Liverpool vs Wigan Match Preview

The Reds Look to make it Five Straight Victories as they take on Latics at Anfield

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
February 10, 2011

Kuyt Strikes Against Wigan

Liverpool will be looking to continue their rise up the table. A victory on the weekend would not see the Reds move up, but it could see them three points closer to 4th if Chelsea and Tottenham both or either have a bad weekend. The fourth straight victory for the Merseyside club came over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and should continue to poor confidence on the players.

Raul Meireles scored his fourth goal in five games as he continues to shine under Kenny Dalglish, and Martin Kelly once again impressed as his efforts effectively shut off the service of Ashley Cole to the Chelsea front line.

Wigan were able to hold off Blackburn Rovers to earn a hard fought 4-3 victory to stay top of the relegation zone. A loss would see them stay confined to a bottom three place for another week, but a draw could possibly see them out if West Brom fail to see off West Ham in another relegation battle.

Both squads will be dealing with players coming back from international duty. Liverpool's Steven Gerrard and Martin Kelly both pulled out of their England Squads as they have knocks to look after. Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger both scored for their respected countries as the Netherlands were victorious while the Danes fell to the Three Lions. Lucas Leiva and Martin Skrtel also will be returning from International duty.

Maxi Rodriguez was omitted from the Argentina side that faced off and defeated Portugal, while new signing Luis Suarez rested up due to Uruguay not being in action this Wednesday. It may just pave the way for him to make his first start for the Reds in what will be his third match in a Liverpool kit.

Possible Line-ups and Team News

Liverpool have several injury issues and worries to deal with. Jonjo Shelvey will be sidelined with a knee injury. Martin Kelly and Steven Gerrard are both receiving intensive treatment with the latter set as a late decision by Dalglish to start. Joe Cole is still recovering and will still be several weeks out along with Andy Carroll who looks at still another three weeks before being match healthy but let alone fit.

Possible Liverpool XI: Reina; Skrtel, Carragher, Agger; Johnson, Aurelio; Meireles, Gerrard, Lucas; Kuyt, Suarez.

Wigan will look to James McCarthy, Hugo Rodallega and Charles N'Zogbia to continue their form this week after the three of them were instrumental in their victory over Blackburn. Their on-loan Midfielder Tom Cleverly from Manchester United should be back on the subs bench after a good run out Saturday in place of Moses. Along with him should also be new front man Conor Sammon. Paraguayan defender Antolin Alcaraz remains the only Latic suspected to be out of action.

Possible Wigan XI: Al Habsi; Boyce, G Caldwell, Gohouri, Figueroa; Thomas, Watson; N’Zogbia, McCarthy, Moses; Rodallega.

Liverpool to Abandon Suarez Pursuit?

Article first published as Liverpool to Abandon Suarez Pursuit? on Technorati.

Reds to Call off Chase for World Cup Star in Favor of Summer Move.

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
January 27, 2011

Ajax Amsterdam put a Saturday deadline on Liverpool for them to submit what they believe is a more "respectable" bid for target Luis Suarez. The player was expected to open talks with his current club in hopes of lowering the asking price on his head to force a move to the English Premiership Side.

With an asking price in the range of £30 Million Pounds a summer move for Suarez is looking ever more likely. Further reports yesterday evening from Liverpool's NESN site suggest that the Reds have called off their pursuit altogether with the more possible likelihood of a summer transfer for the Uruguayan.

The abandonment of the bid for Suarez puts an even greater strain on the January transfer hopes of the Reds because of their need to sign a replacement attacker for departed Ryan Babel, and the need to sign a strong attacking presents to partner lone front man Torres.

It is yet to appear whom the Reds would pursue in the place of Suarez. It is rumored that Aston Villa's Ashley Young is an alternative. However, the Villan's winger also has a highly inflated price tag. Wigan Athletic's Charles N'Zogbia would be the other option that has had loose ties throughout the transfer window, but that moves seems equally unlikely.

Liverpool Transfer Rumors Continue

Lining Up Bids. Ronaldinho, Elia, Hazard, N'Zogbia, Bentley, Jarvis, New Faces in New Places?

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December, 22 2010

The rumor mill of transfer news continues to swirl around Anfield like the winter weather of the past weekend in Britain. The Liverpool giants are in the news almost as much as Manchester City as far as transfer news goes lately. The change over in ownership to John W. Henry and New England Sports Ventures in October has given the club a much needed opportunity for cash injection and investment. However, it will be key to see just how and where the money will be spent. With NESV already showing they are in it for the long haul with teams, having proved themselves and their model with the Boston Red Sox, it will be an interesting project to watch develop.

The biggest name commercially that is still being tossed around is Ronaldinho. The Brazilian play maker has been out of favor with AC Milan over the last few months, and critisism from the club owner over his resurfaced poor training habits leaves his future in Italy in doubt. That being said, commercially he certainly is a big name that catches the eye, and his class is masterful when he is in form, however, it remains to be seen if he will recapture the form that made his name for his time at Barcelona. The poor training, and wild party life cost him his spot there, and is now looking to have cost him another. Do the Reds really need a big name bad influence in the changing room? I think not. I see a very slim chance this is anything more than a rumor.

Given the pronounced goal for long term investment I am more likely to believe that the new owners will splash cash on possibly one or two established stars, and then more on younger players that are nearly ready for first team action. With this in mind I also see them spending money on those that have already broken into the first teams but are still developing their potential to be big stars.

This idea leads the debate over the possibilities of a new winger or two for the club. Youth is on the side of nearly all of the names mentioned to come into to bolster the attacking flanks. Recently Eden Hazard (Lille), Eljero Elia (HSV), Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan) , Matt Jarvis (Wolves), and David Bentley (Spurs) have all been reportedly on the wish list of Roy Hodgson. The most likely I could see the Reds moving for are Elia, Jarvis, of Bentley. Those three would be at most likely a better price tag then Eden Hazard or N'Zogbia.

Splashing the cash will also require the movement of several players out of the squad. Milan Jovanovic is believed to be under the watch of German sides Cologne and Hamburg. The later being the home of Elia could offer a cash plus switch option on either side to make it a more cash friendly option. This leads me to continue to believe this is a more than likely move to be made.

Christian Poulsen is also reportedly on the way out in January as another six month in and out as he has failed to produce anything to believe he can handle the pressures of the Premiership.The exit of the Dane would allow for the arrival of another transfer target and free up more access cash. The need for midfield bolstering is apparent after the loss of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in back to back seasons. Lucas Leiva has come into his own, but he and Steven Gerrard cannot carry the load alone, and young Jay Spearing still is not ready for constant involvement just yet. He still needs another year or two of careful development to ensure he is mentally and physically prepared.

The window is growing ever so near and it will be a wild flurry of movement I believe for Liverpool and new football strategy director Damien Comolli. The former Spurs man brought in some great talent during his time in London and is hoped to do the same for the Reds. With only nine days till the transfer period, it looks to be a busy holiday season.