Match Preview: Liverpool v. Bolton, 08.27.11

By: Ed | August 26th, 2011

pepe bolton

After playing two tightly-contested matches last season—Liverpool scored the winners in the 86th and 92nd minutes respectively—Bolton visits Anfield in hopes of continuing what’s been an encouraging start to the season. Liverpool’s had all the success in this matchup over the past few years, winning the last nine, but with two deserved wins and a hard-fought loss to City last weekend, tomorrow’s visitors will arrive expecting to get a result.

And given the way Liverpool faded at home against Sunderland, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see Bolton give the hosts a run for their money. Two weeks and improved fitness levels will have separated Liverpool from that dire second half performance, but their proneness to abandoning a more fluid style of play for the long ball could see an opportunistic Bolton side take the match over.

As noted above, it’s been a solid start to the season for the Wanderers, who breezed past QPR on the opening day and were unfortunate not to pick up a point against Manchester City last Sunday. They got past a plucky Macclesfield side midweek in the League Cup, buoyed by an excellent debut performance from loanee and Premier League veteran Tuncay Sanli, who scored the equalizer and provided the assist for Martin Petrov’s winner.

Coyle will have to deal with a smattering of injuries, though, with Grétar Steinsson and Marcos Alonso joining Sam Ricketts, Tyrone Mears, Lee Chung-Yong, and Stuart Holden on the injury list. While that leaves some questions to answer at fullback, they’ll have experience and skill to rely on up front, with Kevin Davies and Ivan Klasnic (one of the league’s most prolific goalscorers) leading the line. They could call on Tuncay in an attacking role as well, and even with the midfield missing Holden and Lee, two of last season’s most exciting performers, Coyle will have Fabrice Muamba and Nigel Reo-Coker to call on, as well as Petrov from the wide areas. At the back they’ll be steadied by former Liverpool and current Arsenal target Gary Cahill next to Zat Knight, and Lion of Vienna Suite has David Wheater and Joe Riley filling the gaps at fullback in front of Jussi Jaaskelainen.

For Liverpool:

Who starts for Liverpool?

Reina
Kelly Carragher Agger Enrique
Lucas Adam
Kuyt Suarez Downing
Carroll

—Steven Gerrard continues his rehab, as does Glen Johnson, and now we can add Raul Meireles to the list after he injured his collarbone against Exeter City on Wednesday. Fabio Aurelio’s been absent from the squad since the season started, but we haven’t heard anything about an injury other than reports that he picked up a knock prior to the season opener.

—Nothing changes for me from last week, particularly at the back. Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger were sturdy at the Emirates last Saturday, and while Martin Skrtel’s available again, there’s no reason for him to displace either of the pair. The performances of Martin Kelly and Jose Enrique were particularly impressive, with both excelling in defense and going forward. There were some raised eyebrows prior to the Enrique signing about the veracity of his statistics in defense (mine included), but so far he’s been nearly unbeatable.

—The injury to Meireles (and less so the departure of Alberto Aquilani) clears things up in midfield, with Kenny Dalglish again free to pick Lucas and Charlie Adam as his central pairing. There’s been some growing pains for Adam, who still looks awkward at times and is suspect to the odd lapse in, you know, trying. As expected, he’s shown glimpses of brilliance in distribution and on set pieces, and playing alongside Lucas gives him a boost, but I think we’re all hoping for a bit more consistency from him.

—The fitness of Luis Suarez again comes into question tomorrow; if the feeling is that he’s fit enough to start, I’d guess we see a front four of Kuyt, Suarez, and Stewart Downing behind Andy Carroll. If further rest is recommended, last week’s attacking contingent seems most likely, with Jordan Henderson taking up the Uruguayan’s post. It was another encouraging performance from Henderson against Exeter, with signs of improvement across the board. Unless you’ve already made up your mind about him after three competitive matches, ignored his clear commitment to improving, impressive work rate, and discounted the fact that he’s only 21 years old. Then he’s shit, just like Andy Carroll.

What’s the most important factor for the Reds?

For most of the first half against Sunderland, Liverpool did exactly what we’d hoped for—they pressed, got forward with intent, and looked like they’d hang five on the guests in front of an adoring home crowd. Everything turned on its head, though, and they ended up looking frighteningly similar to the Liverpool of last season that we’d all hoped had been buried. So putting together two halves of football that’s forceful, intentional, and effective, especially at home, is vital.

