Arsenal v Liverpool head-to-head

Arsenal have shown themselves to be a real force to be reckoned with in the league this season while Liverpool have struggled, but the Champions League is a very different beast.

Mr Crocker thoughts of the prospective line-ups, where the game might be won and lost, and who was looking the better bet on paper.


Jose Reina v Manuel Almunia

I have no doubt that Jose Reina is a better keeper on his day, but he has been found wanting in recent weeks. With Emmanuel Adebayor restored to Arsenal’s front line, the Spaniard could find himself subjected to a series of crosses designed to probe his vulnerability in the air. Almunia has done very well since forcing his way into the side, but Jens Lehmann is still waiting in the wings so this is a very, very big night for him. He is yet to be tested on the biggest stage of all and now is his chance to prove himself.



Jamie Carragher v Kolo Toure

A lot of similarities between these two in the sense that neither are playing in their best position. Both are far more effective in the heart of defence but you can guarantee that both will do a job wherever they are put in the team. Toure is perhaps not as accustomed to filling in on the right, while Carragher is a player who has shown he thrives on the European stage – his thou-shall-not pass second-half display in the 2005 Champions League final springs immediately to mind.


Martin Skrtel v William Gallas

This could be make-or-break night for Skrtel. We have not seen all that much of him yet and who knows, he could be found out. Gallas is a far more cultured player and has certainly, ahem, shown himself to be a passionate player in recent weeks! He is still an excellent defender but he needs to stop throwing a strop, keep his mouth shut and get on with the job.


Sami Hyypia v Philippe Senderos

Hyypia might be getting on a bit but he continues to show himself to be an adept performer on any stage and more than worthy of the new contract that looks to be coming his way. The Finn’s lack of pace could be his undoing but it is Senderos’s scarcity of speed that catches the eye most of all. I have no doubt that Liverpool will target the Switzerland international – Fernando Torres will be licking his lips.


John Arne Riise v Gael Clichy

Arbeloa and Aurelio are both likely to be available again but Riise looks set to start. He has gone off the boil somewhat since bursting onto the scene in England, and I’m not convinced he has effective at the back as he is going forward. Clichy continues to go from strength to strength and, if he gets forward enough, his pace could expose Carragher.


Steven Gerrard v Cesc Fabregas

We all know that Gerrard IS Mr Liverpool and he lives for nights like this. He has been phenomenal once again this season and there really is nobody better. Fabregas is on the verge of becoming a similar player to the Liverpool captain in terms of the influence he has on his own team, but he is not there yet.


Javier Mascherano v Mathieu Flamini

One thing’s for sure, Mascherano won’t be disputing any decisions that go against Liverpool tonight! He has shown himself to be the best in the business in that role as a midfield destroyer and will be pivotal to Liverpool tonight. Flamini is a player who is indicative of what Arsene Wenger is all about. He came from nowhere and looked like he could be on his way last summer but has now matured into a crucial piece of their jigsaw.


Xabi Alonso v Alexander Hleb

Alonso’s style is what Benitez bases his European approach around. He is very tidy and disciplined which allows the players around him to strut their stuff. Hleb is someone I really like – he started slowly to life in England but now looks like he is capable of being one of the best. He continues to progress but I really think there is a lot more to come from him.


Dirk Kuyt v Emmanuel Eboue

I'm no fan of Kuyt. He runs around a lot and you certainly can’t fault his effort, but you need more than that on the biggest stage. Saying that, he’ll probably score a hat-trick tonight! I think Liverpool might see Eboue as a bit of a weakness in Arsenal’s armoury. He is an excellent athlete but not an excellent footballer – it is very evident that his best position is on the right of defence, not midfield.


Ryan Babel v Robin Van Persie

Two Dutchmen who are both potential matchwinners. Babel looks like a world-beater one day, and then doesn’t touch the ball the next. He is still young though and is improving all the time – someone Arsenal must watch out for. Van Persie gets himself into great positions but, having just returned from injury, is he 100 percent fit? If he is, I really think he could be the key.


Fernando Torres v Emmanuel Adebayor

If Arsenal had Toure and Gallas at the heart of their defence, I’m sure they would feel an awful lot more comfortable against Torres. Little can be said about the Spaniard that hasn’t already been flagged up – he is a fantastic signing and this looks to be a night made for him. Adebayor’s early-season form was as good as Torres’s is at the moment, but he has since had a lull. However, you just know he is going to click back into gear soon, and Liverpool could be the unlucky victims.

Crocker's final thought: Eight points separate these two colossuses in The Premier League, but Liverpool couldn't be more different when it comes to strutting their stuff on the European stage.

If it was a domestic game I would most certainly tip Arsenal, but Liverpool’s European pedigree of recent years cannot be discounted. I'm going for a 1-1 draw.