IT’S an oft-overused phrase in football, one of the terms churned out by football manager, players and pundits alike, usually at key points around Christmas and toward the ‘business-end’ (there you go, there’s another one) of the season but I think that this Saturday’s 3pm Anfield kick-off against former assistant coach Steve Clark’s West Brom is definitely a ‘must win’.
After a disappointing draw away to 10-man Newcastle at the weekend, following on from two solid wins against Sunderland and Crystal Palace, the Reds go into a relatively tough run of games in November including away to Arsenal, home to Fulham and the Goodison derby.
The Emirates games against current league-leaders Arsenal will probably prove to be Liverpool’s biggest and most crucial of the season so far and will no doubt be the players toughest too.
The team has yet to reach anywhere near their best on the pitch yet and with most of the first-team squad now heading back to full fitness, and hopefully Coutinho available in some capacity at the weekend, the manager should be looking for an impressive and commanding performance to head into what will be a busy period leading up to Christmas.
With only one more international break left this year and many of Liverpool’s rivals for the top 4 involved in Europe most weeks (not to mention many still involved in Capital One Cup games alternate weeks) the manager needs to make it very clear to the players that there is an opportunity here.
Nobody is asking for a title challenge, that would be asking too much. I don’t think any of us would argue if it happened but nobody is expecting it. What we are asking for though is at least the effort, performances and desire from the players week after week to finish as high as possible and to stay in contention for as long as possible.
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Going back to August, you’d be hard pressed to find anybody that wouldn’t be happy with being only 2 points off the top of the league by the end of October. Given that we’ve occupied top spot on a few occasions ourselves though, you have to understand that many fans feel slightly disappointed that we’ve dropped easily winnable points against the likes of Southampton and Newcastle.
Which is why a good, convincing win against West Brom is very important on Saturday afternoon. The Reds need to make it clear prior to the game against Arsenal that they have what it takes to keep up and set up the opportunity for themselves to make a statement at the Emirates.
A good win by a few goals will give the side confidence and every game that passes with Liverpool still in touching distance of the league-leaders means that more and more they will be taken seriously as challengers.
Challengers for what, remains to be seen but with our much-improved squad and lack of any kind of cup football until January this is an opportunity that can not be allowed to fade away and that can start with a heavy win against the Baggies on Saturday afternoon.
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Yes, it’s a must win game. Very dissapointed with Newcastle game. Can’t afford to drop points in the manner of Newcastle , Swansea (twice ahead) and southampton at home… These are the points that add up at the end. Top 4 challange is a must.
In my view , we must stay top 4 till January, then add 1 more player. A good midfielder. We have 7 days between games and they must be cup finals.
Another thought , Rogers need to have another chatt with Mr sturridge , look for his team mates…..don’t go back to hi old habits
YNWA
Last five prem games v West Brom L2-0 L3-0 L1-0 W2-0 L2-1. And they are unbeaten away all season including winning at Man U. Just as well they are “must win”, an easy three points and Liverpool will have a good win by a few goals so easy then.
“A heavy win”??? Not sure you’ve seen this Albion side recently pal.
Liverpool need to garned effort to win the game, and rodger should risk alberto behind strikers and moses at left.
So…..A tougher game on Saturday then !…….dont forget we put 5 past you last season with a much weaker squad….sheesh !.
What will happen if you suffer a heavy defeat to west brom?
They are firing on all cylinders
You have been warned
Expecting a good game and would be very surprised if Liverpool get the big win you’re looking for. If we play like we have the last 4 games then you may even be in for a surprise. Or is it a surprise, can’t remember the last time you beat us in the league 🙂
Typical arrogant souse tosh really hope the baggies fire on all cylinders very capable of winning at Anfield for the third type on the bounce. Boing boing
Is a must win match for liverpool,and i hope we will get 3 point at the end.
If lfc can win dx match, I dnt c gunners defeating lfc… Alberto shd start Mr Rodgers
‘Heavy win against the Baggies’??? Dream on…
Think the Albion will be disappointed not to win by a couple with another clean sheet,maintain European push…..
West Bromwich will end their season unbeaten on saturday.because last season they win us home and away.I believe that Brandan Rodgers has some questions to answer. Because Rodgers only buy average players and under age which has never,ever favoured liverpool Fc.
1st westbl then asernal.one game at a time!
I thought WestBrom got the double over you lot last year? Lol
If B Rodgers rests S Gerrard for game as we need him against Arsenal.
Hopefully we start with the strongest defence we have at club: And give J Allen a chance to play in the role behind Sturridge and Suarez, as Moses is not a number 10. He is a winger, who should be played out wide and stay out wide.
Mignolet
Skrtel RCB Agger CB Sakho LCB
Johnson RWB Lucas Henderson Enrique
Allen
Sturridge Suarez