Liverpool will be desperate for a win when they welcome Middlesbrough to Anfield on Tuesday night.
They are struggling to meet the high standards they set last season as they have already suffered three defeats in their first six competitive games of the season. The Reds will come into this game on the back of a shock 3-1 defeat on their last outing against West Ham.
This game will give Liverpool the chance to boost their confidence ahead of the derby against Everton next Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers has revealed his desire to win a trophy this season. He will be eager to rectify his record in cup competitions, which has been disappointing. Rodgers’ debut season at Anfield saw the Reds eliminated by Swansea and Oldham Athletic at the fourth round of the FA and League Cups respectively, while Europa League interest ended at the round of 32.
While he oversaw massive improvements in Liverpool’s Premier League performance last season, he suffered a defeat in the FA Cup fifth round to Arsenal after Manchester United got the better of his side in the League Cup third round.
Middlesbrough will hope to heap more cup woes on Rodgers. They have already knocked out Oldham and Preston in this competition and will visit Merseyside relishing the chance to take on a top side that is lacking confidence. They will come into this game with some momentum after three straight wins, including a 4-0 home victory against Brentford.
Liverpool team news
- Jon Flanagan (knee), Emre Can (ankle) and Glen Johnson (thigh) are sidelined due to their injuries.
- Sturridge (thigh) is nearing a return to action after stepping up his training programme at Melwood but this game will come too soon for him.
Middlesbrough team news
- Dean Whitehead will be suspended after he was sent-off late on in Saturday’s 4-0 Championship defeat of Brentford.
- Centre-half Dani Ayala, once of Liverpool, is available to return following a ban.
Prediction
Rodgers will have to make changes to the side he used against West Ham. Rickie Lambert should get his first start after four successive substitute appearances. The Reds boss will also need to assess his options at the back, with his first-choice central defenders struggling for form.
The other problem Liverpool have at the heart of defence is fitness, with Martin Skrtel only just returning from a knee injury at Upton Park and Dejan Lovren finishing that match with a heavily-bandaged head following a collision with team-mate Mamadou Sakho. Rodgers could pair Kolo Toure and Sakho and let Jose Enrique slot in at left back.
Boro boss Aitor Karanka emphasised the importance of keeping their winning momentum so he will retain most of the players who started against Brentford. The won that game comfortably with a minority of possession and will expect even less of the ball at Anfield. They will almost certainly drop back and wait to play on the break.
It will be important for Liverpool to try and get an early goal to ease the pressure they are under, otherwise the Championship side will grow in confidence, which will not be ideal for the Rodgers’ side.
