Its FA Cup Time Once Again

It is the New Year and it is the beginning of January which means its the beginning of the FA Cup for Premier League sides as Liverpool take on Arsenal today in a 5:15pm kickoff at Anfield. Of course, one of the games I’ve been waiting for this season I’m likely to bloody miss due to helping out with a gig this afternoon but hopefully there’ll be a TV in the hotel!

No sign of major injury worry for Liverpool which is a good thing as we’ve got the Gunners today and again during the week for the League Cup Quarter Final. Seen as the team hit it off so well against Bolton, Benitez may well opt to keep Crouch and Kuyt up front from the start and inject Bellamy’s pace into the game in the second half, Bellamy having sat out the last game after picking up a knock against Spurs before the New Year.

Liverpool won’t be too eager to give up the trophy and it will definitely be all to play for this afternoon as the two clubs chase domestic honours outside of the Premiership trophy (barring of course a dramatic downfall in United and Chelsea and an unbeaten run by Liverpool all the way to the end of the season ).

While Arsenal are missing Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, Thierry Henry has returned to the side and was great in the Gunners’ last game. Liverpool too will have to put behind them the fact that Arsenal ripped the side apart 3-0 in November so there might be a bit of work to do in keeping the unbeaten record at Anfield. But thats what Anfield is about - the “fortress Anfield” mentality, the home advantage, the passion. Of course Julio Baptista and William Gallas might have a thing or two to say about that.

Nevertheless, it will be full strength sides from both team and it might well take something special to split the sides - remember Alonso and Neil Mellor back in 2004? Hopefully it won’t have to come to the last kick of the game and neither side wants a replay with the fixtures starting to stack up.

Liverpool all the way, Liverpool for the win, roll on 5:15.

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