The Soccer Blog: Match Preview: Liverpool v. Newcastle, 12.11.10

Saturday, 11 December 2010

Match Preview: Liverpool v. Newcastle, 12.11.10

By: Ed | December 10th, 2010

Off to St. James’ Park for the late Saturday kickoff.

And a lead-in that’s going to be dominated by talk about the idiocy of Mike Ashley. Rightly so.

There’s a brief yet significant detour prior to launching into the football, and it obviously involves the aforementioned idiocy. The dismissal of Chris Hughton, about whom I will not pretend to know more than I do, has been a surprising and upsetting revelation for most folks following Newcastle United and the Premier League. Likable, hard-working, and committed to his players and staff, Hughton seemed like a great fit for a club that was looking to establish itself back in the Premier League after some tough times.

A near-record points total in the Championship that led to promotion during last season’s campaign and navigating the club to mid-table status this season, even after a disastrous November, seemed like big steps in the right direction. Unfortunately not so, and the firing of Hughton seemingly came out of nowhere. Even with the rumors starting back in October, it seemed a long shot that he would actually be removed.

But, time and again, we witness the damaging impact of idiots with power.

So enter Alan Pardew, brought in because of his wealth of experience (nevermind the quality of said experience), tasked with assuaging the worries of more than a few of his new players.

It’d be easy to assume that this all sets up very nicely for Liverpool, and it may play out that way, but there’s still plenty worth taking note of in this Toon side. Nolan is likely to make his return after an ankle injury, and if available he’ll look to link with Andy Carroll and Shola Ameobi up top and Jonas Gutierrez in the midfield. Plenty of fitness concerns for Pardew to sort through, though—Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie, and Steve Harper join Nolan on the “doubtful” list, while suspensions for Fabricio Coloccini and Martin Williamson make for a piecemeal back line.

Onto Liverpool:

1. Who will start for Liverpool?
2. What’s the most important factor for the Reds?
3. Who’s going to win and what’s going to be the scoreline?

1. Who will start for Liverpool?

Reina
Johnson Kyrgiakos Skrtel Konchesky
Kuyt Lucas Meireles Maxi
Ngog Torres

—Again, no fresh injury news, and it doesn’t sound like anyone’s wife is in danger of heading into labor any time soon. Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, and Jay Spearing all continue to miss out through injury—as Noel mentioned, Gerrard had been a thought heading into tomorrow, but Hodgson has put that to bed.

—This is the same squad that I had predicted for the match with Aston Villa, and I don’t know that many changes are needed. The conversation about Kuyt is becoming louder (and rightly so), but unless Hodgson’s trust in Ryan Babel has grown to a level that outweighs the potential benefits of having Kuyt in the lineup, I think it’s Kuyt again. At this point, I’m also willing to venture that Babel is just as likely to challenge for Ngog’s role as he is Kuyt’s—good point from Grubb a few days back about the impact that Babel has from the central area, so hopefully Roy’s taking his cues from the Liverpool Offside about furthering relations with Australia.

—I posted Hodgson’s thoughts about Raul Meireles and Lucas in the comments section of Noel’s earlier post, and hopefully they hold true beyond tomorrow. With Gerrard out there’s ostensibly no threat to seeing that pairing broken up, and there’s little reason to even when Gerrard returns. I think for many of us, the decisions he makes in the midfield once all are back to full fitness will be a mighty good measuring stick.

2. What’s the most important factor for the Reds?

Speaking of measuring sticks, Liverpool and Roy Hodgson take their process of rebirth on the road, which has been a tall task this season. Tottenham was encouraging, but there was no end product (in front of goal or as a result), and it was really the first time we’ve seen Liverpool put together a performance worthy of more than a point. As I mentioned earlier, it would seem like the opposition is setting Liverpool up nicely for a dominant performance, but there’s nothing guaranteed. An assured away performance that earns all three points would start to move things in Hodgson’s favor—not completely, but it’d at least be an indicator that things can change.

