Saturday, October 22, 2011

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Norwich

Liverpool and Norwich will both look to build on some encouraging recent results when they lock horns at Anfield on Saturday evening. Kenny Dalglish's Reds have bounced back from a couple of defeats in September to re-establish themselves in fifth place in the Premier League. Having beaten Wolves and Merseyside rivals Everton, they drew 1-1 with Manchester United last Saturday after being pegged back by Javier Hernandez's equalizer.

Norwich has also been moving in the right direction over the past few weeks after recovering from a poor start to the campaign. The Canaries have won three of their past four games and the 3-1 victory over Swansea last time out left them in the top half of the table. Paul Lambert will now be relishing the chance to claim a famous scalp at Anfield.

Lucas serves a one-match suspension for Liverpool after collecting his fifth booking of the season in the draw with Manchester United. Jordan Henderson, dropped to the bench for the last two matches, may therefore regain his starting place in midfield. Defenders Daniel Agger (rib) and Glen Johnson (hamstring) are fully fit again after playing in the midweek friendly defeat to Rangers. Andy Carroll will be hoping for a recall to the starting XI after Dalglish opted to go with Luis Suarez as a lone frontman against United, supported by fit-again skipper Steven Gerrard.

Lambert has had the luxury of not having to make too many changes to his side this season and again has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip to Merseyside. He is, however, still without the services of defenders Zak Whitbread (hamstring), Daniel Ayala (knee) and Elliott Ward (knee). James Vaughan is a long-term absentee with a knee problem of his own.

Possible Starting XIs

Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Kuyt, Henderson, Adam, Downing, Gerrard, Suarez.

Norwich: Ruddy, Naughton, Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Bennett, Hoolahan, Fox, Pilkington, Morison, Johnson.

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