Image source, Reuters

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling should stay at the club but is now "under pressure" after talking about his future, says former Reds defender Mark Lawrenson.

The 20-year-old England winger told BBC Sport he is motivated by trophies and not money after rejecting a contract worth £100,000 a week.

Sterling says he will address a new deal at the end of the season.

"He's come a long way in a very short period of time and he needs to remember that a little bit," said Lawrenson.

"I have to feel that he will sign a contract at Liverpool but whether it's haggling for money, whether it's over his own place in the team, I'm not sure.

"He's 20 and not going to Real Madrid or Barcelona or Paris St-Germain. He's not at that level and he has a lot of work to do."

Liverpool have won just one of their last 18 away games in all competitions against Arsenal, and this fixture has seen more hat-tricks than any other match in Premier League history (five).

The Gunners have won their last eight Premier League games at the Emirates. The last time they were on a longer run was in November 2005 (13).

Where will the match be decided this lunchtime? Raheem Sterling running at Per Mertesacker? Problems there.

Alexis Sanchez tearing past Kolo Toure? Aaron Ramsey or Jordan Henderson bossing midfield?

Football Focus
BBC Sport

Football Focus time. Crack on with BBC One or watch at the top of this page. Lovely.

Image source, AFP

In an interview with the Independent, Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker reveals that strong words in the dressing room have helped the Gunners to regain their confidence.

"You need that arguing culture," he says., external "We lost that at times. It gets personal, and someone gets upset too quickly, but you have to face the truth and have a proper argument. That was normal 10 years ago and it has slightly changed.

"We lost that a bit, what is the intention of argument? It's really important, not only in general, but in a footballer's life. It has to get louder sometimes. We need to discuss, to find solutions, to get everyone in one direction."

Image source, Getty Images

There are two early kick-offs in League One this lunchtime. and both concern the promotion race.

Barnsley face Sheffield United at 12:15 BST, with the Tykes hoping for a win which would put them within one point of the play-offs. United are certain to end the day in the top six whatever happens.

And the other game is a massive one. Third v fourth as Swindon host MK Dons, with both sides hoping to stay in the chase for the top two.

Preston - in second - have a seven-point cushion but this is the first of Swindon's two games in hand...

Football Focus
BBC Sport

Join Football Focus for a preview of the weekend's action on BBC One from 12:10 BST.

You can watch reaction as all the goals go in around the grounds with Final Score, live on the Red Button from 14:30 and on BBC One from 16:00, except for viewers in Scotland who can watch Sportscene from the same time.

And of course later there'll be Match of the Day - today it's on at 22:30 on BBC One.

Raheem Sterling has filled the international break news vortex single-handedly this week, and he needs a strong display this afternoon to live up to the hype.

Brendan Rodgers has said that he never had any doubts about starting him this afternoon - and in fact he starts up front.

Mo, Manchester: Sterling over Sturridge as a striker?? Surely Rodgers can't be that desperate to keep him.

John: Arsenal win today: Wenger safe for another two years?

Bryan Cooper: Sick of the Sterling-bashing. A 'money grabber' would've taken the lucrative deal offered to him. Ambitious? Yes. Greedy? No.

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to include your name and location.

Good afternoon!

It feels a long old time since we had the Premier League in our lives but it's back, and back with a bang.

Third v fifth, two of the biggest clubs around, a Raheem Sterling contract 'furore', a fans' protest, and a chance to see Kolo Toure in action once more. What's not to like?

Image source, Getty Images

It is time to hand over the live text baton to Tom Rostance, who will guide you through the afternoon's drama.

Image source, Getty Images

James Marshall: No win today then no Champions League for Liverpool next season. The Raheem Sterling issue is not helping. This is the down side of the Sky TV contract. Too much money floating about.

Nathan: If I was a Liverpool supporter I'd be worried looking at that line-up.

Lfcway: We need a sterling performance from Raheem!

Get involved using #bbcfootball, external on Twitter, or drop us a line on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

You can also text us on 81111 in the UK only - but please don't forget to include your name and location.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger makes three changes from the side which won 2-1 at Newcastle as Per Mertesacker and Hector Bellerin replace Calum Chambers and Gabriel in defence. Striker Danny Welbeck drops to the bench with a recall for Mesut Ozil.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers includes Raheem Sterling in his starting line-up as he makes three changes from the side which lost to Manchester United. Kolo Toure comes in at centre-back for the suspended Martin Skrtel and Lucas comes into midfield for the injured Adam Lallana. Lazar Markovic starts ahead of Daniel Sturridge, who drops to the bench having only just recovered from a hip problem.

Arsenal XI: Ospina, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Allen, Lucas, Moreno, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Sterling

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Emirates Stadium

"The debate surrounding the future of Raheem Sterling after his exclusive BBC interview has overshadowed the vital importance of today's meeting with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

"Liverpool's defeat at home to Manchester United left them five points adrift of Louis van Gaal's side in fourth place - and six behind Arsenal in third.

"So defeat is not an option for manager Brendan Rodgers, who will have to do without captain Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel, who both picked up three-match suspensions for stamping against United.

"And with one of the clouds over Sterling appearing to be a desire to play Champions League football, this only increases the significance of this game against The Gunners."

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal's Mesut Ozil comes in for Danny Welbeck, who picked up a knock during England's European Championship qualifier against Lithuania and starts as a substitute.

Raheem Sterling starts for Liverpool and will be up front for the Reds with Daniel Sturridge, who missed England's two games against Lithuania and Italy because of a hip injury, on the bench. Kolo Toure replaces the suspended Martin Skrtel.

Just a reminder, our first game of the day is the mouth-watering match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium (12:45 BST). And the teams are in.

Image source, Getty Images

If you look at recent history, then you are going to be lumping on a Chelsea win in the evening game against Stoke.

Since gaining promotion to the Barclays Premier League in 2008, Stoke have played Chelsea away eight times in all competitions. and lost all eight. In fact, they haven't got a league point at Chelsea since a 1-1 draw in 1984.

"Our record there hasn't been great, but that could be said of most clubs in the Premier League recently," said Stoke boss Mark Hughes.

"I'm told that the last time we got a positive result there in the league was 1984 and my first-team coach (Eddie Niedzwiecki) was in goal for Chelsea. But we have been able to go to the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham this year and get results and our away form for the most part has been good."

Stoke defender Marc Muniesa on Twitter:, external Tough game today at Stamford Bridge. We have to give our 100% every minute.

Image source, BBC Sport

A few weeks ago Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said his side were going to win the Premier League. Well, on Friday, he insisted the job had not been finished just yet, and that four teams were involved in the title race.

"At this moment you have to say four, not five teams because there's a gap between fourth and fifth," said Mourinho. "We need six victories and one draw in nine matches.

"It's a good situation for us and a situation other clubs would like to be in."