(A) West Brom - Pre Match Thoughts

                                                     Premier League

                                        Saturday 18th August 2012
                                        The Hawthorns

                        West Bromwich Albion VS Liverpool

One moment changes everything.  Whether it be for better or worse, something can ignite both out of nowhere or as a consequence of everything that has gone before.  The real beauty of it all is that nobody knows when it will arrive, or even if it will.  At the end of a long, arduous journey, everything could still be the same.  But that's the whole point.  Without taking that first step, you are condemned to a life without risk, without the opportunity at glory in spite of the pitfalls that await.  The adventure of Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool Football Club starts here.

Things change at a rapid rate in football.  It wasn't that long ago that both Steve Clarke and Brendan Rodgers were both on the coaching staff at Chelsea.  Even twelve months ago nobody could have predicted that on this day they would face each other in the dugout.  Both men arrived at this point under very different circumstances.  Rodgers surrounded by a warmth of good feeling following a wonderful season with Swansea, while Clarke will have to shake off that sense of disappointment that followed both he and Liverpool all season.  Not that any of that matters now.

It's hardly the most idyllic of locations for the season to get under way but even so, we travel down to The Hawthorns today safe in the knowledge that it's not one of the more taxing away days.   West Brom are one of many sides in the Premier League that have solid - if not unspectacular players - and without the kind of vociferous crowd that the likes of Stoke, Southampton or Sunderland can boast then there's very little to worry about, in theory.  Despite having a largely pedestrian team (Foster, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Brunt) the Baggies do have credibility in the attacking areas of the pitch.  Shane Long, Peter Odemwingie and loan signing Romelu Lukaku will all have to be kept firmly in check if we are to pick up three points here today.  

As for ourselves, the team appears to be fairly self explanatory save for one or two exceptions.  Joe Allen may or may not feature from the start, with Jordan Henderson taking his place (whether that be from the start or after the sixty minute mark).  Assaidi has probably signed too early to play any part, although I would love to see a fifteen minute cameo should the circumstances dictate - purely in the interest of actually seeing him play.  Based on some of the pictures of the squad training yesterday there is also the idea that Martin Kelly will play in place of José Enrique with Glen Johnson - presumably - on the left.  While not ideal, I'm more than comfortable with everything that has been mooted thus far.  I'm also very keen to see Borini for the first time, having been out of the country during the Europa League qualifiers.  

Though it should be pointed out - and indeed rationalized a countless number of times - that today is only the first game of the season, last year we set the tone for the whole year in a rather frightening way in game number one.  Being away from home today should mean that we won't take anything for granted and I'm hoping for a professional display from the reds.  I don't expect an open, attacking game of football but there is definitely scope for a couple of goals in there.  From what I've seen already I expect we'll have a lot of the ball and have an almost iron grip on the midfield, but maybe some of that will be Steve Clarke conceding a lot of ground to us - especially in the early stages.  Without wanting to get too ahead of myself, I really am confident of success this season.  It's the opening day, and I'm allowing myself to dream.  This isn't going to be the season that defines Liverpool Football Club by any means, but it could very well be the start of an era that adds to our already well outlined past.  

Ninety minutes.  Thirty eight games.  All for one moment.  One life changing moment.