Getting To The Heart: Bolton v. Liverpool Preview

by SamFels on Jan 20, 2012 6:08 AM GMT in 1. Match Previews

vs.
KICKOFF: 12:30 EST

TV: FSC, ESPN in the UK

I grow weary of saying it's three points Liverpool have to have, because every time I do they don't get them. So I won't. And we won't know if it truly was or not anyway until the end of the season. But Liverpool got their last break of the month, and after this comes the Manchester Cup two-hop, so it would behoove to go in feeling good about themselves. With Arsenal hosting United, there's a real chance of actually gaining ground on a competitor, if you can believe that.

Two injury concerns for Liverpool. Daniel Agger has all of our hearts in our throat after coming up with something before the Stoke match. Dalglish says he has a good chance of being fit. Whether he's included or not might give us some idea of where the priorities lie, with two other tough matches coming up in the same week. Jay Spearing also has a chance of making it, and we all hope he does because I don't think anyone wants to sit through Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson, and Steven Gerrard roaming around midfield like a cocktail party for the blind.

I'd imagine after Kuyt's ineffectual display Andy Carroll will return up top. They could partner each other, but that seems unlikely. Dalglish won't want to go into a game without Bellamy if he doesn't have to, so the guess is that Downing and Bellamy will man the flanks, with Bellamy thrashing about and generally not coming up with anything we'll remember when the match is over.

As for Bolton, they're in a relegation fight, mostly because of some horrific home form. Oh, that and horrific football. They've managed a win and a draw and that's it at the Reebok this season. Their best defender was just flogged to Chelsea in Gary Cahill. They have a couple Yanks, but none who can play. Stuart Holden and his legs made of flubber are out again, and Tim Ream -- who I've never actually seen put forth a dominating performance anywhere but people keep saying he does -- is awaiting a work permit. That means that veteran Premier League tomato cans Zat Knight and David Wheater will be the central defense.

Up top, Ivan Klasnic leads Bolton with seven goals, and he usually partners David Ngog -- who would fit perfectly into this Liverpool team has he never scores either.

You don't need me to tell you that this is a match that Liverpool should win. They'll get a scrappy opponent, but one that doesn't come with a whole lot of imagination. They concede over two goals per game, and even if they decide to hold out for a draw they should be breached. But I keep using the word "should", and I have for months now. It's time to end that.

I'll be out of town this weekend, but Bromantic will have his player ratings and probably will grab a wrap with it when the match ends. Back Monday.

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Comments

Danny Ayala

Is he on loan to Norwich or sold and gone? He looked good today.

Bye Travis and thanks for 2010! Good luck with the Brewers!

by kennv on Jan 21, 2012 5:20 PM GMT reply actions

Sold and gone.

by oh-you-beauty on Jan 21, 2012 5:57 PM GMT up reply actions

Chelsea drop 2 points to Norwich and Newcastle get hammered by Fulham.

Arsenal has Man Utd. tomorrow and the Gunners are likely to drop at least 2 points there. How do we respond to the chance to gain ground on all three? We go down 2-nil to Bolton within the first half hour. Two goals down to relegation threatened Bolton.

And we were singing hymns and arias... Much louder than Cardiff because we're in the Premier League!

by Never Leave College on Jan 21, 2012 6:05 PM GMT reply actions

Bellamy pulls one back.

I am still disgusted.

And we were singing hymns and arias... Much louder than Cardiff because we're in the Premier League!

by Never Leave College on Jan 21, 2012 6:08 PM GMT up reply actions

great stuff

from AC

by zdid on Jan 21, 2012 6:08 PM GMT via Android app reply actions

3 - 1 to Bolton 5 minutes into the 2nd half.

Poor, poor defending on that corner.

And we were singing hymns and arias... Much louder than Cardiff because we're in the Premier League!

by Never Leave College on Jan 21, 2012 6:41 PM GMT reply actions

Does Liverpool going to Bolton mean they have to start defending like Bolton?

Seriously their defending has been awful.

by Liverpoolcubsfan on Jan 21, 2012 6:43 PM GMT reply actions

I told a buddy that they looked like drunk rhinos.

