Liverpool FC: Analysis and Predictions for the Reds' 10 Remaining League Games

With less than a third of the season left, Liverpool currently find themselves in seventh place in the English Premier League, five points behind Newcastle in sixth and 10 behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

Having reached the FA Cup Semifinal, Kenny Dalglish will direct his focus towards a Cup Double, but the age-old mantra of “one game at a time” will still hold.

Because while the difference in league points makes a Top Four finish a steep mountain to climb, there is still a lot to play for in the league.

Let’s look ahead at Liverpool’s 10 remaining league games this season, complete with brief analyses and scoreline predictions—and, as usual, feel free to have your say in the comments below.

QPR (Away), March 21

At the time of writing, Liverpool travel to QPR in 12 hours.

QPR’s recent problems are well-documented: The appointment of new manager Mark Hughes and the impressive signings of Taye Taiwo, Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora in January have not arrested their slide down the league table.

With a draw and four losses in their last five games, QPR have only won two of their 14 home games all season and are the likeliest bet for the drop out of the three promoted teams last season.

Liverpool, on a high from a recent thumping of neighbors Everton and from an FA Cup Quarterfinal win over Stoke, will need to ensure that they take three points back to Anfield—or else the race to finish fourth might well and truly be over.

Prediction: QPR 0-2 Liverpool

Wigan (Home), March 24

It’s been a disappointing season for Wigan, who, with three wins and an average of 0.93 goals per game, actually have a better record playing away than at home.

That Robert Martinez’s men have not been able to score even a goal per game on average says all about Wigan’s biggest problem this season: a lack of clinical finishing.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

Liverpool’s profligacy has cost them dear this season, and with another visit from a lower-table team, Kenny Dalglish will have to make sure his Reds don’t drop any more needless points.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Wigan

Newcastle (Away), April 1

Liverpool’s away clash with Newcastle promises to be one of the most exciting encounters in the last two months of the season, if only because of what’s at stake.

Newcastle ascendancy to the Top Six places this year has been nothing short of impressive, and currently are Liverpool’s first obstacle towards a Top Six finish.

Ranked fifth in terms of home results, Newcastle will be more than a match for Liverpool, who could do with a Demba Ba or Papiss Cisse to put away their chances.

But with Steven Gerrard’s tendency to put in telling contributions against Newcastle (as he did earlier this season as well), don’t rule out another goal-scoring display from the Reds skipper.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool

Aston Villa (Home), April 7

It’s safe to say that Alex McLeish’s appointment at Aston Villa has not worked out as well as anyone might have hoped.

While Charles N’Zogbia has been improving in recent weeks, early-season star Gabby Agbonlahor has faded while Darren Bent hasn’t been as lethal this season as in years past.

Villa have looked short on inspiration since the departure of loan star Robbie Keane, but the inconsistent Stephen Ireland has stepped up in recent weeks.

Liverpool will be cautious of Villa’s pace on the counter, but a commanding win at Villa Park in December should be repeated at Anfield.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Aston Villa

Blackburn (Away), April 10

This is a tricky one.

Somehow, Steve Kean’s season-long relegation favorites have built up a momentum to take them out of the bottom three, and the alarming form of their rivals for the drop has given Blackburn some breathing space.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni has been their star of the year, while Junior Hoilett has himself been linked with a switch to Liverpool in the summer.

Having pulled off a few noteworthy results this year, Blackburn might just pull off another eye-catching performance when Liverpool visit.

Prediction: Blackburn 1-1 Liverpool

Fulham (Home), Postponed

Due to Liverpool’s impending return to Wembley to contest the FA Cup Semifinal, the home league game against Fulham has been postponed.

Fulham’s January addition of Pavel Pogrebnyak has been an unqualified success, and with Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele, Martin Jol has an underrated front trio at his disposal.

It’s altogether a very decent squad by any measure, but Fulham’s inconsistency has cost them this season.

But Liverpool’s pace and creativity up front should prove enough against the less mobile Philippe Senderos and Brede Hangeland.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Fulham

West Brom (Home), April 22

April 22 marks Roy Hodgson’s first return to Anfield after his unfortunate spell in charge of Liverpool, and all the pre-match attention will be the reception he is afforded by his former home fans.

Out of depth he might have been at Liverpool, but he’s proven with Fulham and now with West Brom that he’s more than capable of fashioning a collective unit that’s hard to break down.

Add to that West Brom’s phenomenal away record this season (they’re third in the away table) and Liverpool will face a real fight on their hands.

Hodgson’s return might just be a frustrating one—for Kenny Dalglish.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 West Brom

Norwich (Away), April 28

It’s been an extremely balanced season for Norwich. With five wins and five draws at home, and four wins and four draws away, Norwich have shown the kind of quiet consistency that has almost ensured their place in the Premier League this year.

While Paul Lambert’s side hasn’t made as big of an impact as the slick and classy Swansea, Norwich have ground out their stay in their own style.

With Steve Morison and Grant Holt proving equally capable targetmen (as the latter showed Anfield in October), Norwich have their own weapons for the Liverpool backline to deal with.

But ultimately, Liverpool might just have a slight edge in terms of creativity—provided that the right personnel are selected—which should mean a narrow away win for the Reds.

Prediction: Norwich 1-2 Liverpool

Chelsea (Home), May 6

And so Fernando Torres returns to Anfield. He might even score.

So too Raul Meireles, but El Nino’s return to face the Kop for the first time since departing Liverpool in controversial circumstances is at least one of the reasons this will be a mouth-watering clash.

But Liverpool have held a stranglehold over Chelsea in recent fixtures, having won the last four matches.

And we all know what the Reds are capable of when they face top teams.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea

Swansea (Away), May 13

It’s the last of the 10 league games on this list, and it might just be Liverpool’s only loss.

Such has been the phenomenal impact of Brendan Rodgers’ Swansea side this season.

One of the most impressive visitors to Anfield this season, Swansea’s passing game and wing play tormented Liverpool at times. Since then, they’ve only added January bargain Gylfi Sigurdsson, who’s already scored five goals.

With a decent home record and a famously passionate home crowd—and we’ve seen Liverpool players, especially summer additions like Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing buckle under intense pressure from home crowds—Swansea might just prove, with a visit from Liverpool, that they are here to stay in the Premier League.

Prediction: Swansea 2-1 Liverpool

Final Position

It’s not a hugely challenging end-of-season run for Liverpool, but given their troubles at home and with converting chances, it could end up as a potentially frustrating two months for Reds fans.

Perhaps the FA Cup could provide a good tonic, but even there Liverpool will have to get through Sunderland or Everton, and then one of Chelsea, Bolton and Tottenham.

It won’t be easy, but Kenny Dalglish’s first full season back at the helm was, strictly speaking, always one of transition—the pressure will well and truly be on starting in August.

Final league placing: Sixth

A Penny for Your Thoughts

Did you agree with the analyses and predictions? What are your views?

Do share your thoughts in the comments below.

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