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

A look ahead to this weekend

Another weekend of top-flight footy awaits us with Liverpool, and all fans for that matter keen to

Brendan Rodgers: Thumbs up for Sunday

 witness the ups an down of another round of games in week 33 of the Barclays Premier League. Vital points will be won and lost as the season moves toward the most exciting finale we've seen in recent times. 

No longer is there a double-digit points lead at the top and everyone else playing for the scraps. Despite Jose Mourinho's public concession of his side's assault on the title, I'm sure privately, he still feels Chelsea have a chance. They must have. It's not over until the fat lady sings and I don't think she's even turned up yet! The Blues will be hosting Stoke in the late kick off tomorrow and one would expect them to be making amends. However, this could be another proverbial banana skin for them in addition to the one they encountered last weekend at Crystal Palace that landed them spectacularly on their wealthy behinds. 

The expression is that there are no easy games and I'll have this in mind for the biggest fixture of the weekend, in my opinion - albeit that I'm absolutely totally biased. Brendan Rodgers and his vibrant Liverpool team travel down to the cauldron that is Upton Park on Sunday hoping to extend their lead at the top against West Ham. The way things have panned out over the last few games, there isn't really much point in speculating as to who will be in the side. Unfortunately Rodgers doesn't have a massive squad to choose from. Those that have been called upon however, have been top class. Seeing as the Hammers are a very physical side as expected from Sam Alladyce, whoever the Gaffer picks will have to be up to the challenge of what will surely be a bruising encounter. And dare I say it, not the most attractive to watch either. I suspect there may be one or two neck aches in the crowd among the travelling support looking up at the long balls being launched into the box for Anfield old boy Andy Carroll. 

Manchester City will host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow which will be a tricky one for them too. Southampton will be trying to bridge the gap between them and Manchester United in 7th so potentially another hazard there for Manuel Pellegrini. Despite winning the Capital One Cup this season, I believe Pellegrini will be under the most pressure of all the current title contenders. Should he fail to win the Premiership this season, the powers that be at the Etihad may well feel the need to wield the axe. Notwithstanding the fact that this City side is probably the most effective and clinical we've seen in a long long time. 35 wins from a possible 48 - a 73% success rate in old money - is as good a return as any so it'll be a bold move if he gets shown the door come the end of the season. 

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace travel to Cardiff where a win may all but seal their survival and Cardiff's doom. That said, West Bromwich Albion's visit to Norwich City could also have dire consequences for the loser depending on the outcome of the Palace match. Fulham, for me and anybody else with more than one brain cell, are dead and buried now. They can only play the part of spoilers between now and the end of the season. 

So we have an exciting weekend of footy ahead of us. I'm hoping that Liverpool can continue their current form at Upton Park. What's vital for Rodgers' men apart from winning of course, is to keep a clean sheet. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that this title race may come down to goal difference and if so, it's imperative that the Reds can prevent the opposition from scoring for the fourth game in their last six. Apart from breeding confidence into a defence that has been a tad erratic at times, it will send a clear signal to the chasing pack that they're going to have to be at their very best to get anything from us. 

I have to mention a special good luck to the Liverpool Under 18s side who play away at Leicester City's Aylestone training ground tomorrow afternoon. Unfortunately the lads aren't in a position to win the U-18 league this season but lie in a creditable third position with 41 points (as much as it burns me to say it, behind Everton and Man City) and a further three matches to go. 

Finally, no predictions for me, simply a suggestion that the Reds will return victorious from East London tomorrow, albeit by a slim margin. One thing it won't be is an expansive game as 'Big Sam' will keep the game as tight as duck's bottom and probably as rough as old boots too. 

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Liverpool v Tottenham - Match Preview

Today's afternoon kick-off sees Liverpool welcome Tottenham to Anfield for what is, for Brendan

LFC Squad. Could be worse. Could be better too

Rodgers' men, a chance to take pole position in the Premiership. If ever there was a must win game for LFC, then we'll be seeing it come 4pm this today. After yesterday's results, Liverpool have the top spot there for the taking and if the team is going to have any hope of lifting the title this season, then this is the chance to get one hand on it.

