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Top four go head to head in Premier League big games

Jose Reina believes the best performance of his time at Anfield has provided the perfect platform for Liverpool to assert their Premier League title credentials at Manchester United's expense.

Liverpool meet the champions tomorrow just hours before leaders Arsenal entertain Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in what has long been anticipated as a day that could shape the rest of the season.

United's recent defeat by Bolton and Arsenal's reverse at Middlesbrough last weekend have reduced the stakes involved in Super Sunday: whatever the outcomes of the two matches the top four will head into the hectic end-of-year program as a bunch with the points gap between first and fourth in single figures.

But there will be still be a huge psychological premium on offer to the clubs who emerge the strongest from this weekend.

And Reina believes Liverpool are in the kind of form to make a significant statement about their desire to end their 17-year wait to reclaim the title of English champions.

The Spanish goalkeeper had an unexpectedly quiet evening on Tuesday when Liverpool steamrollered Marseille 4-0 to book their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League, and he was impressed by how events unfolded in front of him.

"It was the best performance I have seen since I have been at this club," said Reina, who is now in his third season at Anfield. "We were great going forward, narrow and compact in defense and all round that made it a very easy game."

The scintillating form of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard makes him bullish about the propects of a first Anfield win over United since 2001.

"We know we have to be ready for them but it could be a beautiful game in front of our own supporters and we expect to win," he said.

League leaders Arsenal will be hoping injury victims Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb can line up against a Chelsea side who have been significantly weakened by the loss of Didier Drogba, who underwent knee surgery at the weekend.

Manager Arsene Wenger will leave decisions about the trio until the last minute but has made it clear that Robin van Persie, who played for the first time since October in the midweek Champions League win over Steaua Bucharest, will be involved.
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