There has been plenty of talk around Jurgen Klopp, rotation and referees after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday and the German manager will be desperate to get back to winning ways against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday night. Alan Pardew suffered a disappointing loss to Swansea City in his second game in charge at the club and he knows things won’t get any easier at Anfield this time around.
English Premier League – Anfield, Liverpool – Wednesday 13th December – 20:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 6 at Ladbrokes |
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Liverpool
West Bromwich AlbionLiverpool
Liverpool completely dominated Everton on Sunday but only came away with a 1-1 draw after Wayne Rooney converted a late penalty for The Toffees. Jurgen Klopp was apoplectic in his post match interview, criticising the referee and journalists who disagreed with him about the, admittedly, soft penalty award. Klopp left Philipe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino out of his starting line up and withdrew Mohamed Salah with the game delicately poised at 1-0; something which disgruntled a number of Liverpool fans. Coutinho and Firmino will likely return to the starting line up on Wednesday, but Sadio Mane could well start the game on the bench after playing the full 90 on Sunday.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion were very disappointing against Swansea City on Saturday and Alan Pardew knows that he has a really tough job on his hands if he is going to keep this team in the Premier League. Goals have been a problem, with the side scoring just 12 times in 16 games this season and Pardew will need to engineer an improvement from the likes of Salomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez if they are to survive. Craig Dawson, Nacer Chadli and James Morrison are all missing for the Baggies, whilst Gareth Barry and Matty Phillips are slight doubts.
Talking Points
1. West Bromwich Albion have gone 15 games without a win in all competitions; their last victory came against Accrington Stanley in August.
2. Meanwhile, Liverpool have lost just once in their last 16 matches in all competitions.
3. Mohamed Salah remains the top scorer in the Premier League with 13 goals; more than the whole of the West Bromwich Albion team combined.
Prediction
Jurgen Klopp was left bitterly disappointed that his side dropped points in the Merseyside derby on Sunday and he will be desperate to make amends in this game. West Bromwich Albion are on a terrible run of form and with no wins since August, it is tough to see them getting anything out of this game at Anfield. Liverpool have been solid at home this season, with four wins and four draws from their first eight matches and I’m backing them to pick up another win on Wednesday.
Betting Tips
Liverpool start this game as big favourites at odds of 1/5, whilst an away win for West Bromwich Albion is priced up at 16/1 with the draw available at 6/1. I do think Liverpool will win here and considering they have been solid defensively at Anfield this season, Liverpool to win and keep a clean sheet at 5/6 looks like a decent bet. I think Liverpool will try and start fast in this one and there could well be goals in it for them; Coutinho and Firmino will return to the starting line up and Firmino is available at 1/1 to Score at Anytime.
Roberto Firmino to Score at Anytime – 1/1 (Ladbrokes)