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Anonymous User
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Anfield tomorrow plays host to two teams who could hardly have had more contrasting seasons. For Liverpool, the anguish of missing out on last season’s Premier League title has been quickly forgotten thanks to one man: Alexis Sanchez. Since signing as a replacement for the talismanic Luis Suarez, the Chilean forward has done what many thought was impossible: to hit the same heights reached by the Uruguayan in 2013/14.

What if...

Inspired and encouraged by Liverpool’s signing of Sanchez, other top players soon followed. The signing of Marco Reus was particular impressive. Dejan Lovren has settled in seamlessly, no doubt helped by having to face the speedy wingers in training. He looks a real bargain at £20 million, as he showed with his man-of-the-match performance in the Bernabeu, leading Liverpool to a shock win against Real Madrid.

But back to the undeniable star of the season: Sanchez. With 22 league goals in just 16 league games, the former Barcelona man has gone from strength-to-strength under Brendan Rodgers. Alongside Daniel Sturridge, the pair have been unstoppable. Many on Merseyside are now unable to picture life without their new signing, with the thought of him playing at Arsenal almost inconceivable.

Brendan Rogers' Liverpool would have been inspired by the Chilean superstar.

As for the Gunners, it has been a season of misery. Despite winning the F.A Cup in May, it has been a case of one blow after the other. They were expected to finally mount a sustained title challenge this campaign if they were able to make a few key signings. They couldn’t. As it happens, they find themselves 15th in the Premier League table and in desperate need of the inspirational qualities of a player like Sanchez. Mario Balotelli simply hasn’t settled in North London and, as his all-night party on the London Eye showed, he still has issues with his temperament.

Injuries to players like Mesut Ozil have not helped, and Yaya Sanogo has tried his best, but constant dropped points have shifted Arsenal’s focus away from a top four place to ensuring they do not finish in the bottom three. Abou Diaby being able to play every game has been an unexpected bonus, but they need more than that to turn things around. In spite of the tenacious Frenchman, relegation remains a very real possibility. I know. It sounds ridiculous.

Without Sanchez, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal would be struggling.

On the management front, Arsenal have still not replaced Arsene Wenger, who they axed in November after a drab goalless draw at home to Burnley. Jurgen Klopp has been mentioned as a possible replacement, but he’d have a job sorting out the mess at the Emirates. Despite losing Reus in the summer, the enigmatic German has inspired his Dortmund side to the top of the Bundesliga once more. Why would he leave his homeland for Arsenal?

Back to tomorrow, and the clash between these two sides. Unfortunately for Arsenal, a repeat of last season’s 5-1 victory for Liverpool looks very much on the cards. The hosts, already six points clear of the chasing pack after their 4-0 win at Old Trafford last week, could take another giant step towards a long-overdue Premier League title with another win here.

Dejan Lovren's season could have been so different.

As for Arsenal, defeat could see them drop into the bottom three for the first time in a long, long time. Caretaker manager Piers Morgan needs to perform miracles just to avoid another Anfield annihilation. With the January transfer window just around the corner, Arsenal are in desperate need of some firepower. Roberto Soldado - bang in form at Tottenham - is a potential recruit, but the idea of the Spaniard moving to Spurs’ bitter rivals is ridiculous.

Some will say this season could have so different for both these sides had Sanchez gone to Arsenal, but this is not the time for ‘what ifs’. The season is getting down to the nitty-gritty and it’s time for Liverpool to thank their lucky stars and for Arsenal to face reality.