Liverpool v Arsenal preview

English pair battle it out for semi-final spot

Last updated: 8th April 2008

Liverpool v Arsenal preview

Benitez & Wenger pit wits again

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Liverpool and Arsenal lock horns for the third and final time of their trilogy at Anfield on Tuesday night with both sides aiming to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The tie is delicately balanced after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Emirates Stadium and at the weekend both sides drew 1-1 again in the Premier League to ensure the third stalemate of the season between the pair.

Something will have to give at Anfield with Arsenal needing to score to keep alive their Champions League dreams, while a goalless draw will be good enough to see Liverpool reach their third semi-final in four seasons in Europe's premier competition.

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant misses out against his old side after picking up a hamstring problem in Saturday's 1-1 draw in North London.

Long-term absentees Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell remain sidelined for Rafa Benitez's men.

Javier Mascherano is set to return to the starting line-up after being suspended for the Premier League clash at the weekend.

Benitez has hinted Peter Crouch could start after impressing at the weekend at Emirates Stadium, but the Spaniard is likely to continue with Fernando Torres in attack with Steven Gerrard supporting him in an advanced role.

Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel are expected to return to the starting XI after being rested at the weekend.

Jamie Carragher could revert to central defence alongside Martin Skrtel after starting the first leg at full-back with Sami Hyypia making way.

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has made the trip to Merseyside, but remains a major doubt with a thigh problem he sustained in the first leg.

Abou Diaby is available for Arsene Wenger after missing Saturday's league clash through suspension.

The game has come too soon for Bacary Sagna, while Tomas Rosicky could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

Eduardo da Silva, Johan Djourou and Alexandre Song are all still sidelined for The Gunners.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Alexander Hleb, Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos are all expected to return to the starting XI after being rested at the weekend.

Liverpool trio Gerrard, Carragher and Fabio Aurelio and Arsenal quintet Clichy, Denilson, Adebayor, Hleb and Eboue are all walking a disciplinary tightrope with one more booking ruling them out of the first leg of the semi-final.