Liverpool v Fulham – Will the Reds march on?

Liverpool v Fulham
Live from Anfield
26 January 2010, 8pm GMT

The long ball hoof is a thing of the past.

Roy Hodgson’s expertise at Fulham caused his ultimate collapse at Liverpool. He ran the rule on his tactics, cracked the whip on his players, forgoing the terribly simplistic laws of the game that Shankly once mentioned. Failure to embrace ‘pass and move’ – albeit promising it – served to deepen resentment over fans in his ill-fated reign.

Roy Hodgson never got the privilege to manage Liverpool against his less stellar former side, Fulham. Instead, the new man at the helm – step up King Kenny – will be leading his side into the cauldron of noise that is Anfield – desperate for the massive three points which would further elevate Liverpool’s league placement.

Liverpool are currently riding a new wave of optimism after the appointment of the King. The King clearly knows his football, and more importantly, the ethos, tradition of Liverpool FC, having a 34 year long association with the Reds which dated back to 1977.

He served as a player and manager with great distinction (and that’s still an understatement). As he takes his seat at Anfield tomorrow, raucous applause will erupt for the man who Liverpool fans hold so dear to their hearts. This man only means the best for Liverpool FC.

Gerrard has already stated that he will do everything in his power to ensure that Dalglish retains his role as manager come the end of the season. Meanwhile, Kuyt and Poulsen have also spoken out in preference for Dalglish’s training methods in preference for Hodgson’s old fashioned, pub-football approach.

Confidence in the Liverpool camp is riding sky-high after dispelling the curse of the away games, following a comprehensive 3-0 success against a determined Wolves side. Grit, fight, determination, and passion were coursing through the veins of all Liverpool players in that spirited fight, where 3 points was a definite must. They duly got their rewards, but attention must turn to this home game against the Cottagers where three points, is once again, the absolute minimum.

Dalglish certainly knows that, and the whole of Merseyside knows that.

Torres, who cut an abject figure under Hodgson’s regime, is Liverpool’s new knight in shining armour. Meanwhile, Meireles continues to go from strength to strength, with his peacher against Wolves a definite goal of the season contender.

With the return of Gerrard – everything could still go right for Liverpool this season. Faith and confidence plays a huge part – with Dalglish playing an immense role in rejuvenating his war-torn troops.

And tomorrow, we again go in search of those three points. And in search of more welcome relief that we’re headed in the right direction.

Past 5 League encounters at Anfield
LFC 5-1 FFC (15/03/2006)
LFC 4-0 FFC (09/12/2006)
LFC 2-0 FFC (10/11/2007)
LFC 0-0 FFC (22/11/2008)
LFC 0-0 FFC (11/04/2010)

Liverpool’s past 5 League games: WLLDW
Fulham’s past 5 League games: WLWDW

Liverpool’s probable XI (4-2-3-1): Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Meireles, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Maxi, Torres.

Prediction
Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

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