Arsenal vs Liverpool: Match Preview

Liverpool will play against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night football.

Liverpool have won both of their previous games of this season and have collected the maximum points from them. Both of the games against Stoke City and Bournemouth have been won by the scoreline of one nil. Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson is doubtful for this match with a foot problem. It would be a massive setback for Liverpool without their talismanic midfielder. Emre Can is expected to take his place in the midfield and Liverpool are also expected to recall Lucas Leiva for the match either to start alongside Millner and Can in midfield or to support from the bench. Brendan Rodgers is also considering giving first start to Roberto Fermino and if that is true then either Adam Lallana or Jordan Ibe will have to make way for him. Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Joe Flanaggan are definitely out of this match due to injuries.

Arsenal suffered a shock defeat against West Ham United in their first match of this campaign at Emirates but won the second match against Crystal Palace to have 3 points after 2 games in this campaign. Arsenal had won this fixture against Liverpool last season by 4-1. Arsenal will be without Jack Wishere but apart from that they do not have any other injury concerns. Arsenal are going to give start to Alexis Sanchez who was today compared by Arsene Wenger to be as good as Luis Suarez.

This is a very important fixture for both the teams for gaining a psychological advantage on the other in the race for the top four spot and Champions League football for next season.


What the Managers have to say.


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "If you want to have a successful season you want to be strong at home. Normally we are strong at home. This is an opportunity to show that.
"Your confidence is linked with your last result and at Crystal Palace we responded well. From that we should have enough confidence to go into the game positively against Liverpool.
"This is a very important game where the result will of course be vital. It's not a result that will decide our title chances but in our heads we know it's very important."


Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "There's a real focus in our group this season, a real toughness, mentally.
"We know that we've got that ability to scrap and fight as well as play good football. If we can go there and perform like we think we can and keep to our game-plan we're confident we can get a result.
"If you assess Arsenal's last 10 games they've lost at home, the teams that have won have averaged four shots on target, with 43% possession. It tells you that you can go there and you don't need to dominate the ball, but you can dominate the space."
 

The rise of Jordan Henderson from a flop to Liverpool Skipper

When Liverpool bought Jordan Henderson in the summer of 2011 as a 21 year old from Sunderland for £20m, a lot was expected of him. He was deemed to be the next big thing for England. The then manager Kenny Dalglish even compared him to be like Steven Gerrard, that he is gonna eventually take his place in the team. But very quickly it was proving to be otherwise. He used to work very hard for the team as a workhorse but there was nothing more than that to his game. Even Kenny Dalglish was not sure about his best position and tried him at different positions mainly in the central midfield or in the right flank but with very little contributions.

Eventually Kenny Dalglish was sacked as Liverpool Manager in 2012 and was replaced by Brendan Rodgers. Brendan Rodgers initially wanted to bring in Clint Dempsey from Fulham to boost his attack and sell Jordan Henderson to Fulham as a swap deal. Henderson was baffled by this and refused to go to Fulham and eventually that deal did not materialise as Dempsey chose to go to Tottenham Hotspurs instead. Jordan Henderson got very little games that year and mostly warmed the bench in Liverpool dugout.

In 2013-14 season he started brightly playing in all of the initial games for Liverpool alongside Steven Gerrard. He was kind of a rejuvenation for Liverpool and his watershed moment came in the match against Tottenham Hotspurs at White Hart Lane in December 2013 when in the absence of the injured Gerrard he took control of the midfield and Liverpool won the match with 5 goals to nil with Henderson scoring once and assisting another. That was the game where he really came out of the shadows of the great Gerrard and started stamping his own mark in the following matches. His impact was so much that Liverpool were very close to be crowned the Premier League Champions and when he was suspended for the last three matches of the season Liverpool's title challenge fell apart and eventually they were 2nd in the season.


