Monday 15^th March 20:00

Liverpool entertain Pompey at Anfield in a must win game for both teams.

History

Last year Liverpool did the double over Portsmouth with a 3-2 away victory following a 1-0 win at home.  In the home game, Liverpool dominated but failed to break a resilient Pompey down until the 75^th minute.  Sami Hyypia went up to head a corner towards goal but Bouba Diop inexplicably punched the ball off his head.  The referee awarded the penalty and Gerrard slammed the ball into the bottom corner.  Several more chances followed but 1-0 proved to be enough.

The return game saw Portsmouth take the lead twice before ultimately losing.  A poor 1^st half was reminiscent of the Anfield game as Pompey failed to cause Reina any problems in goal, although Liverpool were little better.  The second half was much brighter and, after an attacking substituion from each side, Portsmouth scored against the run of play.  Decent work from LFC old boy Crouch and a mistake from the Reds’ defence saw the ball fall to Nugent who slotted past Reina.  Alonso came on and Liverpool finally had the creativity they needed in the middle of the park.  A minute later James bizarrely handled the ball outside his area and the ref gave the free kick – Alonso passed to Aurelio who drilled home.  Another defensive lapse saw Pompey go in front again when a free kick was headed in by Hreidarsson.  Last season though, Liverpool had the knack of winning from losing positions and this was no exception.  On 84 minutes, Torres got behind the back line and pulled the ball back for Kuyt who nearly fluffed it before scoring past James.  The points were won in ijury time when Benayoun got to the byline and found Torres in the box.  The Spanish hitman doesn’t miss from there and he hammered a header past James.

This season, the worst Liverpool performance of the season (until Wigan perhaps) saw Pompey win 2-0 at Fratton Park.

Head to head

Total

Liverpool – 26

Portsmouth – 21

Draw – 18

At Anfield

Liverpool – 16

Portsmouth – 4

Draw – 11

Injuries

Liverpool are without Skrtel (metatarsal) while Aurelio (thigh) and Benayoun (ankle) are doubts.

Portsmouth are missing Prince Boateng (ankle) while late decisions will be made on Mokoena, Smith and Vanden Borre.

Form

Liverpool are having the seaosn from Hell – one minute we grind out a result and we think the form is returning, the next game we lose to mediocre opposition.  Pompey are bottom of the league and in dire straits financially.  This could be a real chance for Torres, Kuyt and Ngog to score a few and generate a bit of confidence, but it could also be another Wigan.

Teams

Liverpool (from) – Reina, Cavalieri, Johnson, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Degen, Carragher, Insua, Aurelio, Babel, Mascherano, Benayoun, Maxi, Gerrard, Kuyt, Lucas, Riera, Ngog.

Possible starting 11 – Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Gerrard, Torres.

Portsmouth (last game) – James, Hreidarrson, Finnan, Ben Haim, Belhadj, O’Hara, Brown, Wilson, Piquionne, Webber, Dindane.

TV

This game will be shown on ESPN, see the forum for links to streams and for match chat.

My prediction

Liverpool have to win this game and I think they will.  If we score an early goal , Pompey will come out more and that could leave space for  Torres.  O’Hara is their most dangerous player, he’s a tricky player who can unlock defences and create problems – keep him quiet and we are in for an easier ride.

3-0 Torres (2), Gerrard

Saturday 26^th Feb – kick off 18:00

Liverpool head to Urziceni for the second leg of their Europa League encounter against the Romanian champions

History

This is Unirea’s first year of European football, so the only time the teams have was last week.  Despite being the better team in that game, Liverpool have the slenderest of leads following the 1-0 win at Anfield.

The night proved to be a nail-biter for Liverpool fans; firstly the goal that they deserved refused to come until the 81^st minute, then Unirea woke up and started to put pressure on the Reds’ back line.  Luckily, we held out to keep the crucial clean sheet.

Injuries

Liverpool welcomed back Torres and Benayoun on Sunday and both may play a part in this game, but Johnson is still out with a knee injury.

Form

Liverpool have struggled all season to hit top form and Sunday’s dull game against Man City was a good illustration of how we lack penetration when we are missing our better players.  On the positive side, we have lost only one away game in the last 9 European ties – 2-0 against Fiorentina this season.

