Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Arsenal v Liverpool

Carling Cup fourth round
Venue: Emirates Stadium Date: Wednesday, 28 October Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Merseyside & highlights on The League Cup Show on BBC One and this website at 2255 GMT on 28 October

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski could make their first starts of the season.

With boss Arsene Wenger expected to mix experience with youth, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre are likely to start in defence.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said midfielder Alberto Aquilani could make his debut with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres likely to be out.

Winger Albert Riera (hamstring) and Martin Kelly (ankle) are also injured.

But defenders Andrea Dossena and Sotirios Kyrgiakos could both figure having recovered from injuries.

Benitez said of Aquilani's inclusion: "He will be with us. He is improving his fitness, so he's in the squad.

"He cannot start at this moment but he will be there and maybe we can give him some minutes. If it's possible, we will try to use him."

Aquilani played for 15 minutes of a reserve match last week, having been recovering from a knee operation since his arrival at the club in the summer.

The 25-year-old said: "It was good to play for the reserves because I haven't played for a long time, but to play for the first team is something different again and I am looking forward to that."

MATCH PREVIEW

Arsenal's youngsters looked superb in the previous round against West Brom and now get another chance to show their potential.

Mexican forward Carlos Vela, Sanchez Watt, Fran Merida, Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey and England Under-21 duo Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere could all feature.

Nasri suffered a broken leg during pre-season training but made his comeback for the reserves last Tuesday and was named among the substitutes for the 2-2 draw against West Ham United on Sunday.

Liverpool, who beat Manchester United on Sunday, are the most successful club in League Cup history and are bidding to lift the trophy for a record eighth time.

But the omens are against them ahead of their trip to the capital. Liverpool have been knocked out of this competition by London clubs in each of the last five seasons, suffering defeats against Chelsea (twice), Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Liverpool are unbeaten in the last seven league and cup matches between these clubs, although five have been drawn.

606: DEBATE

• Arsenal's last win against Liverpool was 6-3 at Anfield in the League Cup quarter-final in January 2007.

Arsenal

• Arsenal, the 1987 and 1993 winners, have reached at least the last eight in each of the last six seasons.

• The Gunners have a 100% home record this season, having won all of their seven matches at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool

• Liverpool have not won away from home since their victory at Leeds in the previous round.

• They are also yet to score an away goal since that match at Elland Road.

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