Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has backed Sunday opponents Arsenal to prove their enduring class again this season.
Reds boss expects Gunners to compete for Champions League qualification
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has backed Sunday's opponents Arsenal to prove their enduring class again this season.
The Gunners have made an indifferent start to the new season, recording goalless draws against Sunderland and Stoke in their opening two games.
Arsene Wenger has guided the north London club to UEFA Champions League football in 15 consecutive seasons, but lost key men Robin van Persie and Alex Song over the summer.
Some supporters have questioned whether they can earn another Premier League top-four finish, despite coming through a similar difficult spell following Cesc Fabregas' departure last season.
Arsenal eventually claimed third place and Rodgers is expecting them to challenge again for a place in Europe's elite club competition.
Competition
"They have been consistently in that top four for the last 14 or 15 years," said the Northern Irishman, whose side welcome the Gunners to Anfield.
"I think the competition now, especially the competition at the top end of the Premier League, is immense. The money invested into the clubs is incredible.
"That makes it tougher but certainly Arsenal are a team that have been up there for a number of years and I am sure it will be the same this year."
