What else can I say about our recent displays that I have not already said? The FC Basel match proves that we are far from good enough. What I find even more bewildering is just how poorly we are playing. To be fair, the loss of Suarez and Sturridge would make any team poorer, but it is those players who were great last season, who are just not even looking decent this season. Jordan Henderson looked poor midweek. Coutinho looked like he could not pass the ball straight and Sterling shots were as weak as wet spaghetti hitting a ball. Even our Captain reliable looked incapable of putting in a decent corner or free kick. What is going on? I don’t think we are missing any players from our team to change our form around. What our team is missing, is spirit and passion.
West Brom come into this match off the back of much better form than us, having won three of their last three matches. Last season, a Luis Suarez hat-trick and a Sturridge goal led us to a 4-1 win, but before that match, the Baggies plundered all six points in the previous two visits to Anfield. Moreno should return to the starting eleven in place of Enrique who looks far from being match fit. I think Lallana will return to the starting eleven as well in place of Markovic, who looked good early in the Champions League match, but got worse as the minutes went on. But the big change I would like to see, is Lambert starting ahead of Balotelli. The Italian was very poor against Basel. And when I say poor, I mean he did not look to be playing as part of a team. That is not the Liverpool way. Although I cannot recall Lambert getting a single shot on goal himself in his short cameo, he did hold up the ball well and linked with the midfield.
WBA have been vulnerable to aerial threats which is another reason I would prefer Lambert to Borini in replacing Balotelli. I think we should be able to get a goal or two in this match, but can we keep them out? They have players that can produce a second of brilliance like Chris Brunt or Graham Dorrans who can test Mignolet from some way out. There are also players like Sessegnon and Berahino who can look world class on their day. As what I expect the result to be, I am ashamed to say…I just don’t know.
And our competitors…
Man City travel to Aston Villa and will leave with the three points. Although Everton are not in good form either, I think they will take a point at least from Old Trafford. There is always the risk of European fatigue, but I think United were lucky to get the win against West Ham. They are far from having turned a corner. I think the Chelsea and Arsenal game will finish in a draw, although I will cheer on a Gunners win. And lastly, Southampton pay their former boss a visit with a trip to White Hart Lane. The Saints will be up for this one, but I think Pochettino will do everything he can not to lose this one, including borrowing Chelsea’s bus. A draw is the likely result.
Follow Kurt on Twitter @kurtellis2
Kurt Ellis is a lifelong Liverpool fan living in South Africa. His first novel, By Any Means, was published by Human & Rousseau Publishers in May 2014. It is a gritty, coming of age crime thriller featuring a young Liverpool FC fan. The novel is available on Amazon. To purchase, you can follow the link below. http://amzn.to/Zj532F