Team News

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has joined defenders Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel on the sidelines.

Blues luck with injuries continues so Alex McLeish will have the same squad of players to pick from as before. I would expect a similar starting line to last week.

Last Meeting

Our last meeting was back in November when David N’Gog dived to earn a penalty and Liverpool a 2-2 draw. The highlight for Blues was Cameron Jerome’s goal of the season contender fired past Reina from forty yards.

The last game at St Andrews brings back horrible memories of the worst twenty minutes in football history. At 4.15 on Saturday 26th April 2008 Seb Larsson’s free kick had just put Blues 2-0 up while our main rivals Fulham were 2-0 down at Man City. Twenty minutes later Liverpool had scored two, Fulham had scored three and we were staring relegation in the face. I still can’t believe that actually happened!

Recent Form

Both teams have experienced up and down form over the last few weeks with both sides doing well at home but not away. Liverpool have only picked up three points from their last six Premier league away games and have also lost at Lille and Benfica in the Europa Cup.

Blues have won two and drawn four of their last six home games and have not lost at home in six months.

Outlook

On Sunday we welcome the last of the “Big Four” clubs to St Andrews to see whether we can get the clean sweep by not losing to any of them. Historically Liverpool are a club we have always done well against in the Premier League. In five previous meetings at St Andrews they have won just once although they did wallop us in the FA Cup four years ago. I seriously doubt they are looking forward to their visit to us especially after the long trip to Benfica on Thursday night. However I do not expect the Europa cup to be a distraction as they are still very much chasing fourth and the Champion’s League spot that is as important to them as staying up is to us. We can expect a very focussed team to arrive on Sunday albeit one that has not performed away from Anfield in the last few months.

I think part of the reason that they have struggled on their travels is Rafa Benitez’s insistence on playing a five man midfield with two holding players. They seem a more dynamic team when Gerrard drops back into midfield and they play the extra attacker. Hopefully they won’t do that against us. Of course they still have Fernando Torres who is probably the best out and out striker in the world right now and is in great form having scored five in three. Perhaps I should be more worried that I am but the history of this fixture and the amazing fighting spirit we have shown this season makes me confident. Blues will keep it tight and if Liverpool do take the cautious approach this could be a game of very few chances. I would not be surprised if it ended 0-0. Blues will rely mostly on the pace of Jerome and set pieces to get goals. The key defensively will be to cut out the supply to Gerrard forcing him to drop deep to get possession and isolating Torres up front. We will also need to keep an eye on the forward runs of Glen Johnson who will give Liam Ridgewell a tough afternoon. If they can do that then I can see Liverpool’s St Andrews frustration continuing.

My prediction 1-1.  If you want a Liverpool perspective click here.