Sunday's defeat to Oldham hurt: Rodgers

The Reds were knocked out of the FA Cup by third-tier League One side Oldham on Sunday, which left Rodgers furious with the younger players in his squad who let him down. Facing Arsenal will be a tough ask, however, considering Liverpool are yet to beat a team in the top half of the table so far this season.

Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers during the Oldham match. Pic/AFP

"Sunday hurt, very much so," said Rodgers.

"It is bitterly disappointing when you lose such a game. As a manager it has to give you greater motivation to push on.

"If we are going to progress we have to make sure the players are hungry in every game. We need to do better against teams in the top half. There's no doubt in big games we want to do better.

"It is a very important game. It is a game we go into, if you put Sunday aside, with confidence. It is a tough game but one we will look to try and win and one we are capable of winning," he added.

Rodgers is set to restore Steven Gerrard to his starting line-up. Jose Enrique (hamstring), Glen Johnson (hamstring) and Pepe Reina (thigh) are all set to return at the Emirates.

Arsenal on track
Meanwhile, Theo Walcott believes Arsenal's season is beginning to gather some momentum after the Gunners followed up the 5-1 league victory over West Ham with a hard-fought 3-2 FA Cup win at Brighton.

Walcott himself has been in fine form, scoring in three successive matches including the late winner at Brighton that took his goals tally for this season to 17.

The England international accepts the visit of Liverpool will provide a stern examination but believes Arsene Wenger's side, who currently lie sixth, are now ready to step up the pressure on the top four.

"It's going to be an intense game against Liverpool. Both teams are fighting for that fourth position and are very close together.

"But I think the way we played at home against West Ham shows that we are strong enough to beat them," Walcott said.

He added: "Yes the momentum (is growing). It has been up and down, there have been patches of brilliance. We need to do it every game."u00a0