London - Another slip-up against a direct rival this weekend could prove fatal to Liverpool's chances of qualifying for the Champions League, but manager Brendan Rodgers was remaining optimistic as to his side's chances on Friday.
The Reds head to Arsenal on Saturday looking to bounce back from the 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United two weeks ago that ended a run of 13 league games without defeat.
The Anfield club are currently fifth in the table, five points behind United in fourth and six adrift of Arsenal in third.