Liverpool manager believes defence is key against Gunners

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has claimed that he has a plan for how to defeat Arsenal, having studied their previous games against fellow ‘Big 4’ sides Manchester United and Chelsea.

The Reds boss believes that it is key, when playing at the Emirates, not to attempt to match the Gunners’ attacking style, but instead to concentrate on the defensive side of the game, and attempt to hit Arsene Wenger’s team on the counter attack.

Benitez said:

"If you play them at the Emirates they have more confidence and they try to go forward all the time, it is the way they play," said the Reds boss.

"You cannot control the game unless you are strong in defence.

"You can score if you play good counter-attack - like United did the other day,

"When you are playing well and winning everything is fine. If you don't win you have to change things and you have to play as you can - sometimes ugly, sometimes nicely.

"If you are strong and work hard against them you will always have a chance."

Liverpool are 10/3 (VictorChandler) to beat Arsenal tonight.