Last summer, with Luis Suárez departing, Liverpool were hell bent on signing Chilean forward Alexis Sánchez.

Alexis did leave former club Barcelona for England, but opted to sign for Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal side rather than linking up with Rodgers at Anfield.

Last season the Chilean scored a superb goal as Arsenal beat Liverpool 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium, and Rodgers is wary of the threat posed by the winger ahead of Monday night’s clash.

“Arsenal, like many teams, are still trying to find rhythm and flow but while doing that you want to win,” Rodgers has said as he looks ahead to the game.

“West Ham got a good result there but with [Alexis] Sánchez back he is a real catalyst for them.”

The starting eleven saw the return of Alexis last weekend, as the Gunners bounced back from disappointing on the opening weekend to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Selhurst Park. Alexis gave an encouraging performance and had a huge hand in the winner, with his goalbound header eventually diverted into the net by Damien Delaney.

Rodgers was impressed by what he saw in that Arsenal performance but is up for the test of taking his team to London.

“They played well at Crystal Palace,” said the Liverpool boss. “It is a challenge we are looking forward to.”

“It is a game against a rival you are going to be competing with at the top end of the table.

“While Monday’s game won’t give a full picture of how it will finish up it is important for confidence and psychologically.”

Heading into the game Liverpool have three points more than Arsène Wenger’s men, having won 1-0 against Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth so far this season.

Arsenal, however, have Alexis Sánchez and Rodgers’ Liverpool have lost on their last three visits to N5. Long may it continue.