Javier Mascherano

“Arsenal have some great players and a great squad so if they have injuries then other players can come in and do the job. I think Cesc Fabregas is one of the best in his position in the game and we are going to have to take care with him.

“If we want to beat them then we will need to be 100% concentrated all the way through.”

Mascherano added: “I don’t think we should be thinking about the league table– the most important thing is just to win our games and then maybe look at the other contenders and hope they drop points. It’s not very good if we drop points as well – we need to think about ourselves and then see what the other teams are doing.”

Far from being downhearted following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Hull last weekend, Mascherano was buoyed by the display of the side as they came from behind for the eighth time this season to take something from the match.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been handed a major fitness boost with defender Martin Skrtel returning to full training at Melwood.

The Slovakian picked up a cruciate ligament injury in the 3-2 win at Manchester City in October and has been pencilled in for a return to the first team squad against Bolton at Anfield on Boxing Day.