Rodgers: We must perform
Brendan Rodgers has challenged his Liverpool stars to prove they can cope with the extra pressure of taking on a top-four rival when they travel to Arsenal on Saturday. Prior to the international break, fifth-placed Liverpool saw their 13-match unbeaten league run ended at home to fourth-placed Manchester United, leaving them five points adrift of their bitter rivals as the battle to qualify for the UEFA Champions League hots up.
Defeat at third-placed Arsenal, six points ahead of Liverpool, would be a huge blow to their aspirations of featuring in Europe's elite club competition for a second successive season. And Reds boss Rodgers knows they must avoid a repeat of the disappointing first-half display against United which led to their defeat.
"I think people might look at it (the trip to Arsenal) as a must-win game. For me, it is a must-perform game, we want to perform well and we know that when we do that we've got every chance of winning, whether that's at home or away," Rodgers said.
"We've had a long two weeks, it's probably one of the few games where after the international break we've had to suffer a little bit, because we didn't perform and lost, but there is extra motivation there to get something from the game and that is something that we clearly want to achieve. These final eight games are going to be exciting games and there is still every possibility for us to make the top four."
Sterling centre of attention
Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana could both feature for Liverpool despite withdrawing from the England squad through injury, but Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel are suspended. Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, meanwhile, is likely to find more than a few camera lenses trained on him after he confirmed that he has rejected a new contract offer and described reported interest from Arsenal as "flattering".
Arsenal are seeking to record a seventh league win in succession and with Manchester City not in action until Monday, victory would lift Arsene Wenger's side up to second place.
"It's a big game and an opportunity for us to continue our run, which is what we want to do," Wenger said. "You know after the international break it's always important that you come back and straight away you are on it."