Liverpool: Arsenal clash will be acid test for Reds says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Liverpool's clash against Arsenal in the upcoming fixture will be an acid test for his former club.

After back-to-back 1-0 wins in the first two fixtures against Stoke City and Premier League newcomers AFC Bournemouth, Brendan Rodgers will take his men to the Emirates on 24 August.

The Northern Irishman fielded Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren in the heart of the back four, while summer signings Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez were the two full-backs in the two league matches.

The former Liverpool centre-back has urged the Anfield club to build on their defensive displays.

"The problem last season, equally with the lack of goals, was conceding too much. And now they've got two clean sheets on the bounce," Carragher told Sky Sports.

"Sometimes you can keep a clean sheet but your 'keeper has made great saves or you've been fortunate, but they haven't given away any chances away in two games.

"That's the thing to build on. The goals will come, for sure, as players get fitter and stronger. But the acid test will come away at Arsenal next week considering what happened there last season," the Anfield legend said.

"It will be a test for the back four next week but if they can come through that, then that will give them confidence that they have more organisation, and that can help massively," he explained.

After a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United in the opening match, Arsenal bounced back with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday, 16 August. Arsene Wenger's side will be keen to seal their first home win of the new season against the Reds.

The Merseyside club have maintained two clean sheets in 2015/16 season. Clyne is delighted after his new club's defensive record, but admitted Liverpool still have scope to improve their back four.

"There's a lot of work going on, we have to improve on our defensive qualities and we showed today that we can be solid in defence," Clyne told Liverpool's official website.

"If we can get a clean sheet there's always the possibility of picking up maximum points like we did today so long the may the clean sheets continue!"