3. Who’s going to win and what’s going to be the scoreline?

For all the talk of having reservations about taking Newcastle’s tumult for granted, I can’t see anything other than three points for Liverpool. 3-1 to the good.

Tomorrow’s another match that’s covered live in the UK and the US—ESPN has it for British viewers, and those of us stateside can catch it on Fox Soccer Channel. Matchday thread up early in the day with links to streams for those who need to follow on the computer.

Hope you all enjoy your Friday—here’s highlights of Liverpool’s last visit to St. James’ to tide you over.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:Match Preview: Liverpool v. Wigan, 11.10.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Blackburn, 10.24.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Blackpool, 10.03.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. FC Utrecht, 09.30.10Match Preview: Liverpool v. Trabzonspor, 08.19.10

Category: Team News

Tags: Team News
« Lucas Leiva is the Fifth Beatle, and Other Friday Notes | Home | AntonioOn the last 3 games, we have been trying to pass the ball around in the middle of the field, not very neat at time but serve well, it was so much better than those aimless Hoofing. The overall linked up play with the upfront was quite well indeed.

We lost to Spur, but in a game that we did just well, only result not favor us (if Maxis and Torres took their chances), Performance is what matter.

While the game with Aston Villa, we saw some yet another good performance again, and this time result on our side which was never a surprise if we keep playing this way.

.I hope Torres will score a couple of goals tonight to celebrate his new born son.

Kyut look a bit out of form, we should not scare to gave him a break and try something new, be in pushing G Johnson forward supporting by Kelly behind, or there is always 2 forgotten figures Jova and Joe Cole.

For quite some time, I haven't approach the game with much confident, but base on last 3 games performance (not result), no disrespect to Newcaslte, I think Liverpool will come out winner.

I look forward for the game.
LFC4LIFEagreeable but i have to add that Maxi and lucas had made some great passes through midfield.most recent,Maxi and babel's goal against Villa.Red2deathWell, if you're a downtrodden Newcastle looking for a home boost, nothing like Roy Hodgson walking through that door. A welcome site for any host.

Let's hope that's not the case tomorrow...NoelIn fairness he went after Tottenham on the road, and it would be a huge disappointment if we didn't come out firing against them tomorrow.

As for the squad, I'm 100% on the same page as Jay about wishing it somehow ended up being Aurelio, and about 75% on board about Babel--even having broached the subject earlier, I do love me some Kuyt.

And watching that video is so fantastic and so sad. I don't know if I ever quite realised how special that season was. Obviously the league wasn't won, etc., etc., but the football was just beautiful, and when the players took their final lap I just kept thinking, "Next year." Also, that Lucas-Gerrard interplay was bloody impressive.EdAs usual, what's likely and what's desired, ad nauseam.NoelYup. You have to wonder what it'll take for Konchesky to get a league match off.LFC4LIFEit'll take just any other manager.hodgson is being forced to prove konchesky because he took so much trouble to bring him in,also trading 2 bright youths and another 5 million.everybody said he should have just stayed with insua.NoelHe also put a lot of effort into bringing in Poulsen. At least relative to his position as a bench warmer Juventus was having a hard time loaning out at the time.

Maybe some small part of me is just an eternal optimist.Jay WrightUnfortunately I think that your prediction will be proven accurate. For me, Kuyt would be making way for Babel in order that we get some pace and width in the midfield, and Aurelio would be getting a league start in the place of Konchesky.

Either ways, Newcastle are ripe for a beating if we attack - get an early goal, or get on top early in the game and their fans will turn their attentions to Ashley instead of cheering on their team, thereby negating their home advantage. Unfortunately, an early goal will lead to Hodgson aiming to shut up shop for the rest of the game though, allowing the opposition to attack us at will again.

Still, 2-1 to Liverpool! :-)blog comments powered by Disqus