Unirea lie 2^nd in the Romanian league with 34 points from 18 games, but they beat Rangers 4-1 and even managed to beat Seville 1-0 at home, although the Spanish side had already won the group and fielded a weakened team

Teams

Liverpool – (from) Reina, Cavalieri, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Degen, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua, Babel, Mascherano, Maxi, Gerrard, Benayoun, Kuyt, Lucas, Riera, Ngog, Torres.

I fully expect Rafa to start the game with Lucas and Mascherano in the middle of the park with Gerrard just behind Ngog.  Torres may come off the bench if needed or to give him some more match time, but I don’t see him starting with Blackburn to come at the weekend and 4^th place still on the line.  Aurelio may come back in for Insua after playing in the first leg.  Babel did well from the bench a week ago – setting up the Ngog goal – but failed to impress at the weekend, so I see him returning to the bench.

Possible starting 11 – Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Riera, Gerrard, Ngog.

Unirea have Pablo Brandan suspended for this game after picking up a yellow card at Anfield.

1^st Leg squad – Arlauskis, Tudor, Maiftei, Galamaz, Bruno Fernandes, Brandan, Paraschiv, Vilana, Onofras, Marinescu, Paduretu, Rusescu, Apostol, Frunza, Bilasco, Mehmedovic, Nieu, Bordeanu

TV

The match is scheduled to be shown on ESPN – see the Talkthereds forum for links to streams.

My prediction

Unirea 0 – 1 Liverpool

A lot will depend on how Unirea approach this game.  If they are cautious at first, fearing conceding an away goal, Liverpool will have no need to push for a second – leaving a poor spectacle for all.  If Unirea attack and try to win, which they are capable of on last week’s showing, then Liverpool will have chances.

An early away goal would create the best game – with Unirea needing to score 3 times, meaning plenty of attacks from them and Liverpool having space to play.

Steve McClaren sees Mihaylov as a good replacement for the ageing Sander Boschker who is likely to retire in the next 18 months.

Liverpool FC have yet to confirm this transfer.

Saturday 6^th Feb – kick off 12:45

An early kick off sees Everton make the short trip across Stanley Park in the 212^th Merseyside derby.

History

This is one of the most famous derby matches in world football.  Apart from cup competitions, these clubs have never met outside of the top tier of English football.  Last season, Liverpool won at Goodison Park and drew at Anfield.

The win across Stanley park should have been by a greater margin than the 2-0 score line as Everton failed to turn up, not managing a shot on target all game.  Even so, Everton had the first chance as Cahill missed a header from close range – he was destined to have a forgettable day.  Liverpool dominated possession and it was just a matter of when the first goal would come and how many we would end with.  On 58 minutes Torres opened the scoring after good work by Alonso and Keane.  It took just another 3 minutes for him to double the lead; Kuyt was tackled when about to shoot and the loose ball fell to Torres who rammed the ball into the roof of the net.  He could have had a hat-trick but it was ruled out for a foul by Kuyt in the build up.  The last notable action saw Cahill given a foul for a trademark nasty tackle on Xabi Alonso, but half of the Goodison faithful had already gone home.

The return fixture was a much more even affair, with both sides having good chances in the first half.  The opening goal, scored by Liverpool, actually began with the Toffees appealing for a penalty after Anichebe went down under a Skrtel tackle.  The referee, who had a good view of the incident, waved play on and Liverpool broke quickly; Riera finding Gerrard all alone and the captain drilled a shot past Howard.  Liverpool looked the most likely after this, but gave away a free kick after a silly foul by Yossi, on 87 minutes.  Arteta swung the ball over and Cahill headed home for a goal that deflated Liverpool.

Stats

This fixture has been played a total of 211 times over the years, in league and cup, including the League Cup final in 1984 and the F.A. Cup finals of 1986 and 1989 – all won by Liverpool.  It is also the fixture which has resulted in more red cards than any other in the Premier League – 17 in 34 meetings.

Head to head

Total

Liverpool – 82

Everton – 65

Draw – 64

At Anfield

Liverpool – 38

Everton – 24

Draw – 33

Injuries

Liverpool are still without Torres (knee), Benayoun (rib), Johnson (knee) and Aurelio (calf), but El Zhar and Kelly are both available for selection.

