Premier League
Monday 11th February 2013
Anfield
Almost as if by design, all the pieces have been put into place perfectly. We're looking for revenge, following an opening day defeat which started our season on a sour note. Taking part in the very kind of game which we've notoriously had difficulty with in recent times. How typical would it be after the performances against City and Arsenal to let this one slip through our fingers. Now is the time for the team to go on a run. It needs to. We have to.
As far as the cast is concerned, there will be a familiar face in the opposition dugout as Steve Clarke returns to Anfield for the looking to put a halt to his own struggles as well as getting one over on his previous employers. Following an awful run that spanned about two decades during which they didn't even score against us, Albion have enjoyed a decent run of form which included a win at Anfield last season. They're having a horrible time of things lately and could - much as they Hodged us out of the game last year - get everyone behind the ball and hoping to catch us on the break.
Squashing the lower midtable teams has been something we've done very well this season. Our last three at home (Norwich, Sunderland and Fulham) have saw three wins, a total of twelve goals scored and zero conceded. This is something that will need to continue for some time before teams start to be afraid of coming to Anfield again, coupled with our profligacy will always give them hope but if we can get an early goal then that will settle what nerves do remain.
With a heavy duty excursion to Russia in between this and our next game, there is going to be some indication as to who'll be taking part in that one with the team that is selected tonight. As such the temptation to start with Coutinho will be a strong one, especially if Sturridge isn't passed fit. Personally I'd like to see him held back just a little and integrate him into Premier League life slowly. The last twenty or so minutes would be fine, maybe even a little sooner if the game is all wrapped up.
Talk of late has been of consistency, the run of "easier" fixtures and the potential that this team has to go very far. It's time for all that talking to stop. Now we have to go out on the pitch and do it. Today marks only the beginning. Despite having done so well in recent weeks there is still a massive amount of work we need to do in trying to catch those above us. Failing to do so may see them out of reach for this season. Failure is not an option.
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