EPL Preview: Liverpool Begin Life Without Torres

Liverpool vs Stoke

It has been a transfer window that has made Liverpool fans both cry and laugh at the same time after the club lost fans favourite Fernando Torres, but made up for that loss with two new strikers. However, only Luis Suarez is expected to make his debut in front of the Liverpool faithful, as Andy Carroll is still struggling with the knee injury and might take a few weeks before he makes his bow.

So, Kenny Dalglish will be extremely worried about the prospect of having to put his brand-new signing, who has no previous experience in the Premier League, against a side that is known for their physicality.

Tony Pulis will be aware of this fact, and his defenders will want to make sure that they do not give Luis Suarez a comfortable debut. Stoke City enjoyed a relatively quiet transfer window. So, Pulis is expected to line up the same squad in hope of creating an upset to the already dampened atmosphere at Anfield. Jamie Carragher is the major miss for Liverpool, while Ryan Shawcross will not be having any say in the match due to suspension.

Birmingham vs Man City

Manchester City have had to play a number of games at Midlands in the past few weeks, and they have already suffered a defeat in one of them. Roberto Mancini will be hoping to avoid yet another defeat at St. Andrews when they face a Birmingham side that has been significantly boosted in the transfer window. Not satisfied with the signing of David Bentley from Tottenham, Alex McLeish signed Obafemi Martins and Curtis Davies on transfer deadline day. They could significantly boost Birmingham City in both defence and up front.

Obafemi Martins is expected to form a good partnership with Cameron Jerome up front, and Alex McLeish will need such a partnership in order to get out of trouble this season.

Manchester City had a relatively quiet transfer window. However, Roberto Mancini will have wished to have made some new signings after Adam Johnson has been ruled out for up to three months with a knee injury. Carlos Tevez also has a slight problem, but he is expected to shake it off in time for the match. City rested a number of players for their FA Cup match in the weekend, and Mancini will be looking to field a fresh team against Birmingham City.

Blackburn vs Tottenham

While Blackburn Rovers put up a strong fight in their defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Cup, Tottenham Hotspur crumbled to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham at Craven Cottage. Harry Redknapp ploughed into his team after huge defensive lapses meant that Tottenham were effectively out of the match inside 20 minutes. Michael Dawson was sent off in the match, and it is something that has given further headache to Harry Redknapp. There is a mini defensive crisis now at White Hart Lane due to the absence of Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Younes Kaboul.

Tottenham's chances of finishing in the top four once again seem to be fading fast, and Harry Redknapp will know that he would have to get nothing but a victory against Blackburn.

Rovers, meanwhile, are enjoying the new lease of life under Steve Kean as they look to overtake Liverpool in the Premier League standings. Harry Redknapp will be without a doubt missing Gareth Bale apart from the defensive worries, while Roque Santa Cruz and Ryan Nelsen are the major injury worries for Steve Kean. Tom Huddlestone has still not recovered from his knee injury.

Blackpool vs West Ham

Blackpool managed to keep Charlie Adam, despite the huge amount of transfer interest on him from many clubs across England. Apart from receiving the boost of having kept Adam, Ian Holloway also received a major boost after Andy Reid was signed from Sunderland for a fee of £1 million. It seems that Ian Holloway is not satisfied with one great set piece taker in Charlie Adam and wants another one in the form of Andy Reid. They will be entertaining rock bottom club West Ham United that has signed Robbie Keane from Tottenham.

Even though he is only on a loan deal, Keane is expected to provide a significant threat for the Hammers upfront. They have also signed Demba Ba, but Avram Grant will be favouring the Irishman for the match mainly because of his experience in the Premier League. Blackpool could also feature James Beattie up front after he was similarly signed on transfer deadline day.

West Ham United do not have any new players returning from injuries, while Blackpool are still without the influential Carney. He is yet to return from international duty. Players like Chris Basham and Crainey are likewise unavailable for the Seasiders.

Bolton vs Wolves

Bolton Wanderers have been really struggling to take points for the last one month, and if they lose against Wolverhampton at home, then their hopes of finishing in the European places after a long time could be dashed. However, Owen Coyle will be quietly confident that the visit of Wolverhampton provides a good opportunity for his team to take three points after long time.

Wolves, though, have lost their last three league games quite badly and are clearly in need of a lift. Mick McCarthy was denied the chance to make some high-profile signings, but he was at least granted within the loan signing of Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham.

The return of Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake might overshadow the loss of Stephen Hunt, who could miss the match due to a calf injury. Bolton, meanwhile, have signed Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and his one exciting prospect Owen Coyle will surely be happy to have in his team. The return of Chung-Yong Lee from international duty also provides some much needed options for him.

The Trotters lost their last Premier League game against Chelsea by four goals, and the best way to banish those memories will be to win against Wolves.

Fulham vs Newcastle

Fulham will be facing a Newcastle side that will be without Andy Carroll after he was allowed to move to Liverpool in a £35 million deal. Due to the tight schedule of the transfer window deadline day, Newcastle United were unable to sign any replacement for him. Alan Pardew, however, will argue that he was at least four or five weeks away from fitness. So, his sale would have made no difference to the match against Fulham at all. Either way, Fulham will be happy to see the back of a player, who is considered to be one of the best in Newcastle United's team.

Fulham really looked to have recovered from their slump midseason after they have secured two wins from their last three matches. It is without doubt a run that has coincided with the return of Andy Johnson to the team. He has seamlessly replaced the loss of Bobby Zamora, and he is expected to once again play a huge role in the match against Newcastle United. Even though they still remain a long way off the early season expectations, Mark Hughes will certainly be satisfied by their current position.

Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores