Behind Enemy Lines - Liverpool

My head says we'll get beaten 2-0, but my heart reckons that an away point is more than possible at Anfield. Check out our previous encounters with Liverpool in our head to head section.

On The Cross got in touch with Duncan at the mighty www.koptalk.co.uk for his views on how the game will go and events at Liverpool.

Will Liverpool fans accept anything less than the title this year?
Yes they will accept not winning the title but the longer it goes on, the more pressure there is on Gerard Houllier. Anything less than a top 3 finishing position would be seen as disaster. Even finishing third wouldn't go down too well after last season.

Is there also pressure to do well in the Champis League this year or are most fans focusing on the Premiership?
The Premiership is our priority but progression is expected in the
Champions League.

How have the new signings settled in ?
They've settled in well but there are concerns about the amount of time
Diouf spends on the floor. This is a problem we experienced with Emile
Heskey when he was first brought in but one that he seems to have
overcome. Hopefully Diouf will do the same.

Do you think the large Liverpool squad is a problem?
We have a big squad but a club like Liverpool can afford to have one.
However the axe has started to fall. Barmby and Wright have both been
sold which didn't go down well with supporters. The like of Smicer,
Berger and Biscan are currently failing to impress so you can expect to
see more sales at the club this season.

Does Houllier know his best eleven?
No I don't think he does yet. Last season he had a predictive selection
depending on the opposition. It's too early to say how he'll go this
season but the demotion of Heskey to the bench in favour of Diouf has
surprised fans. The manager has his favourites like Danny Murphy and
Vladimir Smicer but I guess we'll have to wait a while to see how things
pan out. The manager continues to look for a suitable winger, someone
like Damien Duff at Blackburn.

Do you think that Jari Litmanan has played his last game for the club?
No he hasn't played his last game, I'm sure of that. He has been injured
recently but the player is looking for a move. Why we signed him I'll
never know. He has been wasted at Liverpool and his £50,000+ wages each
week don't help things either.

Could we have him?
Well he says he'll accept £25000 a week. I wouldn't sell him but I'm not
the manager.

Who should we watch out for on Saturday ?
The new boy Diouf will cause problems if played, especially in the air
if given chance. John Arne Riise's free-kicks will be dangerous.

What's your prediction for Saturday?
Home win, possible 1-0 or 2-1.

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