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Premier League Preview: Liverpool v. Cardiff City

Britain Soccer Premier League

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, celebrates after scoring a goal during their English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at the White Hart Lane stadium in London Sunday, Dec 15 2013. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

AP


  • The last meeting between these two sides was the Carling Cup final of 2012 when Liverpool won on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Wembley.
  • These two teams have not met in the league since December 19th 1959 when Cardiff won 4-0 at Anfield.
  • Luis Suarez has scored 27 goals in 25 Premier League games in 2013.

Things get started bright and early on Saturday with a match of great consequence when Liverpool hosts Cardiff City at Anfield (7:45am ET, watch live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports Live Extra).

With a victory, Liverpool will climb to the top of the Premier League table where they will remain until the outcome of the London derby between Arsenal and Chelsea on Monday.

For Cardiff, losing this match could mean curtains for manager Malky Mackay, who suffered the wrath of owner Vincent Tan this past week after saying he would like to purchase a few new players in the January transfer window. Tan reacted furiously, claiming Mackay would not be given “a single penny” and raising the likelihood that one unfortunate result is all the Malaysian billionaire needs to sack the Scottish manager.

Liverpool have recovered well since their shock 1-3 loss to Hull City on December 1st. Since then the Reds have bullied their opponents (Norwich, West Ham, Tottenham) scoring 14 goals in three games while conceding only twice.

With Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard out with injuries, Luis Suarez has been on a torrid scoring pace notching eight goals over three matches. Left-back Jon Flanagan has been sensational while deputizing for Jose Enrique while Jordan Henderson looks to fast be blossoming into a dominant midfielder.

Cardiff enter the match 15th in the table, four points above the relegation zone. Last weekend’s 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion ended their five-match winless run in the league that included three straight matches without a goal.

While the managerial situation remains on high drama, the Bluebirds come into Saturday’s game a healthy squad, with only Craig Bellamy facing a late fitness test to recover from a knee injury. If they’re to put up a fight against Liverpool, Cardiff needs their strikers to step up. Having scored against Manchester City and Manchester United, Fraizer Campbell loves a big game and the onus will be on he and players like Jordon Mutch and Peter Odemwingie to step things up on the offensive end.

What They’re Saying

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: “The squad we have at the moment is still relatively small, we have got a few players out. But I’ll always look from within, like I have done whenever we have had injuries, when young Jon Flanagan came into the team or Raheem Sterling came into the team. There’s very much a togetherness here, and that’s one of the key facets of the season so far.”

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay: “It’s a job only three-quarters done as far as I am concerned - making Cardiff a sustainable Premier League team. I have a great group of players who are competing at this level and enjoying this level. The fans are enjoying being at this level and my duty is to make sure we continue to do that.”

Prediction

With Mackay on the stumbling block, expect the Bluebirds to play their hearts out for their manager. I think this match will be closer that one might expect at first glance but in the end this Suarez-led Liverpool squad won’t be denied.

Follow @mprindi