The following season he started to exert more and more influence in the games with his all round box to box displays from the heart of Liverpool midfield. With Gerrard less involved in games mostly due to injuries, Henderson stepped forward to take the mantle on himself to be the skipper of the team temporarily. Liverpool had a very difficult season with Luis Suarez gone and Daniel Sturridge mostly injured but it was Henderson who started inspiring Liverpool just as Gerrard did for all these years. And after the end of the season when Gerrard took the decision of finding new challenges in MLS it was a very easy decision for Brendan Rodgers to handover the responsibility to lead the side to a bright future and glory to Jordan Henderson, the man who was deemed to replace Gerrard all those years back.

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Christian Benteke: The Predator

Christian Benteke scored on his debut match at Anfield similar to the debut goals by arguably two of the best strikers Liverpool ever had in their glorious history, Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez.

It was a Poacher's goal and that's what Christian Benteke is in the truest sense. He can score goals from anywhere and obviously he will be disappointed for not scoring another from close range when his shot got bounced off the pitch and hit the woodwork.

It was a brilliant debut for him where he won almost all the ariel balls that came on his way. He provides such a big target man for Liverpool's attacking players and always keeps the opposing defenders on their toes.

Against Bournemouth he was the best player on the pitch for Liverpool by far with his work rate and holding up play to bring other players into the game. He has a lot more to his game than just scoring goals from crosses. Probably by now most of the League defenders are already wary of him and will be scared to come to the wrong side of him when he is in such a form.

Liverpool's success of this season depends almost entirety on the success of Christian Benteke and that's the reason they have invested so heavily on him as he is a real Predator if ever anyone can be called that.

Liverpool starting lineup against Bournemouth

Liverpool are unchanged from there previous game against Stoke City where they had beaten the Potters 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium. New joiners Roberto Fermino and Danny Inngs starts from the bench.


Simon Mignolet(GK)

Nathaniel Clyne (RB)

Martin Skrtel (RCB)

Dejan Lovren (LCB)

Joe Gomez (RB)

Jordan Henderson (RCM)

James Millner (LCM)

Jordan Ibe (LWF)

Phillips Coutinho (CAM)

Adam Lallana (RWF)

Christian Benteke (CF)


Match Preview: Liverpool v/s Bournemouth

Liverpool are hosting Bournemouth for the first time at Anfield in their history in Bournemouth's maiden season in English top flight on Monday Night Football.

Liverpool are expecting to field an unchanged side from last weekend win against the Stoke City at Britannia Stadium. Daniel Sturridge, Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan are still out due to injuries. New signing Roberto Fermino is expected to start from the bench as he is still some time off to attain full speed after late return for pre-season training.


Bournemouth had lost their previous match against Aston Villa on the first weekend of the Premier League so they are expected to give starts to their new signings. Bournemouth will play with Liverpool with no fear as this is their first season ever and they will enjoy their moment in playing against such an iconic team in an iconic stadium.

Liverpool player ratings against Stoke

Phillippe Coutinho's brilliant strike won the game for Liverpool but let us look at how did the entire team fared in the match.


Simon Mignolet(6)
Simon Mignolet had very little work to do in the match with Stoke City not creating much chances but a few times he had called upon he was up to the mark with assuredness at the back.


Nathaniel Clyne(6)
Playing his first match Clyne had impressed with his defensive work but he needs to improve his offensive work as well to be considered one of the best full backs in EPL.


Martin Skrtel(7)
Martin Skrtel looked assured in the back with his leadership qualities quite visible in the match. Had a great chance in the other end to score for Liverpool but his header was acrobatically saved by the Stoke Goalkeeper.


Dejan Lovren(7)
He had probably one of the best match for Liverpool since he came in to the side from Southampton. Looked comfortable in defense and formed a good partnership with Skrtel.


Mario Gomez(6)
This 18 year old lad have a great future ahead. Playing his first match in EPL after playing for Charlton in Championship he looked composed and looked quite matured than his age. Had little uncomfortable moments in the early part of the game but as the game progressed he became more and more self assured.


Jordan Henderson(7)
Had made more passes than any of Liverpool player and looked commanding in midfield. This Liverpool new skipper is a work machine.


