(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.