West Bromwich Albion vs. Liverpool: Date, Time, TV Info, Preview and More

After many poor performances in the Premier League last season, Liverpool is entering this year under a new manager in Brendan Rodgers, not to mention sky-high expectations for the upcoming season.

With the arrival of Rodgers will come a new possession-based style of play that not only made the Reds' new manager successful at Swansea City, but accentuates the strengths of the team's player personnel.

After winning their Euro Qualifier versus FC Gomel and then defeating Levurkusen in a friendly, there is a cautious optimism that the Reds will finally come out of the woodwork and return to contending for EPL championships. While coaches, players and fans alike are all expecting greatness from this particular squad, it's still to be decided on the pitch whether the Reds will finally figure out how to get the ball into the back of the net.

For West Bromwich, they come into the season with a new manager as well. In fact, Steve Clarke is a former assistant manger for Liverpool. Although the Baggies are going to be predictably overmatched in this contest, they would not be the first team to shock the Reds at Anfield.

Here's what you need to know for both squads' EPL opener.

Where: The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Sandwell, England 

TV Information: Saturday, August 18th, Fox Soccer, 10:00 a.m. ET

Liverpool Keys to Victory

The return of Lucas Leiva to central midfield will have a heavy impact on the Reds' strategy to possess the ball for the vast majority of the game. Leiva's ability to halt the opposition's offensive opportunities in the middle of the field is invaluable not only to the back four but to help facilitate the counterstrike with Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson.

Furthermore, getting the ball to Luis Suarez is paramount in Liverpool's quest to generate more goals this upcoming season. Suarez not only has the ability to instantly generate offense, but he makes consistently smart decisions with the ball, which fits perfectly with Brendan Rogers' style of play.

West Bromwich Keys to Victory

If West Brom wants to stay competitive against a more talented Liverpool club, they must attack the net early and often. A year ago, the Baggies scored 11 goals within the first 15 minutes of their respective contests, which was good for first in the EPL. For them to have a chance this weekend, they must get an early goal.

Furthermore, it's imperative that West Brom are conservative with the ball. The longer they have possession, the more it will frustrate Liverpool's possession-based style of play. Keeping with that theme, the Baggies must play an aggressive yet disruptive style of defense in order to keep the Reds from dominating possession.

Final Prediction: 1-0 Liverpool

This match is going to come down not just to talent, but to who can dominate the time of possession statistic. Liverpool is built to do it, but in the past, this team has been built to do a lot of things and failed on several occasions. 

Although most "experts" are predicting a Liverpool victory by multiple goals, it may be more prudent to stay conservative in our prognostications. Not only is this Liverpool's first EPL match with their new manager, they are playing on the road, where we have seen them disappoint too many times.

While the Reds' superior talent should carry them to victory, look for it to be a close game.