Thursday, June 21, 2012

Liverpool FC.....2012-13 season preview(PART 2)

Off I go with the second part of my preview.This post will cover the busiest months of the season,viz.,November,December and January.15 matches are lined up in this festive period and the schedule,as always,gets super tight around the end of the year.

NOVEMBER

3rd:Newcastle United(H)

Newcastle surprised all and sundry last season with a well deserved 5th placed finish after hovering around the Champions League places all season.A repeat looks unlikely even though it is not impossible.Newcastle have been traditionally weak at Anfield,evident from the fact that their last win at Anfield came about 18 years ago.Nevertheless,Alan Pardew will be determined to get one past LFC this time.
Last season :: Yohann Cabaye put the Magpies in the lead only to see a Stevie G inspired comeback from the Reds who ran away 3-1 winners.

10th:Chelsea(A) BIG GAME

FA Cup holders Chelsea are next as Liverpool travel to SW6 in only their 5th away match of the season.A tough game by the looks of it,but 
Liverpool will be quietly confident having done the double over Chelsea in the previous two seasons.A kind of homecoming for the gaffer,who will look to put one past his former employers.

17th:Wigan Athletic(H)

Wigan had a fantastic finish last season to escape relegation and this year its their 8th straight season in the top flight.The Latics have been well and truly the bogey team for the Reds in recent years.
Liverpool fans deem this fixture as one of the sure win fixtures only for their players to frustrate them.Last season Wigan recorded their first ever win at Anfield,Gary Caldwell being the unlikely match winner.

24th:Swansea(A)

It will be an emotional homecoming for Brendan Rodgers as he takes on his former side Swansea.Rodgers won over many fans with the Barca-esque football at Swansea that indirectly led to his appointment at 
Liverpool.Swansea are a difficult team to beat in their own backyard but Rodgers will be motivated to get a win there.
Last season :: Rodgers' men came out 1-0 winners in the last game of the season.

27th:Tottenham Hotspur(A) BIG GAME

Big November ends with a trip to North London.Tottenham have got the better of 
Liverpool in the past few seasons but with the departure of Harry Redknapp,it will be a testing season for Spurs,the key being their ability to hold on to their stars.Liverpool were thrashed 4-0 last season and a repeat looks highly unlikely.

DECEMBER

1st:Southampton(H)

The Saints are back in the Premiership after their relegation in 2004-05 season.Nigel Adkins' team achieved back to back promotions in the last two seasons and will be trying to emulate Swansea and Norwich to finish safely clear of the relegation zone.An easy tie on paper but as said before,
Liverpool tend to switch off in these matches and drop points.

8th:West Ham United(A)

The Hammers are back in the top flight after a year's hiatus and under Big Sam,they are a group raring to go.A tough trip,considering the partisan Hammer's fans,but a match that may well be a battle of 'force vs finesse'.Another promoted team and need I say any more?

15th:Aston Villa(H)

Rejuvenated Aston Villa are the visitors as the festive period kicks in.Paul Lambert is the new man in the Villa hotseat and after guiding Norwich City to mid-table safety last season,will look to lead Villa along the same lines.Villa have faded badly over the past few seasons after the acrimonious departure of Martin O'Neill and performances reached the nadir last season in a disastrous campaign under Big Eck.A win likely on the cards for the Reds.
Last season :: Luis Suarez saved Liverpool's blushes with a late equaliser to deny Villa a victory in a less than inspiring match.

22nd:Fulham(H)

The Cottager's sprung a major surprise last season when they denied a less than impressive Liverpool,Martin Skrtel's own goal the decider.Liverpool will dare to repeat last season's abject performance at their own peril.A not so glamorous tie on paper but expect fireworks on the pitch.

26th:Stoke City(A)

Its Boxing Day and a trip to the Potteries.Stoke City at home are a tough nut to crack and 
Liverpool will try to get over last season's unfortunate defeat where they absolutely slaughtered Stoke but couldn't find a goal.Stoke benefited from refereeing mistakes but Liverpool will take heart from their performance that day.A tough game but the referee could again be the difference maker this time around.

29th:Queens Park Rangers(A)

Liverpool sign off 2012 with a trip to the smallest ground in the Premier League,Loftus Road.QPR survived relegation last season with a huge helping hand from Stoke City on the final day of the season.Mark Hughes vowed after the match that under him,QPR won't see such days again.QPR have spent well this pre season,already adding Ryan Nelsen and Andy Johnson to their ranks.The jury is still out on how far Hughes will keep his promise.Hoping for a winning end to the year.
Last season :: Calamitous 
Liverpool surrendered a 2 goal lead late in the game to hand the hosts a much needed boost in their relegation fight.

JANUARY

1st:Sunderland(H)

Its New Year's Day and and what better way to start off things in the new year than the visit of the Black Cats to Anfield.The corresponding fixture last season took place on the opening day which ended in a stalemate.
Liverpool will look to improve their not so impressive record against Sunderland but Martin O'Neill's men will be up for the challenge.

12th:Manchester United(A) BIG GAME

After the FA Cup break,
Liverpool return to Premier League action with a daunting trip to Old Trafford.Liverpool haven't won away at United since that 4-1 win in the 08-09 season.Luis Suarez got the stick from the United faithful last season for his racism incident involving Patrice Evra and will be determined to disappoint the home fans.
Last season :: A Rooney double early in the second half ensured a United victory despite Suarez pulling one back late.

19th:Norwich City(H)
Liverpool fans endured a frustrating evening last season when they laboured to a 1-1 draw against the supposed 'minnows'.An inspired John Ruddy kept the Reds at bay all evening as Grant Holt popped up in the latter stages to clinch a draw.A winnable game to say the least but the Reds' must do much more than just play to get a win.

29th:Arsenal(A) BIG GAME
The Emirates Stadium is the destination for the last game of the month.Last season,Liverpool overcame the Emirates hoodoo as they ran out 2-0 winners over an out of sorts Arsenal side early in the season.Arsenal are much stronger this term,having already signed Lukas Podolski and are close to signing Olivier Giroud,and Liverpool will have their task cut out against the 'Wenger Boys'.


P.S. Games during the January transfer window are highlighted with yellow.

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