13th May2012

Swansea v Liverpool: All Eyes on Manchester

by backofthenet

Today, Liverpool visit Swansea at the Liberty Stadium in what is perhaps the least relevant match of the final weekend of the Premier League.

The only two bonuses for both these sides (which actually are really similar) are prize money and pride, as both Liverpool and Swansea can jump up a few places should they pick up 3 points today, whilst Liverpool would also want to finish above rivals Everton, and Swansea likewise above fellow promoted side Norwich City.

Team News

No new injuries for Liverpool reported this week, and Steven Gerrard is likely to return to the starting XI for this one, whilst Jose Enrique is expected to be fit for this one. Liverpool will also have usual absentees in midfielders Charlie Adam and Lucas Leiva, with both still sitting out on the sidelines with long term injuries.

Swansea have 3 players confirmed to be sitting out this one in Ferry Bodde, Kemy Agustien and Andrea Orlandi.

My Predicted Liverpool FC Starting XI

Reina
Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Enrique
Henderson, Shelvey, Gerrard, Downing
Carroll, Suarez

My Predictions

All out for a win today. Liverpool FC will want to finish the season on a high, and I’m betting on just that. I’m also predicting that Andy Carroll will score at least one goal in the Liberty Stadium later on today.

Side Note: If this one manages to make it on the television here in Malaysia, I’m definitely watching it, but most likely it isn’t, and I’m rooting for Manche$ter City clinching the title tonight!

Category : Liverpool FC, Match Previews
Tags : , , , ,
0 Comm
08th May2012

Liverpool FC vs Chelsea: Playing for Pride

by backofthenet

So here it is. My second Liverpool FC vs Chelsea match preview in a single week, and certainly the atmosphere surrounding game has changed drastically since the FA Cup final.

Much has been talked about Liverpool’s season at the moment. A weak Premier League campaign coupled with strong showings in the cup competitions, leaving Liverpool fans to wonder where they stand in terms of ability and mental strength at the moment. One piece of silverware, one runners up finish and one eighth placed finish. But Liverpool fans will certainly be disappointed the most by their league campaign this term.

In terms of position, Liverpool have virtually nothing to play for. No Europa League/Champions League place to fight for, given they’ve qualified for the competition by virtue of being Carling Cup champions, and quite simply, it is only prize money (and perhaps getting one over Merseyside rivals Everton) that is left to play for.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have been dealt a very lucky hand, with the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham all dropping points during the weekend, offering another glimmer of hope in guaranteeing their place in the Champions League next season (although they can also do so by winning against Bayern Munich come a few weeks).

I think that this match can be treated almost like a post-season friendly for the Reds. Give more youngsters who actually want to go out there and impress. The seniors will most certainly be distraught at letting a piece of silverware slip right from their fingertips. I think we should give Raheem Sterling a game. He’s looked promising in his short cameos for the senior team thus far and it might just be worth giving him a shot in this game.

I reckon that Liverpool might just give their key players a rest and keep them from injury as the season draws to a close. Expect to see the likes of Andy Carroll, Maxi Rodriguez and Sebastian Coates in this one.

Category : Liverpool FC, Match Previews
Tags : , , ,
0 Comm
05th May2012

Chelsea vs Liverpool: Source of Redemption

by backofthenet

The Reds take on the Blues at Wembley today afternoon, as the FA Cup final takes center stage amidst all the Barclays Premier League action this weekend. 

The focus will be on the two strikers of the moment, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres. Both of which have scored their own hat-tricks in the Premier League last week, and will be hoping to be among the scorers come the final in just a few hours time.

Team News

Both teams will be without two players for the final, as Chelsea will be missing out on the services of defenders Gary Cahill and David Luiz, whilst Liverpool have two long term absentees in Lucas Leiva and Charlie Adam to deal with. Di Matteo trialled a formation which contained 3 strikers in mid-week against highflying Newcastle in mid-week, only to suffer a defeat at the hands of the Magpies. The Italian is likely to shift the formation back to his regular 4-2-3-1.

Liverpool themselves also had an experimental side put out in midweek, also resulting in defeat – although the Reds lost to Fulham instead. Jose Reina, Daniel Agger, Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson were all rested for that game and are likely to return for the final.

