---
title: "View from the opposition: Q&A with Renato"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/first-team/view-opposition-qa-renato/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Smith"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-08-21T17:52:06Z"
modified: "2015-08-21T17:54:21Z"
---

# View from the opposition: Q&A with Renato

Liverpool look to maintain their perfect start to the season on Monday night, but at the Emirates Stadium, against Arsenal, it will be far from easy.

I spoke with [Renato](https://twitter.com/th14Renato), of social media fame, to get a bit of insight into how Gunners fans are feeling ahead of the contest.

**Arsenal have a superb record against Liverpool at the Emirates; is there anything that you’ve seen from either side in the first two games of the season that suggests to you that might change on Monday?**

Liverpool haven’t been in blistering form this season but have enough about them to cause problems for any side. Arsenal started appallingly at home against West Ham United but turned it around with a performance against Crystal Palace that deserved more than just a 2-1 win. If Arsenal play to their best it’s hard to see Liverpool winning.

![Julian Finney/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readliverpoolfc.com/readliverpoolfc/2015/08/484219438.jpg)

**All summer, as is seemingly the case every year, Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers. Are you surprised at all that Arsene Wenger didn’t go in for Christian Benteke?**

Not really. As good as Benteke is, he probably wouldn’t suit Arsenal’s game very much. Unlike Giroud, he’s not a player who links up play fantastically. Benteke has his benefits over Giroud; he’s quicker and probably a better finisher, but Giroud arguably suits Arsenal more. And if we are to sign a striker I can only see it being someone that dramatically improves on what we have.

**It looks as though [Jordan Henderson could be missing on the night](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2015/08/21/captain-miss-arsenal-fixture/). How much easier will that make life for the Gunners?**

I actually think it makes Liverpool better. Milner is a superior player to Henderson and the two don’t seem to work in the same midfield. Partner Milner with someone else and I think it could actually be beneficial for the away side.

[![Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://readeverything.co/readliverpool/readliverpoolfc/2015/08/4835082182.jpg)](https://readeverything.co/readliverpool/readliverpoolfc/2015/08/4835082182.jpg)

**Do you envisage Alexis Sanchez playing from the start, and will he be at his rampant best?**

He played last weekend which suggests he’s back in the fold. Let’s hope he’s back to his best – on his day he is virtually unplayable. The goal against you lot last season was one of his best and if Clyne goes forward like we know he can, Alexis could find space in behind.

**Do you think there is a particular weakness in the Liverpool side that Arsenal will look to exploit?**

Last season we played at a frantic pace and came out pressing early. Your defenders and deep midfielders aren’t the best on the ball – or the best in general – so I think we’ll try the same again. If we get Ozil on the ball early creating chances, we should be set to have a good chance.

**Which Liverpool players do you see causing you some problems?**

He was awful against us in the cup final, but Christian Benteke is a huge threat for any side. The raw pace and power will cause us problems. And in the air he is great. Firmino is an interesting player so I’ll be keeping an eye on how he does.

[![Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://readeverything.co/readliverpool/readliverpoolfc/2015/08/4835081741.jpg)](https://readeverything.co/readliverpool/readliverpoolfc/2015/08/4835081741.jpg)

**How seriously are you taking Liverpool this season? Do you consider them a threat at all?**

We’re looking up rather than down, so I’d say no. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United are the teams that I would consider closer to us. If all goes really well they could challenge for fourth but I think we’re in the mix for the title.

**And finally, what is your score prediction for Monday’s game?**

I’ll go with a 2-1 win, with goals from Alexis and Walcott. Firmino to grab his first Liverpool goal, too. Knowing us, we will probably have 100 chances in the first half but fail to convert them and let you score first. It should be a good game, though.