Match Preview: Liverpool v. Wigan, 12.21.11

By: Ed | December 20th, 2011

kuytfigueroa

Liverpool’s brief road swing continues (and wraps up) tomorrow night in Wigan, with the Reds looking to continue a bounce-back after the Fulham loss that’s seen them win their last two fairly comfortably despite relatively narrow score lines. Wigan will be in a similar spot after getting points in four of their last five, including an away win at the Hawthorns after faltering badly at home to Arsenal, and, in their last outing, saving a late draw against Chelsea at the DW on Saturday.

It’d be terrific to entirely shift focus from yesterday’s events, but there’s little ignoring the collective uproar at yesterday’s decision from the FA to ban Luis Suarez for eight matches and fine him £40,000. We don’t need to completely rehash the details—Noel did a terrific job yesterday drawing out the concerns in a more level-headed manner than we saw anywhere else, despite the blanket assumption that anyone who wanted to see what the FA’s actual evidence was must be neo-Nazis that only care about football and not human beings and feelings and other stuff that you should feel bad about too.

There likely won’t be any impact on his ability to feature tomorrow, however, at least in terms of his ban. Which, given the fact that it’s in front of opposition supporters, creates a fair question about what’s best for the player and what’s best for the team. On the one hand you figure that he should feature until the ban kicks in—which would mean Oldham in the FA Cup would be the first—but there’s also discussion about the club ruling out an appeal, which would leave him out of tomorrow’s squad, with the ban ending against Bolton in January. And obviously, if the FA prove that yesterday’s decision had proper justification and is more than just a reactive attempt at sending a message based on tenuous evidence, Suarez deserves to serve every minute of the ban whenever it kicks in.

Regardless, Wigan will be ready to go tomorrow, with the aforementioned results over the past three weeks contributing more than half of their points on the season. And while they’ll be boosted by the late equalizer against Chelsea at the weekend, they’re still in the bottom three, and they’ve only gone one match at home all season without conceding. Things don’t get any easier after tomorrow for Roberto Martinez and company, as they’ll head to Old Trafford and the Brittania before their next home date.

The standouts of late for Martinez have been Victor Moses and Mohamed Diame, and while he’s conceded 30 goals on the year, Ali Al-Habsi has been improved of late and provided a boost at the back. Against Chelsea Martinez opted for the same eleven that defeated West Brom ten days ago, which included Al-Habsi in goal behind Ronnie Stam, Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell, and Maynor Figueroa, with David Jones, Diame, Jordi Gomez, and James McCarthy through the midfield and Moses and Conor Sammon up front. Martinez doesn’t have much to worry about with injuries, as Hugo Rodallega is back, leaving only Emmerson Boyce ruled out.

For Liverpool:

Who starts for Liverpool?

Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Henderson Adam
Kuyt Maxi
Suarez Carroll

—Steven Gerrard, Lucas, Fabio Aurelio, and Jack Robinson all miss out with longer-term injuries (in the case of Aurelio, it’s roughly his entire life), and Jay Spearing will serve the last of his three-match ban. And as noted above, the availability of Luis Suarez will depend on the club’s approach to the FA’s ban.

—Stick with what works at the back, even though it’s only a few days after the win at Villa Park. None of the back four were tested with any frequency or intensity as Aston Villa didn’t piece together any sort of meaningful attack. That should leave fresh legs for all the principals of a defensive unit that’s combined with Pepe Reina (and timely assistance through the midfield and beyond) to put up the best defensive record in the league.

—It didn’t seem like Charlie Adam or Jordan Henderson were all that active against Villa either, and it would make sense that Kenny Dalglish would opt to pick them again. They weren’t quite as impressive as a week and a half ago against QPR, but they got the job done and were boosted by the addition of Jonjo Shelvey in an advanced midfield role. I’m tentative that we’ll see Shelvey again on such short notice, but wouldn’t be completely surprised if he got another start. Instead of Shelvey I’m guessing for a return to the eleven for both Dirk Kuyt and Maxi, as well as a return to the previously preferred 4222.

—My reasoning for that is that Liverpool are going to have to adjust without Luis Suarez at some point, and while they may be able to use him now, there’s going to be some significant time without him available. That means time for Andy Carroll, and even though he won’t be playing alongside Suarez while the Uruguayan is suspended, he’ll need to start logging minutes. Whether or not you’re a fan, he’s going to be a part of a very significant stretch in Liverpool’s season, so we’ll have to hope he’s able to make an impact. And a start for Suarez might be risky for any number of reasons, but Dalglish has been bullish when he feels his squad’s been backed into a corner, so I’m not betting against it.

