Liverpool 2-1 West Brom. A result that feels a century ago, was in fact the reds' last Premier League match. A win is a definite must this tie round, as Rodgers' men travel to London to face a somewhat 'dampened' QPR side.
Let us face it, Liverpool are yet to reach the expected heights thus far this season. A couple of very poor performances has brought intense scrutiny upon Rodgers and his summer signings. The boss is in need of a plan B, sooner rather than later. That is why a match against a misfiring QPR is the perfect opportunity to finally kick start our season, and return to playing the scintillating football that was on show all throughout the last campaign. This time, of course, without our iconic goalscoring Uruguayan talisman. (I am going to attempt writing a whole blog without mentioning his name, however we all know who I am talking about.)
Previous Meetings
QPR were quick in revitalising their Premier League status, as Redknapp and his boys proved that one season was more than enough time away from the top flight. We could look at Seba Coates' acrobatic effort at Loftus Road a couple of years back as one of the main highlights when the two teams are mentioned. Obviously, what followed that goal was unbearable for all reds' fans, as three goals in the space of ten minutes meant QPR ran away with all three points. I will of course mention more positive meetings with the 'hoops', as we look back to our most recent of meetings two seasons back, where three goals in the space of twenty minutes proved enough for the red men, who breezed to victory. Previous meetings sway to Liverpool's favour, but will the red men fall once again whilst under pressure?
Number of Key Returns
Yes, the gruelling International break has passed us, and none of Liverpool's first team have returned carrying any form of injury. It's a miracle. Much to the opposite, Rodgers has been buoyed by a couple of key long-term injury comebacks. Joe Allen, Glen Johnson, Emre Can, and Dejan Lovren have all been given the green light and marked as fit by Brendan in his pre-match press conference, whilst the main man who us reds fans are all eagerly awaiting the return of, Daniel Sturridge, will be assessed prior to kick off on Sunday afternoon.
I personally would never have thought the day would come when the return of Joe Allen would be met with such high appraisal. Yes, we have missed Allen thoroughly in the last couple of matches, as prior to the Welshman's injury we were just starting to witness why exactly Brendan showed so much faith in Allen when brining him in two years ago. Will Joe Allen force his way into Rodgers' starting eleven with immediate effect? If so, who will he replace? Competition for places within Liverpool's first team squad has intensified rapidly from last year, and although form favours the Welshman, he will no doubt find it extremely difficult to cement his place in Liverpool's centre of midfield once again. A massive pity in my opinion, as I feel Allen began this season on firing form.
As I found myself deep in discussion regarding the 'Balotelli-Sturridge' partnership and whether it will work out or not, something came across my mind, a stat that will cause much optimism amongst all you readers : Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli have only started one match together this season thus far. Guess what was the outcome that day? Tottenham 0-3 Liverpool. I have to admit that a massive smile crossed my face when going through that fact, and so it should. There is no doubt Balotelli is a much better player when in a partnership, and we witnessed that in the Italian's debut at White Hart Lane, where he could have slotted two past Lloris in the opening half hour. Since then, it has not really worked out for our new front man. Reason being? A quite obvious one it seems : Having Borini or Lambert alongside you provides far less effectiveness than having a 'firing on all cylinders' Daniel Sturridge. I do reckon that when Sturridge does return, that him and Balotelli will light the league on fire, and will no doubt lift us up the table slowly but surely.
Raheem Sterling and the 'Tired Myth'
"At no point did Raheem Sterling say he didn't want to play for England. The boy is being hung out to dry."
Brendan Rodgers' message to Roy Hodgson and the FA on Friday's press conference was a clear one, as he showed his anger and fury with Hodgson's claims that Raheem was 'too tired' to put on his nation's colours. This is where I have to agree 100 % with the reds boss. Let us not forget that young Raheem is still only 19 years old. His ongoing busy schedule would prove a tough test for any professional in world football, let alone a teenager.
Now, if Hodgson really did lie about this story, then that is an extremity to itself, however I do reckon that Sterling should be rested, with the match on Sunday looking to be the most likely timing for this. With that being said, Rodgers will look at Sunday's match as a crucial one to get all three points (some would agree even more important than Madrid on Wednesday), therefore the boss may look at introducing the 19 year old at one point or another. If the continuous pressure being put on Raheem's shoulders intensifies though, we might see a promising youngster's career tarnish before he reaches his prime. Let us hope this is not the case, and we get to witness Raheem strutting his stuff for the Anfield club for many years to come.
Is Sunday's Match More Important Than Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday night?
From facing a 35 year old Rio Ferdinand, to a star-studded attacking line up which includes Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema in a matter of days. That is quite the transition. Will reds fans be happier with a result at Loftus Road, than a historic win against the holders? Yes, well that is my view at least. Liverpool have to improve fast and rapidly in the league, and although a result against Madrid would be much more memorable, in my opinion, I rather we get a promising performance, capped off with a convincing result against QPR on Sunday.
This season is all about retaining our place in next season's Champions League. We may not be ready to win it as of yet, but league matches against the likes of QPR are essential to us achieving these said goals. I would love nothing more than to win both matches obviously, and the mere sight of Ronaldo crying his eyes out at full time on Liverpool turf is a sight that quickly puts a smirk across all us reds' fans faces. (A preview of Wednesday's match will be published on Tuesday).
A Look at the Opposition
Harry Redknapp could not have imagined a worse return to top flight football than this. Four points from their opening seven games have left the hoops sitting hopelessly in 20th place, a position that should not be regarded with a manager like Redknapp. Myself, amongst many Englishmen out there were left stunned when Redknapp was not selected to be our nation's new boss, however the FA opted for ex reds boss Hodgson, and Harry went to QPR, a move that surprises me to this day. I do believe that Redknapp is a 'Champions League style' manager, as we have witnessed in his time managing Spurs. Why exactly he is still at QPR still baffles me to the day. (He might just enjoy life in the West of London).
In his pre-match press conference, Redknapp called Liverpool 'one of the biggest clubs in the world' and stated that his team enter the match on Sunday as massive underdogs. This talk of course, is pure mind games by the English boss. We all know that Liverpool have been misfiring of late, and although QPR have struggled as well, the reds will no doubt need to put in a strong performance in order to take all three points back with them to Merseyside.
My Prediction and Probable Starting Line Up
With everything that has been pondered throughout this blog, I remain pretty confident that the red men will leave London in high spirits and ready for the 'galacticos' on Wednesday. I am going with a solid 3-0 win, with Super Mario finally breaking his Premier League goalscoring duck with a couple of goals.
As for my predicted starting line up, this is it. A Couple of changes from the win at West Brom a fortnight ago I reckon :
Mignolet
Johnson Skrtel Lovren Moreno
Gerrard
Henderson Coutinho Lallana
Balotelli Borini
Subs: Jones. Manquillo, Enrique. Allen, Can. Sterling, Lambert.
Finally, after that tiresome and boring international break, club football finally returns ! (That gives you my view on the club vs country debate, but oh well). Anything short of a win for Brendan's men will be hard to digest. If we are not capable of beating QPR, then we do not deserve a place amongst the top four and European's elite.
Will the 'Balotelli-Sturridge' partnership continue where it left off? Will Markovic show us his 'massive potential'? Will Rodgers give Sterling a lay-off or will he put him in right from the get-go? These are all questions which will be answered very soon indeed. Brendan needs a response from his players, and in a week which saw 'he who must not be named' be presented with the golden boot award for his showings last season, we must not prove that Liverpool Football Club can and will cope without the man's presence.
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YNWA
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