Rodgers expects Emirates 'marker'
Brendan Rodgers expects Liverpool's result against rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday evening to be a barometer of his side's potential this season.
First meets third at teatime in London, when two of the Barclays Premier League form teams - each have lost just once in nine matches - attempt to maintain their early-season promise.
They may have already recorded a victory over Manchester United in this campaign, but the Reds' manager has repeatedly noted that his players will improve with every game.
A quarter of the league season will have been completed when the final whistle is blown at the home of the Gunners, and Rodgers sees the encounter as an important signpost.
"It will be another marker for us," the Northern Irishman explained to the Liverpool Echo.
"We are playing against a very good side. Arsenal have lost a couple of times at home in cup competitions but they have started the season very well.
"We go there very high in confidence. We are improving all the time, which is what I'd expect at this stage of the season.
"Whatever happens in the game won't determine if we finish in the top four or not this season, but it can certainly be a really good gauge for us."
Rodgers has been utilising a 3-4-1-2 formation for more than a month, overseeing a four-match unbeaten run in the Premier League during that period.
That has provided the 40-year-old with the confidence to focus on the quality within his own outfit, rather than become preoccupied with the attacking riches Arsenal can boast.
He continued: "Arsenal have some wonderful talents, but my worry is more for ourselves.
"Of course, as the manager you have to look tactically at the areas where you can be vulnerable. But for me it's really about utilising the qualities we have, while making sure that we can counteract what their strengths are.
"Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud have been in good form this season and Aaron Ramsey has been operating well behind them.
"You have to pay attention and be aware of that, but I won't set my team up to be suffocated by the opponent.
"We are set up to be aggressive in our attack. We want to be offensive but always with tactical discipline and that will remain the case against Arsenal.
"Whatever system we play we'll be positive. We're coming off the back of an outstanding performance both individually and collectively against West Brom, and hopefully we can continue in that vein."
