Match Preview: Liverpool v Blackburn

It’s long long time since I wrote about the Reds. Kinda busy lately, some more too many match to cover due to Boxing Day. Enough of chatting, and now back to business….=)

For this gameweek 18 (Monday, 26^th December 2011), the Reds will host Blackburn Rovers. The game will start after lunch hour at 15:00 local time. Malaysian can watch live at Stadium Astro channel 813 at 22:55

Liverpool had endured a disappointing draw during their last match at DW Stadium. The Reds currently sits 6^th of the table with 30 points from 17 matches. Liverpool’s form stands at DWWLW. It is quite disappointing as the Reds should be able to take maximum points in this month.

Blackburn lost their last match at Ewood Park to fellow relegation battlers, Bolton Wanderers. Their last win was recorded at 3^rd December 2011 when they beat newly promoted Swansea 4 – 2 at Ewood Park. They currently sits bottom at the table with 10 points from 17 matches. Blackburn form stands at LLLWL.

Kenny Daglish will welcome Jay Spearing back after picking up red card during match versus Fulham. Forward Craig Bellamy did not start in the stalemate at DW Stadium because of knee injury will likely to start the game. Andy Carroll will also start the game to provide physicality advantage for Liverpool. Luis Suarez will also start the match despite being handed an eight match ban as he is still have time to appeal the charge. Most probably Kenny Daglish will deploy conventional 4-4-2 formation with Carroll upfront support by Suarez. Downing and Bellamy will add extra width to the attack.

Rovers boss Steve Kean will have Martin Olsson returned at the back. However, they will lose Michel Salgado as the club couldn’t afford to pay his salary if he continues to play. Scott Dann also will not likely to start the match because of ruptured testicle. Steve Kean will probably play 4-5-1 formation and leave Yakubu alone upfront.

Reds possible formation & line up

Possible Line Up

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Henderson, Adam, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll

Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Samba, Hanley, Olsson, Hoilett, N’zonzi, Dunn, Formica, Pederson, Yakubu

Mr I Prediction

Liverpool 1 – 0 Blackburn; Bellamy on the score sheet.

It is tight game with a lot of competition in midfield area. Liverpool probably creates more chances than Blackburn, however as previous match their finishing is letting them down.

Match Preview: Wigan v Liverpool

Hi guys. I am very sorry because there was no update on match preview & player rating during the Reds last outing at Villa Park. Mr I was at his home town and suddenly the Boxing Day has started. The Reds will start their boxing day at DW Stadium. The match will start at 20:00 local time. Malaysian can watch at Stadium Astro channel 813 from 03:55, Thursday morning.

Wigan was impressive in their 2 last games; won against West Bromwich & steal a point from Chelsea. Wigan currently sits 18^th of the table (in the relegation zone) with 13 points. Wigan last 5 home matches stands at DLDLL.

Liverpool last outing was 2 – 0 win against Aston Villa. Liverpool currently sits at 6^th in the table with 29 points, same as Arsenal. A win against Wigan will put the Reds at 5^th position, depending on Arsenal results, which will kick-off earlier. The Reds last 5 away matches stands at WLWWW.

It is interesting to see how Liverpool will start the match. Is it with or without Luis Suarez who serving 8 matches ban following misconduct towards Patrice Evra. The ban will start to kick in Liverpool v Oldham (FA Cup). Should Kenny Daglish leave him out, the ban will ending against Bolton in January. Mr I think that Liverpool need to play Andy Carroll and start to adjust without Suarez.

Most probably Kenny Daglish will deploy 4-4-2 formation and leaves Shelvey in the benches. The 4-2-3-1 formation against Aston Villa where Shelvey plays in advance midfield role looks good but this is the time to play Andy Carroll.

Possible Line Up

Wigan: Ali Al-Habsi, Stam, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Jones, Diame, Gomez, McCarthy, Mosses, Sammon

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Henderson, Adam, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll

Mr I Prediction

Wigan 0 – 2 Liverpool; Suarez & Bellamy on the score sheet.

Match Preview: Liverpool v QPR

For BPL gameweek 15, newly promoted QPR will visited Anfield on this Saturday clash. The match will kickoff at 1500 local time. For Malaysian fans, you can watch this game live at Stadium Astro Channel 812/832 (Saturday, 2255)

Liverpool’s unbeaten run ended at Craven Cottage last week, thanks to the only goal from Clint Dempsey. Liverpool currently sits at 7^th of the table with 23 points from 14 games. The Reds last 5 games stand at DWDWL.

