Match Preview: Liverpool v Sevilla

The Reds will return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they face Sevilla at Anfield.

Liverpool held by Sevilla in Champions League opener

Liverpool began their Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Anfield on Wednesday.

Match Day: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon at Anfield as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday.

Goal Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Liverpool is keen to make up for the frustration of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.

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Showing posts with label colin hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colin hill. Show all posts

Monday, October 17, 2011

Liverpool Ready for United Challenge

With the latest round of international fixtures out of the way, attention turns to Anfield at Saturday lunchtime with Liverpool hosting Champions and bitter rivals Manchester United.

It is a clash which will be a huge test of the title credentials of Kenny Dalglish's side as the Reds look to put down a marker and derail United's own title bid.

Liverpool fans will be looking for a repeat of last seasons Anfield victory over United in a match where Luis Suarez fully announced himself onto the Premier League scene with a fantastic display as he ran the United defence ragged.

As much as Liverpool fans would like to believe they can genuinely challenge for the title, the reality is that Manchester City are likely United's main rivals for the title. However, no matter who is competing with them for the title, their rivalry with Liverpool will always be the biggest, especially now with Sir Alex Ferguson's rival Dalglish - with whom he's never seen eye to eye - back in the hot seat.

All eyes this lunchtime will be on Wayne Rooney who has just been dealt the hammer blow of being ruled out of England's entire Euro 2012 group campaign, a result which may even put his inclusion in the squad in doubt.

With fresh question marks being made about his temperament, it will be very interesting to watch how he handles the intense pressure that is associated with this fixture. Although it could of course work the other way and he could put in the performance of his life.

Despite the financial muscle of Chelsea and Manchester City, these two giants remain England's biggest clubs and between them they sell more football shirts around the world than any other combination of clubs.

It's one of the toughest matches to call between the side in recent years with Liverpool's rather inconsistent form making it difficult to judge which team will turn up. But with Steven Gerrard back in the fold and Andy Carroll's confidence improving after his recent winner at Goodison Park, I'm tipping Liverpool to pull off a narrow 2-1 victory.

It's likely to be a token gesture in the wider title picture this season, but would be a sure-fire sign that Dalglish has his troops marching in the right direction.

Written by Colin Hill, a sports blogger who writes about football gifts.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Can King Kenny Accommodate Steven Gerrard?

The return of Steven Gerrard to the Liverpool first team has been understandably met with excitement from Reds fans. With the skipper back in the fold, Liverpool have one of the best players in the Premiership back on their teamsheet.
However, the question is being asked in some quarters as to where exactly Gerrard fits into the Liverpool team. While he will undoubtedly be eased back in gradually, doubts will remain over the midfielders ongoing fitness after being out for a long spell with a troublesome injury.
There is a long standing argument that it is difficult to build a team around Steven Gerrard. Rafa Benitez often struggled to fit his captain into his preferred position, while Fabio Capello played him wide left during England's ill-fated 2010 World Cup campaign.
As an additional complication, Gerrard is arguably no longer the main man at Anfield. While there was a time Gerrard was the darling of the supporters, sales of Luis Suarez shirts now vastly outnumber Gerrard, although it must be taken into account the captain has been out of action so far this season.
Of course, such is the talent possessed by Gerrard, boss Kenny Dalglish is unlikely to leave him out of his side. The answer to Gerrard's inclusion is likely to be the exclusion of striker Andy Carroll and the deployment of Suarez as a lone striker.
The £35m Geordie has been a major disappointment so far in his Liverpool career and is likely to be sacrificed with Dalglish going for a 4-5-1 formation which I personally see as Liverpool's best bet.
With the pace and craft of Craig Bellamy and Stewart Downing on either flank with Gerrard supporting Suarez, Lucas sitting and Charlie Adam spraying the passes, Liverpool have a very strong attacking element which should provide enough attacking flair at home and enough counter attacking pace away to pick up points and really push for a place in the 2012-13 UEFA Champions League.
Saturday's 2-1 win at home to Wolves got the Reds back on track after two defeats on the bounce but with a tough run of fixtures coming up, the sight of Steven Gerrard back in a Liverpool shirt is just the lift the supporters need.
Fans will be praying the captain's injury woes are behind him and he can finally regain his best form.
Written by Colin Hill, a sports blogger who writes about Serie A shirts.

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