Advertise With Us

Friday, January 6, 2012

FA Cup 3rd Round Preview: Liverpool v Oldham Athletic

Team news for tonight's FA Cup third-round clash between Liverpool and Oldham Athletic at Anfield (kick-off 8pm).

The visit of the League One outfit affords Dalglish the opportunity to tinker with the side that lost 3-0 to Manchester City midweek and he is likely to recall defenders Jamie Carragher and Sebastian Coates.

Striker Luis Suarez serves the second game of an eight-match ban, but captain Steven Gerrard will probably be given another chance to continue building up his sharpness having made three substitute appearances following his comeback from an ankle infection.

Oldham, though, will sense an occasion to cause an upset and manager Paul Dickov hopes his club, who are currently contesting their 15th consecutive season in the third division, do not suffer from stage fright.

Oldham, meanwhile, are likely to have on-loan trio Luca Scapuzzi, Tom Adeyemi and Nathan Clarke available.

Although their loan deals have expired, manager Paul Dickov is confident he will have wrapped up new deals before the game, while midfielder James Wesolowski could return to the starting line-up after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.

Top scorer Shefki Kuqi could be given the nod ahead of Matt Smith.

Fifty-two places separate Liverpool and Oldham in the Football League and they have not met since 1994 during the latter's last season in the Premier League, which would suggest a comfortable win for the Reds.

But Dalglish's side have struggled at home this season and, despite remaining unbeaten, have drawn six games at Anfield, with a running trend being wasted chances and the inability to kill-off supposedly lesser opposition.

There is then some feeling Oldham could call on the old-fashioned FA Cup magic, but Dalglish is still expected to rotate his squad and the strength in depth at his disposal is an example of the gulf between the two clubs.

Red's Fury™ Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Oldham

Red's Fury™on

Stay tune for more news and follow me on Twitter.

0 comments:

Advertise With Us