Reds vs Bluesh*tes Preview

This week has been a roller-coaster ride. We went 2 points off Chelsea on Wednesday after beating West Ham 2-1 and January have been a busy month with Liverpool signing a whole bunch of youngsters.

But DIC's decision to withdraw their bid for Liverpool have caused confusions and even resentment to the club's board. Javier Mascherano's transfer hve been set to drag on for yet another week because the FA Premier League decides to 'study' the case closer.

We have put so much focus on the off field things like George Gillett that we might have forgotten, we're playing the 'People's club' and our most bitterest rival. Whatever happens in the board room and business side of Liverpool, that is for the big wigs of the board to settle. Now, we cannot afford to lose our focus and concentration on this game.

The 205th Merseyside derby will prove to be an exciting one indeed. Already a derby famous for it's passion and the red cards, it'll further fueled on by the fact that Liverpool lost at Goodison Park earlier this season with a painful 3-0 defeat. For any Liverpool fans, it was utter embarrassment and we all hope for a better show today at Anfield.

Liverpool have won 9 out of their last 10 games and another interesting fact to be presented to you would be, Liverpool have only conceded 3 goals at Anfield in this season's Premiership. Rafa Benitez have successfully turned Anfield into a modern day fortress and teams rarely leaves with any points.

Brazilian lef-back, Fabio Aurelio have been ruled out of this game while Momo Sissoko will be unavailable even though he's on the road of recovery. Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell are the long term injury casualty and will play no part in this game.

It'll be interesting to see who Rafa will slot in that left back slot. It might be Dan Agger or even new signing, Alvaro Arbeloa. The versatile defender from Deportivo might not be suitable for this occasion due to the fact that it's a Merseyside derby and he might not be able to cope with the pace of the game as well as the challenges that is expected from the bluesh*tes.

Or will Rafa try out his 3-4-3 yet again with Crouch, Kuyt and Bellamy all starting? To me, it's a risk and a bigger one if Andy Johnson is passed fit. He's a striker than runs into channels and with 3 defenders, it'll be difficult to track him down and he will cause a lot of problems.

But he will have to pass a late fitness test before he can be unleashed.

Come on you Reds. Avenge the 3-0 defeat with a good performance and show them who's boss at Merseyside! And perhaps give our new owner something to cheer about.


Drogballs' Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Everton. And I tell you what, I hope for better score than that!