors to hit them on the counter-attack.
The pace and interplay of Arsenal's front five will put Liverpool's once iron defence to the test and goals are to be expected. There were 18 in three matches in this fixture at Anfield last season; Arsenal winning twice, Liverpool just the once.
ONE TO WATCH... FERNANDO TORRES
Liverpool's other strikers are slightly one-dimensional but 'El Nino' offers the complete package. Quick, dynamic and two-footed, his £26million transfer fee has been justified with seven goals in 11 games, though even he has not been immune to Rafael Benitez's rotating.
Torres missed the last two games with a thigh injury but should return here in what will be a huge test for William Gallas and Kolo Toure.
Liverpool's other strikers are slightly one-dimensional but 'El Nino' offers the complete package. Quick, dynamic and two-footed, his £26million transfer fee has been justified with seven goals in 11 games, though even he has not been immune to Rafael Benitez's rotating.
Torres missed the last two games with a thigh injury but should return here in what will be a huge test for William Gallas and Kolo Toure.
THE KEY BATTLES
Cesc Fabregas v Xabi Alonso
One of Fabregas's great assets is his ability to find pockets of space in congested midfields and deliver instant killer passes.
Alonso has more defensive responsibilities than his fellow Spaniard and will be expected to shield Liverpool's back four.
Alexander Hleb v Alvaro Arbeloa
No player epitomises Arsenal's progress better than Hleb. The Belarusian can go into his shell but when they are on song, he is at the heart of it, drifting inside to instigate clever moves with Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky. Arbeloa could be recalled to shadow him for the day.
Theo Walcott v Jamie Carragher
Super quick versus not-so-quick. Only one winner? Certainly not.
Walcott came of age on Tuesday but he is still very raw and Carragher has the nous and expertise to keep him in his cage. However, if Walcott manages to get one-on-one with Liverpool's defensive leader, there could be fireworks.
Cesc Fabregas v Xabi Alonso
One of Fabregas's great assets is his ability to find pockets of space in congested midfields and deliver instant killer passes.
Alonso has more defensive responsibilities than his fellow Spaniard and will be expected to shield Liverpool's back four.
Alexander Hleb v Alvaro Arbeloa
No player epitomises Arsenal's progress better than Hleb. The Belarusian can go into his shell but when they are on song, he is at the heart of it, drifting inside to instigate clever moves with Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky. Arbeloa could be recalled to shadow him for the day.
Theo Walcott v Jamie Carragher
Super quick versus not-so-quick. Only one winner? Certainly not.
Walcott came of age on Tuesday but he is still very raw and Carragher has the nous and expertise to keep him in his cage. However, if Walcott manages to get one-on-one with Liverpool's defensive leader, there could be fireworks.
TEAM NEWS AT A GLANCE
Robin van Persie (knee) and Philippe Senderos (back) are missing for Arsenal. For Liverpool, Fernando Torres is set to return from injury and Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa could also be back after lay-offs.
Robin van Persie (knee) and Philippe Senderos (back) are missing for Arsenal. For Liverpool, Fernando Torres is set to return from injury and Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa could also be back after lay-offs.
THE ODDS
Free-scoring Arsenal to beat Rafa's Reds 2-1. (Blue Square, 12-1)
Free-scoring Arsenal to beat Rafa's Reds 2-1. (Blue Square, 12-1)
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utusanLFC : I love to be the underdog...hahaha
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