The weekend could not have gone any better for Liverpool upto now. Chelsea were done over 1-0 by a hungry Crystal Palace side who are fighting tooth and nail to remain in the top flight. Manchester City faltered at Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium. I remain positive. I don't believe Tottenham or Tim Sherwood have what it takes to overturn Liverpool or Brendan Rodgers. Before Tottenham's win over Southampton last week, they hadn't won since the 1-0 home victory over strugglers Cardiff. The fact that all of the games since then and last week have been against what you'd generally call "Quality" opposition (Chelsea, Arsenal and Benfica), it's only natural to conclude that Tottenham struggle against this type of opposition. The type in which one can definitely count Liverpool.

Tactically, it's almost a given that Rodgers will start with the same side that's been doing so well since the turn of the year. The only change I can see is perhaps Raheem Sterling starting in place of Philippe Coutinho but then, that's something I've expected for the last few games and it hasn't come about. Expect the home side to press high up the pitch and pressure the Spurs midfield. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger will have to be at their combative best and obviously, avoid the individual errors that have cost the team goals in recent weeks. The right tactics though, are only one element of what is required.

I recall the ex-Liverpool winger John Barnes being asked in an interview "What is the secret for Liverpool's success?". Barnes' response was "Well firstly, we have the best players and secondly, the Gaffer just tells us to go out and enjoy ourselves". So for a start, Liverpool don't have the best players. Perhaps the best strikers and one or two midfielders arguably, but in defence certainly not. Thus Barnes' first point is irrelevant for the current team. However, what they can do is to go out tomorrow and enjoy themselves and I'm glad that Rodgers has put that point to the team ahead of tomorrow's match via the Liverpool Echo. 

Nobody knew that the team would be where they are at the beginning of the season. As underdogs for the Premiership - which they undoubtedly are - they shouldn't be feeling the pressure. That's the job of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal but not Liverpool. They're in the mix and clearly have a chance but I'm not convinced that Liverpool will win the title. Mainly because there's no depth in the squad. All it takes is a 2-match yellow card ban (Steven Gerrard), an injury to Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge or indeed Gerrard, and then the title challenge will likely be as over as Austin Rover. The squad is right now four or five key players - not squad players - short of being genuine title material and Rodgers knows this. 

The bottom line is, Liverpool FC have nothing to lose and everything to gain. The apparent nervousness on Wednesday against Sunderland from both the team and supporters should not be. In reality, we've got to be happy we got this far. Surely that's worth celebrating. And come Monday 12th May, we might be celebrating still further.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Cardiff City v Liverpool - Match Preview

Liverpool travel to the Cardiff City Stadium tomorrow in a game that pits the current leaders of the form guide versus the bottom side. It's hard to see the Reds coming away with anything other than three points and it would take a very confident, if not foolhardy man to bet against Brendan Rodgers' side. To quote the FM 2013 press response: "Confidence is high and the team are playing with the freedom
this brings..."!

Liverpool are indeed flying high right now on the back of some top drawer performances. Second in

Daniel Sturridge: The new Frazier Campbell?

the Premiership and top of the form table with five wins and a draw from their last six games translating to 16 points from the 18 available. Along the way, Rodgers' men have earned well-deserved plaudits with the clinical despatching of Arsenal and Manchester United and notching up 19 goals. Title talk is now rife and one can feel the belief in team, the manager and the fans. The club is even the popular choice with the public. Does that make them the Housewives favourite...? Enough already! Before we all get carried away and start printing the "N-n-n-n 19" T-Shirts, let's take a look at the current state of play at the top of the table.

With all the furore of the trophy heading to Anfield, the main contenders and let's not forget still, favourites to come out on top, are Manchester City and they have two games in hand on second and third placed Liverpool and Arsenal respectively. Given their goal difference, they could, theoretically be on top of the pile if they win them. And, seeing as they welcome rock-bottom Fulham to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, there's a good chance the theory could well turn into reality. I always find it odd how the papers and the fans alike seem to miss that reality. Yes, it's fair to say Liverpool are in with a shout, but the odds remain squarely stacked against them and it would do us fans no harm to add a sprinkle of realism to the big bowl of optimism going round at the moment.

