Liverpool - Arsenal

Rafa says that our "season starts here" against Arsenal on Sunday. Haven't we said that before? Liverpool and Arsenal are the two that most believe are at threat from dropping out of the top four, with the Reds most likely the current favourites, so this is a gigantic match for both.

The only doubt for Rafa remains Ryan Babel, however he'll not really be missed that much if he's not passed fit will he? Fernando Torres is in line for his first Premier League start in six weeks and looked sharp in his cameo as a substitute against Fiorentina on Wednesday. Alberto Aquilani could make his full PL debut, however he's expected to start on the substitutes bench once again.

Torres looked sharp, sharper than he's looked for a while, against the Italians in the Champions League. The Spaniard is hungry and this can only work in our favour.

Alex Song is back from a domestic ban and is expected to return to the side. Bendtner, Clichy, Djourou, Eboue (hamstring), Gibbs, van Persie and Rosicky are all out through injury though with Diaby and Eduardo both rated as doubtful.

Arshavin scored four goals against us last season in the amazing 4-4 draw, which killed off our PL title hopes really. If the Russian is up for it he'll cause us problems.

The Reds last six meetings with Arsenal: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Howard Webb will officiate.

If our season really does start here, once again, then we can't afford anything less than a win. The problem is I'm not at all confident that we'll get it! A point wouldn't be a bad result but a win would mean so much more but my prediction would be Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1