Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers seeks mental edge over Arsenal

Liverpool can gain a psychological advantage over Premier League rivals Arsenal with a victory on Monday, manager Brendan Rodgers says.

Liverpool lost 4-1 at Arsenal in April, and have managed just one away win over the Gunners in the past 15 years.

But Rodgers believes there is a way to win there.

"If you assess the last 10 games Arsenal have lost at home, it's been about dangerous possession for the teams who have won," Rodgers said.

"No matter when these games come in the season, they are always good for the psychological effect."

Liverpool finished sixth last season - when they took one point from two games against Arsenal - and their manager is looking for improvement.

Rodgers' side have started their Premier League season with two 1-0 victories over Stoke and Bournemouth, while Arsenal followed a 2-0 defeat at home by West Ham by winning 2-1 at Crystal Palace.

Rodgers said: "The teams who have been [to Arsenal] have only averaged about four shots on target, with 43% possession. It tells you that you don't need to dominate the ball, but you can dominate the space.

"Like Arsenal, we do like to dominate the ball, but there are certain games where you look at the tactical approach of what will get you the result. That's something we've done and have been working on this week."

Liverpool have started the new season without winger Raheem Sterling, sold to Manchester City for £49m in July, 12 months after striker Luis Suarez left for Barcelona in a £75m deal.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who made an unsuccessful £40,000,001 bid for Suarez in 2013, says he feels no sympathy towards Rodgers for having to deal with the loss of two key attacking talents in consecutive summers.

Wenger said: "Liverpool are in a position where they can make their own decisions. They refused to sell us Suarez, so I cannot feel too much sympathy for them.

"Let's remember two years ago with Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Sterling, Liverpool scored over 100 goals. You need special quality to do that, and Sterling was part of that."