Prediction: Chelsea 0 Liverpool FC 0

Liverpool and Chelsea have both looked strong of late. Liverpool have shown remarkable form in the cups this season, whilst Chelsea themselves have been looking very good of late, even defeating now ex Champions League and La Liga Champions Barcelona over two legs. I reckon that this one will be very tight, and will be decided on a penalty shootout.

Category : Liverpool FC, Match Previews
Tags : , , ,
0 Comm
01st May2012

Liverpool FC vs Fulham: One for the Second Stringers

by backofthenet

Kenny Dalglish and his men will welcome London outfit Fulham to Anfield this weekend with one eye undoubtedly on the FA Cup final against Chelsea come the weekend.

The Suspended/Wounded

Liverpool FC will have a small injury list to content with, with only 3 players in Lucas Leiva, Charlie Adam and a doubtful Jack Robinson all likely to miss out this game through injury.

The Rested

But in this game, it’s more of a case of who will be rested for the FA Cup final come this weekend. I personally reckon the ‘confirmed’ absentees will include Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard, Craig Bellamy potentially because he played last weekend, Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson.

I think that Andy Carroll will be given a lone striker role up front for this one, potentially alongside Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez might just make the FA Cup final due to his proficient record of scoring 2 goals in 2 games against the Blues this season. Jonjo Shelvey has come out and said that he wants a spot in that FA Cup final, and I reckon he will be given a game to try and boost his credentials ahead of the Wembley game come this weekend.

My Starting XI

Reina
Kelly-Coates-Carragher-Enrique
Spearing-Henderson
Kuyt-Shelvey-Downing
Carroll

Category : Liverpool FC, Match Previews
Tags : , ,
0 Comm
30th Apr2012

A Liverpool FC Fan Preview to the Manchester Derby

by backofthenet

Now it has come to this. Manchester United taking on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in what could turn out to be a title decider. For the Red Devils, it offers them a chance to seal the deal and their 20th Premier League title, and for Manchester City, a last shot at winning the title. Li Ming provides his fan perspective on this crunch match.

If you walk to any Liverpool FC fan in the street tonight, you will realistically only get one answer as to who they are rooting for in tonight’s Manchester derby. The rivalry between the two biggest clubs in English footballing history is just that big. Not a second thought would come through their mind following being asked the question.

Honestly Speaking

Just a month ago, I would be lying if I didn’t say that Manchester United had the title in the bag. However, a loss to Wigan Athletic changed things around, and the Everton draw seemed to be just the kinda luck that Manchester City needed. This is indeed a tie that will settle the Premier League, at least for now, and whoever wins this should really be crowned the Premier League champions, unless either one loses their final 2 games.

My man to watch in this game is Carlos Tevez. A man for the big occasions, and he will certainly want to put one over his ex-employers in this clash of the two Manchester sides.

Mario Balotelli

Personally, there is going to be one man who is going to influence this game hugely if he starts, that is Mario Balotelli. As often said, he is the joker and the ace in the pack. His disciplinary record compared against his scoring exploits in the Premier League this season would tell hugely contrasting stories of his season thus far. He does indeed have that ‘magic’ in him to make things happen in games. We’ve even seen how he can perform in the big games, when he opened up the scoring at Old Trafford earlier on in the season before Manchester City romped to a famous 6-1 victory.

But, (and with Mario there always seems to be a but) we’ve also seen how he can crack under the pressure. He disappointed teammates, fans and manager Roberto Mancini against Arsenal little less than a month ago with an unarguably stupid red card against Arsenal. A red card that was seen as catalyst to a 1-0 defeat to the Gunners just earlier on in April. Mancini has already come out and put his future in doubt by claiming that the Italian will never play for Manchester City again this season. I, however, strongly doubt that. There just seems to be a very strong bond between the two, and if Mancini is happy to forgive a Carlos Tevez whom went rogue on him, I am sure he is happy to give Balotelli yet another shot.