On the other hand concerning Liverpool's opponents tomorrow, since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came through the doors at Cardiff City FC on 2nd January this year, the side has won only two of the ten games played. The hefty concession of 20 goals en route does not bode well for them either. One has to wonder what made Solskjaer take the hotseat offered by controversial owner Vincent Tan. Let's face it, following a successful spell as Manager of the Manchester Utd. reserve team - beating the Liverpool reserve side to the Lancashire Senior Trophy in the 2007/8 season. Then, going on to manage Molde FK and winning back to back Tippeligaen championships, you'd have thought he'd sit tight and wait for a perhaps, more "reputable" side to approach him. Arguably, the Bluebirds' Managerial seat is somewhat more of a poisoned chalice. Being realistic, that's the closest they have to a cup this season. 

Cardiff's two wins have come against Fulham and Norwich but that hasn't stopped them being firmly rooted second from bottom in the Premiership. Thus a seven point return from a possible 30 will likely only guarantee 41 year-old Solskjaer Championship football come August. It's quite likely that he'd have had more joy taking over another side. He clearly has some potential but as a replacement for the dearly departed Malky Mackay, I'm not sure he's improved the team if at all. You could argue that Mackay certainly had a better win ratio over 10 games winning three and picking up three draws along the way. Not exactly the record of world beaters, but the Baby-faced Assassin's tenure has coupled with a steady decline.

I really can't see where Cardiff's threat can come from tomorrow. The Independent made a "head-to-head" this afternoon between Cardiff's Frazier Campbell and Liverpool's very own Daniel Sturridge. Is there any point? I was struggling for what to write after such an eventful weekend and clearly, I'm not the only one. If we look at Campbell's season stats, we see five goals from 24 appearances, compared to Sturridge's 18 from 19. In old money, that's a 95% chance of scoring during a game. Compare that to Campbell's 20% and you can see where the smart money lies.

As you know, I don't make predictions, however, I'd suggest a healthy win for the visitors tomorrow, by a two or three goal margin. Football is a funny old game as someone used to say, so with that in mind, let's hope we still have something to smile about come 5pm tomorrow.

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never...

Brendan Rodgers: Fear not and Never give in

"Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." The words of Sir Winston Churchill. 

After the weekend we've had, those are very apt words for Liverpool FC as we approach the last 10 games of the season. The final bend before the final furlong. The time to get the whip out and get the steed to focus on the line ahead. The final push where winners and losers are made. This season, contrary to Brendan Rodgers' claim of being the "Chihuahua" of the Premiership, I'd say they're more like the dark horse. The one that sneaks up on the outside to catch the favourites napping in their gallops of complacency. 

Nobody had expected the team to be where they are at the beginning of the season. Yes, we won the first three games 1-0. Yes, those first three games included that lot from the wrong end of the East Lancs Road. And, yes, "An improvement on last year's seventh place finish would do..." We all thought. Or qualification for European competition at best. Let's be honest, nobody foresaw this. Second with 10 games left to go and only four points off the leaders. Rodgers would have taken this quicker than a life boat on The Titanic if you'd offered him this at 2:45pm on 17th August last year. In truth, wouldn't we all. 

We come back to Churchill's words. "Never give in". The entire Liverpool squad now has to stand up and be counted. The odds remain against us, and indeed we're all pinching ourselves. I applaud the approach of Rodgers to the question of the title. Basically: Let's just keep on improving and maintaining the level we're at. The team has a new resolve this year. An attitude that epitomises the words of the great leader. Many a fixture this season, I'd have fancied us to lose given our recent history. Stoke away, Fulham away, Tottenham away and now Southampton at St. Mary's this weekend. All games the team would have done well to come away from with a draw in the not too distant past. 

