ARSENE WENGER is anticipating a ferocious atmosphere at Anfield when Arsenal travel to face Liverpool tonight (8pm).
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| Arsene Wenger knows what to expect when Liverpool play Arsenal at Anfield |
The Gunners are top of the Premier League by two points and have only lost once on their last sevens visits to Merseyside.
Martin Skrtel's stoppage time equaliser denied Arsenal victory in the corresponding fixture last season, as the sides drew 2-2, and Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp will offer the same challenge as ever, according to Wenger.
The pair drew 0-0 in the reverse fixture at the Emirates last August but Arsenal will fancy their chances at Anfield, given their recent history in the fixture, and with their current run of form, which has seen them win seven from their last eight in all competitions.
“Every time we go to Anfield, we face a team who is up for it,” Wenger told the club's website.
“It’s always a ferocious battle, no matter who the manager is. They had a very strong manager before, they have a very strong one now and Klopp has the personality to do well there."
Liverpool did beat Arsenal at Anfield 5-1 under Brendan Rodgers in the 2013-14 season, with Daniel Sturridge and former stars Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, running riot as the Reds raced into an early 4-0 lead with an incredibly intense pressing game that blew the Gunners away.
“We need to play our game at a good pace," added Wenger. "We are used to pressing. It is not just Liverpool who do that, everybody in the modern game does it.
"Pressing has been created in England basically because there is a history of teams who have done that very well so it is part of the modern game to make quick decisions, be very short with your first touch and play your game.”
“The momentum creates confidence and confidence is vital at that level."
Arsenal eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Sunderland at the weekend and they face Barcelona in the last 16 Champions League next month.
The Gunners are leading the title race but Wenger is demanding more with the fixtures coming thick and fast.
“In December and now in January we have been consistent and we go into a very important part of the season because we play many games," he said.
“That consistency is a good basis to go into the next game with the right belief.”
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