Liverpool v Birmingham City Preview

November 7, 2009 by KevB8ll · 2 Comments
Filed under: Blues News, Kev's Ramblings, Matches 

I don’t normally do the previews, but I thought I’d give it a go.

Monday night sees us playing a Liverpool side who appear to be struggling. We are fresh from two very good performances against Sunderland, (2-1) and Man City, (0-0).

There is never a good time to play the legends from merseyside, however you have to say that now just MIGHT be a reasonable one with them struggling in the league and having played a Champions League game midweek.

Liverpool have lost 3 of their last 4 Premier League games, (but they have won their last 3 home games), their only win in that 4 is a 2-0 victory over Utd. Fulham were the most recent victors with 3-1 at Craven Cottage. To make matters worse, Degen and Carragher were sent off meaning they both miss the game. There are also doubts over a number of players, but the two worth mentioning is Gerrard and Torres.

Any side in the league would want either of these players, let alone both of them! They are both struggling with injury, and could miss Monday. Torres played most of the game on Tuesday, but clearly wasn’t fit. It is difficult to know if Rafa will risk him. Out of the two, from what other people are saying, Torres is the more likely to play.

As far as we are concerned, we seem to be getting together a settled side. Ferguson will miss Monday because of his double yellow last week – I suspect Carsley will come in for him. Fahey and O’Connor are both doubtful.

The leading scorers for the two sides are Liverpool Torres: 10 goals (10 league) and for us Bowyer: 3 goals (2 league). Therein lies our problem, not being able to put the ball in the net. The defence seems to be coming together, but we MUST start scoring. It’ll be interesting to see how Chucho playings against a defence that has been a bit rocked recently.

We have had some robust conversations on the forum regarding the goalkeeper! Hart, who is on loan from Manchester City, couldn’t play against his club on Sunday, however he has made a few mistakes. Taylor came in and did well, although he did spill the ball once. Despite this I felt that Hart would resume his place on Monday – but I’m not sure now as Hart played in a midweek reserves game v Villa. The result was 3-3, but we were 2-0. I didn’t go, but 1 person on the forum said that Hart looked like he lacked a bit of confidence.

What about previous meetings. I can remember us winning at Anfield in February 1978 3-2, a brilliant performance considering that Liverpool were rarely beaten at home in those days. I think only 11 league defeats at Anfield in the whole of the ’70s. We also beat Liverpool at Anfield in November 2004 1-0, the season we did the double over them. Apparently Rafa has never won a match against us!!! In fact, Liverpool have not beaten us in their last six league meetings, losing two and drawing four in the process. (They did stuff us 7-0 in the cup though – but less of that!). Liverpool’s record defeat is the 9-1 defeat to us in the 1950’s at St Andrews.

The general feel about the club is positive with the new owners, and a positive result of any kind on Monday, will certainly help that. HOWEVER beware a wounded Liverpool. I have seen them enough times over the years to know they don’t give up easily and if anyone expects them to roll over on Monday, you are very much mistaken.

So what of the result, well my heart wants to say a draw, however my head is going to rule here – 2-1 defeat.

Kev

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