Everton have some better news in their injury ravaged season – physioroom.com believes that Arteta, Yobo and Jagielka could all be fit for this tie, although Hibbert is still nursing his groin.

Form

Liverpool have ground out some form recently, 14 points from the last 18 despite not playing at their best.  The 4 dropped points came in the hugely disappointing games against Stoke and Wolves and Liverpool will need to be much improved if they are to come away with a win.

Everton are on a similar run, taking 13 from the last 6 games, including a 2-0 win over big-spending Man City.  Having started the season looking like relegation contenders, they are up to 9^th – 9 points behind Liverpool, having played a game less.

Teams

Liverpool – (from) Reina, Cavalieri, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Degen, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua, Babel, Mascherano, Maxi, Gerrard, Kuyt, Lucas, Riera, Ngog.

I fully expect Rafa to start the game with Lucas and Mascherano in the middle of the park with Gerrard just behind Ngog.  This will put Kuyt on the right and Riera on the left.  Carragher should continue at right back.

Possible starting 11 – Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Mascherano, Aquilani, Lucas, Kuyt, Riera, Gerrard, Ngog.

Everton – (from) Howard, Nash, Baines, Heitinga, Yobo, Jagielka, Distin, Senderos, Neville, Pienaar, Fellaini, Bilyletdinov, Cahill, Rodwell, Arteta, Saha, Vaughan, Yakubu, Anichebe.

A lot depends on the fitness of several key players for Everton – Jagielka and Arteta should walk into this team if they are fit.

Starting 11 last time out – Howard, Baines, Heitinga, Neville, Senderos, Donovan, Pienaar, Osman, Fellaini, Saha, Cahill.

TV

The match is scheduled to be shown on Sky Sports 1.

My prediction

Everton 0 – 1 Liverpool

Liverpool must raise their game and I think they will – the victory against Bolton will have offered some confidence to Gerrard, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Riera and even Lucas.

Everton play with power and pace and I expect them to challenge us at set pieces – beware of Cahill.  Fellaini is a powerful midfielder but prone to fouling (as is Cahill) so a strong referee could be important.

On paper this is a very close match, but derby games are never predictable.  The referee will have a part to play in what is often a fiery encounter and it may finish with less than 22 players on the pitch.  Martin Atkinson has shown no red cards but 78 yellows in 19 games this season and I think he may be busy again, although hopefully it won’t spoil the game.

Overall, I think it could be a scrappy affair that we win by the odd goal.

The first game will be at Anfield against Unirea Urziceni on Thursday 18th February.

Full squad:

1. Cavalieri

2. Johnson

4. Aquilani

5. Agger

8. Gerrard

9. Torres

11. Riera

12. Aurelio

15. Benayoun

16. Kyrgiakos

18. Kuyt

19. Babel

20. Mascherano

21. Lucas

22. Insua

23. Carragher

24. Ngog

25. Reina

26. Spearing

27. Degen

28. Plessis

31. El Zhar

32. Darby

34. Kelly

36. Irwin

37. Skrtel

38. Threlfall

39. Ecclestone

40. Ayala

41. Hansen

44. Martin

45. Kacaniklic

46. Amoo

47. Pacheco

48. Bruna

The amount of youngsters named is a reflection of how threadbare the squad is at present – several have never made a senior appearance.

Source: www.liverpoolfc.tv

Both teams went into this match in pretty average form.  Bolton were sitting in 15^th at kick off – only a point above the drop zone, even after the win over Burnley last time out.

Liverpool have had a poor season so far and good performances have been swiftly followed by a bad ones – win against Man U then  lose to Fulham; outplay Spurs then fail to turn up against Wolves.  The only time we have strung consecutive wins in the league this year was four games in August and September.  Although we never played any top teams in that time, the first victory was against Bolton and the Reds will be hopeful that today’s win will be the start of another run; one that will lead us to that all-important 4th place.

Liverpool picked an attacking line up with only Mascherano sat in front of the back 4, as Aquilani came in for Lucas.  Kuyt moved to the right wing as Maxi made way for Ngog – presumably Rafa thought his pace would be an asset.  Bolton made one change – Mark Davies, the victim of the infamous Gallas tackle, came in for Klasnic as Owen Coyle looked to add a bit of security for his back line and played with Kevin Davies as a lone striker; a strategy many teams use at Anfield, to some effect.

1st Half

Liverpool were the more positive side, dominating possession and Insua was having a lot of freedom on the left side, overlapping Riera at will.  Kyrgiakos and Skrtel were keeping Davies quiet and he was getting little help from the players behind him.  Liverpool’s best chance of the first half was when Insua got a cross in, only for it to fall just out of reach of Kuyt with the goal gaping.  Ngog looked busy but never really created much and Liverpool gave away possession a bit much for my liking.

Bolton produced little going forward except Cohen who had a chance to score but stabbed a shot straight at the on-rushing Reina.  Bolton’s best chance of the first half was Chung-Yong Lee’s mazy dribble into the box, rounding Reina before seeing his shot cleared off the line by Kyrgiakos.

The opening goal came, unsurprisingly, from the left side.  Insua delivered a cross to the back post and Aquilani rose above Knight, who seemed to misjudge it, to head it across the 6-yard box.  Kuyt arrived at the right time to slip the ball through Cahill’s legs and into the net.  A deserved lead that seemed to settle the Reds who visibly came out of the shell.

2nd Half

Liverpool upped the tempo after the break, passing with a fluidity that has been missing for most of the season.   Neat work by Riera allowed Gerrard to get a good shot off and the rebound fell to Ngog who couldn’t sort his feet out in time, hitting the frame of the goal when it looked easier to score. 10 minutes later and Gerrard struck one of his trademark thunderbolts from 25 yards out, only to see Jaaskelainen make a good save low down.

On 64 minutes, Rafa brought on Lucas for Aquilani, reverting to the normal two holding players he likes.  Was it a case of “we hold what we have”?  The failure to score the decisive ‘killer’ goal has cost Liverpool dearly this season and Rafa could be forgiven for thinking a 1-0 was good enough.

Luckily for Liverpool, the second goal did come in the 70th minute when a corner was not properly cleared and fell to Insua at the edge of the box.  He hit a shot which would have worried the corner flag more than the goalie, but Kevin Davies inadvertently deflected it past the helpless Jaaskelainen.  Game over, as Bolton had not looked remotely threatening in the 2nd half.

Maxi came on for Riera on 73 and Babel replaced Ngog with 6 minutes to go but neither made a mark on the game.  Gerrard finished the game strongly, the ball seemingly attracted to him, and he was the victim of plenty of cynical challenges.  Liverpool looked most likely, but 3-0 would probably have been harsh on Bolton who probably didn’t expect much from this game – they hadn’t won in the league at Anfield since 1954.

Post-match

Bolton will look forward to matches against their fellow strugglers in their pursuit of enough points to keep them in the Premier League; their next nine league games only includes one team currently in the top 8 and their season will be defined there.

Liverpool will think of this as job done – 3 points collected and a clean sheet, something that has happened all too rarely this season.  That’s 6 games undefeated now, although the draws against Stoke and Wolves may still prove costly and we aren’t playing the best footy yet.

Good performances from Kyrgiakos, Insua, Gerrard and Riera will have helped their confidence.  Lucas can be pleased with how he played for the last 30 minutes and Aquilani will be pleased with how he played despite being shaky to start with.  Ngog still looks like a boy trying to fill a man’s shoes (which is what he is, really) and Rafa must surely be thinking about bringing some help in the last couple of days of the winter window.  The cameo from Babel may have been little more than advertising him or keeping him quiet by giving him some playing time – only time will tell.

Typically down-to-earth, Rafa said of this important win, “We are improving. You can see the team is working very hard, and hopefully we can keep the momentum.”

Tom Hicks was at Anfield to see this win and hopefully sees that we still need a couple of players; definitely a striker and maybe a defender to cover a few slots (á la Carragher).  Whether or not he opens his wallet between now and Feb 1st, we will wait and see.

When asked about the transfer window, Rafa said, “We are working. We have a managing director and a chief scout.  It’s not easy because it’s difficult to find better players than you have already in January. At least we are watching players and trying to find someone who will be good for the team.”

Talking about Ryan Babel, whose future has been the subject of much speculation recently, Benitez said simply, “He will stay.”

EssJay