Liverpool come into this midweek encounter with Norwich at Anfield after an incredibly disappointing 3-1 loss away at newly promoted Hull on Sunday; which saw Brendan Rodgers’s side slip from second to fourth in the league.
Rodgers revealed before the encounter that joint top goalscorer Daniel Sturridge would be out on the sidelines for between six to eight weeks, with a training injury which is worse than first feared.
Victor Moses and Raheem Sterling came into the starting eleven that lost away at Hull and with non-existent performances and the likes of Luis Alberto waiting for their chance, it is unlikely that either will retain their place in the side when Norwich return to a ground where lost 5-0 in last season’s corresponding fixture.
Liverpool have had far the better of the last three encounters between the sides, with the Reds scoring 13 goals, compared to the Canaries 2. Joint top goalscorer Luis Suarez will be looking to add his league tally of nine goals when he faces a side again whom he has scored consecutive hat-tricks against.
Norwich will be looking to follow up a 1-0 victory against Tony Pulis’s Crystal Palace with at least a draw against the Reds, after a mixed month for Chris Houghton’s men – 2 wins and 2 losses; one of which was a 7-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester City.
Both Robert Snodgrass and Anthony Pilkington will be out injured for Norwich and Chris Houghton has another selection dilemma as to whether he keeps faith with Gary Hooper upfront, who scored Norwich’s winner in their last encounter, or whether he opts for Johan Elmander or Luciano Becchio, with record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel set to miss out as he continues his rehabilitation from a toe injury.
Brendan Rodgers has declared that Philippe Coutinho will be available to play after only being fit enough for the bench against Hull while Kolo Toure will undergo a late fitness test on an injury picked up at the KC Stadium. Therefore it is highly likely that Coutinho will be reinstated into the starting side at the expense of either Moses or Sterling, with the other likely to be replaced with either Allen, Alberto or fit-again Iago Aspas depending on which formation Rodgers decides to use.
The return of Aspas from an injury lay off couldn’t have come at a better time for the Reds with Sturridge ruled out for a lengthy period of time. However, with Aspas only returning to training on Friday, he will evidently be lacking match-sharpness and it would be a surprise if he made an immediate return to the side.
Liverpool will be hoping to keep only their second clean sheet since consecutively shutting out Stoke, Manchester United and Aston Villa in the opening fixtures. A return to the side for either Vice-captain Daniel Agger, or record defensive signing Mamadou Sakho should go some way in ensuring this feat is achieved.
Predicted Score: 3-0
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan; Lucas, Allen; Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho; Suarez.
Norwich: Ruddy; Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Bennett; Howson, Fer, Hoolahan, Redmond, Johnson; Hooper.
Betting Tips:
1. Liverpool to win 3-0 is priced at 17/2 with BetVictor and with Norwich managing just 11 goals in 13 games themselves, whilst conceding 23; Luis Suarez could potentially run riot again against a side he obviously thrives against. To follow Chris and bet on this market, click here.
2. Luis Suarez is priced at 12/5 to open the scoring at Anfield and with strike partner Daniel Sturridge on the sidelines, it’s likely the rest of the side will likely be supplying Suarez, not scoring themselves. To follow Chris and bet on this market with BetVictor, click here
3. If you fancy Luis Suarez to get his third consecutive hat-trick against Norwich, you can find the odds currently at 15/2. To follow Chris and bet on this market with BetVictor, click here
4. With Liverpool starting so quickly out of the blocks in the majority of matches this season, Over 2.5 goals in the first half is well priced at 19/5. To follow Chris and bet on this market with BetVictor, click here
5. While again in regards to the first half, you can get odds of 21/10 that the first half will be the one which sees the most goals produced in the game. To follow Chris and bet on this market with BetVictor, click here
