I was tempted to tell LFConline.com that I am too tired to write this weeks’ preview. Thankfully the Premier League returns this weekend so the general media will have alternative headline news other than Sterling's understandable fatigue. I personally don’t understand what the big deal is. I am as confused as Roy Hodgson trying to manage Liverpool. He is actually doing more damage to Liverpool now as the England Manager.
But that is all behind us now. I have not heard any news on our players picking up any fresh major injuries while on international duty so Rodgers should have most of his first team players available for selection. On Sunday, our Reds travel to London to take on Redknapp’s QPR. In the previous meetings, Liverpool have won three of the last four encounters. We should have Sturridge and Allen available for selection and I imagine the former will be drafted immediately into the starting eleven. Looking at QPR’s potential starting eleven, I see there is an abundance of experience and strength in the team with Rio Ferdinand, Onuoha, Caulker, Sandro, Fer and Henry. Not the most skilful bunch of players, but players who like to get stuck in and that work hard. However, with the London team bottom of the league after seven matches with only one win, they are yet to get the team working well together. Sure, three of the seven matches were against tough opposition in Southampton, Spurs and Man United, but they also last to Burton Albion in the Capital One Cup, as well as a home defeat to Hull and draw to Stoke tells me that Loftus Road is by no means a fortress.
However, if we intend to plunder the Londoners, we need to play well. Sturridge returning to the starting 11 will gives us far more movement upfront. I would like to see a 4-2-3-1 formation from Rodgers this weekend. With Coutinho, Lallana and Sterling rotating playing behind Sturridge. Lallana has looked better and better each time I have seen him play. Behind them, we could have Gerrard and Henderson to play the deeper role. And on that point, I loved the fact that Rodgers adapted our tactics against WBA to push Gerrard further forward when the Baggies tried to close him down earlier. That very tactic was effectively used by West Ham, Aston Villa and Everton (to a lesser extent). A little upsetting that it took us three games and eight points to develop the adjustment, but it is better late than never. Once again, our back four should remain the same as Moreno, Skrtel, Lovren and Manquillo. Consistency in the defence is extremely important. However Lovren did pick up an abdominal strain while on international duty, but the reports I read indicate that the injury is not that bad and he should be able to feature in the starting eleven. A win is a must for us, and it is a result we should be able to get. Let’s hope though that ‘should’, translates into ‘will.’
And our competitors…
The early match on Saturday is also the biggest clash of the weekend. Man City host Tottenham Hotspurs and Pochettino has found the going tough since arriving in London. Spurs have a decent away record this season so far, having never lost on the road, and City have only won one of their three home games so far (the win being against Liverpool, if I can pick at an old wound). But I can’t see anything else but a City win in this one. Both Arsenal and Everton have home matches against Hull and Aston Villa respectively. A bet tipping website I often visit actually has tipped Arsenal to draw and Aston Villa to win. I could not disagree more. Arsenal will look to end their recent run of draws and after being beaten by Chelsea on the last match day, they will want to get three points as soon as possible. Aston Villa started the season extremely well and punched above their weight (knocking us out in the process), but their wheels have been coming off recently (forgive the mixed metaphor). I believe Everton and Arsenal will win their matches. I have now added Southampton to the list of teams I will be keeping my eye on this season. Koeman has got the Saints playing very well this season despite losing a lot of their first team regulars. In their last match, Spurs managed to end their 6 match winning run. Sunderland visit St Mary’s and the draw specialists will try to neutralise Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic. I’m not sure if they will though and expect the Saints to march in and out with the win. Chelsea then travel to Crystal Palace and the Blue Bus should roll over their neighbours for another three points. And finally, WBA host Man United on Monday. United have some how found themselves in fourth place on the league, but I think they will lose points here.
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