The clash of the systems. It should be a fascinating match up. The key from a Liverpool perspective is avoiding our press. I think that is going to be tough for them. Sakho and Skrtel on the ball doesn't strike fear into your heart and makes me feel that our press could well be decisive in this fixture. Pochettino teams have done well at Anfield in the past couple of seasons, which suggests our system should be effective.
I think that due to Skrtel and Sakho's aforementioned weaknesses on the ball, Rodgers will have Can in defence. They are going to need some composure and quality on the ball if they are going to be able to avoid coming under pressure high up the pitch. If we do get at them and win the ball high we're going to get joy: Mignolet is dodgy, and with them playing attack minded wing backs we could be quids in.
However, our width comes from our full backs, and here im sure Liverpool will see a vulnerability. When they do avoid our high press then their wing backs will expose our full backs, who will most likely be advanced. I'm guessing they will play Ibe and Markovic, who may not offer much in a defensive sense, but will be potent going forwards. And once they get forwards the trio of Sturridge, Coutinho and Sterling and defintely going to cause us problems. I like Mason and Bentaleb, and I think they are going to have the edge over Pool's midfield in a head to head sense, but I'm not confident that we'll cope too comfortably if Henderson can make forward runs to link up with the attack and Allen can manage to retain possession and feed them.
I think both teams will be confident they can win the game. Personally, I think its too close to call but if someone was going to put a gun to my head i'd suggest maybe we are going to have the edge. I think the likes of Allen or an aged Gerrard, coupled with people like Can in the backline and Markovic as wing back might not be able to stand up to our physicality, energy and fitness. With Sterling looking a bit knackered, Sturridge coming back from a long lay off and Lucas apparently out, I think we have the edge. They may also underestimate us and how much we are improving week on week. We certainly aren't the AVB team they turned over, and we arent the disorganised ramble they dispatched at the lane earlier this year. The gifts of Capoue and Kaboul are long gone.
The fact that for them this game is a complete must win could go either way.
