English Premier League: Rodgers expects Liverpool to rise against Arsenal

Liverpool manager calls on Liverpool to put a turbulent period behind them

LONDON/MANCHESTER: Brendan Rodgers has called on Liverpool to put a turbulent period behind them by securing a vital victory at Arsenal as the race for a top-four finish in the Premier League hots up.

A 2-1 home defeat against Manchester United in their last game before the international break was Liverpool's first domestic league loss since suffering a similar fate at United's hands in mid-December.

But it was enough to leave Rodgers' side in fifth place in the table, five points behind United who occupy the final Champions League qualifying berth.

Arsenal are a further point ahead and with just seven games left after Saturday's early kick-off at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners would almost be out of sight if they beat a Liverpool team trying to set aside the latest fall-out from Raheem Sterling's on-going contract saga.

"It's a game we will want to get something from," said Rodgers, who insists that even though he has rejected a vastly improved offer and delayed further contract talks, England winger Sterling will not be sold in the close-season.

"In terms of the objectives going into the game, it's no different to what it was before Manchester United. But of course we had a disappointing result and performance last time out.

"We really want to make sure we perform and give ourselves a chance to get a positive result."

Liverpool will be missing captain Steven Gerrard and defender Martin Skrtel as they start three-match bans for red cards received against United, retrospectively in the case of Skrtel after he was ruled to have stamped on United goalkeeper David de Gea in the final moments of his side's 2-1 loss.

"I am disappointed our appeal did not succeed as I thought it was unjust in terms of him getting the ban," added Rodgers.

The Reds boss will be boosted by the inclusion of striker Daniel Sturridge after a hip injury had ruled him out of England's games against Lithuania and Italy in the last week.

"Daniel is back training with the team today (Thursday). We'll see the reaction of that tomorrow," Rodgers said.

"It was his first day back in so he wasn't as sharp as he would want to be but he's back training with the team and should be fine for the weekend."

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana missed England duty with a groin injury but may also be fit, while the return of Brazil international Lucas Leiva, 28, on the bench against United after missing 10 games through injury, is a further boost for the Reds.

A seventh league victory in a row would put Arsenal in a strong position in their quest for an 18th successive Champions League appearance, but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger isn't paying too much attention to the league table just yet.

"I'm not too much into the mathematics now. We do that after the game. What is important is just for us to win the game and produce the performance," he said.

"It's a big game and an opportunity for us to continue our run, which is what we want to do.

"We are on a strong run and we just want to focus on winning our games. Liverpool is a big opponent but we play at the Emirates and we want to do it.

Meanwhile, injured quartet Jack Wilshere, Mathieu Debuchy, Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby are all closing in on first team returns and played in a training ground friendly earlier in the week.

"It went well and there were no problems after that so that's good news," Wenger added.

"You want everybody back in the final months to compete at the top level and you know consistency will play a big part in the success of the team. To have everybody available will help."

Chelsea ready for final push towards title

Chelsea have stuttered in their progress towards the Premier League title recently but Jose Mourinho's side can take a significant step towards being crowned champions with victory over Stoke on Saturday.

The visit of Mark Hughes' team to Stamford Bridge presents the Blues with the opportunity to consolidate their six-point lead at the top of the table.

And with second placed Manchester City having just seven matches, one less than Chelsea, to close the gap following the latest round of matches, a win will make the west Londoners even firmer favourites to bring the title to the Bridge for the first time since 2010.

However, Mourinho's team have been less than convincing in their last two outings on home turf, exiting the Champions League on the away goals after a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint Germain before a fortunate 1-1 draw with Southampton.

And their final fixture before signing off for the international break produced a narrow 3-2 victory at struggling Hull, secured by a late Loic Remy goal and only after the leaders had squandered a two-goal first half lead.

Hughes' improved Stoke will provide another stern test and while Chelsea won the reverse fixture comfortably in December, City have the capacity to ruffle the feathers of the leading teams.

