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Everton
v West Bromwich Albion
Anfield, Liverpool.
11th September 2004, 3.00pm. |
| 3rd September 2004
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| Position |
12th |
15th |
| Form |
W L D W L L |
L L D D D L |
| Last Match |
Bolton Wanderers (A) 0-1 |
Everton
(A) 1-2 |
Last Meeting
26th April 2003 |
West Bromwich Albion 0
Liverpool 6 (Owen 15, 49, 61, 67, Baros 47, 84) |
Last Baggies win in this fixture
was 1-0 on 22nd April 1967.
Jeff Astle scored the only goal of the game in
front of nearly 40,000 spectators as Albion completed the double
over the Reds. The Baggies have visited Anfield 19 times since then
in all competitions without registering a victory.
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The match at Anfield
is bound to be eagerly awaited by Albion fans because it is almost
like the first game of the season again. With Koumas returning from
suspension and new signings Earnshaw and Contra likely to play a
part, the team could have a very different look about it.
In one way, it's a shame that the next game is a tough one because
after the disappointing defeat at Goodison, it would be nice to
bounce back with a win - and Albion haven't won at Anfield for 37
years. But then again, there is little expectation on the side which
may allow them to play more freely and remember that we hadn't won
in the league at Derby for 84 years until last season.
Of course, a trip to Pride Park doesn't engender the same level
of fear that a trip to Anfield does. Liverpool are a great side
although there is hope in that they haven't had the best start and
they are still learning to play under new manager Rafael Benitez.
He as been quoted as saying that the team will take time to gel
and we can hope that the international break will not help the situation.
Then again, the Baggies have similar problems with Koumas, Johnson,
Haas, Earnshaw, Kuszczak, Sakiri and Gera all on international duty
this weekend and Gaardsoe has only been left behind because of the
injury he suffered at Everton.
In terms of summer transfers, Liverpool may have brought in half
as many players as Albion, but boy have they spent some money. Albion's
record buy of £3m pales into insignificance alongside Liverpool's
captures of Djibril Cisse from Auxerre for £14m, Xabi Alonso from
Real Sociedad for £10.7m and Luis Garcia from Barcelona for £6m.
Their other two signings were Josemi from Malaga for £2m and Antonio
Nunez from Real Madrid for an undisclosed sum.
However, it is a departure that has made the headlines with Michael
Owen's transfer to Real Madrid. Benitez will argue that they have
the top scorer from Euro 2004 in Milan Baros, together with a top
quality striker in Cisse, but Owen must be considered a huge loss
for the Reds. In all, nine players have left Anfield over the summer
with the other big names being Emile Heskey to Birmingham and Danny
Murphy to Charlton.
Cisse and Alonso notwithstanding, the biggest signing of summer
must be Steven Gerrard. His decision to sign a new contract with
Liverpool rather than moving to Chelsea was a huge moment for the
Anfield club. It would be interesting to know if he'd have made
the same decision had Michael Owen already left. Gerrard is one
of the best all round midfield players in the world, if not the
best. He is certainly the player Albion will need to contain if
they are to get anything from the game.
The new signings haven't really had the desired impact for Liverpool
so far with Gerrard being the major factor in the two games they
have won this season. He scored both goals in Austria capping a
tremendous individual performance, and scored one and made one in
their match against Manchester City. The draw at Tottenham was a
decent start to the Premiership season but after the win against
City, defeat at home to AK Graz and another at Bolton followed leaving
Liverpool fans scratching their heads wondering what went wrong.
To quote the Bolton match report on the official website discuss
the task faced by the new manager - "The scale of this job he has
inherited cannot be under-estimated and patience is a virtue that
Liverpudlians must have in abundance over the coming months."
So perhaps this is a good time to play Liverpool?
Trying to be as unbiased as possible, it will certainly be a tough
task. Liverpool are learning to play for Benitez and they have a
number of new players, but the match at Anfield could see eight
players starting the game who have joined since the end of last
season. Albion's hope is that they can keep the home side out for
the first half an hour and let the home fans get restless - if they
can manage that, who knows what may happen.
But make no mistake, a draw will be an excellent result for Albion.
The new players and the return of Koumas gives Megson some selection
choices. I'd like to see Gera start again with Koumas in the middle
of the park, but I suspect we'll see the Hungarian relegated to
the bench. Assuming Gaardsoe is passed fit, I expect the line up
to be as follows:
Hoult; Contra, Purse, Gaardsoe, Robinson; Koumas, Scimeca, Clement,
Greening; Kanu, Earnshaw.
If Gaardsoe doesn't make it, Albrechtsen is likely to deputise.
Hopefully, there won't be any new injuries when players return from
international duty.
Megson may decide to ease the new players into the squad as players
who arrive from other clubs often aren't fit enough for Lord Gary.
However, I believe the need for a spark up front and better quality
in midfield in the shape of Scimeca will lead to Megson starting
as above.
Jon Want, 3rd September 2004.
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