West Ham Utd v Liverpool FC - Match Preview

Liverpool travel to East London this afternoon with the intention of regaining their place at the top of the Premier League. With fellow challengers Manchester City and Chelsea recording emphatic wins

Glen Johnson: Will Glenda be out key man today - again?

yesterday, today's match will provide further evidence as to whether Brendan Rodger's side genuinely are in the hunt, or simply also-rans. Sam Alladyce will be sure to make this as difficult a task as is humanly possible in order to secure top flight survival for the Hammers. 

Luck, like everything in this world is not infinite and it'll be interesting to see if the Gaffer's continues, or whether he used up the last of it with his Grand National sweepstake win yesterday. Liverpool, or the housewives favorite if you prefer, are currently a solitary point behind Jose Mourinho's side with a single game in hand, so a win would restore the Reds' two-point advantage at the top of the table. Hopefully Rodgers' side can avoid falling victim, like Across The Bay did yesterday, to an unseated runner as one could call West Ham - long out of the race, but continuing all the same as trained to do.

If observers claimed Liverpool may suffer under pressure, then this match will see if they're correct. This fixture is one that Champions should be winning. The kind of game where they can show they will not lie down. Both to the immediate opposition and to the other challengers. Andy Carroll will be doing his level best to show Rodgers what he so willingly let go, and lifelong Reds supporter Kevin Nolan will be looking to put a dent in the visitors' hopes for sure. 

In terms of selection, I can't see any changes. Simply because the current team has done so well in the last couple of months and seem really settled. I'm hoping that Rodgers will start with a front three. Raheem Sterling out wide on the right, swapping the width with Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez. The latter two switching between offering the wide option and the central attacking threat. I'd prefer to see Sterling start ahead of Philippe Coutinho simply because I believe he can handle the inevitable physicality. Coutinho, on the other hand will probably win more free kicks and against a packed defence, this may well be the side's best bet for scoring opportunities. In any case the team has options and goals so we'll see which approach the boss goes with. 

The midfield three of Steven Gerrard in front of the back four, Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen ahead of him. I don't see a start for Lucas at the moment, but should the visitors secure a comfortable enough lead, then we can expect his introduction in the second half. The defense will gave a tough test managing Carroll and Nolan and I'm praying that the back four can keep them at bay. This is going to be a vital part of this match and if the visitors are to remain the only unbeaten premiership side this year, it's imperative that there are no sloppy mistakes to make a difficult risk harder still. This will also be a chance for Glen Johnson to continue his return to form and maintain his impressive scoring record against his old club.

For me, Manchester City are still the favorites to take the title this season. Their two games in hand could see them take a two point lead at the top so this really us a must-win game for Liverpool. Indeed, every one of the remaining six matches will be. This, if Rodgers' men can maintain their form, will be the reason why a title win would be that little more special. Just in case it isn't special enough. So let the analysis and talking stop and let the game begin. Let's hope the team come away with a win. 

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Nine Goal Thriller Keeps Liverpool In The Chase

Suarez and Sturridge - The REAL SAS

Sloppy defending coupled with exquisite finishing was the order of the day as Liverpool and Cardiff City served up a nine goal treat to keep the fans on the edge of their seats and make problems for those with coronary complaints. Two goals a piece for Jordon Mutch and Martin Skrtel, a Luis Suarez hat-trick and a goal each for Daniel Sturridge and Frazier Campbell provided the entertainment in a thrilling match.

As with most a Liverpool fans, I was confident of a win and didn't really expect to see Cardiff register one goal, let alone three. The first from Mutch was equally down to poor defending - yet again from Liverpool, as it was the quality finishing from Mutch. Following a suicide back pass from Joe Allen that allowed Frazier to play the ball into the path of the scorer. The amount of space allowed by the Liverpool defence, and the apparent reluctance to press on the edge of the box was again Liverpool's failing. However less than ten minutes later, Liverpool were level. Jordan Henderson's ball into space for the overlapping Glen Johnson who's centre was tapped in easily by Suarez at the near post. 1-1. 

On 25 minutes Liverpool were again guilty of leaving gaps in the defence large enough fir a No. 36 bus to breach. Campbell done exactly that and latched onto the pass from the impressive Mutch to cut across the visitors' shambolic defence to slide home his sixth Premiership goal of the season and the hosts' second. 2-1. Liverpool responded by trying to get balls in behind the Cardiff defence and thus began to turn the tide of the game. As half time approached one sensed Brendan Rodgers' men would recover and, recover they did as Skrtel poked home to level on 41 minutes from Philippe Coutinho's dangerous ball into the home team's penalty box. 2-2. 

The break gave the visitors a chance to regroup, regain focus and play in a manner more befitting of a team challenging for the league title. Through similar fashion to the equaliser, and again through Skrtel with his second of the game, heading home from Coutinho corner. 2-3. After that, it was the Suarez and Sturridge show. The SAS as they've now come to be known, swept aside the home side with some devastating link-up play between them. As clinical as the formidable, stealth-like unit after which they've been nick-named. And, I'd like to add, far more so than any previous impostors with the same name!

Sturridge picking up the effervescent Johnson's centre and playing an audacious back-heel pass in to the stride of Suarez... 2-4. Following another 15 minutes of continued pressure, the deadly duo struck again. Johnson's 40-yard pass on 75 minutes turned defence into attack and found Suarez moving into the vacant left side flank. His neat control and strength was too much for the marking City defender and as he raced through, Sturridge was on hand to meet his partner's centre and tap in. 2-5.  If there was any doubting the outcome of this encounter, surely it was erased now. The visitors were out of site.

