Liverpool’s first away fixture of the 2014/15 Premier League season sees them travel to Manchester to meet title holders Manchester City.
Both sides collected open weekend wins, with Brendan Rodgers’ men victorious over a spirit Southampton side 2-1, while the Citizens managed a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
In last season’s corresponding fixture, on Boxing Day 2013, the blue half of Manchester gained a 2-1 victory that would ultimately prove the difference between the sides at the completion of the season, City going on the claim the title by two points over the Reds.
The men from Merseyside were unfortunate not to claim a point last time around after Philippe Countinho had fired Liverpool ahead early, had it not been for a Simon Mignolet error on the stroke of half time leading to an Alvaro Negredo goal then the spoils might well have been shared.
Liverpool and Manchester City’s opening victories were of vast contrast to each other. Daniel Sturridge poking home from close range to snatch the win for Liverpool, while Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero strikes ensured a comfortable three points for City.
Much will made of Liverpool’s ability to compete with their title rivals away from Anfield this season, last time around collecting nought from nine points on their travels to the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and Etihad Stadium. Brendan Rodgers will be looking to improve on the areas where points were surrendered in 2013/14 and after gaining three points from Southampton’s visit to Anfield, a fixture that Liverpool lost in 2013, bringing a point back to Melwood will be seen as a moral victory for the Reds.
Rodgers hailed his side’s resilience in grinding out a victory over the Saints on Sunday when the match seemed destined for a draw, this time around resilience alone will not get the job done.
Rodgers is likely to make at least two changes to the match-day squad he named on the opening weekend, Alberto Moreno is expected to make his debut after failing to complete his transfer from Sevilla in time for the Southampton visit and Lazar Markovic is also expected to make his debut after being unavailable due to injury last time out.
Jordan Ibe and Lucas Leiva are most likely to be the two that are expected to not make the short trip to Manchester, Ibe could well have be sent out on loan to Championship side Bolton Wanderers by kick-off on Monday evening.
Moreno will start at left back with Glen Johnson – who has been the subject of supporter unrest after his indifferent form at the back end of last season and another questionable performance against Southampton – either dropping back to the substitutes bench or reverting to his favoured position of right back for Javier Manquillo.
One other change will see either Joe Allen or Emre Can, still to make a competitive appearance for the Reds, replace Lucas in midfield. One major addition however could be that of ex-Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, who is expected to complete a medical ahead of a rumoured 16 million pound move from AC Milan.
Should the man known as ‘Mad Mario’ complete his move by lunchtime Friday, UK Time, he would likely be rushed into the squad and quite possibly into the starting XI to face his old teammates.
Manuel Pellegrini is blessed with incredible squad depth and there are bound to be a few changes to the starting XI that faced Newcastle last time around. Aguero was a goal-scoring substitute against the Magpies, entering the fray in the 83rd minute, and will be looking to be involved from the opening whistle come Monday evening, most likely in place of Steven Jovetic.
Another who could force his way into Pellegrini’s thoughts is new signing from Porto FC Eliaquim Mangala. The French defender could be in contention to join skipper Vincent Kompany in central defence at the expense of much-maligned Argentine Martin Demichelis. Pablo Zabaleta, who was an unused substitute, will also be placing pressure on Pellegrini to start on the right flank.
While Rodgers opted mainly for a 4-3-3 formation during last season’s impressive league assault, he deployed a 4-2-3-1 for three quarters of the Southampton fixture before switching to a 4-4-2 diamond after bringing Rickie Lambert on to partner Daniel Sturridge up front.
I expect Rodgers to again start with a 4-2-3-1, Allen or Can partnering captain Steven Gerrard in central midfield, unless the arrival of Balotelli sees Rodgers deploy his favoured 4-3-3.
Philippe Countinho found the going tough against the Saints, with Victor Wanyama giving the Brazilian a less-than-favourable ride, not allowing Liverpool’s number 10 the space and time he craves to unlock the opposition’s defences. This time out however Countinho, who was this week called into Zico’s first Brazilian squad after a disastrous World Cup campaign, will be the key man for Liverpool in creating opportunities for the likes of Sturridge and Raheem Sterling up front.
Martin Skrtel spoke this week of the Reds’ embarrassment around their defensive frailties of late and has highlighted the desire of all squad members to play their part in limiting the chances being offered to opposing sides. Skrtel’s partnership with Dejan Lovren will be the major contributing factor at work to ensure the attacking prowess of Dzeko, Aguero, David Silva and the like are kept well contained.
Key again for Liverpool will be their ability to attack on the counter at speed and with great precision. Sturridge and Sterling have thrived in open fixtures, allowing a lightning transition from defence to attack and Rodgers will implore his troops to defend tight as a unit, close down the space afforded to City’s midfield generals Yaya Toure and Fernandinho by pressing high up the pitch, and to release their offensive weapons on the counter at will once regaining possession.
Rodgers will look for his men to dominate possession where possible, however this will be easier said then done at the Etihad as opposed to Anfield.
We saw glimpses of the trouble that Liverpool can find themselves in while trying to play out from the back against Southampton and many will be imploring the likes of Mignolet, Skrtel and Lovren to play the odd long ball when pressed deep into Liverpool’s defensive half of the field.
Should Liverpool eradicate their defensive lapses, press collectively as a unit, and receive an equal share of possession coming away from the Etihad with at least a point, if not three, is more than achievable.
However should Toure and Co. be allowed to dictate proceedings the result may well read very similar to that we experienced on Boxing Day last time around.
Prediction 1-1.
Likely Liverpool starting XI:
Mingolet
Johnson Skrtel Lovern Moreno
Gerrard (c) Allen
Henderson Countinho Sterling
SturridgeSubstitutes: Jones, Toure, Sahko, Manquillo, Can, Markovic, Lambert.
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