James Millner(7)
Have covered more ground, made more tackles than any of the Liverpool players. James Millner formed an excellent partnership with Henderson in the heart of midfield for Liverpool. He is a tireless player who gives more than 100% in every game.


Jordan Ibe(8)
He gave Stoke City defense all kinds of problems with his speed and dribbles. This young lad is quickly gaining name for himself and the opposing players are getting a surprise by his skills.


Adam Lallana(5)
Probably not one of his best games Adam Lallana looked rusty and with his lack of space he was not able to create much for Liverpool. Was the first person to be substituted by Brendan Rodgers after over an hour.


Phillipe Coutinho(9)
He was the best player on the pitch for Liverpool not only because of his stunner to win the match but also his constant threatening runs and his skills were creating numerous problems for Stoke City. Had flashes of good link up play with Christian Benteke up front.


Christian Benteke(6)
Christian Benteke did not have a dream debut for Liverpool but looked dangerous with his physical strength. Sometime he looked quite isolated up front probably due to the lack of service by Liverpool's attacking players and had to sometime move way back from goal to get the ball.  

Brilliant Coutinho wins it for Liverpool at Stoke

A stunner of a goal from Phillippe Coutinho from 25 yards out wins the match for Liverpool.

Liverpool started the match a bit rusty and not much chances were created from in either of the teams in the first half. Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target in the first half. Liverpool started the match with record signing Christian Benteke but he failed to put any mark in the match with very little service from Liverpool midfielders.


In the second half Liverpool were much livelier than the first but with very few end products or clear cut chances. Phillippe Coutinho showed his class in flashes but Liverpool were not doing enough as a team to win the match.


On the other hand Stoke were also not that free flowing and they were creating odd chances but not serious to give problems to Simon Mignolet.


The match was going towards a goal less draw but with 3 minutes remaining Phillippe Coutinho hits an unstoppable shot from 25 yards out which the keeper could only manage to touch with finger but not enough to stop it from reaching the back of the net. Phillippe Coutinho received the ball around half line and he dodged one Stoke player and made space for himself to run towards the goal unchallenged. With 25 yards from goal he hit the ball sweetly with all he had and the ball raced towards the goal. Loud celebration followed by the travelling Liverpool fans. Liverpool held on to the advantage till the end of the match to win against Stoke City at Brittania Stadium where just 11 weeks back Liverpool were humiliated by the same team.

Half Time score: Stoke 0-0 Liverpool

It's been a pretty dull start from Liverpool and not the free flowing attacking football Liverpool is known for. Liverpool players look tired and there's a lack of pace in the overall team. Lets hope Liverpool come out with more creativity and imagination for the second half where as they have failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.

Liverpool starting lineup against Stoke City

Liverpool giving debuts to new boys Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Clyne and Christian Benteke. Lets see the full line up

Simon Mignolet

Nathaniel Clyne 

Skrtel

Dejan Lovren

Joe Gomez

Jordan Henderson

James Millner

Jordan Ibe

Phillips Coutinho

Adam Lallana

Christian Benteke    

Stoke City Vs Liverpool- Match Preview

Liverpool are going to start their season with a trip to the Britannia Stadium to play against Stoke City on Sunday Evening with the kick off from 8.30pm IST.




Liverpool will be looking to avenge their humiliating 6-1 defeat by Stoke in the last game of the 2014-15 season. Liverpool are expected to give debuts to new boys James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Christian Benteke, Roberto Fermino and Danny Ings. Joe Allen (halmstring) , Daniel Sturridge(hip) and Joe Flanaggan (knee) are out of the match with long term injuries. It will be interesting to see whether out bound forwards Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini will take part in this match.


Stoke city will be without their skipper Ryan Shawcross who required a surgery for a long time back problem but they are expected to give start to forward Bojan Krkic who is returning from injury after 7 months. Stoke are expected to field former Reds Charlie Adam, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson.