QPR’s last away game was at the Carrow Road, which was ended 2 – 1, favored the home side. QPR currently sits at 12^th place, same points as Aston Villa, Everton & Norwich City. Their last 5 matches stand at LLWLD. QPR’s fan leaved the Loftus Road frustrated as Shane Long late goal stole a draw for WBA.

The home side desperately needs a win. Most probably Daglish will deploy 4-4-2 formation and use Downing & Bellamy to provide extra width; which is crucial to stretch QPR’s defense. Carroll might play his part in this game as he will provide aerial threat to QPR’s center back whose win little of their aerial 50-50 battle. Ferdinand & Young only won 45% & 44% respectively of their aerial 50-50 battle. In midfield battle, the Reds need to watch out for Faurlin as he has attempted ~16% of total QPR’s open play pass with completion ratio of 83%. Skrtel & Agger also need to pay attention on QPR’s striker, Helguson. Currently he has scored 6 goals with conversion ratio stand at 30%. It is quite impressive as Dzeko’s chance conversion stand at 31% and Rooney at 20%. Watch out also for Joey Barton as he set plays currently contributed up to 10 chances so far.

The key battle in this game would be between Helguson & Reds defender. It is interesting to see how the Reds defender deals within form Helguson. Should the Reds defender win the battle tonight, the more chance that the Liverpool can grab all the 3 points.

Possible Line Up

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Downing, Henderson, Adam, Bellamy, Suarez, Carroll

QPR: Cerny, Young, Gabbidon, Ferdinand, Traore, Derry, Faurlin, Barton, Wright-Phillips, Bothroyd, Helguson

The Reds possible formation

Mr I Prediction

Liverpool 1 – 0 QPR; Carroll on the score sheet.

A narrow win for Liverpool as the Reds will find it difficult to break QPR’s defense.

Match Preview: Fulham v Liverpool

For this BPL gameweek 14, the Cottagers will host the Reds. This Monday game will start on 8 pm London time. For Malaysian, you can watch through Stadium Astro, Channel 812 from 0355 to 0600. After watching the match, you can prepare to go for work..hehehe.

Last BPL’s meeting at Craven Cottage on 9^th May, the results favored Liverpool with 5-2 win where Maxi scored the hat-trick.

Fulham currently sit at the 15^th position in the league. Although they usually do well in BPL because of their home form, they only managed 1 win from 6 home games so far. The last draw was 1-1 against Arsenal. Just like Stoke City, they proved it is not easy to play European game at midweek and BPL game at weekend.

The Reds currently unbeaten in 9 BPL games so far. However, the absent of Lucas Leiva could prove crucial. Jonjo Shelvy had been recalled from his loan spell at Blackpool to provide cover. Most likely Jay Spearing will start in Lucas’ position.

The key battle in this match would be between Liverpool attacker and Fulham’s defender.

Possible Line Up

Fulham: Schwarzer, Gygera, Baird, Hangeland, Riise, Dempsey, Murphy, Dembele, Sidwell, Zamora, Johnson

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Kuyt, Spearing, Adam, Downing, Bellamy, Suarez

Mr I Prediction

Fulham 1 – 2 Liverpool; Dempsey for Fulham, Adam & Bellamy for Liverpool

Liverpool actually played their best football away from home this season as they managed to grab 4 wins out of 6 outings. This match could prove to be a physical with a lot of tackles and body contacts.

Match Preview: Liverpool v Man City

The mighty REDS will host the Sky Blue team (Manchester City) in the EPL gameweek 13. Stay tuned at Stadium Astro channel 817 from 2300 to 0230.

City will come to Anfield with 100% record without losing. They only dropped points upon give up 2 goals lead at Fulham. City is currently 5 points clear on top of the EPL. However, the recent game at Naples proves that they can be beaten.

Liverpool is currently sit in sixth position, same point as Chelsea and Arsenal. The REDS is unbeaten at home so far this season. Nevertheless, they already had drawn four of their six home games. Recent victory against Chelsea could prove vital.

Key battle in this match would be MIDFIELD. The team which can dominate the midfield area should come out winner.

As Liverpool spirits is extremely high at this moment, can they pull out an upset against the City?

Possible Lineup

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Maxi, Bellamy, Suarez

Man City: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Silva, Barry, Toure, Milner, Aguero, Balotelli

Mr I Prediction

Liverpool 2 – 0 Manchester City; with Suarez and Bellamy on the scoresheet.

Liverpool so far had struggle against the lesser opponents. But Mr I thinks that the REDS will triumph against the team who play open football. Some more, morale inside Liverpool’s dressing room is much higher compare to City.