Predicting Liverpool’s Remaining PL Fixtures

22 games into the 2013/14 Premier League season for Liverpool Football Club has yielded 43 points – 12 points better off compared to this stage last season, representing the progress Brendan Rodgers and his side have made.

Yet with a couple of signings in key positions, a injury-free squad and an in-form Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool are in with a massive chance of ending this season with a place in the league’s coveted top four – ensuring qualification into the Champions League.

However, with the squad currently at Rodgers’ disposal, Liverpool have tough fixtures to negotiate before claiming the prize of playing in Europe’s premier club competition. Nevertheless, the ace up their sleeve is the fact that nearly all of the top clubs have to come to Anfield as the Reds have already played them away from home. With Anfield being something of a fortress again this season (only Southampton and Aston Villa have picked up points), hopefully there are many games there to be won and carry Liverpool into the desired top four.

Everton (h) – First up is the second Merseyside derby of the season. With Falcao’s injury, Everton may struggle to bring in Lacina Traore but boast considerable firepower in Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley, with Phil Jagielka and Tim Howard impressing at the back. Yet with Sakho returning from injury, Liverpool’s defence should be solid and with the game being at Anfield the Reds should have too much for their Stanley Park neighbours. 3-1 W

West Brom (a) – Under an new manager, West Brom are likely to have that honeymoon period that most new managers get and there have already been signs of that with their home draw with Everton. Nevertheless, Liverpool have performed well against the lesser teams, and the counter attacking pace will overwhelm the Baggies. 2-0 W

Arsenal (h) – Arsenal make it back to back tough games at Anfield, with Liverpool looking to avenge the defeat at the Emirates earlier in the season with an important three points. However, with the fluidity and depth in Arsenal’s midfield and their current sky-high confidence, it will be no easy task. 2-2 D

Fulham (a) – A very similar match up to West Brom, where Liverpool visit a solid, organised team that can be creative and score goals on their day, but are inconsistent and lack pace at the back. Once again this is where the likes of Sturridge, Suarez and Sterling come into play with their pace and anything less than a win at Craven Cottage would be a disappointment. 3-1 W

Swansea (h) – Swansea have not been at their best since season, or actually ever since they won the Capital One Cup last year. They have had their moments, shown through their wins at Valencia and Manchester United, but play at game that is similar to Liverpool’s – only the Reds do it better, with better players and this is at Anfield. 4-0 W

Southampton (a) – Into March now, where Liverpool really do begin to show if they can last the source, with a trip to St Mary’s representing a tough test. Southampton have fallen slightly from their incredible form in the first half of the season, but are quite capable of turning it on, especially against Liverpool, who they seem to have an excellent record against and are the only team to have beaten Rodgers’ men at Anfield this season. I have a feeling they may complete an unfortunate double, maybe the only team to achieve that against Liverpool this season. 2-1 L

Sunderland (h) – Gus Poyet’s men seem revitalised thanks to their League Cup run – who knows, by now they may have beaten Manchester City and won the cup, guaranteeing European football? Either way, the defence still makes mistakes and they will be saving their energy for matches they have a greater chance of winning, especially if they react the same way Swansea have following their mid-season trip to Wembley. 4-1 W

Man Und (a) – As much as I hate to say this, it could be back-to-back defeats here for Liverpool away from Anfield. The belief they’ll have that they can win will not have been greater for many, many years, with the home defeats mounting for David Moyes in his first season. However, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie are likely to be back to full fitness and form by this time.
Furthermore, with Juan Mata looking set to add to that attacking line-up, if United actually believe that they can win again in front of their fans (similar to England’s Wembley problems) then they may perform like they did against Arsenal at Old Trafford, especially if Liverpool turn up in a similar fashion to the Gunners that day. It will be close, and I certainly believe that Liverpool can win, no doubt, but I just don’t think they’re going to. 3-2 L

Cardiff (a) – Cardiff represent A team probably on the up in the long term (as crazy as it sounds) under Vincent Tan with the financial clout at their disposal, as long as they stay in the league this season. However, there are still too many holes in that starting XI, let alone the squad, to compete with Liverpool, who will want to bounce back straight away. 3-0 W

Tottenham (h) – If these predictions come true (unlikely), then this game (regardless) will be a massive factor in determining who finishes fourth. Fellow top four rivals Tottenham have been excellent so far under Tim Sherwood, but is it just another example of an extended honeymoon period or is something greater happening there. Either way, they will provide the Anfield crowd with plenty of scares, but Luis Suarez has already proved that he can tear up their defence with that incredible 5-0 win at White Hart Lane. Tottenham will want revenge, but Liverpool will want a double (for the first time in six years) more. 2-1 W

West Ham (a) – Tricky game this, as West Ham will be a different animal with a fit and firing Andy Carroll, because for starters it transforms several of the players around him, especially Kevin Nolan. Their defence is likely to be fit again too, while Liverpool were fortunate to get away with a win last season, with Glen Johnson’s super goal and Jonjo Shelvey’s winner. Big Sam’s will may come across in this match. 1-1 D

Man City (h) – Without doubt the toughest home game left in Liverpool’s run in. The team with the title ‘to lose’ have been nothing short of exceptional this season, while their home form suggests that the Etihad Stadium is not in Manchester, but in fact on another planet.
On the other hand, their away form is mortal, and there is actually a weakness too in the defence, which can be caught out by pace and trickery, especially if Vincent Kompany isn’t playing, which would make at least one mistake likely. If Liverpool turn up for this game, they can get to the league favourites, but this could be a free-scoring contest – and one I think the home team will just edge. Just. 3-2 W

Norwich (a) – Luis Suarez – done. 3-1 W

Chelsea (h) – Crafty Mourinho has yet to make the trip up to Anfield since his Chelsea return, but his predecessor Rafael Benitez was unfortunate to only come away with a point after Suarez’s last second equaliser, when he should have been off the field having bitten Branislav Ivanovic.
That began his ten game ban, but once again he should carry the Reds to some points here, only more than one this time as our defence should hold off their strikers – it’s just predominantly about keeping Eden Hazard at bay. We struggled at Stamford Bridge, but it should be easier at home. The midfield will also be a key battle, but Lucas should be back by then and messrs Suarez and Sturridge will hopefully deliver the goods. 2-0 W

Crystal Palace (a) – Almost like playing Stoke again with Tony Pulis in charge, only not as good and probably relegated by now as every team in the league has more quality to call upon. There will be lots of effort, and a goal threat with the likes of Marouane Chamakh, but not enough to stop Liverpool’s charge for fourth. 3-0 W

Newcastle (h) – The final home game of the season will be a lot harder than people think. Newcastle have a very strong starting XI that on its day can beat anyone in the country. However fourth place may be on the line in the final matchday of the season and Liverpool may never have such an opportunity to rejoin Europe’s elite. They have to grasp it with both hands, and with their excellent record against Newcastle at Anfield and the form they’ll have going into this game (if the predictions hold – again unlikely), they’ll get over the line. W 3-1

If Liverpool manage 12 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses in their final 16 games, then (touchwood) top four is surely a given. According to my calculations Liverpool would add 38 points to their current total, which would mean that their final season tally would be 81 points, more than enough for a top four finish based on recent years (Arsenal – 73 points 2012/13, Tottenham – 69 points 2011/12, Arsenal – 68 points 2010/11).

Of course, the scores are highly unlikely to be accurate, while injuries, transfers or lesser teams ripping up the form book could make these predictions look ridiculous but a win is a win and with this points total, who knows, maybe aim even higher than fourth?

We can dream – but fourth would be fine, thank you.