Manager Interview


Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: "For me it was the perfect fixture for us first up. I was happy that came out.
"We will certainly be better than we were last season. We lacked in everything that day.
"It was a unique game. We all knew it was unacceptable and whatever stick we got for it was deserved.
"Our first objective is to arrive in the top four. We'll look to put up a greater fight than last season.
"I need to gain the supporters' trust again. It has been an absolute privilege to manage this club and have the supporters behind us.
"But of course, you have to do well to earn that, and I know I need to earn that again."

Excitement for the opening weekend of the EPL season

The English Premier League is going to kick off this weekend so take out your Liverpool jerseys and once again drown yourself in the magical journey of the English Season. Liverpool fans are the best in the world so we are always optimistic come the start of the season and back the team all the way through. We are Liverpudlians through and through and the exciting times are coming back again after the boring end of the season break.


We were not up to the mark the previous season as per our performance goes but this season we have strengthened our squad in virtually all the departments and with Jordan Henderson our new Captain leading the way a lot of expectations are there on the team to perform well and fight for all the trophy' we are into.


It's destiny for Liverpool to start the season against the same team who had humiliated us in the last game of the previous season. Stoke City had won that match 6-1 crushing Liverpool to bits and we lacked in everything in that match so its a God's given opportunity to make it right and kick start our season with new confidence and belief.


We are a lot better placed than what we were last season as the players which had been brought in last season have got one year experience under their belt to play for Liverpool and handle the expectation that comes with playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. And the new players which had been bought this year have come really early into the pre season to gel well with the entire squad. It's exciting times ahead for Liverpool and lets hope and be optimistic that come this MAY we will be fighting for all.

What are the expectations for the new EPL season

With the English Premier League season about to start from this weekend let us have a look at the realistical expectations from the Liverpool team.

Liverpool have invested heavily to build their squad for this season and the best part is that all the business has been done pretty early to give time to the new players to gel with the rest of the squad during pre season matches. Expectations of the fans are very high because of the quality of players that have been bought by Liverpool even after the high profile departures of club legend Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling.

As per Chelsea Manager Jose Morinho the competition this year is going to be very tough as there will be five teams competing for the title but at the end of the season only one team will win the EPL and one team will have to play the Europa League the following season.

I won't go so far as of now but realistically we need to compete for the top four spot and play Champions League next year which Liverpool F.C. deserves so much. Some of Liverpool's direct competitors have also invested heavily this season with the likes of Manchester United boosting their midfield with the acquisition of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger and also buying the likes of Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven to strengthen their attack.

Arsenal have strengthened their goal keeping option with the acquisition of world class Goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea.

Manchester City have invested heavily to bring in Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph and they are still in the look out for more signings.

Chelsea have added to their firepower to their spread strong squad with the acquisition of Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco.

Liverpool on the other hand had struggled for goals in the previous season with long term injury to star striker Daniel Sturridge and with the likes of Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert misfiring so they have boosted their attack by acquiring Roberto Fermino, Daniel Ings, Christian Benteke and the return of Divock Origi from his loan spell with Lille. Liverpool fans are very excited with the thought of Roberto Fermino along with player of the year of last season Phillip Coutinho pairing to support Christian Benteke in attack. Liverpool have all the firepower and a big enough squad required to challenge for the top four spot but they need to make sure that Liverpool Manager Brendan makes his strategy and combinations right as this is a very critical season for him personally which can actually make or break his Liverpool journey.

Christian Benteke scores on Liverpool debut

Christian Benteke playing for the first time for Liverpool F.C. after his big money transfer from Aston Villa scores on his debut against Swindon Town in a pre season friendly match. Christian Benteke hit a sublime 20 yard shot from outside the box to put Liverpool ahead which they eventually won 2-1. Another new Joinee Roberto Fermino also made his debut in the match playing alongside Christian Benteke up front. The only bad news from the match is that Joe Allen got injured in the 13th minute and after scan we will come to know the extent of the injury.