Rodgers must be commended for the determination and steel the team has shown this season. Resolute has been the watchword for LFC this time round. With the exception of a couple of soft results away to Hull City and West Bromwich Albion. The team has shown steel in abundance to answer the questions that have been asked of them. Granted, the defence is still shy of what I'd expect from Champions elect, and I believe this will be the teams undoing in their efforts this season, but the performance on Saturday showed that the team can be on the ropes, take the body blows and still come out fighting. They never gave in. 

In the last two games against Fulham and Southampton, there was signs of nerves from the team but for me, they have absolutely nothing to lose and should approach each game as such. Be bold. The next game is against Manchester United at Old Trafford and you have to fancy Liverpool. United will be up for it, to put a stop to the racket coming from their so-called  noisy neighbours but I'm hoping the din will be too much for them to bear. 

Like any supporter of any Premiership side, I think Sir Alex Ferguson's departure was a massive gain for the rest of the league. And, a huge loss for United. Their demise has opened up the entire race and it's been the most enthralling for years. This time last year United we're 11 points clear at the top on 89. The year before they and Manchester City were a jaw-dropping 19 points ahead, tied on 89 points. Points do not equate to entertainment and I find the current state of fewer points at the top, 63 with a four point gap to second, more palatable than what's been served up this last couple of seasons. 

I've supported Liverpool for the best part of 40 years now and since the good times in the seventies and eighties, and the Champions League in 2005, there's not been that much to shout about if the old grey matter serves me right. The team has recently had a knack of getting so far, then catching Englandattheworldcupitis - I think it's called - and shooting themselves in the foot, just as they need to put said best foot forward. I daren't dream just yet. I'm just fluffing up the pillow!

So, some words of encouragement to everybody's favourite team over the next couple of months. Never, never, never give in. In the here and now, its totally clear, you have nothing to fear, but fear itself. 

Follow me on Twitter: @Mrbengreen

So far so good...?



Yes - He loves himself!

 Again, it's been a while since I've written on here. Sad but true. Not that I haven't wanted to. There's one particular reason... I've been shit scared at the strength with which Liverpool have started the season! Call me superstitious but I've been careful not to write too positively for fear of jinxing the whole thing. I mean let's face it, even my arch nemesis Luis Suarez is passing the ball more in the final third. Now this is something I never thought I'd see. Not while he wears the red of Liverpool anyway.

Witchcraft aside, I think most Liverpool fans with the exception of the foolhardy would admit surprise at the start to the season Liverpool have made. The new additions over the summer have not disappointed when they've played and this speaks volumes for Brendan Rodgers' eye for a player. His only utter failing in the transfer market has been Fabio Borini and he's been banished on loan Somewhere or Sunderland (either name will do), which kind of absolves him of the crime he committed in signing Borini in the first place. "It's a fair kop guv'nor!"

Liverpool have adopted a distinct strategy in the transfer market which seems to be paying off. The acquisition of Victor Moses, Mamadou Sakho, Aly Cissokho and Luis Alberto all indicate that the club are looking not just for youth, ability, potential blah blah blah... But hunger. Obviously not in the same sense as in Jan Molby or Neil Ruddock, but as in the desire to succeed where others had written them off. This is true in the case of Daniel Sturridge. Living proof that one man's muck is another man's brass! After Manchester City and Chelsea, he's taken the opportunity at Liverpool with both hands and this is paying dividends for both him and the club. Moses is another example. Although one has to wonder why he ever went to Chelsea from Wigan in the first place. Anyone that's even heard of football could have told the lad he'd struggle to get a run of games there. I hope the move becomes permanent next year. 

Of all the summer signings, I've been most impressed with Kolo Touré.  I'd even say Rodgers has replaced Jamie Carragher with a better player. The guy can do it all. Tackle, positions himself well,  and brings the ball forward out of defence without just "hoofing" it upfield. Touré didn't have anything to prove other than what mugs Man City were for letting him go for free. Liverpool missed him in the Man United game for sure and he's already proving to be a vital part of the first eleven. In fact, the entire current back three of Touré, Sakho and Martin Skrtel or Daniel Agger looks to be the strongest central defence the team has had since the days of Sami Hyypia and Stéphane Henchoz. Yes, the formation is different but in terms of confidence. Confidence that they won't leak a goal or two each match.