Thankfully tomorrow’s match is another one that we should all find on TV with relative ease—Sky Sports 2 has it in the UK and Fox Soccer Channel will be showing it stateside. Those of us punished with last week’s early kickoff have a bit of a respite, but the joy of having a worldwide network of supporters is that the later start is sure to leave someone somewhere pissed off. As usual, we’ll carry links to streams and teamsheets in the matchday thread, which will run early tomorrow, so let us know if there’s a way you’ll be watching that we haven’t covered.

For now, enjoy Friday, and let’s hope the weekend starts on the right foot.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Match Previews, Miscellaneous, Premier League, Team News

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Latortillablanca

i wuda suggested the EXACT same offer for cahill last week - but with coates' permit the only minor stumblin block left for our cb of the future, cahill can shove off and content himself with having been yet another name on the extensive list of no-nonsense-slam-dunk purchases Wenger shuda made to patch the crumbling of his emirates throne, thus delaying his inevitable 'au revoir' to London and 'bon jour' to the PSG hotseat...
Ed

Off to Portugal for Insua:

https://twitter.com/#!/Emilian...
ChrisLFC

Good luck Emiliano. May you find a steady diet of first team football.
Ed

And just a steady diet.
ChrisLFC

That too.
PDubz18

I don't understand why people say "we should play this formation with these players" when with the exception of two or 3 games last season where we played the 3-man defense, KK has used almost the same formation.

He always has a back four with a double pivot midfield-the midfielders are very defensive oriented, only breaking forward for late runs into the box. The other four players on the field are usually 2 attacking mids/wingers and then two strikers vertically oriented toward goal. Essentially it has been a 4-2-2-2/4-2-3-1/4-4-2/4-2-4/4-3-3. The front four are very fluid, and tend to run into space wherever it happens to be. The more specific shape depends on the players on the field.

Suarez and Carroll, when they are both on the field, usually switch places as they see fit. Early on in buildups Carroll comes shallow and Suarez is in Poacher mode. This allows Carroll to win short air balls and the second ball from opposing central defenders. Suarez plays on the last man, and makes sure to put pressure on the opposing defensive line.
NotTooXabi

Absolutely crushed my pizza order last night so I feel pretty confident with the following order from Kafe Kenny. My gut says he keeps the ball on the ground and goes mano y mano with Saint Owen's new "slicker" Bolton.

Do we even have to list the back 5?

Drop Carroll (for change of style later on) and roll with Henderson, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Kuyt & Suarez. Part of me would not be shocked (nor really upset) to see Maxi get a start - at the cost of Henderson. With Bolton's depleted midfield, I could even churn some butter to a 4-1-4-1 with Lucas as the mozzarella to our spicy meat combo of Kuyt, Suarez, Adam, Downing, and Maxi. If it doesn't work, you order up a Carroll Calzone with Henderson take the delivery scooter from Maxi.

Let's say we skin Cahill a few times...how about Kenny offer N'gog, Wilson on loan, and 5mil?

Friday night patios, Not Too Xabi.
Skrry

I don't know why you'd think Meireles being out has anything to do with whether or not Adam starts next to Lucas. They don't play the same position under Dalglish.
Ed

I'm obviously well aware they're different players and have different positions and all that, but I think the best eleven includes Meireles, and he'd have to take the spot of either Charlie Adam or Andy Carroll.

And before anyone says it, I know Andy Carroll and Raul Meireles don't play the same position either. I think.
CheekyFellow

Meireles did not play next to Lucas for much of the season because we lacked wingers and there was no way in hell Spearing could play on the wing, and Gerrard was out injured.

Versus Man United in March - Gerrard's last game, I think? We won 3-1.

Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Aurelio
Kuyt Lucas Meireles Maxi
Gerrard
Suarez
Sue

Still bitching about Adam. How sad. Lucas fanboi eh?
CheekyFellow

I don't think "Sue" refers to a woman's name. Its meaning comes from the act of bringing a lawsuit against someone or something. That's the only denotation that I could come up with that is somewhat negative.
Ed

Pardon?

I wouldn't call "hoping for more consistency" bitching--I think it's relatively accurate after seeing him excel at times and struggle at others. He was trying a bit too hard against Exeter, and completely gave up on 1-2's against Arsenal that could have kept play moving. So there's improvement needed.

