Marsh: We can put down a marker

Brendan Rodgers' side are just two points behind the Gunners and his first-team coach insists spirits are high ahead of the game.

While no-one at Anfield is getting carried away by the excellent start to the season, Marsh admits a win in the capital would hand the squad a huge amount of belief.

"Training has been fantastic this week," Marsh told Liverpoolfc.com.

"The atmosphere around the place has been really good coming off the back of a really good win last weekend and everyone is in good spirits.

"I don't think it would be a defining moment this early in the season, but if we do manage to go there and get a positive result, I think it would be significant for us, especially if we did win the game.

"It would put a marker down to show how much we have progressed.

"There's not many on the injury table at the minute. Obviously Jose Enrique has been out with a slight problem, but other than that, everyone's available so we have a really strong squad now and good competition for places.

"It makes everyone fight for their place. There's no guarantee you play. When you're playing, you've got to perform to the best of your ability as there's a chance someone can come in and take your place."

Watch the video here »

As to Liverpool's approach on Saturday evening, Marsh said they will play their normal game and go into the clash with the same attack-minded philosophy as always.

"We are well prepared and ready for the game," he said.

"I don't think we will be gung ho and attack right from the very first minute, but we are well prepared tactically and when we have possession we will be positive and go and try to win the game.

"It's going to be a really tough game. Arsenal have started the season really well. They are sitting at the top of the league but we are well prepared for it and we are looking forward to it."

While some observers have been surprised by the start Arsene Wenger's side have made to the season, Marsh considers the Londoners to have the talent at their disposal to challenge for honours.

[OTPA_WIDGET_CONTENT]

"Arsenal seem to have more of an attacking threat this season," he said.

"Giroud has started the season really well and is scoring more goals this year than the last one. Aaron Ramsey has started on fire and scoring goals, so they have a lot of attacking threat from different areas. We are going to have to be wary.

"I can see Arsenal staying right up there. It's a quarter of the season gone, so there's no reason to suggest why they can't stay up there for longer than that."

Last season, Liverpool drew 2-2 at the Emirates after they let a two-goal lead slip, and Marsh believes lessons have been learned from that game.

He added: "I think as time has progressed we have learned to manage the game a little bit better so that when we are in the lead we can control the game, keep possession better and keep the ball away from the opposition and see games out."