Liverpool v Arsenal: Match Preview

15 August 2010 10:07

Striker Fernando Torres is in contention for a place in the Liverpool squad to face Arsenal on Sunday. The Spain international sustained an adductor injury in their World Cup final victory but has made good progress in his rehabilitation and could feature at Anfield.

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Wantaway midfielder Javier Mascherano could also play as the club have not received any bids for the Argentina captain, who has impressed Roy Hodgson with his attitude in training. The match may be too early for Christian Poulsen, who only signed on Thursday.

Expectations are not a great concern for Hodgson as he prepares for the first real test of his six-week reign. Arsenal, a perennial top-four side, visit a club which, until last season, occupied a similarly lofty perch. A seventh-placed finish, no Champions League, a change of manager - and possibly a change of owner - may have altered perceptions outside Anfield's walls. However, that has little bearing on how Hodgson views his first season in charge, having taken over from Rafael Benitez at the start of July.

"There are always expectations. Who knows what's realistic? In every league there are surprises every year," said the 62-year-old.

"I've been feeling pressure for the last 35 years - since January 1 1976 - I think that is part of the job.

"You could argue Halmstad and Liverpool are not to be mentioned in the same breath but that is not what I thought about it at 29 years of age.

"I felt a lot of pressure on me to get good results for the team and I feel pressure on me now and I think the day when I don't feel pressure any more is the day when I've outgrown the job.

"The experienced players and coaching staff here know we cannot do anything about expectations being thrust at us.

"All we can do is try to prepare each week to play a good game of football and try to win it."

Because of the ramifications of the previous campaign, and the fact big-spending Manchester City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton have all closed the gap, much has been made of the importance of this season. However, Hodgson dismissed the suggestion it was a hugely significant year for the club.

"Every time I drive in I see the year 1892 (the year Liverpool were formed)," he said.

"In two years' time it will be the 110-year jubilee and so I won't get involved in discussions about whether this season is pivotal.

"I will take the long-term 110-year view; there will be plenty more games and titles to win but when I don't know."

Arsenal will assess the match fitness of World Cup finalists Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie. Midfielders Abou Diaby, Alex Song (both calf) and Denilson (abdominal) face late checks, so England youngster Jack Wilshere could start.

Summer signings Marouane Chamakh and Laurent Koscielny are in the squad, but Johan Djourou (hamstring), Nicklas Bendtner (groin) and Aaron Ramsey (broken leg) are all sidelined.

Arsene Wenger is acutely aware of the responsibility he has to bring trophies to the Arsenal fans - because it is he who has fed their hunger for success. The Frenchman has signed a three-year extension to his contract meaning his tenure at the north London club, which has so far reaped three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, will stretch to 2014.

The pressure has been on in recent years with the club not having claimed a trophy since 2005, and there have been the first hints of dissent among the Arsenal faithful. But Wenger's desire for success has not diminished.

"I am as motivated as ever, if not more," he said.

"I have the trust from my board and hopefully of the fans as well and also from the players.

"I feel the energy, the need to drive this team forward and to win. I feel maybe an even higher responsibility than when I arrived because when you arrive somewhere you feel that if you are not good enough, you go.

"Now I know that the club is in the top eight in Europe and that expectation is very high, that every year you want to be in the Champions League. You feel the pressure even more, but it makes it as well more exciting and I take the challenge for the future in a very exciting way.

"I know I can give my best years now to this club, which has given me so much. I'm ready to give it my all and I can only show that by my commitment."

Source: DSG