Prediction: Manchester City 2 Manchester United 1

Category : Match Previews
Tags : ,
0 Comm
27th Apr2012

4 Predictions for Norwich City vs Liverpool FC

by backofthenet

Liverpool FC take on Norwich City tomorrow with Liverpool FC coming in on the back of a loss to mid-table side West Bromwich, which will affect the mindset of Liverpool FC players ahead of this one.

1. Norwich City will Score First

Perhaps a bit more out there, but you know the drill with Liverpool this season. To find Liverpool with a 0-0 draw at half time against West Brom was almost a surprise, with Liverpool heading into the break in most home games a goal down. Liverpool also have the tenancy to have to have a goal to wake them up, before they step up a gear and try even harder to get that equalizer.

Liverpool FC will also remember the fact that they failed to score on the previous meeting between the two sides, with the Reds stopped by the woodwork on multiple occasions in that encounter.

2. Suarez and Carroll will Start, Suarez Will Score

Although there have been rumours flying around that Andy Carroll will be shipped out on loan next season, I personally don’t believe in any of it. Carroll is finally being given a run of games and he finally looks to have hit the ground running, with 2 goals in the past 3 games. Carroll needs to be given time to create that chemistry with the side, but I don’t think that the Englishman will manage to score this weekend.

Luis Suarez has been on form of late, creating lots of chances, albeit not finding the net on numerous occasions. I predict that he will be a scorer come the match at Norwich tomorrow afternoon.

3. Liverpool FC Will Control the Game…

You know the drill. Liverpool will keep the possession and press very high up the pitch, preventing Norwich City from seeing much of the ball or even getting those shots on our goal. Liverpool will keep to that very slow and almost unimaginative approach, which will see us passing the ball from one end of the pitch to another.

Back passes, square balls, and a generally frustrating game.

4. But Liverpool Will Drop Points

I hate to say this, but this is the case this season. The focus really is on next season, and I honestly believe that this is the time to slowly ease the likes of Raheem Sterling and Suso into the first team. Liverpool have been dropping too many valuable points this season, and I just get that feeling that this is yet another game which might see Liverpool dropping some points.

Agree? Disagree? Pen down your thoughts in the comments section below!

Category : General Opinion, Liverpool FC, Match Previews
Tags : , , ,
1 Comm
22nd Apr2012

Liverpool FC v West Bromwich: Continuing the Run

by backofthenet

Liverpool FC will take on ex-Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson as the Reds welcome the Baggies to Anfield later on today. Liverpool will hope to keep their fine form going with a win against West Brom.

Here’s just a message from us, please do vote for us for the DIGI WWWOW awards when the voting starts on Monday. We would be massively grateful if you would vote for us! Click here to help vote! :)

Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez

It took quite a while, didn’t it? But at least Liverpool are now reaping the rewards, with Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll both bagging in the past two games, against Blackburn Rovers in the league and against Merseyside rivals Everton in their FA Cup semifinal encounter just a few days back. But it’s nice to see that they have finally forged an understanding and that Carroll has actually been given time to prove himself, with two successive starts being repaid with two fine and decisive goals.

Luis Suarez himself has been busy and has been creating problems all over the pitch and I’m sure any defender in the world would fear playing against the live wire Uruguayan striker. The way this partnership is seemingly set up for me is Suarez out wide and Andy Carroll in the center, playing further up the pitch than he was deployed earlier on in the season.

Liverpool FC Team News

Pepe Reina returns to the fold following his 3 match suspension after his head butt incident against Newcastle United 2 weeks ago now. Adam and Lucas remain out for this game, as they will do for the rest of the season, whilst Jack Robinson is doubtful, although unlikely to start anyways, with Agger and Enrique ahead of him in the pecking order at Liverpool.

Liverpool FC vs West Brom Statistics

  • Liverpool have kept a clean sheet against West Brom in 10 of their past 11 matches in all competitions
  • Liverpool have also won 10 of those 11 in all competitions

A Few Predictions

  • Liverpool FC will dominate possession against the Baggies
  • Liverpool will win by a scoreline of 1 or 2 goals
  • Carroll will bag another goal
Category : Liverpool FC, Match Previews
Tags : , , ,
0 Comm
Pages:12345678»
Next Page »