JoeWelcome back everyone after another long and tedious international break. Realistically it came at a bad time for us interrupting our excellent run. But it was a necessary run when you look at our next few matches. Trips to Old Trafford and Goodison Park are followed by Southampton at home and then we host a very in form West Ham. But before all that we have a very tough test tomorrow as we travel to Anfield. Our recent form at Anfield is poor at best. Excluding last years League Cup penalty win, we haven’t won at Anfield in 9 attempts. Gulp!
On the positive side there is good news on the injury front after scares for Aubameyang and Partey. It seems the Aubameyang stories were basically nonsense and although Partey missed the internationals the only two players who we are without are Xhaka and Kolasinac. Whilst Xhaka looks set for a January return, there is currently no date for Kolasinac, which considering we now have cover at left back isn’t so much of an issue. Talking of left backs, Arteta has a choice to make tomorrow. Does he stick with the impressive Tavares or does he revert back to Tierney who has been indifferent so far this season. It is however the cliched “good problem to have”. Time will tell.
Arteta spoke positively about the trip and called it an excellent test. Of course that goes without saying, any kind of result tomorrow would be excellent for us. I’ve seen us start so well at Anfield previously but it seems as soon as we concede the flood gates open. With out new look defence I’m hopeful that we can, if not deny them at a goal, at least keep the tally low. But this Liverpool side are the highest scoring team in the league for a reason, keeping their front three quiet is far from easy. On the other hand their defence though tight, isn’t water tight and with the energy and talent we have going forward we have the quality to hurt them.
The Bottom Line
There can be no passengers or off days tomorrow if we’re to get a result in the North West. Every player to a man needs to be switched on and ready to run into the ground. Can we pull something off? Always. Will we? only time will tell
I’ll see you all there tomorrow.
COYG!
-Joe