But you're mostly just here to stir up shit and complain about whatever everyone else feels good about, so please, carry on.
Noel

But also, we are sorta unabashedly Lucas fanbois. Mostly because he's awesome and anybody who thinks otherwise is vaguely pitiable. Though I did think that one was really kind of obvious.
Ed

The newfangled way of spelling fanboi disoriented me.
Ryan

I disagree that Suarez is starting, and believe Henderson will play tomorrow instead. But I hope not, I think Suarez could be key to this one. I think Gary Cahill will be putting in an allstar performance, trying to impress the world after all the gossip about him going to Arsenal and Liverpool. So the best thing for Liverpool would be to have another option up top instead of our currently one-trick ponytail.
Ed

Yeah, I've been going back and forth--I know there's something in Dalglish saying he was too romantic in getting him back so quickly, but then I think about how tempting it is to have him in the eleven. He'll make an impact either way, seeing as he's been directly involved in every Liverpool goal this season.
Khaine

Internationals coming up too. Don't know how Uruguay are doing things, but hopefully, given that they're playing Ukraine, wee Luis won't have to travel far and can get back to Liverpool for a full week of restitution.
Ismael Jawad

"It was another encouraging performance from Henderson against Exeter, with signs of improvement across the board. Unless you’ve already made up your mind about him after three competitive matches, ignored his clear commitment to improving, impressive work rate, and discounted the fact that he’s only 21 years old. Then he’s shit, just like Andy Carroll."

Rationality at its best. Henderson will only get better and grow in confidence the further the season advances. Critics always judge him by his price tag but honestly I couldn't care less about how much he cost the club as long as he keeps the likes of Poulsen and Cole out of the squad.
Skrry

He's also keeping Maxi out of the squad -- our player who feeds off of Suarez' movement the best. 7 goals in 3 games and he has to sit and watch Henderson...why exactly?
Andy

Maxi is probably the most underrated player in our squad.
NotTooXabi

If by underrated you mean ridiculed as absolute dog shit with as much purpose in the world as Lindsey Lohan's AA group, then yes - he's the most underrated. In fact, I can't think of a player in the league - this side of Titus Phuckin Bramble - who has gone from underrated to valued squad member quicker than Maxi Rodriquez.

Still, point well made.
Red2death

Maybe it's just to do with developing potential. Maxi's a great player but has already reached his peak. Give Henderson the right amount of games, he could become phenomenal. Keep him on the bench and that potential won't be realized as much.

So, even though at the moment Maxi's a better midfielder, Henderson still gets the nod - until we're really in trouble and need to call on quality and experience like Maxi has. If we can win a game with young players that can develop and gel together, why not?
Ed

I think both Maxi and Kuyt deserve a nod ahead of Henderson--potential and all that, but like you say, right now, I think both could have a more consistent impact either as part of the starting eleven or off the bench.
Red2death

Not that I actually Henderson yet though. I'm still a Pacheco fan. Oh well.
CheekyFellow

"...as long as he keeps the likes of Poulsen and Cole out of the squad."

Not much more to say after that statement.
Red2death

92nd-minute winners are great. Though I hope we go in at the half 2-0 to the good, for once. No team can handle 90 minutes of intensity every match for the whole season. Gotta earn our rests - hopefully 2nd half against Bolton will be one of those rests.

Optimism for now.
poorscouserbobby

I'd be up at 0-dark-thirty to watch my redmen play, much less 1230 Local. Ivan Klasnitch is prolific? Hmm. ok. Bolton are a decent enough team and did give Citeh a run for their money. I suspect Suarez will sit out one more start. The King would rather have flowing football late when it matters than early when we'll be doing it anyways.
Ed

Had the same reaction to the Klasnic bit, but apparently he's plenty efficient when he's on.

Or it could be a "undefeated on Tuesday nights in the third week of November when the temperature's above 65F and kickoff is after 7:00pm" type stat.

Either way, fear him.
Gerrard

if maxi rodriguez will play he will score 4 sure and suarez downing coulde b score or carroll lets hope will win at anfiel
ReadLiverpoolFC

Could be wrong on this, but I think that's actually Steven Gerrard commenting just now. Fancy that.
Avinash Joshi

It does sound more like a tweet than a comment. So quite possible.
Gryffin

um What?