Babel: No Gunners fear

Ryan Babel believes Liverpool will have no reason to fear Arsenal when the Reds go head-to-head with the high-flying Gunners at Anfield on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger's charges are currently third in the Barclays Premier League table, four points ahead of Liverpool having played a game less.

However, Babel is optimistic the Reds can bounce back from their Fiorentina disappointment and claim a morale-boosting victory in front of the Kop.

The Dutchman told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's clear Arsenal are playing very good football and games against them are always exciting.

"But we don't need to fear them. We know how they play and their strengths, so I think we can prepare well.

"We've played a lot of games against Arsenal over the last few seasons. It's about having the right tactics to go against them and win this game.

"I don't think they will underestimate us, though, by thinking we're not in form or not doing well. It will be an exciting game."

Arsenal are the league's top goalscorers having found the back of the net on 38 occasions in their opening 14 matches.

However, Babel feels the Gunners' attack-minded approach could present Liverpool with chances.

"They like to play very high and catch teams offside, so if you have runners who can get behind the defenders it can give you good opportunities," he said.

"Their full-backs like to attack, so maybe they sometimes have problems getting back to defend and that is something we can look at."

Babel has figured in several high-profile clashes against Arsenal since arriving on Merseyside in 2007.

While last season's pulsating 4-4 draw will live long in the memory, the 22-year-old pinpoints the Reds' dramatic 4-2 Champions League quarter final, second leg triumph in April 2008 as his personal favourite.

With just six minutes remaining at Anfield, the scoreline was tied at 3-3 on aggregate, though Arsenal were heading into the last four on the away goals rule.

But Babel made an instant impact after coming off the substitutes' bench, first winning a penalty to allow Steven Gerrard to put the Reds back into the driving seat, before the No.19 scored a goal of his own in stoppage-time.

"We played against Arsenal in the quarter finals of the Champions League a couple of seasons ago," he recalled.

"We were very close to being eliminated, but we turned it around at the end - it was a crazy game."

20 months on from that balmy night in L4, Babel is targeting a similar outcome on Sunday in order to reignite Liverpool's quest to secure a top four finish and a return to the Champions League next season.

"If you beat a top side it makes things easier," he said. "It is important for the three points of course, but also for our confidence.

"There has to be a point where we turn it around and win games. Hopefully that will be this weekend."

He added: "I am definitely confident we can finish in the top four. Liverpool are always capable of coming back from difficult situations, so why not this year?"