Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Boro Put the Boot Into Benitez as Reds Fail to Win Again?
The most successful English club ever are currently in crisis, the current owners are at loggerheads with each other, the manager is living on borrowed time and the underperforming star players lurch from one embarrassing domestic performance to the next. That just about sums of life at Anfield at the moment, the once great powerhouse of English football is now struggling to finish in the top four positions in the Premier League. Defeat at home to Barnsley in the FA Cup has left the Reds with only one route to silverware left, the Champions League.
The Reds were extremely fortunate to beat Inter Milan 2-0 on Tuesday night. Senor Benitez should be thankful for Fernando Torres inability to stay upright (those injuries must have weakened his legs, bless him) and the sharp shooting of ‘deadly’ Dirk Kuyt (what deflection?). So good luck with the Champions League Rafa, the way things are going, you may have to win it to compete in it next season!
Liverpool have won just one League game since Boxing Day and have only picked up 8 points from the last 21 available. In the same period twelfth placed Middlesbrough have picked up 12 points which illustrates just how poor the Reds have been performing. Rafa’s team rarely lose but tend to draw a lot, therefore this would be a good choice for this weekends Premier 10 selection. After all, Boro have drawn 3 of their last 5 games.
Boro are a side in form, unbeaten in the last 8 games in all competitions (4 wins). Gareth Southgate’s team is enjoying an unbeaten run of 5 League games. Their games are generally low scoring affairs. They’ve not scored or conceded more than a single goal in the last 5 matches. For the majority of the season Boro have struggled for forwards due to injury but now have an abundance of talent fit and available in the shape of Mido, Aliadiere, Lee and new signing Afonso Alves. The words ‘fit’ and ‘Mido’ don’t usually go together and the porky Egyptian has obviously been tucking into some north-east cuisine whilst on the comeback trail recently.
Anfield is no longer a fortress as 5 home League wins in 12 matches would suggest. The embarrassing Cup results against Havant & Waterlooville and Barnsley has left the aura of invincibility that once typified Anfield in shatters and Boro won’t be fearing their visit.
Don’t expect Boro to win at Anfield, after all its been 32 years since they last did, but 4 of the last 6 encounters home and away have ended in draws. Therefore a draw looks the best option with Liverpool struggling for wins and Middlesbrough resolute and strong in defence so back the points to be shared on Premier 10.
Pundit’s Pick: Boro bring Benitez back down to earth (draw) Would you agree with this result for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>
Tags: 23/02/08, Anfield, Boro, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Premier League preview, Rafa Benitez, reds
