West Brom vs. Liverpool: 6 Bold Predictions for Reds' Premier League Opener

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Liverpool are just days away from their 2012-13 Premier League opener, to be played at the Hawthorns against West Bromwich Albion.

While it will be new boss Brendan Rodgers' first domestic game in charge, it will also see the Reds go up against former assistant manager Steve Clarke, who took over at West Brom this summer.

Liverpool go into the match on the back of three successive wins, two against Gomel in the Europa League qualifier and one against Bayer Leverkusen in the final preseason friendly.

Confidence will be high at Anfield under the new regime—but so will expectations be on the terraces.

Here are six predictions for the Reds' first game of the new campaign.

A Goal for the Reds Inside 10 Minutes

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Liverpool took a few preseason games to get into their stride in the final third, understandably, but recent performances have been encouraging in that respect.

With a very tough few games coming up at the beginning of the league season including fixtures against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United, the Reds will be looking to get off to the best start possible—and attack from the off against West Brom.

To that end, the first prediction is that Liverpool find the back of the net for the first time within the opening 10 minutes of the match, after a high-pressing and high-tempo opening.

Joe Allen Makes His Debut, from the Bench

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Having been on Olympic duty with Team GB until recently, Joe Allen's transfer was a little more protracted than either he or Brendan Rodgers might have liked. But Liverpool finally got their man.

However, he has had little training time and no match time with his new teammates, and cannot expect to walk into the side straight away.

It is feasible however, having had a preseason work out with the international side, that he could be named as one of the substitutes—with the Reds not being so overloaded with quality that they could leave a £15 million signing out just because he's a new arrival.

Allen, then, will make his debut from the bench.

Daniel Agger Is in the Starting XI

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Depending on your point of view, or belief of the media, this one might not be so bold.

Steadfast should Reds fans' belief remain that in-demand Daniel Agger will be at the club come the opening Premier League weekend, and that the Dane will be in the Reds' team.

Come 1st September the same will be true—and hopefully he will be on his way to signing a contract extension with the club.

One Further Addition Will Be in the Liverpool Match Day Squad

Clint Hughes/Getty Images

It is no secret that Liverpool will continue to look to add to their squad before the transfer window shuts, and the next prediction revolves around that: Liverpool will have another new player in their match day squad in time for the West Brom game.

Clint Dempsey, currently of Fulham, remains one of the most-linked players with the club, and his presence would certainly boost the attacking options available to Brendan Rodgers.

Currently he is likely to pick Stewart Downing, Fabio Borini and Luis Suarez, leaving only Joe Cole and Andy Carroll as senior replacements, neither of whom have really convinced (or been able to) this summer.

Liverpool Have over 65 Percent Possession for the Match

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Play out from the back, recycle possession in deep areas, rest on the ball by retaining it: mantras that Liverpool fans and players will get used to over the coming 12 months, and a key method of obtaining results that Brendan Rodgers will use.

To that end, here is the first chance for the Reds to put those ideas into practice in a majorly competitive environment.

Against the Baggies, they'll come up trumps, posting over 65% possession for the 90 minutes.

Of course, possession without penetration is largely useless...

Liverpool to Score Four or More Goals

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

...but that won't be an issue this time around, as Liverpool lay to rest some of the ghosts of last season where missed opportunities and striking the woodwork was the name of the game on far too many occasions.

West Brom have not impressed too much with their summer dealings up until now, with Clarke no doubt taking the time to assess what he already has at his disposal.

Liverpool however are riding an early crest of the wave with Rodgers right now—and if you haven't seen Luis Suarez play since returning to the Reds yet, do yourself a favour and check out his performance against Gomel.

The man is on fire and is looking fitter and sharper than ever.

He will revel in being back in the Premier League and will help shoot the Reds to a substantial victory.

A big win will help set the tone and confidence for the next league game—against the current reigning champions, Manchester City.

 

Follow @karlmatchett