Mutch grabbed what can only be considered a consolation in the 88th minute, heading in Kenwyn Jones headed lay off but by now, the damage was done and there was no way back for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side from here. 3-5. No sooner had the home side clawed back a modicum of respect, the SAS struck again on 90 minutes to close the proceedings in style. A long punt upfield from Skrtel found Suarez again in acres of space on the left flank. As he dribbled toward goal with only the keeper to beat, the following was inevitable. A little shimmy and a drop of the shoulder. 3-6.

There's no doubting that Liverpool made this unnecessarily difficult for themselves in the opening stages. The amount of space afforded to the home side was unforgivable and deserving of being punished twice. Young Jon Flanagan will surely learn from that as both errors came from his eagerness to get forward. There also appears to be a reluctance, on occasion for Liverpool to close opposition players down on the edge of their own box. For what, the good Lord only knows. What we all know though, is that this has to stop if and more likely when, they are facing the quality opposition that will inevitably arrive with playing in the Champions League.

For now, Liverpool remain in the mix and a 19th title is certainly not beyond them. As Brendan Rodgers said after the game when asked if he's "Got to say now you can win the league?", his response was, quite rightly "No, we've got to say we've gotta win the next game, and that's our focus". Never a truer word said. The focus in now on Wednesday night at 8pm when Sunderland come to Anfield. Let's see where we are after that.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Would you bet on it?

Because he's worth it!

This morning, and every Saturday and Sunday, I do the modern day equivalent of "a flick through the papers", which basically boils down to looking at what's new on the newspaper websites and the prominent footy sights for LFC, transfer rumours etc. This morning, I took a look at Skybet for a quick check on what the bookies think of the current comings and goings in this year's January transfer window. 

 The old saying is that "the bookies are never wrong" and this being the case, then there may well be a couple of interesting additions to the Liverpool squad over the coming weeks. This January transfer window has started very slowly and the usual speculation, even those claiming an "agreement has been reached" are turning out to be completely devoid of anything like truth as we know it. However, my gander at the bookies' pages bring a touch of reality to the proceedings and throw up a few interesting names. 

Many will recall the much mooted "signing" of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. An almost certainty until Borussia Dortmund arrived at the table and well, that put paid to any hope of the Reds getting their man. As with the current "target" Mohamed Salah from FC Basel. With reported interest from Athletico Madrid and Arsenal, arguably two "more attractive" clubs than Liverpool, we've probably heard the last of that also. Salah is a good player but I'm not sure how much of an improvement he'd make at Liverpool. As a Swiss resident I can tell you, the boy's good but nothing to write home about. 

So according to those in the world of high stakes, Brendan Rodgers is 4/11 on to sign Will Hughes.  Who I believe would be a far better signing for the Reds in the longer term. Besides looking like a toilet brush with his untamed mop of blonde hair, against Chelsea last week the 18 year-old seems to have a lot of potential. Perhaps a purchase and loan back arrangement would be best for him to help his development. We'll see. 

Second up from the tipsters is Martin Montoya from Barcelona. The 22 year-old right sided defender looks to be a decent prospect and would make good competition for Glen Johnson and  Martin Kelly. From what I've seen he seems to be a good passer, anticipates well and has a decent shot on him too. I wasn't that impressed with his crossing though. Overall, a bit if a gamble but then we are talking about the bookies' eye view here in any case. 

Finally, they have Pedro Rodriguez penciled in at 5/1. A great prospect in my opinion and a natural finisher. His addition would make for a frightening front line if Rodgers could get this live wire's signature, and at 26 he's the perfect age to come in and play with some experience whilst still having some room to develop. He has a good blend of pace, power and trickery and he would fit in well with the current team. 

So if you fancy a flutter, I think your hard-earned would be better spent backing these guys instead of chucking it away on Salah who, according to those in the know, doesn't have much chance of signing for Liverpool anyway. Let's face it, if he did, his name would be up on the board, but... It's not. No bad thing in my view. 

As for those already at the club and the match away to Stoke tomorrow, my heart says 2-0 to the visitors, but my head says 1-1 given the work ethic of Mark Hughes side and the fact that they've made the  Britannia Stadium a difficult place for away teams. 

Liverpool are still in with a shout for Champions League qualification but as I've said before, fifth or better would be good enough for me. Perhaps with a decent signing or two I might raise my expectations a little higher. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen

Here we go again...

So game 11 of the 2013/14 premiership season kicks off this afternoon and there are some interesting fixtures to note. 

First things first though of course and Liverpool entertain Martin Jols Fulham side at the Anfield this afternoon. With The Cottagers languishing in 16th place on the league, one has to be optimistic for Bremdan Rodgers' men. Usually this is the type of match one would beat describe as a potential "banana skin" for the Reds. 

In recent times Rodgers has made a good job of focussing his side to step it up against the so-called lesser teams and I hope this continues today. One thing that concerns me is Liverpool's inability to keep a clean sheet and I have to say the flaws in the 3-5-2 the team have deployed this season were surely exposed against Arsenal. I'd like to see Rodger's return to four at the back for a fixture that needs to bear 3 points if Liverpool are going to be taken seriously as contenders this season. 

The return of Glen Johnson should go some way to providing some solidity at the back. Despite his clear defensive shortcomings, his experience is invaluable. Most if all, is like to see Philippe Coutinho make his first start since returning from injury and his creative flair and eye for a pass will do the home side no harm at all. A lot more effort from the whole team and better communication between Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez wouldn't go a miss either!

Away from that we have Chelsea at home to West Brom and "I'd luv it!" If Steve Clarke could get one over his old boss in his own back yard and do Liverpool a favour at the same time. With Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City all playing tomorrow, a nice win to show their credentials would do Liverpool no harm. 

Here's hoping the post-match review will be a positive one. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen