Liverpool take on West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, looking to recover from their defeat and disappointing display in the FA Cup semi-final last weekend.
Brendan Rodgers' side still have a slim chance of a top-four finish, arriving into this game seven points behind Manchester City but with a game in hand. "We have to be there to capitalise if anyone makes a mistake," said the Reds boss at his pre-match press conference (via This Is Anfield).
Rodgers perhaps couldn't pick a worse fixture to have in this situation, returning to the Hawthorns —a ground which has not been a happy hunting ground in recent seasons—and to face a side managed by Tony Pulis—a manager who inflicted one of Rodgers' worst nights upon him last May. Pulis has never lost a Premier League home game against Liverpool (per BBC Sport).
Last year at the Hawthorns, Liverpool stumbled to a 1-1 draw, while the season before saw Rodgers' first game in charge of the club end in a 3-0 defeat. Saturday will be his 150th game in charge of the club (in all competitions).
For the hosts, they arrive into the game fresh from victory over Crystal Palace last time out, having lost their three games before that, conceding 10 goals in the process.
Date: Saturday, 25 April
Time: 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET)
Venue: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich
TV Info: NBC Sports Live Extra
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Predicted Formations
The Baggies are without Youssouf Mulumbu (suspended) and Andre Wisdom is ineligible to face his parent club—the on-loan Liverpool defender has fallen out of favour since Pulis' arrival.
Liverpool are again without Daniel Sturridge, now sidelined with his 15th different injury since joining the club in January 2013. They're also missing midfielder Lucas Leiva and defender Mamadou Sakho.
Adam Lallana, who scored the winning goal in the corresponding fixture between these sides at Anfield in October, is back from injury but unlikely to start.
West Brom: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt, Morrison, Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner, Berahino, Anichebe.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Lovren; Ibe, Henderson, Allen, Moreno; Gerrard, Coutinho; Sterling.
Form Lines (All Competitions)
West Brom
Won 2-0 vs. Crystal Palace
Lost 3-2 vs. Leicester City
Lost 4-1 vs. Queens Park Rangers
Lost 3-0 vs. Manchester City
Won 1-0 vs. Stoke City
Liverpool
Lost 2-1 vs. Aston Villa (FA Cup)
Won 2-0 vs. Newcastle United
Won 1-0 vs. Blackburn (FA Cup)
Lost 4-1 vs. Arsenal
Lost 2-1 vs. Manchester United
Won 1-0 vs. Swansea City
Player to Watch
West Brom: Saido Berahino
West Brom's 21-year-old forward Saido Berahino was a player linked with a move to Anfield after his early-season form, which included a penalty against the Reds at Anfield.
After finding form with four goals in five games in February to March, he's now without a goal in his last six appearances and will be keen to prove a point in this fixture. His pace and movement could cause the Reds' defence problems.
Liverpool: Jordan Henderson
Fresh from signing a new long-term contract at the club, Jordan Henderson will be one to keep an eye on in this game after a somewhat disappointing performance against Aston Villa at Wembley.
The 24-year-old often looks better without Steven Gerrard in the side so if Rodgers drops his captain, Henderson will be expected to step up.
Key Battle
Sterling vs. Dawson and Lescott
Unless Rodgers throws a surprise and hands Mario Balotelli his first Premier League start since November, Raheem Sterling will lead the Liverpool attack again.
The 20-year-old has dominated headlines in recent months and his form has been somewhat up and down, but he'll be keen to focus on his football and put in a display to worry the Baggies defence. Up against Craig Dawson and Joleon Lescott, he'll fancy his chances.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
West Brom win: + 300
Liverpool win: - 110
Draw: + 260
Prediction: West Brom 1-1 Liverpool
No comments:
Post a Comment