And we were singing hymns and arias... Much louder than Cardiff because we're in the Premier League!

by Never Leave College on Jan 21, 2012 6:58 PM GMT up reply actions

Carroll had an easy chance to get one back

surprisingly, he failed.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 21, 2012 7:04 PM GMT reply actions

I've tried to give him the benefit of the doubt as much as possible, but he's just not going to cut it for Liverpool.

I’m done with him. We need another striker badly.

And we were singing hymns and arias... Much louder than Cardiff because we're in the Premier League!

by Never Leave College on Jan 21, 2012 7:12 PM GMT up reply actions

Same as well...

he just keeps failing. This whole season looks like a massive fail.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 21, 2012 7:15 PM GMT up reply actions

So now what?

the only thing we have, is a backline. We have some decent center mids in attack with Gerrard, Henderson, and then Adam (which is where he should be). We need better depth at defensive midfield, better wings, better strikers.

I’m one of these people, but how anyone thought this was a possible top 4 team, considering how they’ve played is craziness. They’ve been far, far from it on the field all season.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 21, 2012 7:21 PM GMT reply actions

I would be ecstatic with a spot in the Europa League next season.

I don’t see it happening though. We’ve got to spend better in the transfer windows. In my opinion, Enrique and Suarez have been successes, but the rest have been disappointing. Carroll has been almost as disappointing for us as Torres has been for Chelsea.

And we were singing hymns and arias... Much louder than Cardiff because we're in the Premier League!

by Never Leave College on Jan 21, 2012 7:30 PM GMT up reply actions

Downing has been a poor buy

Carroll beyond bad. Henderson shows potential, but has yet to come close to being worth the price. Adam has been decent, just wish he was more squad depth than integral piece. Maybe Coady and Spearing can provide depth behind Lucas next year. But we’d still need a better partner for Suarez up front (I love what Bells has brought, but at his age and health, he’s not a solution), and need better wingers up front. Continue to develop the kids underneath, and maybe, just maybe, next year. But this year has been really disappointing.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jan 21, 2012 7:38 PM GMT up reply actions

Hi everyone, I’m new here and just wanted to quickly introduce myself. I’m a pretty new Liverpool fan, as my soccer-crazy friend got me back into the game (used to play a lot as a kid but then focused on hockey) and I didn’t have a team to cheer for yet. Anyways, I look to be active on this site and hope to learn new things and have good discussion with you all.

I’m from Canada. Are you guys mostly from England or what?

P.S. Horrible game today but I probably didn’t have to mention that. :(

Poutine & Meatballs

by cyxj on Jan 22, 2012 1:35 AM GMT reply actions

Welcome

This match was a horrible display. Not up to par for an LFC club! Perhaps caught looking ahead to the two cup matches with the Manchester clubs next week.

Very uninspired.

I am from North Carolina, and caught the LFC bug after watching Steven Gerrard play back around 2003-2004.

We are glad to have you!

by NC Nole on Jan 22, 2012 2:05 AM GMT up reply actions

Welcome as well

I like hearing new opinions so feel free to share and disagree. Believe me, there are a few people who always disagree with me.

I see you are a Canucks fan so you may not get along with me and the Editor of this blog as we are both Blackhawks fans. The vast majority of the people here seem to be Americans. It sure sucks your into to the blog came on a day like this.

"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly

by Bromantic on Jan 25, 2012 12:33 AM GMT up reply actions

I’ve always respected the Hawks and they’re more likable after they rid of some of their players (Eager, Buff, etc.), just the Rat remains. Toews is a stud and I’d take him on my team any time. They’re always good games when they play each other though.

Poutine & Meatballs

by cyxj on Jan 25, 2012 4:25 AM GMT up reply actions

Also, I hate those goons in Boston more than any team in hockey right now. In fact, I hate all Boston sports teams.

Poutine & Meatballs

by cyxj on Jan 25, 2012 4:27 AM GMT up reply actions

I was stuck working at a gymnastics meet all day so I could not watch the game

Thank the Gods for that I sure hope they were looking forward to MC and the second leg

I am starting to think 4-5 place is just too steep of a mountain to climb this year but if we can win League Cup and make a deep run in the FA season will not be a total loss

"It's a joke. It's all a joke.

by WSB Chris on Jan 22, 2012 3:02 AM GMT reply actions