Liverpool shape up for Arsenal crunch

It is being billed as the match that will make or break Liverpool's season.

But Reds goalkeeper Chris Kirkland insists his side have nothing to fear going into Sunday's match against Premiership pacesetters Arsenal at Highbury.

Liverpool will kick off the match keenly aware that they have taken only three points from their last eight league games - a run which has seen them slip from the top of the table to fifth place, nine points adrift of Arsenal.

But after a frustrating draw against Blackburn on Boxing Day, Kirkland denied it was all gloom and doom in the Liverpool camp.

"We're very disappointed not to take the three points against Blackburn but we have a big game at the weekend to look forward to and we have to pick ourselves up quickly for that one," he told Liverpool's official website.

"Things are not going our way at the moment but we'll work as hard as we can on the training pitch to try and put things right.

"If we want to win the league then we can't afford to be dropping points like this. We need to start on a winning streak as soon as possible.

"Sunday's game will be tough but we'll be up for it and we'll give it our best shot. There's no point in us feeling sorry for ourselves. The manager and staff are right behind us and we're still all confident that we'll be able to turn things around."

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier echoed Kirkland's sentiments and insisted he was looking forward to the Arsenal game.

"Our finishing has not been as good as it could have been but it is a team which is young. We have to be patient. I trust them, that is the main thing. I believe in them."

Liverpool will come up against an Arsenal side who showed genuine steel in coming from behind to beat a combative West Brom on Thursday and look to be on the verge of the kind of winning run that delivered the double last season.

The Gunners have also been boosted by the return to full fitness of Patrick Vieira. The Frenchman had been struggling with a groin strain recently but was back to match-dominating best against West Brom.

He warned Liverpool that they could not afford to lose on Sunday.

"It is a really important game for Liverpool," he said. "They can't lose the game - that would make it really difficult for them to come back.

"Now our confidence will be really high going into the game because West Brom was a fantastic result away from home.

"For me Liverpool are still one of our biggest rivals. They have worked hard over the last few years to bring in some really good players and have the team to win the title. But we want to win it."

Freddie Ljungberg is struggling to shake off the cold which kept him out of the trip to West Brom and remains doubtful for the match.

Francis Jeffers is likely to continue up front after his well-taken goal against West Brom with Dennis Bergkamp again doubtful as he struggles to shake off a knee problem.

Newcastle face Tottenham in Sunday's other Premiership clash and the Magpies are expected to welcome key striker Craig Bellamy back to the forward line alongside Alan Shearer.

Bellamy, who suffered a career-threatening knee injury last season, asked to be rested for Thursday's match against Bolton because of concern about overplaying.