Liverpool eager to stretch further Anfield record

During Tuesday's hard-fought tie in Kiev with Israel's Maccabi Haifa, which saw Liverpool through to the group stages of the Champions League 3-2 on aggregate, the Reds had to contend with two more injuries to key players and now they have three regulars sidelined (Sissoko, Carragher and Riise).

Before the start of the Premiership many were those who bracketed Liverpool among the contenders for the championship crown.

Although the race is indeed a marathon for final honours, to drop two points at the very first hurdle to newcomers Sheffield United was not a good omen.

Yet, the crucial start-of-season match was the clash with Maccabi Haifa. Elimination could have cost the club millions of pounds in gates and TV rights.

After chief executive Rick Parry did his utmost to bring the cash needed for Rafael Benitez to bolster his squad and challenge the other contestants in the league, the Spanish coach also had to make sure that his side would not be left on the sidelines in Europe.

This afternoon's Liverpool-West Ham clash will bring back those magical memories of the FA Cup final in Cardiff last May. On that occasion Liverpool only ousted the Hammers in a penalty shoot-out.

Today, Liverpool will be keen to chalk up their first win of the season as they also look forward to preserve their significant home record.

After an upset to Chelsea at Anfield, Liverpool hit a run of 16 unbeaten league matches (14 wins two draws). They ended the 2005-2006 season with a flourish - nine straight wins at home and away.

The Hammers opened with a win at home to Charlton 3-1 and added a further point after a draw at Watford in midweek.

Gunners march on

Man. City vs Arsenal. Arsenal earned a place in the group phase of the Champions League after a 5-1 aggregate win over Dinamo Zagreb.

However, at their majestic new stadium, the Londoners could only manage a point against Aston Villa.

This evening, they look forward to claim all three points at the City of Manchester Stadium. In their last seven league visits to City's ground, the Gunners dominated all the way with seven successive victories.

So far, City could only manage a draw at home to Portsmouth.

Blackburn vs Chelsea. Jose Mourinho, who reckons it impossible for an English club to scoop four trophies in one season, received an unexpected shock with a 1-2 loss at Middlesbrough.

The Blues have not settled down yet with so many of their players on international duty and still not fully fit.

Blackburn, who had Andy Todd's red card annulled after an appeal in the 0-3 loss at Portsmouth, only managed a draw at home to Everton in their second match.

Watford vs Man. United. On Wednesday, the Red Devils became the only side in the league to cash in all points from their first two matches after the 3-0 triumph at Charlton.

United, less the suspended Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, can chalk up three wins on the trot at newcomers Watford. The Hornets will be without goalkeeper Ben Foster, ineligible to play against United who sent him on loan to Vicarage Road.

United did the double on Watford (3-2 away, 4-1 home) in the only previous campaign the Londoners played in the Premiership (1999-00).

Tottenham vs Everton. After drawing 1-1 at Blackburn, Everton will be on their travels once more with a visit to the capital.

Their striker Andrew Johnson opened his account at his new club with a debut goal at Goodison Park.

The Spurs brought Sheffield United down the earth after the Blades had earned a point against Liverpool. Tottenham beat Sheffield United 2-0 at White Hart Lane.

In 14 seasons of Premiership, the Merseysiders managed to scrape four draws from Tottenham, having lost the other ten, including 5-2, 4-3 and 4-1 defeats.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle. In his return to the Premier League after an absence of six years, Martin O'Neill wore a big smile as Aston Villa shared the spoils with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. The Villans followed it up with a home victory over Reading.

Newcastle are through to the first round of the UEFA Cup after a 1-0 aggregate win over Ventspils.

This week, manager Glenn Roeder signed striker Obafemi Martins from Inter for £10m. In the last seven years the Toon lost only once in the Premiership at Villa Park.

M'boro vs Portsmouth. Rookie manager Gareth Southgate tasted the first setback in his new career on his very debut as his side lost 2-3 at Reading after they went 2-0 ahead.

Yet, in midweek, Boro defeated champions Chelsea once more after they were 0-1 in arrears (2-1).

Pompey are hoping not to struggle against relegation this season and the way they tamed Blackburn 3-0 and earned a point at Manchester City suggests they will stay away from the drop zone.

Harry Redknapp is a very respected coach in England and has high hopes his side will be mingling with clubs in the top eight.

Charlton vs Bolton. In only five occasions these two teams met in the Premier, Bolton found the Addicks' patch a happy stomping ground.

They are unbeaten with results of 1-0, 2-1, 2-1, 1-1, 2-1 in their favour.

So, the Londoners will strive to attain their first win against Bolton.

Charlton have already lost two matches - vs West Ham and Manchester United.

After Bolton's fine win at the Reebok Stadium against Tottenham, they had to settle for a draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Fulham vs Sheffield United. Sheffield United's home draw against Liverpool was followed by 0-2 upset to Tottenham.

Fulham received a hiding at Man. United (1-5) and then claimed a point at home against Bolton. Both managers, Chris Coleman and Neil Warnock, want to prove the critics wrong after being mentioned among the relegation strugglers.

Their last clash in the top flight was in 1967-68 with both sides winning at their opponents' ground (Fulham 3-2 at Bramall Lane; United 1-0 at Craven Cottage).

Wigan vs Reading. When the Royals won the Championship in style last season their main aim was to try and follow in the footsteps of Wigan.

Reading opened up well at home to M'boro but then found the going tough at Aston Villa. This afternoon the Latics will be keen to attain their first three points of the season.