This game is a MUST win for Liverpool FC and both the players and Brendan Rodgers know this.
Not only do fans want to send 2012 off in style but they really want to be moving up that table (and if we admit it ... keep up with the Blue Boys from across Stanley Park!!!).
My prediction for this game is a win, but it will be by no means and easy win to come by. QPR, although lingering around the relegation zone are not an easy team to play - as we saw last season - and now with Harry Redknapp in charge it will be that little bit harder.
I don't think Brendan Rodgers will change much player wise in this game but I do think that his substitutions may be the key to winning our last game in 2012.
There is no denying that Liverpool are a fantastic side, play some good football that's great to watch but what they seem to lack is that hunger - hunger for the win and hunger to get goals - as well as a lack of strikers in their personnel.
Here are my predictions and the players to watch out for.....
Most likely Liverpool Team
Reina (although I would like to see Jones given a chance).
Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique
Lucas, Gerrard, Allen
Suso, Suarez, Downing
SUBS: Jones, Carragher, Coates, Pacheco, Henderson, Sterling, Wisdom.
My Predictions
I predict a hard fought for 3-1 win for Liverpool FC as long as Pepe Reina is on it, because if he has an off day QPR could really punish us to the point where it gets embarrassing (like at Stoke).
I think that BR will leave Lucas on untill around the 70-80 minute mark and then introduce Henderson into the game as Lucas is still coming back from his injuries and on a good day Jordan Henderson can really influence a game and that midfield.
With his other substitutions I believe that depending on how the fist half went BR will introduce both Pacheco and Sterling. I think they will most definitely replace Suso and Downing, although with Stewart Downing it depends on how he is playing and impacting the game. If he has a Stoke type game, where he was good and put in good crosses but couldn't influence enough, BR will more than likely substitute him but if its a Fulham type game where he is influential, looks dangerous, is putting in good crosses, assists and scores then I believe BR will give him the full 90.
Players to watch
Liverpool
Steven Gerrard, on his day can be captain fantastic but of late is lacking something. He had it at Fulham and if he can turn it on here we can really go for it and win.
Stewart Downing, as mentioned above, if he has a game like he did at Fulham and mixes the aspects he brought to the Villa game he could be vital for us. Also, last season at Loftus Road Stewart Downing has one of his best games of the 2011/12 season, taking defenders on, looking dangerous and putting in some fine crosses. Fingers crossed he can link with Stevie and do it all again!
Luis Suarez, reasons are not needed for this one as his name and reputation should be enough along with his hunger of late. If Suarez is up for it then the QPR defence could have a torrid time.
QPR
Dijbral Cisse, one of my all time favourite LFC players and that is one of the reasons he will be out to give a good performance - its against his former club, although I'd expect him to be respectful if he scores. Has pace, talent and tricks in abundance - Skrtel and Agger will need to watch him closely.
Abdel Tarrabt, this lad is seriously one talented footballer! Has been on good form lately and is out to prove to Harry Redknapp why he deserves a permanent place in the QPR starting XI. He is tricky, can score from anywhere and likes to take people on - definitely could give LFC a few scares.
All that's left now is to watch the game, so enjoy and lets hope we are singing come 6 o'clock tomorrow redmen and women!
Saturday 29 December 2012
Friday 28 December 2012
Liverpool v Fulham 22.12.12
This has to be my favourite Premier League game of the season so far!
The performance from the players was spot on, the passing was tight and on point, they all looked like they had some fight in them and the goals were what was needed - it also had a better atmosphere than the flat, dull one the week before versus Aston Villa.
This team performance, as mentioned above, was great but personal performances also stood out.
Steven Gerrard has been THE player for Liverpool over recent seasons - lets face it, he is the one that has grabbed the team by the scruff of the neck and got the rest of the players performing. BUT so far this season he hasn't looked himself, with Brendan Rodgers coming out saying the criticism of him is unjust and he is looking out for the younger players. Against Fulham however, it seemed like our Captain Fantastic has regained his spark as he pulled the strings and worked that midfield like the pro we know and love. He worked extremely well with the players around him and even bagged himself a much needed goal. Lets hope he can use this as a benchmark to continue (lets forget the Stoke result and say from now on!)
