Wigan Preview
After the International break, we now return to what most Liverpool fans call the "real" football, during the last 24 hours the injury news hasn't been great with the dreadful news that Fernando Torres has picked up another injury whilst being away with Spain, he is likely to be out for up to 15 days, which means he could miss our next 3 matches.
Dutchman Ryan Babel also picked up an ankle injury whilst playing in Norway with Holland and he too is expected to be set for a spell on the sidelines, although its not conclusive yet as to how bad his injury is.
So we go into our next Premier League game against Wigan Athletic minus 2 important attacking players, add to that the loss of defender Martin Skrtel and its now time for Rafa to give others opportunities to prove their worth. I think Daniel Agger will return to the defence to partner Jamie Carragher, I've also got a feeling Dirk Kuyt may be employed up front alongside Robbie Keane, to allow Yossi Benayoun to get a rare start on the right side of midfield, Albert Riera should continue on the left of midfield with Gerrard and Alonso centrally.
I feel that Rafa will leave Mascherano on the bench for this one with the Atletico Madrid game coming up next week, he's also been away with Argentina on International duty, so won't return until tomorrow, which isn't ideal preparation for the game. The rest of side should remain the same with Reina in goal, Arbeloa and Aurelio at full back aswell.
Our visitors Wigan have improved under the guidance of Steve Bruce and they've become a solid unit, they do however have the calamity that is Titus Bramble but let's not forget he was the man that earned the Latics a share of the spoils at Anfield last season back in Janaury. So let's hope the "real" Bramble turns up Saturday, if selected.
This is a game we should pick up the 3 points from regardless of the injuries that we have, Wigan too could be without two strikers in Zaki and Heskey, who are both carrying knocks, so there can be no excuses. Our squad should be more than capable of disposing of Wigan at the weekend, as we have better players than they do to come into the side to replace the casualties.
I see Liverpool winning this game by a couple of goals, i think Robbie Keane will carry on from where he left off midweek for the Republic of Ireland and get his name on the scoresheet, i also think this could be a game where Dirk Kuyt scores, he got one at Man City the other week which was long overdue and he can continue with another Saturday playing in his correct position up front. He has a good record against Wigan aswell, so that's another reason for my selection.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Wigan (Keane, Kuyt)
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Alright lar,
yeh blow nando being out tomorrow but we should have enough to do them i reckon, goin to go for a 3-0 yer know lad, fancy keane 1st goal and maybe Benni lad, the little israeli, due a goal him lad. hopefully dagger can get on the scoresheet aswell.
Got the 3 goals for the redmen right mate but unfortunately they scored 2! Yet another comeback mission by us, its quite incredible how we keep doing this, making things hard for ourselves but it just shows you the fighting spirit in the side and i'll say it again, as one of previous posts titled...its a sign of Champions! haha.
Next week is a huge test of our genuine credentials though, Stamford Bridge is a bogey ground for us and always has been to be honest, even before the Abramovich invasion.
They could be without some key players, Drogba and Essien defo with the possibility of Carvalho (who i think is their best defender by the way) the 2 Cole's, Deco, Ballack.
Only problem is from our point of view is that Torres is out aswell, if he was fit i'd fancy us to win there you know, could be our time but without him im not so sure...i'd take a draw but harbour hopes we can do them, really don't think we'l lose though, 13 games now this season in all competitions, 10 wins and 3 draws...come on redmen keep it up!