The midfield is looking good and although we've not seen much of them, Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto both look to be good buys. I think the latter isn't quite ready yet, and he'll need this season to get used to things but he his technical ability is as good as I've seen. It's fair to say that Aspas too, still has some work to do but the boy does bring some more invention to the side. I won't call him the next Bruno Cheyrou just yet! But with the Jordan Henderson as the next Ray Kennedy and Philippe Coutinho being the next, well... Philippe Coutinho, it's looking like back to the future. The team is playing well, and thus far, my impression of Rodgers has been spot on. He hasn't delivered totally but he's heading in the right direction.

Rodgers is a man who really knows what Liverpool Football Club is about, and the owners have made the right choice in his appointment. His tactical knowledge is solid, he knows how to motivate the players and most importantly, he learns from his mistakes (enter Borini and Oussama Assaidi). That said the team is still not quite where it should be. I thought there were lapses in defence on Saturday which, against a better side would have been surely punished and the team also needs to improve their concentration and consistency in the second half of games when leading. 

Having said that, a top four finish should be achievable given the start they've made to this campaign. I still believe Liverpool need to seek out a replacement for Luis Suarez in the event that he gets itchy feet again. Am I glad he stayed? I can't say I am really. I am glad that he's playing more for the team now and not being guilty of breaking down the attacking phase of play. But I still don't have much time for the guy.

He's like Marmite. You either love it or you don't. Personally I can't stand the stuff!

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen

Liverpool looking good value for money

The annual summer transfer frenzy is now officially up and running, and the papers are full of speculation and links based on insider contacts, hope and in some cases pure imagination. However, with that said, only half of the Premierships clubs have flexed any financial muscle thus far, with the usual moneybags suspects Manchester "hard-up" City leading the way with over £50m spent already.

What I've found surprising is that although Aston Villa have been the most busy, bringing in five players for a total of around £11m, I see the supposedly cash-strapped Liverpool currently running second to Citeh in the spending stakes. With the current acquisitions of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto costing a reported £12m or thereabouts, and the imminent arrival of Simon Mignolet for £10m, the Liverpool Chief Financial Officer Andy Hughes is now sweating over the departure of £22m from the cash ledger. The perennial big spenders, Chelsea are yet to draw their wallet in anger, and Manchester United and Arsenal only have spent a massive £2.8m between them... With Arsenal contributing, er... zero.

You see, as far as I was aware, Liverpool are supposed to be skint. "We need to build a 700,000 seater stadium so we can keep up with the likes of Chelski and Manyoo" they say. "We can't compete anymore because we've been left behind financially". "We're poor..." they cry. Well, they don't seem to be doing that badly. 

On reflection, Liverpool's decline over the last few years is not, in my opinion down to a lack of funds. Lets face it, it's not as if they've been scratching around for a transfer kitty this last few years. The main reason is simply down to adopting a poor recruitment policy of picking up average players on massive salaries. Poor use of funds, rather than a lack of it. After all, the Reds are currently lying in 5th place in the current Premiership Rich List, and on the strength of that, not as poor as we'd imagine. Am I the only one that's noticed this?

In terms of revenues, Liverpool have, potentially, some large income from the departures of Luis Suarez - at least around £35m by all accounts (excuse the pun) but surely a profit on the £23m purchase price - and Jonjo Shelvey, who's lack of discipline, composure and overall poor form seems to have earned him a place on the sales ledger, so perhaps £7m for him as reported. I don't expect Liverpool to get anywhere near that amount for Jay Spearing who is allegedly being tracked by Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers, perhaps £3m at most. Add to that the possible sale of Pepe Reina and there is a likely healthy profit in the air. Surely a pleasant prospect for Mr. Hughes. 

It's near on certain that once the rest of the top four get their readies to hand, I think Liverpool will fall down the transfer spending table. However, it's clear to see that things are not as bleak as many Reds supporters would imagine. That coupled with the astute purchases made by Brendan Rodgers so far, don't paint too bad a picture for the club in the short to medium term, and especially so if that can be translated into results on the pitch. 

Follow me on Twitter @Mrbengreen