Arsenal needs victory over Liverpool to maintain title hopes
Updated: 2008-04-05 15:23
LONDON - Liverpool was knocked out of two competitions last season by Arsenal. Now, it could be payback time.
Halfway to knocking the Gunners out of the Champions League, the Reds can virtually end their Premier League title hopes on Saturday with a win at Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool held the Gunners to a 1-1 away draw in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal and hopes to knock them out in Tuesday's second leg at Anfield.
On Saturday, the two teams meet again in the league at Arsenal and the Gunners, six points behind Manchester United in the title race with games running out, cannot afford another draw.
"For us, it is important to win because of the situation in the championship," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Friday. "It would have a double impact _ one for the championship and one for the Champions League. But my worry at the moment is the championship.
"Some people say it is over, but everybody has a different opinion in football. In this case, I have a differens team's goal. Robin van Persie, who provided the cross for the header, is also a major doubt with an injured leg muscle.
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano will miss the game after picking up an additional two-game suspension for his protest against a red card in last month's 3-0 loss to Manchester United. The Argentina star will be able to play in the Champions League game, however, because his suspension only applies to domestic games.
Manchester United is not in action until Sunday, when it visits mid-table Middlesbrough. The Red Devils are in confident form after winning 2-0 at AS Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday where Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 36th goal of the season.
Second-place Chelsea hopes to make up ground by winning at Manchester City on Saturday and comes off a Champions League setff, meet in the semifinals. The final is at Wembley on May 17.
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