The Score / Richard Walker / 20 April 2009 / Leave a comment

A win would leave Liverpool very much in the title race whilst a defeat would very much put them out of it. With Steven Gerrard absent through injury and Arsenal back to something like their best, Torres and co have a real task on their hands, says Richard Walker.

Perhaps it shows how the once-mighty have fallen, but don't you think Arsenal being priced at [5.2] to win at Anfield is kind of crazy?

Okay, this is now the only competition left for Liverpool and they've had much more rest than the Gunners but still, over 4/1 in a clash of two 'Big Four' clubs? Seems slightly wide of the mark to me.

I'm not prepared to go as far as to say the Wenger Boys will take Liverpool's 16-game unbeaten home Premier League record, which stands proud this season as the major contributing factor towards their push for the title. Which is why I am prepared to recommend backing The Draw at [3.6], as opposed to suggest laying Liverpool who are priced at [1.87] to make it 11 home wins for the campaign.

That victory would, of course, take them two points clear of Manchester United, their only credible title rivals, but it leaves the Red Devils with two games in hand. Points in the bag are preferable to potential points most seasons and for Rafa Benitez and his Reds it's absolutely crucial, as it's the only pressure the Anfield club can truly apply to their bitter rivals now.

It's my assertion that this pressure to deliver will weigh heavily enough on Liverpool's shoulders to allow an Arsenal side, still smarting from their Wembley defeat on Saturday, to make amends with a share of the spoils. And that's without Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie, both sidelined from the weekend, but with the returning Eduardo and some welcome defensive experience through Bacary Sagna on the right.

Counter that though, if you will, with Steven Gerrard's continued absence through injury and the fact he's still the main supply line to Fernando Torres. Yes, the Spaniard's brilliant individually but he does need feeding and I don't see the quality jump off the page of a Reds' starting line-up without their midfield talisman.

I reckon there'll be goals. Liverpool are in a must-win scenario while Arsenal relish the counter-attacking cut-and-thrust of a match which is likely to be more open than Benitez would normally permit on home soil. Back Over 2.5 goals at [2.2], against the [1.82] on offer for Unders.

I was pleased to mention 0-0 as my chief Correct Score selection for Sunday's Everton-United semi-final so, as I'm in hot form with one-in-a-row (!), I'm going for 2-2 for this Sky Tuesday night broadcast. It's priced at [21.0] and, granted, needs an early or at least first goal from the visitors most likely. Cover against this - and against Overs at the same time - with [7.6] about 1-1 or even the [11.0] for 0-0 which I rate far more unlikely than a 2-2.

Other options in this list include the favourite of 1-0 to the Reds at [7.2], 2-0 to them at [10.0] or perhaps possibly [18.0] that is on offer for 2-1 to the Arsenal.

I imagine you'd have been showing a P in the old P&L had you been Laying Dirk Kuyt To Score all season. It'll be a liability of about [4.0] to do so when this market develops and I reckon he's worth taking on. With Torres the likely focal point for attacks, I'd be more worried about Xabi Alonoso or Albert Riera notching than the Dutchman. Torres will be showing at his usual short-ish price To Score, probably something like [2.5], while it might pay to consider someone like Ryan Babel at a few ticks longer than Kuyt.

A win for the Gunners would all but seal fourth spot, a win for the Reds would keep the title race alive. A draw would do nothing for either side...but plenty for you if you take my views! As ever, it's your choice - good luck.