Sheffield United v Liverpool Wednesday 06 December 19:30 BST
After the exceptional comeback against Fulham last time out The Reds travel to Bramall Lane to face Premiership new boys Sheffield United who are struggling at the bottom of the table..
Sheffield United away was always a tough place to go. In fact I don't remember seeing us win there.. When I talk about the tough years of the 90's this is the one that pretty much sussed out where we were at.
It was March 1992. We'd started really well and going off memory Steve Mcmanaman missed a sitter. They played a long ball through. Brucie raced out and lost the ball to Brian Deane who lobbed one in from just inside his own half. I think he scored another too and we lost 2-0..
So we will defo not be taking these for granted even after every man and his dog has smashed them this season. Plus after the goals leaked last time out against Fulham.. With Ali out injured Kelleher needs to do a bit better to keep these out.
For all his ability on the deck he's let in a shed load of goals already this season and The Blades will be sure to pile the pressure on him in this game. Long shots and loads of high balls into the box.
Equally they are letting goals in for fun and our boys are scoring for kicks.. We will need to be a little more solid at the back and the rest should take care of itself.. There are murmurs this could be the night Trent starts in midfield with Joe at right back. If this is the case expect a comfortable win..
Quick Stat Check.. Liverpool have won 4 & Drawn 2 of their last 6.. Sheffield United have Won 1 Drawn 1 & Lost 4 in that time..
Liverpool Team News
Jo-El Matip joins the other five players that remain sidelined for this one. Long term injuries to Thiago, Bajcetic & Andy Robbo are all still looking unlikely to return until the new year. Jota may be back a little sooner after he pulled up against City. Ali could be back in a couple of weeks after hurting himself in the same game.
Liverpool Line Up
Kelleher, Joe, Konate, Virg, Tsimikas, Trent, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez, Mo
Sheffield United Team News
The Blades have 8 players out which is quite a lot.. Basham, Norrington-Davies, Egan, Tom Davies, Jebbison, McBurnie, Baldock & our old friend Rhian Brewster
Sheffield United Line Up
Foderingham, Trusty, Robinson, Ahmedhodzic, Thomas, Fleck, Norwood, Baldock, Hamer, Archer, Traore
If we are being honest we don't know too much about The Blades this season. A mix of not having time to watch them and lack of wanting to watch any Prem games down to the poor refereeing and the VAR shambles.. I mean what's the point..
I did however watch the Everton game earlier in the season where they played well and could have beaten The Toffees had they took their chances.. Yet of late United struggled there after Newcastle hit them for 8. They've beaten Wolves. Drawn at Brighton and got blitzed everywhere else..
Hamer seems a player to look out for after signing from Coventry in the summer.
THE GAME
Once again this is a tough place to come. The fans are passionate and they like to take big name scalps.. So first things first we have to quieten the crowd. Set up strong and I mean strong.. None of this inverted she-ite every time we gain possession. Be a bit cooler with it..
I mean Fulham only attacked down our righthand side. Every attack.. This is the go to for every team now. Klopp's solution.. To bring Joe Gomez on and play him and Trent in midfield.. Almost Genius..
Then play Matip at right side of defence. A player who does not need to be running all over the pitch as he gets injuries.. And boom Matip is out for 3 months.. On top of that it was 2 at the back most of the time with Trent constantly out of position hence they break through easy and scored..
So solidity is key until we score. Even then don't go all out. Play it cool and dominate midfield and attack and this will be an easy win. We have more than enough fire power to outscore anyone..
The only concern is Kelleher. He needs protecting big time. So don't let them anywhere near our box. Especially easily..
PREDICTION.. 4-1 To Them Mighty Reds..
So a solid set up and early goals are exactly what is needed once more. Silence the crowd and don't let them back into the match with sloppy defending. Set pieces once more will be pivotal in a game like this. They will play for them and we need to start taking them chances when we get them.
Our wingers need to stretch the play and get at their markers. Diaz needs to up his game a little and Nunez needs to start dominating his markers. Both of which should arrive here.
Nunez has been really unlucky with chances of late. So a little more composure and belief is required. He smashed one against the bar last time out and missed a sitter. This has to change. Take a touch.. Fake a shot and pass it in. Aim at the keepers feet (the oldest strikers trick).. Just hit the back of the net..
OurLFC Dangerman..
Mo.. You wouldn't look to far away from Trent once again in a game like this.. Especially if he starts in the middle.. Yet you can see Mo having one of his 3 assists 1 or 2 goals kind of games.. He's started to look sharper in the last two games. More so against LASK.
Where he was dropping deep. Switching play. Dribbling.. Pressing etc.. You'd expect more of the same here as The Egyptian King gets his record goal and adds more to that tally..
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