Match Preview - Liverpool (a)

[Jourdan]

Tomorrow, the Rams travel to one of the most famous football stadiums in the world – Anfield, in search of a result to kickstart their season. After they only picked up 1 point during August, Derby face the ominous task of playing Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool in what looks set to be another difficult month of top-flight football for Billy and the boys.

Last Time At Anfield

Liverpool 2-0 Derby County (2001/02)

Recent History

Rafa Benitez replaced the departing Gerard Houllier in 2004. Houllier had been manager of the club for 6 years and his biggest achievement at the club came in the 2000/01 season when the club won three trophies in the space of a year – the League Cup, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. Benitez had big shoes to fill and has carried the burden of the expectations of the vast Liverpool support well. They wanted more silverware and they wanted the Premier League trophy. The club has not finished first in the top tier of English football since 1990.

Benitez’s reign thus far has been an almighty triumph – he guided the Reds to Champions' League glory on an unforgettable night in Istanbul in 2005. Liverpool had trailed AC Milan 3-0 at half time, but fought back to level the game at 3-3 and go onto win in the penalty shoot-out. All in Benitez’s first season at the club. This was followed a dramatic FA Cup victory in 2006 against West Ham, where the team’s bouncebackability was on display once more. They were staring at defeat after 28 minutes, as West Ham were 2-0 up, but goals from Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard levelled matters. Paul Konchesky edged the Hammers in front once more, before Gerrard rescued his troops with a spectacular last minute equaliser. His team went on to hold their nerve in the penalty shoot out. Last season equated to no trophies for the club as they suffered a cruel 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in the 2007 Champions’ League final.

Summer Signings

Benitez has spent massively this summer in an attempt to close the gap on fellow title contenders Manchester Utd and Chelsea.

Serious financial backing by boardroom duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett has enabled Benitez to attract much sought-after players like Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres to the club and secure the permanent signing of Javier Mascherano.

Other arrivals at Anfield include striker Andriy Voronin, winger Yossi Benayoun, goalkeeper Charles Itandje, utility man Sebastian Leto and promising central midfielder Lucas Leiva. Djibril Cisse and Boudewijn Zenden are among the players to head for the Anfield exit doors this summer.

Form

The Reds were rampant during pre-season, winning 6 of their 8 friendlies. This form has continued into the regular season – Steven Gerrard’s virtuoso free kick secured a dramatic opening day win over Aston Villa. Andriy Voronin’s strike gave the Reds a slender lead in their two legged Champions’ League qualifier against Toulouse. Fernando Torres’ first competitive goal for the club was overshadowed by the refereeing of Rob Styles, as Chelsea were gifted a 1-1 draw at Anfield. The Reds bounced back from this disappointment to comfortably beat Sunderland 2-0 at the Stadium of Light and smash 4 past Toulouse in the return leg of the Champions’ League qualifier.

Predicted Line Ups

Liverpool – Reina, Finnan, Hyppia, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Alonso, Sissoko, Babel, Torres, Voronin

Derby – Bywater, Mears, Leacock , Davis, McEveley, Teale, Oakley, Feilhaber, Pearson, Fagan, Howard

One to Watch

Well it seems likely there’ll be no Gerrard or Carragher in the Reds line-up tomorrow -so keep your eyes peeled for this man.

Fernando Torres – The 23 year old arrived at the club in July 2007 for a club record fee to ignite hopes of future glory for the club. The forward is a Spanish international and established himself as one of the world’s most promising talents during his time at Athletico Madrid, where he scored 82 goals in 214 appearances. With the Derby defence looking circumspect, it’s entirely possible Torres will add to the sole league goal he’s scored already this season.

Key Battles

Howard vs. Hyypia – Commanding and experienced centre back Sami Hyypia will no doubt have been practising his tackling and heading in training to prepare himself for what promises to be a intriguing contest against the Rams’ top marksman.

Oakley vs. Sissoko – Two enigmatic midfielders will collide in a battle that could sway the match. If Derby can compete in midfield, they may be able to frustrate the hosts.

Torres vs. Davis – Injury-prone defender Claude Davis will face his biggest test in the black and white shirt as he comes up against celebrated striker Fernando Torres.

Odds (courtesy of Ladbrokes.com on 31/8/2007)

Liverpool to win – 1/5
Draw – 4/1
Derby to win – 10/1

Virtual Betting

8 bets have been registered – 4 tipping Liverpool to win, 2 banking on a draw and 2 audaciously backing the Rams to win.

Jourdan predicts…2-0

[heanor_ram]

I got a feeling the lads are going to make liverpool work hard for the win but the striek force of torres and kuyt will be too quick for moore and davis.

however, it will hopefully be a brave and battling performanc that we can b proud of but i can't see us getting anything out of it unfortunatley

[Ramshackle]

I dont thinks any1 who follows footie will expect Derby to get anything at all from Anfield, But footie is a strange game, strange things happen, BUT NOT TODAY I DON'T THINK!