The Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is certain that the Arsenal striker Andrei Arshavin will not be running riot again this year, after the Russian scored all four Arsenal goals in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

“Arshavin was enormous against us last season but there will not be a repeat. The madness of last season is not possible again. We have learned how to stop him and I am convinced he will not create problems for us this time,” said Mascherano.

“Cesc Fabregas is the key for the Gunners. Arshavin is dangerous but without Fabregas’ work things can change. He is decisive and it’s our mission to make sure he doesn’t feel comfortable,” he added.

Arshavin is likely to be given the job of main striker again tomorrow, as he did well in that position last week in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Stoke City, but Mascherano believes that Liverpool now have the strike force ready to shoot Arsenal down this time around.

He said: “We had Fernando Torres back against Fiorentina in midweek, Stevie Gerrard is getting fitter with every game and Alberto Aquilani started as well.

“All those things can only be good for us. We know we’re a better team than we have shown.”