Reigning champions Liverpool might be seeking to consolidate their lead on the prime of the Premier League desk once they welcome West Bromwich Albion to Anfield on Sunday.
Jurgen Klopp’s males secured two emphatic victories within the area of three days final week, toppling fellow title contenders Tottenham Hotspur at dwelling earlier than mauling Crystal Palace 7-0 to race 4 factors away from Leicester Metropolis in second.
That win at Selhurst Park, was Klopp’s 127th within the Premier League as Liverpool boss – surpassing Rafa Benitez’s membership report – and given the type of this weekend’s opponents, he’ll little question sense quantity 128 might be on its approach shortly.
Throwback to when a 2-0 outcome was probably the most boring on Boxing Day. ? pic.twitter.com/n6TWd5yR42
— 90min (@90min_Football) December 25, 2020
West Brom lie in nineteenth place, 5 factors adrift of security, and have the second-worst aim distinction out of each membership in England’s prime 4 divisions (-19). A lot to the chagrin of sure sections of the fanbase, the membership lately sacked Slaven Bilic, and within the Croat’s place arrived survival specialist Sam Allardyce, who was handed the standard temporary: keep away from relegation.
Allardyce, notorious for his direct, prosaic soccer, witnessed a 3-0 dwelling defeat towards Aston Villa in his first recreation on the helm, however holds the outstanding report of being the final visiting supervisor within the Premier League to come back away from Anfield with three factors; his Palace facet received there in April 2017.
For West Brom followers, there may be not less than that.
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 27 December
What Time Is Kick Off? 16:30 (GMT)
The place Is it Performed? Anfield
TV Channel/Stay Stream? Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion, Sky Sports activities PL
Referee? Kevin Good friend
Liverpool have been boosted by the return to coaching of midfield duo James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri this week however neither is predicted to be match sufficient to begin. Milner (hamstring) has missed the final six matches, whereas Shaqiri (muscle drawback) has been out for the reason that November worldwide break.
Thiago Alcantara, in the meantime, was additionally pictured in coaching however ‘is not going to be rushed’ based on Klopp and is considered a bit additional behind his fellow midfielders, with the Spaniard nonetheless recovering from Richarlison’s horror deal with within the Merseyside derby. Mohamed Salah is ready to return to the beginning XI after scoring twice off the bench towards Palace.
As for the guests, Jake Livermore will miss out following his pink card towards Villa, however playmaker Matheus Pereira might be welcomed again after serving a three-match suspension of his personal. Conor Townsend, Hal Robson-Kanu and Kyle Bartley are all edging nearer to a return, however this recreation will come too quickly for them.
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Fabinho, Matip; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Mane, Firmino
West Brom: Johnstone; Furlong, Gibbs, O’Shea, Ajayi; Sawyers; Phillips, Diangana, Gallagher, Pereira; Grant
Again on the prime of the desk, morale is driving excessive for Liverpool as soon as extra.
After a tumultuous begin to the marketing campaign that noticed defensive talisman Virgil Van Dijk dominated out for the remainder of the season, the Reds have responded defiantly, with two landmark victories firing them into pole place.
It does not bode effectively for West Brom, although, that Palace – eviscerated by Liverpool final weekend – handed out their very own drubbing to the Baggies two weeks prior. That was adopted by a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United, after which, encouragingly, a dogged 1-1 draw with Manchester Metropolis, earlier than Bilic was given the sack.
It is that sort of efficiency that the person identified universally as ‘Massive Sam’ might be hoping his facet can replicate, and it is these resilient qualities that might be integral to any outcome at Anfield.
Liverpool
Crystal Palace 0-7 Liverpool (19/12)
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham (16/12)
Fulham 1-1 Liverpool (13/12)
Midtjylland 1-1 Liverpool (09/12)
Liverpool 4-0 Wolves (06/12)
West Brom
West Brom 0-3 Aston Villa (20/12)
Manchester Metropolis 1-1 West Brom (15/12)
Newcastle 2-1 West Brom (12/12)
West Brom 1-5 Crystal Palace (06/12)
West Brom 1-0 Sheffield United (28/11)
If West Brom followers can take solace in something, it is Allardyce’s report at Anfield; he is unbeaten in his final three visits.
That, although, is unlikely to faze a Liverpool facet that hasn’t misplaced at dwelling within the league in over three years, particularly given the respective type of the 2 sides. Liverpool are unbeaten in 10 within the league, whereas the Baggies have received simply as soon as to date this marketing campaign.
With the Salah, Firmino, Mane strikeforce set to be restored, it is troublesome to see something apart from a festive feast for the league leaders.
Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 West Brom
West Brom vs Crystal Palace Preview: Watch on TV, Stay Stream, Kick Off Time & Group Information
West Bromwich Albion vs Chelsea Preview: Watch on TV, Stay Stream, Kick Off Time & Group Information
West Ham vs Crystal Palace: Watch on TV, Stay Stream, Kick Off Time & Group Information