Pepe Reina is a world class goalkeeper - there is no denying it - but of late he has looked shaky, devoid of confidence and a shadow of his former self. But, even though Fulham didn't really test him (no offence to them), he still looked strong and statuesque in our game - like he should be doing week on week. He needs to continue this into the second half of the season for us to stand any sort of chance of finishing in the top 6 (I would LOVE top 4 but I am lowering my expectations a little as I know it will take time to rebuild my beloved LFC).
We all know by now that I am a little biased towards this player as I have supported him since day 1, but after the Fulham game I have to say Stewart Downing definitely deserved the plaudits and the MOTM trophy from the Barcleys Prem, LFC Journo's and LFC fans.
In the game versus Fulham, Stewart Downing showed why we bought him. He looked dangerous on the wings, had pace, took defenders on and won (against John Arne Riise aswell!!), defended when he was called upon and made vital tackles.
Not only that, he showed intelligence, fight, commitment and pride for the red shirt - getting a nicely worked assist and goal for all of his hard work.
All in all the game was good one for our number 19 and the team as a whole.
My MOTM - Stewart Downing.
Special Mentions - Luis Suarez, who never stopped working and Suso, who I think had his best game so far in a red shirt v Fulham.
The performance from the players was spot on, the passing was tight and on point, they all looked like they had some fight in them and the goals were what was needed - it also had a better atmosphere than the flat, dull one the week before versus Aston Villa.
This team performance, as mentioned above, was great but personal performances also stood out.
Steven Gerrard has been THE player for Liverpool over recent seasons - lets face it, he is the one that has grabbed the team by the scruff of the neck and got the rest of the players performing. BUT so far this season he hasn't looked himself, with Brendan Rodgers coming out saying the criticism of him is unjust and he is looking out for the younger players. Against Fulham however, it seemed like our Captain Fantastic has regained his spark as he pulled the strings and worked that midfield like the pro we know and love. He worked extremely well with the players around him and even bagged himself a much needed goal. Lets hope he can use this as a benchmark to continue (lets forget the Stoke result and say from now on!)
Pepe Reina is a world class goalkeeper - there is no denying it - but of late he has looked shaky, devoid of confidence and a shadow of his former self. But, even though Fulham didn't really test him (no offence to them), he still looked strong and statuesque in our game - like he should be doing week on week. He needs to continue this into the second half of the season for us to stand any sort of chance of finishing in the top 6 (I would LOVE top 4 but I am lowering my expectations a little as I know it will take time to rebuild my beloved LFC).
We all know by now that I am a little biased towards this player as I have supported him since day 1, but after the Fulham game I have to say Stewart Downing definitely deserved the plaudits and the MOTM trophy from the Barcleys Prem, LFC Journo's and LFC fans.
In the game versus Fulham, Stewart Downing showed why we bought him. He looked dangerous on the wings, had pace, took defenders on and won (against John Arne Riise aswell!!), defended when he was called upon and made vital tackles.
Not only that, he showed intelligence, fight, commitment and pride for the red shirt - getting a nicely worked assist and goal for all of his hard work.
All in all the game was good one for our number 19 and the team as a whole.
My MOTM - Stewart Downing.
Special Mentions - Luis Suarez, who never stopped working and Suso, who I think had his best game so far in a red shirt v Fulham.
Liverpool v Aston Villa 15.12.12
Absolutely loved that in this game (although we lost), Stewart Downing had a fantastic performance and was both LFC Journo's and fans MOTM.
Sorry :(
Yet again I am apologising for the lack of posts but with the busy time that is Christmas I've been so busy working, preparing, celebrating and going a few Liverpool games.
BUT!
I am back now and fully focused on my blogs....so expect updates regularly from me from now on and I hope you enjoy them!
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