Liverpool vs Norwich

Rory Fitzgerald · January 13, 2013

Norwich went on an 11-game unbeaten run from 20-Oct to 15-Dec beating such teams as Utd, Arsenal, Stoke and Swansea (we have 1pt from those 5 teams this season). However, they have had a perfect record of a different kind recently, 4 games over Christmas and 4 defeats - consistency if nothing else. They ended this run with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle at home at the weekend.

However, whilst they were on a roll, most of their strenght was demonstrated at home. Their away record is weak in comparison. They have picked up 6 of their 26pts away from home with a record of W1 D5 L5 F11 A21 and just 1 clean sheet on the road. Only once have they scored more than 1 goal on the road which was their only win on the road - a 3-4 win at Swansea in December.

Their first XI are all injured;

Gunn

Culverhouse Bowen Butterworth Prior

Crook Goss Fox

Sutton Fleck Ekoku

Given the above injuries, they're likely to line up with just 1 front man with Hoolahan playing an advanced role from midfield with Snodgrass and Pilkington joining from wide areas. Their back line is pretty constant with Bunn taking over in goal since Ruddy's injury though despite its consistency it has only kept 1 clean sheet in 9. Holt has been out recently with an injury but should be back in the frame for Anfield after his sub appearance against Newcastle, if not, there is Jackson or Kane.

Bunn

Martin Bassong Turner Garrido

Snodgrass Tetty Johnson Pilkington

Hoolahan

Holt

Tetty and Johnson and likely to sit quite deep and Martin and Garrido wont be caught too far forward as I expect their back 4 and 2 DM's to be well drilled in maintaining discipline to try and squeeze out another draw.

Hoolahan is likely to play close to the striker though he may be given more defensive responsibilities to try and be more solid, perhaps try sit on one of our deep midfielders to slow our build up though thats not really his game and it certainly isnt Grant Holt's game to be pressing the center halves.

They've conceded 45% of goals from 70th min onwards. However, 45% of their away goals were scored after the 80th minute. It suggestive that goal action occurs late in the games when they play away - though you might remember, Sunderland generally kept things tight until half time and we were cruising early in that game so its only stats.

Top Scorers:

5 Snodgrass

4 Holt, Pilkington

3 Bassong, Martin

The wide men have chipped in with goals so the full backs have to be wary of their threat. The 2 defenders have also scored a few so we need to take care at set pieces. Hoolahan is more a play maker rather than a deep lying goal scorer so we need to acknowledge his threat as he'll play off of Holt most likely. Given that they are unlikely to commit many men forward, one of our players should be able to keep an eye on him when they do get some possession.

In their away games they have picked up 8 yellows in 11 games so it suggests they havent been chopping down the opposition - perhaps Hughton might want to promote a more cynical approach on the road !

If things aren't going well at half-time we could get John Henry down to the pitch to rally the fans.

"This is a message for possibly the best supporters in the world. We need a 12th man. Where are you? Where are you? Lets be having you ! Come on !"

Conclusion

They're on a rotten run and whilst they got a clean sheet against Newcastle, it was 2 dismal teams in a dismal game, we have to go for them.

Reina

Wisdom Skrtel Agger Johnson

Gerrard Allen Henderson

Sterling Suarez Sturridge

Play a high defensive line because Holt and Hoolahan aren't going to burn our centerbacks. Our full-backs just need to be wary of the wide men because their crosses to Holt could be the problem. Press men forward and continuously work their back line, they will try to remain disciplined and regemented and I don't see them breaking that even if a counter-attack is on.

drvegapunk · January 13, 2013

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