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Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers: Predict the line-up
As Rafa Benitez's men welcome The Trotters to Anfield, who will be stepping out for the Reds?
29 Jan 2010 09:42:00
By Neil Jones | Liverpool Correspondent
This season it seems that every week brings with it a 'must-win' game for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez. But with the gap widening to fourth-place, and fixtures against Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City on the horizon for the Reds, it is fair to say Saturday's home clash with Bolton Wanderers falls into that category.
Tuesday night's pallid 0-0 draw with struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux was indicative of the slump Liverpool have found themselves in this season. The previous week's rousing victory over Tottenham Hotspur was forgotten, as the Reds slid helplessly into a disjointed, uninspiring slog of a performance.
At least they didn't lose the game. Their last five league fixtures have brought with them three victories and two draws, with just one goal - a last-minute heartbreaker at Stoke - conceded. They may be at least three levels short of their best, but results elsewhere have left them right in the hunt for fourth spot. In that respect, a win over Bolton at Anfield is crucial.
Benitez sprung a small surprise at Molineux by leaving out Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who had produced his best performance in a Red shirt against Spurs. The Spaniard reasoned that a tight game with Wolves was suitable for only one of Aquilani or Steven Gerrard, with the skipper getting the nod. In the more comfortable environment of Anfield, the urge will be there to shoehorn both players into the side.
Which means surely that one of Lucas Leiva or Javier Mascherano will miss out. Both have been in solid form this season, but the double-anchor pivot of Liverpool's midfield has been criticised for its lack of invention throughout this season, and Benitez may feel the time is right to add a little more craft into his line-up. Lucas would be the one most likely to miss out if he did, though the Brazilian's improvement this season has been heartening.
Elsewhere, the line-up seems pretty much to pick itself. With Daniel Agger still sidelined, Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos is a certainty, given his aerial prowess - a must against the physical threat of Kevin Davies - and recent form. Jamie Carragher was given a rough ride by Matthew Jarvis at Molineux, but should find Matt Taylor a little easier to read at right-back, and Dirk Kuyt's endeavour makes him a more logical choice to start than the raw, but more sporadic David Ngog.
Bolton could well have loan signings Vladimir Weiss and Jack Wilshere available, though fellow new-boy Stuart Holden will miss out through injury. Ivan Klasnic is a doubt, as is midfielder Mark Davies, whilst long-term casualties Joey O'Brien and Sean Davis remain sidelined for Owen Coyle's side.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Maxi, Aquilani, Riera, Kuyt
Subs from: Cavalieri (GK), Degen, Darby, Kelly, Aurelio, Spearing, Lucas, Babel, Pacheco, Ngog
This season it seems that every week brings with it a 'must-win' game for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez. But with the gap widening to fourth-place, and fixtures against Everton, Arsenal and Manchester City on the horizon for the Reds, it is fair to say Saturday's home clash with Bolton Wanderers falls into that category.
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Tuesday night's pallid 0-0 draw with struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux was indicative of the slump Liverpool have found themselves in this season. The previous week's rousing victory over Tottenham Hotspur was forgotten, as the Reds slid helplessly into a disjointed, uninspiring slog of a performance.
At least they didn't lose the game. Their last five league fixtures have brought with them three victories and two draws, with just one goal - a last-minute heartbreaker at Stoke - conceded. They may be at least three levels short of their best, but results elsewhere have left them right in the hunt for fourth spot. In that respect, a win over Bolton at Anfield is crucial.
Benitez sprung a small surprise at Molineux by leaving out Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who had produced his best performance in a Red shirt against Spurs. The Spaniard reasoned that a tight game with Wolves was suitable for only one of Aquilani or Steven Gerrard, with the skipper getting the nod. In the more comfortable environment of Anfield, the urge will be there to shoehorn both players into the side.
Which means surely that one of Lucas Leiva or Javier Mascherano will miss out. Both have been in solid form this season, but the double-anchor pivot of Liverpool's midfield has been criticised for its lack of invention throughout this season, and Benitez may feel the time is right to add a little more craft into his line-up. Lucas would be the one most likely to miss out if he did, though the Brazilian's improvement this season has been heartening.
Elsewhere, the line-up seems pretty much to pick itself. With Daniel Agger still sidelined, Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos is a certainty, given his aerial prowess - a must against the physical threat of Kevin Davies - and recent form. Jamie Carragher was given a rough ride by Matthew Jarvis at Molineux, but should find Matt Taylor a little easier to read at right-back, and Dirk Kuyt's endeavour makes him a more logical choice to start than the raw, but more sporadic David Ngog.
Bolton could well have loan signings Vladimir Weiss and Jack Wilshere available, though fellow new-boy Stuart Holden will miss out through injury. Ivan Klasnic is a doubt, as is midfielder Mark Davies, whilst long-term casualties Joey O'Brien and Sean Davis remain sidelined for Owen Coyle's side.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Maxi, Aquilani, Riera, Kuyt
Subs from: Cavalieri (GK), Degen, Darby, Kelly, Aurelio, Spearing, Lucas, Babel, Pacheco, Ngog
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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