The Northern Irishman believes some of the comments made in the media recently are risible but admits using the press is an essential part of modern-day management

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes the level of mind games within the Premier League is “getting stupid”.

Arsene Wenger has accused his rivals of having a “fear of failure” over their reluctance to declare themselves as title candidates, to which Jose Mourinho branded the Arsenal boss “a specialist in failure”.

Rodgers, however, has refused to be drawn into any psychological battles and insists mind games between coaches are mainly for the benefit of the media.

“It is getting stupid now, isn’t it?” the Northern Irishman told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

“It is probably more for the media, who will make more of it than it actually is.

“As a modern-day manager, there are so many elements you have to have to your profile at this level; it is more than just the coaching on the field, it is managing the welfare of the players, media, and the psychology of it all has always been the case.

“I can only speak for myself and it [mind games] has nothing to do with me.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers believes it will be interesting to see the effects of Liverpool’s 5-1 win against Arsenal when the two sides face off again in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Reds’ comprehensive win over Wenger’s side helped knock the Gunners off top spot in the Premier League and the 41-year-old believes Arsenal were “nervous” going into their next game, against Manchester United on Wednesday.

“You could see Arsenal were nervous in the game the other night, you could sense that,” Rodgers explained.

“It’s never easy when you get exposed like that but mainly it was down to our brilliance on the day, really. We were outstanding.

“Usually a team will get time to get over a defeat like that so to come across us so quickly afterwards, it will be interesting to see the effects.

“When you put in a performance like we did against Arsenal, who were top of the league, it is one that can stick in the mind a wee bit more. But they will be motivated for this game.

“Players at this level are really competitive and will want to show the defeat is past them. They have some outstanding players, they have real quality right throughout the team and they have the quality to come back.

“But if we can get anywhere near the level we were at in the league game we will have a great chance of winning.”

After being mauled by Brendan Rodgers’ side a week ago, the Gunners have a chance to redeem themselves but our tipster is backing the visitors’ in-form forward

Arsenal welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium days after suffering humiliation at the hands of the Reds in the Premier League.

The Gunners were well and truly thrashed at Anfield last weekend, Arsene Wenger’s men slumping to a 5-1 defeat after conceding four times in the opening 16 minutes. Arsenal will, therefore, be desperate to avenge that embarrassing defeating by progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at Liverpool’s expense.

The Reds come into this match after continuing their fine scoring form, netting three goals away at Fulham midweek. Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their last seven matches, including four against Everton and five against Stoke.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have had a relatively easy passage to the fifth round, beating Oldham and then Bournemouth, although the Northern Irishman has named strong line-ups in each of the previous rounds. Bet365 price them at 13/8 (2.63) to beat Arsenal for a second time in a week.

The Gunners followed up their loss at Anfield with a stalemate against Manchester United in the Premier League. A game of few chances, the 0-0 result did no favours for either side, with Arsenal missing the chance to replace Chelsea at the top of the table.

As with Liverpool, Arsenal have cruised into this stage of the competition, despite drawing Tottenham Hotspur in the third round. Goals from Cazorla and Rosicky saw Wenger’s men run out 2-0 winners, and they followed this up with a simple win against Coventry City. Bet365 price them at 31/20 (2.55) to win in 90 minutes. The same firm price the draw at 12/5 (3.40).

With the both teams to score bet and over 2.5 goals bet both too short to touch in this fixture, it’s worth looking elsewhere for a bet that stands out.

With Luis Suarez struggling to keep up his fantastic form from earlier in the season, Daniel Sturridge has well and truly stepped up to the plate after returning from injury.

The Liverpool striker has netted nine goals in his last eight matches, scoring in each of those games and, after seeing the Arsenal defence split open on numerous occasions, the England international should be high on confidence. The price of 7/4 (2.75) is certainly worth investing in.

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The Reds next face Arsenal and their boss is bidding for Wembley glory but despite sitting just four points off league leaders Chelsea he refuses to count them as title contenders

Brendan Rodgers has the FA Cup in his sights this season, but has again insisted Liverpool are not Premier League title contenders.

The Reds face Arsenal in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday and Rodgers intends to field a full-strength side in an attempt to keep the club’s hopes of silverware alive.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho this week talked up Liverpool’s chances of winning the Premier League this season due to their absence from the Champions League, but Rodgers is more cautious. 

“We’re not thinking about being title contenders,” the Liverpool boss said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“There are 12 games to go and we’re just making sure we’re focused on continuing with our improvement in performance.

“We want to win the FA Cup. We don’t have a midweek game so we can go as strong as we want to go. We won’t need to rest anyone.

“It’s different for Arsenal, who have to consider a big European game, but we don’t.

“We are full of confidence, belief is high. The result the other night [the 3-2 win at Fulham] gave us great confidence. We weren’t at our best, but the pleasing aspect was to come from behind twice.”

Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 5-1 at Anfield last Saturday in the Premier League and this weekend go in search of a first win at the Emirates Stadium since August 2011.