Wednesday night’s Premier League clash at Anfield will see two sides in very different states going head-to-head. On the one hand, Portsmouth are plagued by uncertainty following their much-publicised managerial change; on the other, Liverpool are flying after an incredible weekend win.
Xabi Alonso’s deflected strike at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon brought an end to Chelsea’s incredible run at home, halting their sequence of league games without defeat at 86. The Spanish midfielder, who nearly left the club during the summer, may also have put Liverpool on the road to a new era of domestic success.
The Reds remain unbeaten atop the league ladder with 23 points from nine games – easily their most impressive start to a campaign in the Rafael Benitez era. While most observers were sceptical of the club’s title credentials before that remarkable result in West London, even the most cynical doubters are now whispering, or at least entertaining the thought, of the Premiership trophy making its way to Merseyside for the first time.
The Liverpool camp has been very hush-hush following their win at the Bridge; seasoned veterans Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have been almost dismissive of the result’s significance. It may be that they have seen too many false dawns during their illustrious, yet obviously unfulfilled, careers. But reading between the lines of even Gerrard’s and Carragher’s recent statements, you cannot help but sense an underlying anticipation and excitement that has not existed at Anfield since the early 1990s.
The message from Benitez and his charges has been clear: the victory over Chelsea, and the one over Manchester United last month, will mean nothing if Liverpool slip up against Portsmouth this evening.
They have had their scares this season – going behind to the likes of Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough are rarely considered firm foundations for a title tilt. But such encounters have allowed the Reds to display their newfound ruthlessness and their ability to claim points even when playing well below par. If Sir Alex Ferguson’s championship-winning sides have proven one thing, it is that every great team needs to be both a flat-track bully and a grafter.
Hence, Wednesday’s game against Pompey will prove just as important in Liverpool’s title chase as their clash with Arsenal in December. And while they head into the fixture brimming with confidence, it is unclear exactly what mindset their opponents will be in.
The announcement that Juande Ramos had been sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur came as little surprise to anyone, despite the media’s insistence that he had been given until Christmas to save his job. However, the news that Harry Redknapp would take up residency at White Hart Lane shocked the football -following public.
Just months after leading Pompey to the FA Cup – their first major trophy since 1950 – and their first taste of European football, Redknapp jumped ship due to the club’s well-documented financial restraints. It is being reported that Tony Adams, the assistant manager, will be promoted to the job; if so, the former Arsenal skipper faces a stern task on his first outing in charge.
Despite suffering humiliating defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City, Pompey’s points tally reads relatively well. They sit in seventh spot, sandwiched between the two Mancunian clubs. Their last trip to Anfield ended in a comprehensive defeat, but the boys from the South Coast could be due for a bout of ‘New Manager Syndrome’.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Oct 26 vs. Chelsea (A) WIN 1-0
Oct 22 vs. Atletico Madrid (A) DRAW 1-1
Oct 18 vs. Wigan Athletic (H) WIN 3-2
Oct 5 vs. Manchester City (A) WIN 3-2
Oct 1 vs. PSV Eindhoven (H) WIN 3-1
Portsmouth
Oct 26 vs. Fulham (H) DRAW 1-1
Oct 23 vs. Sporting Braga (A) LOSS 3-0
Oct 18 vs. Aston Villa (A) DRAW 0-0
Oct 5 vs. Stoke City (H) WIN 2-1
Oct 2 vs. Vitoria Guimaraes (A) DRAW 2-2
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
It was hoped Fernando Torres might be fit enough to take part this match, but the Spanish striker is expected to sit out once more as he continues to recover from a hamstring tear. Martin Skrtel and Philippe Degen are also on the injured list, but fitness concerns are otherwise few and far between for Rafael Benitez. Robbie Keane and Xabi Alonso both played against Chelsea after picking up knocks against Atletico Madrid last week, and they should be available on Wednesday.
The real dilemma for Rafa is who to play up front. Keane got the gig on Sunday, but Ryan Babel impressed after coming on as a substitute and Dirk Kuyt’s experience and reliability cannot be overlooked.
Possible XI: Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio/Dossena – Mascherano, Alonso/Lucas – Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera – Babel/Keane.
Portsmouth
Peter Crouch is expected to start up top on his return to Anfield after leaving the Reds during the summer. Wide-men Glen Little and Glen Johnson are likely absentees as they battle injury problems, while Niko Kranjcar could return to the starting line-up. Lassana Diarra returned from suspension – and a knee injury – against Fulham at the weekend, a game in which Sol Campell was rested. Younes Kaboul might make way for the skipper, although the 5-3-2 was experimenting with could come into play.
Possible XI: James – Paramot, Campbell, Kaboul, Distin, Traore – Diarra, Bouba Diop, Kranjcar – Crouch, Defoe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool
In Fernando Torres’ probable absence, Steven Gerrard will bask in the limelight after a true captain’s performance against Chelsea at the weekend. The man knows how to win games, regardless of where he is played. If Liverpool revert to the status quo and concede the lead, all eyes on the Kop will turn to Stevie G.
Portsmouth
Two-metre Peter Crouch earned cult status during his stay on Merseyside, where he established himself as an international-quality striker despite his limited opportunities. So liked was he at Liverpool that even the most die-hard Kopite wouldn’t begrudge him a goal on his return to Anfield - as long as the end result is right, of course. Jamie Carragher might even help him out, as the centre-half reserved some particularly glowing praise for Crouch in his autobiography.
