(A) Oldham - Pre Match Thoughts

FA Cup

                                   Sunday 27th January 2013

                                             Boundary Park

                                Oldham Athletic VS Liverpool

There's nothing like the presense of a real underdog to strengthen the resolve within a team. Of course, the - horrifying - alternative is that they shatter your confidence completely.  Nobody other than those associated with Liverpool Football Club will be wanting a win for us today because the cup upset - the giant killing - is one of footballs great events. The thing about that however is that when it all comes down to it, no-one else actually matter. It's all about the well being of Liverpool, as we look to get a step closer to Wembley and the final in May.

Our squad - despite being in the immediate process of reinforcement - still isn't the biggest. Certainly not to be able to withstand three games in seven days - two of which are against three of the Premier League's top two last year - without any drop off in quality. This nonsensical idea of disrespecting the FA Cup - regardless of result - means very little but the very real notion of winning a trophy is one that appeals greatly, despite everything that went on last year. With Arsenal waiting on Wednesday, as ever a balance must be struck.

With changes in mind there are certain names that spring immediately to mind. I really want to see Sebastian Coates get some much needed game time as well as Fabio Borini, who would be incredibly well served to get himself on the scoresheet. Conversely, because of the importance of the game at the Emirates in midweek other players are ruled out of contention for fear of burn out on a less than ideal pitch. I would be very surprised if one of Agger, Lucas and Gerrard took to the field this afternoon.  Sturridge could make history with his fourth goal in four stars and I'm sure Suarez will be foaming at the mouth to get on as I expect him to be on the bench.

Games like this are never the highlight of a players career (unlike our opposition for some of whom this may be true) but in order to get to those days, you must first get the job done here.  It was just over a year ago that we played Oldham at Anfield and on that day they took the lead. Though we went on to win comfortably that day, if we are to be slack enough to give them that kind of momentum it will take one hell of an effort to wrestle it back.

I'm not expecting an easy game, despite the gap between us in terms of resources and league position. It's just not in the Liverpool DNA - certainly of the teams I've seen in my lifetime - to steamroller lower league opposition. Having said that I fully expect us to have the kind of quality in terms of players and chances so that the final third of this game be rendered almost inconsequential. Their task is to put themselves in the history books of Oldham Athletic. Our job is to make sure that doesn't happen.

(A) Mansfield - Pre Match Thoughts

FA Cup

                                   Sunday 6th January 2013

                                                  Field Mill

                                     Mansfield VS Liverpool

It's that time again. A weekend where the cliche is king. The third round of the FA Cup and a chance for a member of the lower leagues to match up with footballing royalty. Being paired against a non league side, we are the giant looking to not be killed. Losing is unthinkable. Impossible. Football - and especially this competition - does have a way of ignoring those kind of things. But not today. Surely.

Losing the final last year and what happened in the aftermath removed the gloss from what was a very memorable campaign. A last gasp winner over Manchester United and a glorious come from behind victory over Everton in the semi final. These games and memories should never be diminished for those feelings of joy were a reward unto themselves  What happens now is that we create new ones, some that could perhaps burn even brighter and end up with the right result at Wembley in May.

There isn't a lot anyone can say about our opponents for fear of patronising them or trying to laden the occasion with insincere significance. The cup does provide these clashes of disparity and a welcome break from the monotony of playing the same faces week in week out. I may not know much about the club or their players but that's the joy of it and I'm looking forward to the game as it's a journey into the unknown.  Also, having played against lower division sides in the past and the disdain with which they have for us it's nice to see Mansfield show support for the 96.  A touching gesture and one which makes me think very highly of them.

With no game in midweek, the door is open for Rodgers to play as strong a side as he likes. The likelihood is that due to the nature of what we're expecting from our opponents - both in terms of mentality and conditions - and also the fact that a trip to Man United awaits next Sunday, that more than a few players will find themselves being rested. Gerrard, Agger, Skrtel, Reina, Lucas, Allen, Downing, Johnson, Sterling the list of candidates for omission is long. I expect Coates and Carragher to come in at center back and any number of changes around them. Wisdom, Pacheco, Robinson, Coady, all could feature pending the managers approval. Up front however is where we'll see the most intriguing activity. Suarez might want to play but will have to settle for a place on the bench. Today should mark the debut of Daniel Sturridge. I'm looking forward to seeing him and really hoping he can hit the ground running.

Every passing spectator who doesn't have Liverpool at heart will be hoping for an upset and though the task may be daunting, every tackle that's won and every chance they can create will give them hope. Regardless of circumstance it's eleven against eleven and as such the onus is on Liverpool to make that superiority count. I'm hoping we can do that early and often, purely for atheistic sake more than anything else. The longer the game goes without a goal the scrappier it will get. If we score quickly, we may score often. I can only hope that it's going to be as comfortable on the pitch as it is in my mind.