Richard Walker / 20 December 2008 Free Bet

I am firmly in the camp of those who suggest that, come the big games, Liverpool need both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres on the pitch to have a chance of winning.

They could prove me wrong - but I suggest they won't and that's why, for me, an Emirates home win should be backed at [2.48].

Arsene Wenger's side have proved more than once this season that they seem to thrive when true adversity strikes - and they've done it against both at Chelsea and Manchester United on their own patch.

Despite their lofty position, Liverpool won't ask the same kind of questions as the other 'Big Four' counterparts.

If you disagree with my synopsis, The Draw is [3.3] to back with Liverpool a few ticks greater than that.

Arsenal might have will-o-the-wisp midfielder Samir Nasri back but they're getting used to coping with injuries; Kolo Toure and Nicklas Bendtner are doubts while Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky remain side-lined. The Reds have Torres and full-back Fabio Aurelio to do without.

Almost certain to start, Robin van Persie is my selection for a goalscorer. A price of [3.1] offers sufficient value, for me, in the To Score market, while he can be backed at [7.8] to be first on target during this Sky Sports 4pm kick-off. Perhaps it might be worth also sticking Gerrard in for the first goal in case there's a penalty or some-such - he'll be roughly [9.4] to strike first.

The 2.5 goals market is as spread as I've seen it for some time. Unders is at [1.75] to back with Overs [2.32]. I have to admit that, while I'm not adverse to value selections, I'm struggling to imagine this game being anything other than football chess at times so can understand those weighing in at two goals or less.

A cagey affair in prospect means a cursory glance towards the Half-Time Result market. There, The Draw is sitting pretty at [2.16]. It's worthy of your support, even if you're not convinced of the game's final outcome.

Given what I've said, Draw/Arsenal is my selection from the Half-Time/Full-Time list, priced as it is at [6.4]. If you think the Gunners will be ahead at the break, it's [4.5] about Arsenal/Arsenal. And in the interests of completeness, Draw/Draw should get a mention - even as a small-percentage cover - at [5.4].

Whether this has the expected thrills and spills of the West Brom-Man City match earlier in the day I'm not so sure, but it'll be absorbing in its own right. Good luck!