Liverpool have been excellent since the start of the season scoring goals for fun but Jurgen Klopp saw his side held by a stubborn Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United last Monday. The Reds will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they face Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on Saturday. Liverpool hold a poor record against the Midlands side, having won just 3 of their last ten meetings against the Baggies. All three recent clashes between the two sides ended in stalemates.
West Brom are an out and out defensive side and Liverpool are the exact opposite. Jurgen Klopp’s side were frustrated by Manchester United on Monday as the Red Devils played an unattractive football to somehow hold firm under Liverpool’s pressure and that is West Brom’s natural game. Tony Pulis will ask his players to defend their lives and hit Liverpool on the break. With four draws and two wins from eight games this season, the Baggies are placed 12th on the table now and are on the back of a 1-1 impressive draw against Spurs. They were actually just a few minutes away from a win but Dele Alli’s very late strike canceled things out.
Here is the predicted West Brom lineup vs Liverpool-
Defence
Ben Foster will definitely start under the bar ahead of Boaz Myhill. Craig Dawson will keep his place in the right-back position. West Brom will miss their key defender Jonny Evans because of suspension. The former Manchester United stopper has been brilliant at the back for the Baggies this season and will be a big miss against one of the most attacking sides in the division. In his absence, Swedish international Jonas Olsson will be called upon by Pulis. Gareth McAuley will keep his place. The expected centre-back pair’s combined age is 69 and might have trouble dealing with the pace of the likes of Mane, Sturridge, Firmino and Coutinho. However, their aerial ability will be a big threat to Liverpool from set-pieces. Allan Nyom is likely to keep his place in the left-back position.
Midfield
Argentine defensive midfielder Claudio Yacob will continue to ply his trade in his preferred position. The 29-year-old is a key player at the Hawthorns, thanks to his excellent defensive abilities. He will be asked plenty of questions by Liverpool’s deadly attackers and the outcome of the game depends on how he answers them. In-form Nacer Chadli and former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher will start as the two advanced midfielders.
Attack
Jose Salomon Rondon will definitely keep his place up front. The Venezuela international will be provided with the creativity from the flanks by Matt Phillips and James McClean.
