Liverpool v Newcastle United match preview
Posted on April 30th, 2011 | 10 Comments |
It’s destination Anfield for the Toon on Sunday as we take on a Liverpool side revitalised by the arrival of Kenny Dalglish.
It will be a tough game and our record isn’t particularly good at Anfield. I certainly think we have the ability to take points off Liverpool – even a Liverpool that has had much improved performances since the arrival of their Messiah – but it depends upon which team turns up on the day. We could just as easily get hammered if our attitude and form is having an off-day.
Ahead of the game, manager Alan Pardew has been rallying the troops:
“Liverpool have great options and will be a big, strong team challenging for honours next season.
“We want to compete with them and it will be a good showcase for my players to show that they should be here next year competing against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.
“It is important. We’re not looking at next year yet. Instead every week is an important game for this club, and the challenge is for the players to show they deserve to be in the starting 11 next year.
“There’s no doubt that I will be bringing in new players, so it’s a nice challenge for them to show their worth over the next four games.”
Pardew also reflected on the Blackpool performance and is hoping we can raise our game at Anfield:
“You’ve got to look forward to going to those stadiums that have a history like Anfield.
“We are all looking forward to going there and to responding to a disappointing performance.
“As good as Blackpool were, we should have been better on the day and that’s all I’m worried about – producing a performance that is a level above what we did at Blackpool.”
Team news
I think our most likely starting XI will be: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Ameobi and Lovenkrands.
However, Steve Harper is said to be back in contention for his place between the posts and there’s a slight doubt about Kevin Nolan. We still have Ben Arfa (broken leg), Best, Ireland & Smith (all ankle), Gosling (knee) and Guthrie (shin) on the injury list.
Liverpool are likely to go with something like: Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Robinson, Kuyt, Spearing, Lucas, Meireles, Suarez and Carroll, although as far as I understand it there’s still a fair bit of doubt about Carroll’s fitness for the game, in which case I would imagine Kuyt will replace him.
Peter Walton is the beak for this affair and I’m looking forward to six penalties he’ll award us.
The match kicks off at midday tomorrow (Sunday 1st May 2011) and is live on ESPN.
Howay the lads!
NUFCBlog Author: Hugh de Payen
I'm a baby-boomer of the punk rock persuasion, currently exiled in Somerset for crimes committed in a previous life where locals keep trying to poison me with something called 'scrumpy'. Hates sprouts, coat-hangers, Cilla Black, ornaments, Steven Seagull movies and 50 Cent (he's not worth 10).
Hugh de Payen has written 634 articles on this blog.
lot of rumours flying about twitter the club could be sold