Liverpool vs West Brom
Date: 27/12/2020
K/O: 16:30
Venue: Anfield
TV: Sky Sports
Top of the table Liverpool host the Baggies in the Boxing Day clash, as Klopp’s side look to go 11 games unbeaten.
Things haven’t exactly gone Liverpool’s way over the past few months, but the Reds remain top and are looking to stay there.
Klopp’s side sent a chilling message to the rest of the league as they thumped Crystal Palace last weekend. It was a display of footballing perfection, and showed that despite the circumstances, Liverpool mean business. Seven scintillating goals saw the Reds abolish their awful goal difference and cement their lead at the top of the table.
West Brom are at the opposite end of the table and are in dangerous territory. Last weekend’s 3-0 loss to Villa saw them remain in 19th place, as ‘Big Sam’ took over from Slaven Bilić. The game before, Albion managed to get a hard-earned point against City at the Etihad, but it wasn’t enough to keep Bilić in the job.
This clash will be Sam Allardyce’s first big test as he takes on the Champions at Anfield. Given his history with saving teams from relegation, anything is possible, but it seems he has the hardest challenge in the world on boxing day, as Liverpool are 66 games unbeaten at Anfield in the Premier League.
The reigning champions have won 55 and drawn 11 of those 66 games, scoring 169 goals and conceding 42 for a total of 170 points – an impressive run.
West Brom will get the full festive greetings from Liverpool as both Sadio Mane and Mo Salah only played half the game against Palace. This means Klopp will likely field his infamous front three against the Baggies. Salah, for the first time this season is leading the race for the golden boot, his two goals at the weekend takes his tally to 13.
This doesn’t sound good for Albion, as they’ve conceded the second highest amount of goals in the league with 29. Liverpool have scored the most now with 36 and it could be a case of ‘damage limitation’ for the Baggies.
Going forward is where West Brom will also struggle. Their main attacking outlets are Matheus Pereira and Callum Robinson, who have only three goals between them and won’t trouble the Liverpool defence. This will be an issue for Allardyce as his forwards will offer very little relief for his defence, who will be under significant pressure for the 90 minutes. West Brom will be most dangerous from set pieces, as Liverpool keep a high line it could leave space for one of the Baggies’ defenders to get a chance.
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool’s injury crisis has started to settle down lately as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita have both returned to action. James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri have both resumed training and could make returns to the squad in the new year.
Thiago is in light training, but he is not expected to be available for the West Brom clash.
Klopp will likely field an unchanged team to the one that beat Crystal Palace 7-0, but if the game goes the same way, plenty of changes will be inevitable.
Crystal Palace
Sam Allardyce’s arrival hasn’t been helped by the injuries of late.
In defence both Conor Townsend and Kyle Bartley are out for the visit to Anfield with long term injuries and in the middle of the park, Jake Livermore is still suspended until January.
Hal Robson-Kanu hasn’t featured in four games after sustaining a wrist injury and won’t be available for selection this weekend.
Allardyce went with an unchanged side for his first game, but he could shake things up at Anfield as his side are struggling for goals.
Predicted Starting XIs
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Fabinho, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane
West Brom (4-3-3): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, O’shea, Gibbs; Krovinovic, Sawyers, Gallagher; Phillips, Grant, Diangana
Score Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 West Brom
I think the Reds will roll over the Baggies on boxing day. Liverpool’s last performance was mesmeric and showed little room for improvement, if they replicate that, then it could be very difficult for West Brom. It’ll be a matter of how long they can keep Liverpool out and as the game grows so will their confidence, so for the Reds, an early goal would set the tone. Big Sam will likely have something up his sleeve, as he always does, but the league leaders should be able to overcome it.
