Nigeria Content Online

Can there be a
better test for Liverpool’s new coach than Arsenal? The first match in
the era of Roy Hodgson will see him go up against Arsene Wenger’s young
charges, whom the Reds have not beaten at Anfield for the past three
seasons.

After the
topsy-turvy reign of Rafael Benitez that scored a Champions League and
a League Cup, Hodgson’s task is clear – get back into the Champions
League and if he can, win the Premier League title that has eluded
Liverpool for 20 years.

With new shirt
sponsors, a new coach and new players, Liverpool seem to be picking up
and then there is the buyout being proposed by Chinese billionaires –
the good times might just be back with the Kop.

Arsenal are also
six years and counting when they last won a major trophy and patience
is running thin for the Gunners fans who want to see their beloved team
compete and win titles.

So here we are in a
packed Anfield stadium that is rocking to the rhythm of ‘I will never
walk alone’ and the players with butterflies in their stomach – this
game is too close to call.

Probably, the first
team to score will carry the day. There is the prospect of an
entertaining football match considering the calibre of players on both
sides but it also could be very cagey and bruising.

Gerrard and Torres are vital

Liverpool captain,
Steven Gerrard is enjoying his football again after the World Cup
debacle and Fernando Torres has pledged his future to the club but
needs games to get match sharpness. 20-35 goals from the Spaniard will
make a difference at the end of the season. Jamie Carragher is also
looking forward with excitement: ‘We have got to look forward with
great excitement. Last season never went well but we have got to forget
about it and put it behind us’.

Carragher is set to
start his 15th season in the first team and the signing of Christian
Poulsen from Juventus should solve the Lucas Leiva challenge.

Arsenal still need players

Thomas Vermaelen is
hoping Wenger will make some more signings and the Belgian said as much
on Arsenal’s website: “We lost a few centre backs and only Laurent and
Johan came back, but it is the boss’ decision what he is going to do,
if he wants to buy another one or not.

“But what I have
learned from last season is that you need enough players because we had
a lot of injuries last year and you need enough players to play all the
games.”

Denilson and Abou
Diaby face fitness tests ahead of the opener against Liverpool. Wenger
said: “Alex Song has a calf problem and will be short. Denilson had to
pass a test on an abdominal problem and Diaby has a calf problem but he
is back in full training. Liverpool tormentor, Andrey Arshavin is
alright to start. He has scored five goals in two visits to Anfield.
World Cup winner, Cesc Fabregas has been convinced to stay and that is
such a huge lift for the Gunners and their fans. If they do not win any
silverware this season, then no amount of pleas will make him stay
beyond this season. The signing of Marouane Chamakh will unburden Robin
van Persie up front to play his best football if he stays injury free
but there are still doubts concerning Manuel Almunia in goal.

Wenger also said he has to consider fitness in choosing players for today’s match.

“I still have to
make a decision about whether I will include Van Persie and Fabregas in
the squad.” The Gunners took all three points last season and played
out a memorable 4-4 the campaign before.

But if what Gerrard
said on new signing, Joe Cole is to be used to gauge the new season
then the Kop should be optimistic of victory today and in the season.

“Messi can do some amazing things, but anything he can do Joe can do
as well, if not better. He used to shock us in training by doing footy
tricks with a golf ball that most players can’t even do with a
football.” What Liverpool really need is a shock to last year’s system.