ARSENAL ATTACKS LIVERPOOL AT ANFIELD

Fans of both clubs have renewed hope of clinching qualification for the Champions League, but defeat for either today could see just as swift a turnaround in mood.

'What the win does is makes you more confident and it gives you an incentive to go on and try and win and play in more finals,' Liverpool winger Stewart Downing said. 'And we are still going for a Champions League place with fourth position. There is a lot to play for and hopefully we can carry on doing well.'

Leader Manchester City, which hosts Bolton today, and second-place Manchester United are out of sight, but third-place Tottenham is just seven points ahead of Arsenal after last weekend's north London derby..

If Spurs lose to visiting United tomorrow, that gap could be as small as four points.

Liverpool is back in seventh place but is only seven points behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

Liverpool could be without captain Steven Gerrard after the midfielder limped off in the first half of England's 3-2 friendly defeat against the Netherlands on Wednesday. Defender Daniel Agger is also set to miss the match after cracking a rib in the League Cup final.

'He's got a fractured rib, so maybe it will be a few weeks,' manager Kenny Dalglish said.

United and Tottenham will both have to cope without key players at White Hart Lane, where United has not lost since a meaningless end-of-season fixture in 2001.

United is already without injured captain, Nemanja Vidic until the end of the season and could miss defender Chris Smalling, who was carried off in the second half of England's match after a clash of heads with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Spurs could call upon Sandro to fill the gap in midfield caused by the suspension of Scott Parker for his late red card against Arsenal.

Spurs look vulnerable to a late charge by Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea after only a third loss in 24 matches.