What’s the most important factor for the Reds?

We’ll have to hope that Dalglish’s Liverpool can either compartmentalize like no other or have a freakish ability to channel outer turmoil into sparkling displays on the pitch. It can’t be an easy task to re-focus a squad after yesterday’s calamity, although it’s not like they don’t have experience with that sort of disquiet this year. I think the best we can hope for is a display that’s consistent with what we’ve seen from Liverpool away from Anfield this season. And maybe that it’s televised without commentary. If we see that, I’m confident they’ll get the result they need. Then the discussion can return to shouting.

Viewers in England will have a chance to catch this one live on Sky Sports 1, and those stateside are left to hope that they’ve got a provider that gets ESPN3.com—reminder that for those of you on a military base or a college campus (or off-campus with a VPN), you’ll get it regardless. That service works on some cell service providers as well, so it’s turning into an increasingly accessible option. For those who won’t get either, though, we should have plenty of streams available, so check back a few hours before kickoff in the matchday thread, which will be updated with team sheets around an hour before the opening whistle.

Hope you all have/had a nice start to the day, and let’s hope for a finish that’s a little more promising than yesterday’s.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

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

« In Response to the FA Ruling on Luis Suarez | Home | Matchday: Liverpool v. Wigan »

boogerso

kenny got that all wrong. wigan has 10 guys in the box the whole game. the most threatening we looked was the last 2.5 mins when we were pumping balls into the box for carrol.
Tom Foolery

AHH!!!

That half was pretty unbearable. We look absolutely there for the taking, aside from the first 10 minutes.

I promised I wouldn't break out the booze, yet. I promised...
CharlieAdamsBuckteeth

Statement from the players: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news...
Jake_LFC

FYI, the match is being replayed on ESPN Deportes tonight at 9pm in the USA.
Ed

Well I am just fucking mortified to find out that I failed to catch the three letters that I messed up.

I'll dock myself pay.
DJ-Chutfield

No worries, it just proved to us that the blue names of Ed and Noel just might actually be human. I was starting to have my doubts, personally.
Antonio

I wonder that was Ed's typo or being sarcastic, should be 8 matches not 8 month.
Anyway, Maxi should feature more often if Suarez is absent, I believe Maxi will have more goals than Carroll if both play, sorry big fellow you are not proving yourself yet.

However who knows? Carroll may pick himself up and play well without Suarez, we will see. (We hope so)
Last BPL results look good for Liverpool, we level with Arsenal, Newcastle fall off, catching up with Chelsea. However Spurs don't seem to beaten easily and they like to win.
I did not watch Chelsea Vs Wigan game, but I did heard that Wigan had fair share of goal opportunties and they desire the 1 points and not just due to luck because of Cezh's mistaken. So, Liverpool must not take Wigan likely though they are one of the bottom team.

Good luck !
GGLaiiii

it 8 matches ban lah for SUAREZ NOT 8MONTH YOU MORON!
Ed

Thanks for the correction AND IN PARTICULAR USING CAPS TO EMPHASIZE THE POINT THAT YOU'RE A PRICK!
jpr

Prick? Careful Ed. You could be subjecting yourself to a possible FA charge of abusive language/misconduct. I'm not sure whether they have jurisdiction over internet blogs, yet. So, you could scate this time.
Ed

I said as an action noun, in that he has pricked my ego. Or something.

Besides, nobody caught me typing it on tape, and I have lots of friends who are pricks.
redtrev73

Ah... the 'friends who are pricks' defence...!!! Where I come from in Ireland 'prick' is a term of endearment. So is 'mindless caps-lock ball-sack'...Ain't cultural diversity grand?
jpr

An action noun? Good stuff. Liverpool legal counsel and the FA take note. A nuanced understanding of the surrounding circumstances can produce differing meanings. Or something.
fastrail

The 'you moron' and an exclamation mark is unnecessary.
fastrail

Oh, and the caps as well.
KC

I hope we thrash Wigan and unite altogether and produce an impressive incredible performance.
Red2death

Kinda sad that us having to adjust to a run of matches without Suarez means Carroll automatically comes in. On current form I'd stick Bellers or Kuyt upfront any day ahead of Andy. They're both proven forwards and are better for the team. Heck, even Maxi might do a decent job up top.

