Liverpool vs. Norwich City: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
After two consecutive Premier League defeats, conceding three goals in each, the pressure is firmly on Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers as his side welcome new boys Norwich City to Anfield on Sunday.
Rodgers' side last tasted victory over a month ago, in their first home game of the season against Bournemouth. While they began the campaign with three back-to-back clean sheets, the same defensive deficiencies from last season have returned in defeats to West Ham United and Manchester United.
It's not only at the back that Rodgers has problems. His side have scored just three goals in their opening five league games. The under fire boss could be boosted by the return of Daniel Sturridge to the squad for the first time since April.
But Rodgers was dealt another blow on Saturday, with news of captain Jordan Henderson suffering a broken foot, ruling him out for up to two months, per Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph.
Norwich boss Alex Neil has backed Rodgers ahead of the fixture, saying: "I don’t buy this, ‘Liverpool are in crisis.' Liverpool have got good players, they’re well managed and they’ll be a danger to any team in the league."
The Canaries will be looking to improve their record at Anfield, where they've conceded five on each of their last two visits—Luis Suarez hitting four on their last visit in 2013.
Their last and only Premier League win at Anfield was back in 1993 when Jeremy Goss' goal spoiled the party on the last day of the standing Kop.
Date: Sunday, 17 September 2015
Time: 4 p.m. BST / 11 a.m. EST
Venue: Anfield
TV Info: NBC Sports Live Extra (USA)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (USA)
Form Lines
Liverpool:
Drew 1-1 vs. Bordeaux (Europa League)
Lost 3-1 vs. Manchester United
Lost 3-0 vs. West Ham United
Drew 0-0 vs. Arsenal
Won 1-0 vs. Bournemouth
Won 1-0 vs. Stoke City
Norwich:
Won 3-1 vs. Bournemouth
Lost 3-0 vs. Southampton
Won 2-1 vs. Rotherham (League Cup)
Drew 1-1 vs. Stoke City
Won 3-1 vs. Sunderland
Lost 3-1 vs. Crystal Palace
Predicted Formations
There's some big decisions to be made by Rodgers for this game—primarily being whether to keep with the 3-4-2-1 formation that gave him success last season and moved to in midweek against Bordeaux, or keep with 4-3-3 that he's used in the league so far.
The Northern Irishman kept six first-team players back on Merseyside and all six—Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Lucas Leiva, James Milner and Christian Benteke—are expected to return to the lineup.
Liverpool: 3-4-2-1: Mignolet; Lovren, Skrtel, Sakho; Clyne, Milner, Lucas, Moreno; Lallana, Coutinho; Sturridge
Neil is expected to make just one enforced change for the trip to Norwich after picking up their first home win of the season last time out. That will be Liverpool loanee Andre Wisdom, who is ineligible to play against his parent club. Steven Whittaker will take his place at right-back.
Norwich: 4-2-3-1: Ruddy; Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Brady; Howson, Tettey; Jarvis, Hoolahan, Redmond; Jerome.
Players to Watch
Liverpool: Mamadou Sakho
"#LFC are delighted to confirm @mamadousakho3 has signed a new long-term contract with the club pic.twitter.com/LgYPlkz0fH
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 18, 2015"
Fresh from signing a new five-year contract on Friday, Mamadou Sakho will surely keep his place after he was handed his first appearance of the season against Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday.
Whether the Frenchman directly replaces the much-maligned Lovren, or if Rodgers opts to play them both either side of Skrtel in a back three, is the big question.
Sakho is a fan favourite at Anfield and supporters will be hoping he can keep his place in the side by putting in another commanding performance.
Norwich: Wes Hoolahan
"Wes Hoolahan has now recorded 4 assists in the Premier League this season, no player has more. Makes Norwich tick. pic.twitter.com/OPUkIW1wPG
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) September 12, 2015"
Irishman Wes Hoolahan is a man in form, putting in a man-of-the-match performance last week against Bournemouth—scoring one and assisting another. "His performance was terrific, he has been a key figure in my team. I like creative players," praised Neil post-match.
"He is a special player and he has been excellent since I came here."
Key Battle: Out Wide
Norwich enjoyed success in the wide areas in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth last week, with new signing Matt Jarvis and winger Nathan Redmond combing with Hoolahan. They will be looking to cause Liverpool problems out wide.
Liverpool could switch to three at the back, meaning it will be vital that the outside centre-backs are comfortable when dragged into wide areas. It will also be key that potential wing-backs Clyne and Alberto Moreno are switched on defensively.
If Rodgers reverts back to a back four, though, whoever is picked at left-back—Moreno or youngster Joe Gomez—needs to put in a solid performance.
Odds (via OddsShark)
Liverpool to win: + 642
Norwich to win: - 233
Draw: + 326
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Norwich
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