Liverpool vs. Reading: Complete Preview, Team News and Projected Lineups

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Liverpool and its players have been in the spotlight recently.

This past week saw the club higher-ups finally coming to senses with their Anfield redevelopment plans.

And it took them just “two years”—if Ian Ayre says so—to finally arrive at a decision.

Well, anyway, the past week also saw Luis Suarez attracting criticism from far and wide for his “dive” in the penalty area against Stoke City.

Tony Pulis, “the man” from FIFA and even Laurent Koscielny had joined in on the bandwagon.

Suarez’s was the story of the boy who cried wolf—so they said.

However, Brendan Rodgers will look to move forward from all unsavoury memories as Anfield prepares to play hosts to the Reading Royals visiting L4 this Saturday.

Team Form—Liverpool

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Liverpool’s Premier League form has been everything short of desirable.

It spiked a little with their win over Norwich City.

However, the dull and sour draw against Tony Pulis’ Stoke City has once again raised questions over the Reds’ poor final-third and finishing skills.

Team Form—Reading

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Reading began their Premier League campaign on a promising note.

But tough league encounters against Chelsea and Tottenham followed.

Their last couple of draws against Newcastle United and Swansea City were disappointing. The Royals let slip their advantage in both games to settle for a point each.

Still these are encouraging signs for McDermott, whose players would now already be dreaming of an upset win over Liverpool.

Team News

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Liverpool will be without Lucas Leiva and Martin Kelly, who are out for the long term.

Jose Enrique, expected to recover in time for Saturday’s game, may take to the field while Glen Johnson may return to his natural RB position.

Pepe Reina is doubtful following the injury he picked up during half-time whilst on bench for Spain’s WC qualifier game against France.

The other sad prospect facing Rodgers is the lack of striking options after the club revealed that Fabio Borini is all set to miss at least three months of competitive football when he undergoes surgery for a fractured bone in his foot.

Jonjo Shelvey is eligible to play after the midfielder served out his three-match suspension for the red card received against Manchester United.

Reading’s only patient on the table is their first choice goalkeeper Adam Federici.

Line Up—Liverpool

Courtesy: www.footballformation.co.uk

Rodgers will be lining up a team of stars with the right amount of youth mixed into it as he has done in recent weeks.

However, the fitness of England internationals—who had a torrid time at Warsaw due to incessant rain and had their match postponed—may be a concern for Rodgers

Line Up—Reading

Courtesy: www.footballformation.co.uk

Brian McDermott is likely to field the same side that took to field against Swansea with possibly Mikele Leigertwood returning to the starting line-up.

Pavel Pogrebnyak is the main attacking threat and Liverpool would do well to neutralise the Russian’s threat.

Prediction

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

McDermott will be looking to get at least a point out of this fixture following disappointing draws against Newcastle United and Swansea, occasions where his team let slip all three points.

However, Rodgers’ men, and especially Luis Suarez, will have some critics to answer when they take to the field. So expect the Reds to put on a spirited display.

SCORELINE: 3-0

However, the Reds’ defence is something that throws surprises your way and don’t be surprised if that’s the case!

A 3-0 at halftime could easily become 3-3 if Germany v Sweden and Liverpool’s own history is anything to go by.