Until Carroll proves he's up to par, just the fact that he cost 35m and owns the #9 jersey shouldn't make him the automatic replacement for Suarez. We have better strikers in the squad that are fit, available, confident, and willing to run their socks off for the team.

But unfortunately I think it's going to be Carroll anyway. I hope he plays well.
Jack

Suarez has had plenty of stick since arriving (though admittedly nothing of this scale) and it hasn't affected his performances.

Or if it has then omg how good is he normally!?

So we're without our 3 best outfield players, if not tonight then soon. So what's the best XI without them?

Johnson Skrtl Agger Enrique
Adam Hendo
Maxi Kuyt Downing
Carrol

Or perhaps Bellamy in the middle and Kuyt on the right. Or Jonjo again.

Suarez will start because we really depend on him.
jpr

Not only are we without our 3 best outfield players, but, on their day, arguably 3 of the best in the world at their position. Stevie, Lucas and now Luis.
Ed

Why are you doing this?
jpr

As you may have noticed pal, I'm actually almost in traction over here, I'm so distressed. I'm breaking out the alcohol soon. I'm an emotional wreck. Come on you REDS!!!
redtrev73

Well...that's distressingly accurate
Red2death

I'd take out Carroll and employ a fluid 4-4-1-1.

Johnson Skrtl Agger Enrique
Downing Adam Hendo Bellamy
MaxiKuyt

Jay will be in contention for Hendo's spot when he returns, and Jonjo should get a look in as a flexible sub that provides some in-match formation versatility.
purify_the_body

Suarez is one of the best in the world, easily. :)

I would just play Kuyt as the main striker, but what do I know? I expect Kenny to play Carroll, and I don't blame him. Five in midfield plus Carroll is something we haven't tried yet, and you never know, he might get comfy and improve.

I must say, after watching Morison for Norwich yesterday, I like Carroll even less. Morison is really active and has a bit of skill. Looks like a real pro!
Amtosh

eight months hey... that's bad news indeed.
Ed

Yeah, wrote this before going to sleep for the night, like to think I would have typically caught it, but whatever and stuff.
jpr

Eight months about coincides with the time period after Terry's criminal trial will conclude at which time the FA will begin to consider a possible FA charge. This will be after the Euro's are finished, interestingly. And the likely criminal charge against JT is likely to be Racially Aggravated Disorderly Behaviour, which carries a maximum penalty of a £2,500 fine. Of course, the legal standard on that trial will be "guilty beyond a reasonable doubt".
So, JT will have a reasonable chance of a full acquittal.
DJ-Chutfield

Max penalty from a proper courtroom judge is
£2,500... but the FA get to charge Suarez
£40,000. Corruption is an amusing thing.
jpr

The FA will not be able to consider the JT case until the criminal case concludes. They can not be prejudicial towards an ongoing criminal case. The fact that the maximum penalty in that case is a $2,500 pound fine is almost laughable. Sure, it is considered a "Criminal" charge and JT, if found guilty, will have that stigma attached to him, but the "penance" he will be subject to there is $2,500, period.

The JT case will probably not conclude for 6 or 8 months. The current season will have finished, so Chelsea will not lose his services until, effectively, next season. Chelsea will have the summer transfer window to make adjustments. His participation in the Euro's will "likely" not be affected, since a person is rightly considered innocent until proven guilty in court.

The FA handling of the JT case is a matter of legal stricture imposed upom them, sure, but it certainly makes it "easier" for them to not have to address it until the summer. Better for Chelsea and AVB, too.
Thomas Hoppe

I stopped reading to check if anyone had commented on that. Fair play to you, good sir.
Andrew Mackintosh

Figured I'd better get in quick.
Ryan

You've gotta scrap together what you can around these parts...it's a tough world out there.
DJ-Chutfield

Bet he'll spend his days off kicking bears.
GGLaiiii

only 2 months = 8 matches..GO FIGURE!
DJ-Chutfield

Bah, who cares? The world is a cold, cruel, dark place littered with evil and shattered dreams impaled upon surprisingly sharp shards of shattered hearts. And weeping teddy bears.

That said, I expect us to just barely squeak by on this one, 2-1.
Ed

Weeping teddy bears sounds pretty bad.
DJ-Chutfield

Some of them even weep in a Scouse accent.
redtrev73

That'd be amusing...

"f*&%in' FA twats" (weep, weep), "Someone should call the bizzies" (weep, weep), "Christ Carra...Just EMPTY IT la!!!" (weep, weep), "Not the f*&%3in woodwork again Stewpot!!" (weep, weep)