Fortunately for Mourinho's side, none of the chasing pack have been able to maintain a level of consistency that would have allowed them to capitalise on recent slips, although Arsenal, playing earlier on Saturday, can reduce the gap to four points if they beat Liverpool.

Chelsea's recent run has certainly ensured there is no risk of complacency at the Bridge and Mourinho may ultimately have cause to be grateful his side has not simply breezed through recent games.

Denying the title was already in the bag, left-back Filipe Luis said: "No, it's really difficult. We have nine games, really difficult games. You know the Premier League is never easy.

"We have to be better than ever because these are coming with a lot of pressure, but I think we're prepared to cope with the hard situation we have.

"The manager always says to us it's not over. He never said anything else. He always asked for everybody to be focused and concentrated in the games and try to win everything we have.

"Of course, we have a chance to win the Premier League. Everyone wants to be there to try to help the team to win the league."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes has set a long-term target of getting his club into the top six after agreeing a new four-year deal last week.

Hughes, whose team currently sit 10th and finished ninth last term, said: "We want to break the glass ceiling into the top eight - not this year, but that's the hope in years to come.

"We'll always strive to be higher than top eight. Last year we were ninth and Southampton were eighth so we came second in that mini-league.

"The challenge for us is to break in. It certainly won't happen this year but the hope is that in seasons to follow we can break through the glass ceiling.

"The owners like what they've seen and want to move forwards again."

Nigeria winger Victor Moses, on loan at Stoke from Chelsea, is ineligible to face his parent club.

Van Gaal ponders Falcao recall

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal must decide whether to recall Radamel Falcao to his starting line-up against Aston Villa on Saturday after the Colombia striker rediscovered his scoring form on international duty.

Falcao scored three goals in two games against Bahrain and Kuwait over the last week and although those teams are hardly international heavyweights, his clinical performances can only have helped his confidence after a miserable spell at Old Trafford.

The 29-year-old hasn't started for United since late February, has just four club goals all season and seems almost certain to be sent packing when his season-long loan from Monaco expires at the end of the current campaign.

But, with United in the thick of the race for a top four finish in the Premier League, which guarantees a Champions League place, van Gaal must decide whether Falcao's recent goal-scoring flurry is worthy of a first team call-up at Old Trafford this weekend.
Falcao himself is certain his form would improve with a prolonged run in van Gaal's side.

"I need to play," said Falcao. "I need minutes and I am confident about myself, about my fitness."

A number of United players enjoyed successful international outings, most notably England pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, along with in-form Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who scored three goals in Belgium's wins over Cyprus and Israel.

United are also in buoyant mood having gone into the international break on the back of a memorable 2-1 win at Liverpool, although captain Rooney has warned his side must avoid failing to capitalise on that result when they face Villa.

"Yes, it was a six-pointer at Liverpool but that means nothing if we don't beat Aston Villa on Saturday," Rooney said.

"Obviously Arsenal play Liverpool as well so if we can get the win against Villa that will be an even better result than Liverpool was for us.

"There are still eight games left but we are in a good position at the minute so it's in our own hands, we have to make sure we do it."

United should have defender Chris Smalling available against Villa, despite him coming off while on England duty due to illness.

Tim Sherwood, meanwhile, insists his Villa team head to Old Trafford with nothing to fear.

Villa begin the weekend in 16th, just three points clear of the relegation zone, but have won two of their last three league matches under Sherwood.

It marks the start of a pivotal month which includes a clash with fellow strugglers QPR on Tuesday and an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Blackburn or Liverpool.

"The Manchester United game is the only game we are focusing on, we need to get something from this game," Sherwood said.

"I think they are beatable, any team can beat anyone, that's the beauty of the Premier League.

"We have a lot of pace in the team in counter-attack so we will be looking to exploit that.

"We will show them respect, they are very near the top of the league now, but we also need to impose ourselves.

"It is a wonderful place to go, not many have gone there and got a result but there are a few in our dressing room that have. I still think it is an unbelievably tough place to go."

Sherwood's injury concerns are easing with Ron Vlaar, Philippe Senderos (both calf) and Joe Cole (hamstring) all pushing for recalls after returning to training.