Xabi Alonso’s deflected strike at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon brought an end to Chelsea’s incredible run at home, halting their sequence of league games without defeat at 86. The Spanish midfielder, who nearly left the club during the summer, may also have put Liverpool on the road to a new era of domestic success.
The Reds remain unbeaten atop the league ladder with 23 points from nine games – easily their most impressive start to a campaign in the Rafael Benitez era. While most observers were sceptical of the club’s title credentials before that remarkable result in West London, even the most cynical doubters are now whispering, or at least entertaining the thought, of the Premiership trophy making its way to Merseyside for the first time.
The Liverpool camp has been very hush-hush following their win at the Bridge; seasoned veterans Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have been almost dismissive of the result’s significance. It may be that they have seen too many false dawns during their illustrious, yet obviously unfulfilled, careers. But reading between the lines of even Gerrard’s and Carragher’s recent statements, you cannot help but sense an underlying anticipation and excitement that has not existed at Anfield since the early 1990s.
The message from Benitez and his charges has been clear: the victory over Chelsea, and the one over Manchester United last month, will mean nothing if Liverpool slip up against Portsmouth this evening.
They have had their scares this season – going behind to the likes of Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough are rarely considered firm foundations for a title tilt. But such encounters have allowed the Reds to display their newfound ruthlessness and their ability to claim points even when playing well below par. If Sir Alex Ferguson’s championship-winning sides have proven one thing, it is that every great team needs to be both a flat-track bully and a grafter.
Hence, Wednesday’s game against Pompey will prove just as important in Liverpool’s title chase as their clash with Arsenal in December. And while they head into the fixture brimming with confidence, it is unclear exactly what mindset their opponents will be in.
The announcement that Juande Ramos had been sacked as manager of Tottenham Hotspur came as little surprise to anyone, despite the media’s insistence that he had been given until Christmas to save his job. However, the news that Harry Redknapp would take up residency at White Hart Lane shocked the football -following public.
Just months after leading Pompey to the FA Cup – their first major trophy since 1950 – and their first taste of European football, Redknapp jumped ship due to the club’s well-documented financial restraints. It is being reported that Tony Adams, the assistant manager, will be promoted to the job; if so, the former Arsenal skipper faces a stern task on his first outing in charge.
Despite suffering humiliating defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City, Pompey’s points tally reads relatively well. They sit in seventh spot, sandwiched between the two Mancunian clubs. Their last trip to Anfield ended in a comprehensive defeat, but the boys from the South Coast could be due for a bout of ‘New Manager Syndrome’.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Oct 26 vs. Chelsea (A) WIN 1-0
Oct 22 vs. Atletico Madrid (A) DRAW 1-1
Oct 18 vs. Wigan Athletic (H) WIN 3-2
Oct 5 vs. Manchester City (A) WIN 3-2
Oct 1 vs. PSV Eindhoven (H) WIN 3-1
Portsmouth
Oct 26 vs. Fulham (H) DRAW 1-1
Oct 23 vs. Sporting Braga (A) LOSS 3-0
Oct 18 vs. Aston Villa (A) DRAW 0-0
Oct 5 vs. Stoke City (H) WIN 2-1
Oct 2 vs. Vitoria Guimaraes (A) DRAW 2-2
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
It was hoped Fernando Torres might be fit enough to take part this match, but the Spanish striker is expected to sit out once more as he continues to recover from a hamstring tear. Martin Skrtel and Philippe Degen are also on the injured list, but fitness concerns are otherwise few and far between for Rafael Benitez. Robbie Keane and Xabi Alonso both played against Chelsea after picking up knocks against Atletico Madrid last week, and they should be available on Wednesday.
The real dilemma for Rafa is who to play up front. Keane got the gig on Sunday, but Ryan Babel impressed after coming on as a substitute and Dirk Kuyt’s experience and reliability cannot be overlooked.
Possible XI: Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio/Dossena – Mascherano, Alonso/Lucas – Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera – Babel/Keane.
Portsmouth
Peter Crouch is expected to start up top on his return to Anfield after leaving the Reds during the summer. Wide-men Glen Little and Glen Johnson are likely absentees as they battle injury problems, while Niko Kranjcar could return to the starting line-up. Lassana Diarra returned from suspension – and a knee injury – against Fulham at the weekend, a game in which Sol Campell was rested. Younes Kaboul might make way for the skipper, although the 5-3-2 was experimenting with could come into play.
Possible XI: James – Paramot, Campbell, Kaboul, Distin, Traore – Diarra, Bouba Diop, Kranjcar – Crouch, Defoe.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool
In Fernando Torres’ probable absence, Steven Gerrard will bask in the limelight after a true captain’s performance against Chelsea at the weekend. The man knows how to win games, regardless of where he is played. If Liverpool revert to the status quo and concede the lead, all eyes on the Kop will turn to Stevie G.
Portsmouth
Two-metre Peter Crouch earned cult status during his stay on Merseyside, where he established himself as an international-quality striker despite his limited opportunities. So liked was he at Liverpool that even the most die-hard Kopite wouldn’t begrudge him a goal on his return to Anfield - as long as the end result is right, of course. Jamie Carragher might even help him out, as the centre-half reserved some particularly glowing praise for Crouch in his autobiography.
No comments:
Post a Comment