After a two week international break, Liverpool return to action on Saturday with a home league game against Reading. The side will once again be hoping to end their Anfield hoodoo and record a first Premier league win in front of their own fans this season.
The current tally of two points from a possible 12 on home turf is undoubtedly a poor return even if it does comprise of defeats to Arsenal and Manchester United plus draws against Manchester City and Stoke City.
The disappointing run, at a venue it was announced this week will now be redeveloped rather than a new stadium built, stretches much further back with the Reds only recording two Premier League wins from 13 games during the whole of the current calendar year.
Surely there will be few better chances to put things right than against newly promoted Reading?
The Royals currently sit 18th in the table with three points from their six games played. The Reds meanwhile are 14th on six points but have played a game more meaning they could actually be overtaken by Brian McDermott's side should they pull of a shock result.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who had a brief spell in charge of Reading, speaking at this pre-match press conference: "They're a fantastic club and I'll always be grateful for Reading. They played a massive part in my life. I moved there when I was 16 years of age, my kids were born there and I lived in the town for nearly 20 years.
"It [spell at Reading] had probably been my only bad experience in football since becoming a coach and a manager. But I don't really see it as a bad experience - it was a great learning experience for me. I learnt many things in that six months that allowed me to go on and hopefully carve out a career for many years in the game."
Quote from Royals defender Shaun Cummings published by Readingfc.co.uk: "Playing at these stadiums is great and we've got to embrace it. Not many footballers get to play at Anfield - my opportunity has come and I've got to make the most of it.
"I'm enjoying every moment in the Premier League. We deserve to be here and we're going to prove why we should stay."
11m Italian forward Fabio Borini has been ruled out for 3 months with a fractured bone in his foot. The injury was first sustained against Manchester United in September but Borini exasperated the problem whilst on international duty last week and surgery is now required. His absence will be a keenly felt with striking options already at a premium. Luis Suarez, fitness depending after a long trip to South America to play for Uruguay, is therefore likely to be again supported in attack by youngsters Raheem Sterling, 17, and Suso, 18. Other alternatives to play in the wider areas of the forward line are Oussama Assaidi and Stewart Downing. Prolific 18-year-old German Samed Yesil may also be close to forcing his way into consideration for a first Premier League appearance after improving his record to a staggering 32 goals in 33 youth internationals. Elsewhere long-term absentees Lucas Leiva and Martin Kelly are still absent whilst 19-year-old full-back Jon Flanagan is back in training but not yet available for consideration. Perhaps the hardest decision facing Rodgers is in midfield with new England international Jonjo Shelvey returning from suspension to compete with Nuri Sahin for a place alongside captain Steven Gerrard and Welsh player of the year Joe Allen. Backup goalkeeper Brad Jones is on standby should regular shot stopper Pepe Reina be ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool missed the 20-year-old midfielder during his three-game domestic suspension with the player's guile and eye for goal sorely needed during the 0-0 stalemate with Stoke last time out. No doubt buoyed by his full Three Lions debut against San Marino on Friday night, Shelvey will be hoping for an instant return to the starting eleven. With three goals from nine appearances this campaign he is joint second behind Suarez in the scoring charts. The former Charlton Athletic man is clearly held in high regard by those within the game and for an initial 2m outlay is proving a great investment.
Unlike the hosts, Reading have a relatively clean bill of health ahead of their trip to the North West. Experienced defender Mikele Leigertwood looks likely to recover from a dead leg in time to be considered which means only Australian goalkeeper Adam Federici is definitely absent (knee). England Under-21 international Alex McCarthy will therefore continue between the sticks after originally coming into the side when Federici was dropped due to a dip in form. The main decision facing McDermott will be whether to continue with his favoured 4-4-2 formation or revert to a more defensively minded 4-5-1. Depending on his choice, striker Noel Hunt or midfielder Jay Tabb are those most likely to miss out. Former Reds midfielder Danny Guthrie is expected to feature and could be a crucial player for the Royals this season after proving his quality at this level previously with Newcastle United.
McAnuff has done the rounds of professional London based clubs having played previously for Watford, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Wimbledon. A pacy and technically adept winger, the 30-year-old is also Reading's current captain. Along with Jimmy Kebe on the opposite wing, McAnuff provides the side with much of its attacking impetus and is a regular amongst the assists column. A great engine also sees the one time Jamaican international work hard for the team and provide the full-back behind him with much needed cover. McAnuff is a player Reds boss Rodgers will no well having managed him at both Reading and Watford.
Liverpool and Reading have met only eight times in all competitions. The Reds hold the upper hand with five victories to the Royals' two. One draw has also been recorded.
Six points from seven games is Liverpool's joint-worst points tally at this stage of a Premier League campaign (matching last season).
Reading were victorious on their last visit to Anfield in an FA Cup replay in January 2010 (2-1). The match represented McDermott's first ever win as coach of Reading and provided another nail in the coffin of Rafael Benitez's time at the Liverpool helm.
The Reds have scored more goals than any other team from outside the penalty area this season (5).
The Royals have won only two of their last 23 Premier League away games (W2 D6 L15).
Wiltshire based referee Roger East, in his first season of officiating at Premier League level, will take charge of a contest at Anfield for the first time. The 47-year-old has had a taste of games involving Liverpool before as an assistant including during the 2006 FA Community Shield, when the Reds overcame Chelsea 2-1, at the Millennium Stadium. In his 14 games this season, mostly made up of Championship and League One fixtures, East has produced 38 yellow and 2 red cards.
Despite a number of injury concerns and the terrible 2012 home record, Liverpool will start as firm favourites against a side yet to win this season. Reading have thrown away leads in both of their past two games and will therefore be doubly desperate to finally get off the mark. Hopefully Liverpool's clean sheet against the Potters will be the first of many and Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and co can keep danger man Pavel Pogrebnyak quiet. Question marks remain over the team's attacking capabilities but the Reds should possess enough to register a couple of goals in this fixture. Vital Liverpool predicts a 2-0 LFC victory.
Liverpool - Europa League vs Anzhi Makhachkala at Anfield on Thursday 25th October 2012, kick off 8.05pm.
Reading - Premier League vs Fulham at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday 27th October 2012, kick off 3.00pm.
So that's what we think, how about you? Let us know your thoughts and predictions for the game below...
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