ARSENAL goalkeeper Manuel Almunia will be the first name on Arsene Wenger's teamsheet to face Liverpool tonight.

The Spanish custodian has a superb record against the Merseysiders, with three wins and a draw to his name that includes victories at Anfield in last season's FA Cup and Carling Cup.

No doubt, Wenger will be hoping his lucky charm will come good again tonight as Arsenal bid for a place in the Champions' League semi-finals. And Almunia is brimming with confidence ahead of the Gunners' most important fixture this season.

"I love playing Liverpool," said the 30-year-old in the Daily Mail. "I'm always happy to play against them, especially at Anfield.

"We invariably score there so that is a good sign for the second leg," he said.

Almunia is somewhat of a bad omen for Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez. During the keeper's time at Osasuna in the mid-nineties, Benitez was sacked, and now Almunia is intent on inflicting more misery on the Reds' manager after helping his side set up this quarter-final tie with a superb display against AC Milan in the last round.

"Everyone was 100 per cent that night in Milan and if we repeat it we can win the Champions' League this season," Almunia said confidently. "At our best we're good enough. The most important thing at the moment is not to concede a goal tonight. We'll score at Anfield. We always do."

The Spaniard hasn't had it all his own way at Arsenal however. He was the understudy to Jens Lehmann until he finally broke into the first team this season, but he insists he was happy to bide his time.

"I was very patient, waiting for my chance," he said. "Waiting at Arsenal is easier than waiting at most other clubs. The training ground, the facilities, the way they look after you - it makes working a pleasure.

"But at a club like this, where competition for places is so strong, you have to learn to look after yourself. I have learned and I am more mature because of it. I have improved as a goalkeeper and I'm now confident of my position in the team.

"I have also learned the secret of playing for a big club like Arsenal. It is anticipation, making the right decision at the right moment."

Almunia will be hoping he makes all the right decisions this evening. Then again, with his record, he probably won't need to.