The patience that Brendan Rodgers was denied at Reading has been plentiful throughout a difficult start at Anfield but it is not an endless supply, and a first home league win as Liverpool manager is long overdue with the nights closing in. Injury to Fabio Borini is the latest problem to befall Rodgers and leaves Luis Suárez, who has seven goals in seven games in all competitions, as his only fit senior striker. Brian McDermott is seeking his first league win of the season at the expense of a close friend, the two managers having worked together for ten years in Reading’s youth system. Andy Hunter
Venue Anfield, Saturday 3pm
Tickets Sold out
Last season n/a
Referee Roger East
This season’s matches 2 Y2, R2, 2.00 cards per game
Odds Liverpool 4-11 Reading 8-1 Draw 4-1
Liverpool
Subs from Doni, Jones, Carragher, Coates, Suso, Henderson, José Enrique, Downing, Assaidi, Morga, Robinson, Yesil, Pacheco, Cole, Coady
Doubtful Reina (hamstring)
Injured Lucas (thigh, 26 Nov), Borini (foot, Jan), Kelly (knee, Mar)
Suspended None
Form guide DWLDLD
Disciplinary record Y10 R2
Leading scorer Suárez 5
Reading
Subs from Taylor, Gunter, Pearce, Hunt, Le Fondre, McCleary, Morrison, Church, Tabb, Robson-Kanu, Guthrie, Hart
Doubtful Hunt (heel)
Injured Federici (knee, 4 Nov)
Suspended None
Form guide DDLLLD
Disciplinary record Y7 R0
Leading scorers Hunt, Pogrebnyak 2
Match pointers
• Reading won their last visit to Anfield (2-1 in an FA Cup replay in January 2010) which was also Brian McDermott’s first win as Reading manager
• Liverpool have won just two of their 13 top flight home games in 2012, drawing five times and losing six
• Reading have won only two of their past 23 away games in the top flight, drawing six times and losing 15
• José Reina has saved 35% of shots on target from inside the box this season, the lowest ratio of any current first-choice goalkeeper
• Pavel Pogrebnyak has scored eight goals from 11 shots on target in his Premier League career
A news article on 2012-10-19 16:20:00 from: The Guardian
Read the full article here.
This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.
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