The Reds Need to Push On

2017 has been a poor year in Liverpool if you come from the red half of the city that is! A succession of poor results has left Jurgen Klopp and his Red Army in a precarious position in the league. They currently sit in fourth position and are four points ahead of rivals Manchester United. However, Jose Mourinho and his United side have two games in hand. This means that Liverpool cannot afford to slip up as we enter the final phase of the season.

They play Everton at Anfield on Saturday in what will be a hotly contested Merseyside derby. Everton is having a solid season under Ronald Koeman. They currently reside in seventh spot and are only six points adrift of their city rivals. Making the top four was seen as almost automatic before Christmas for Liverpool fans.

However, as mentioned by SuperHotTips.com, “There has been an average of 2.9 goals scored per game over the last 5 matches in the English Premier League where Liverpool have been at home, and Everton have been away.“. This is a great opportunity for a BTTS bet. Check out other BTTS Tips at SuperHotTips.com

Is Klopp the Reason for the Demise?

Many people are suggesting that the tough training program and high-intensity style has taken its toll on the Liverpool players. Is this the fault of Jurgen Klopp? Another answer could be that he simply doesn’t have the quality that he had at Borussia Dortmund. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Liverpool are struggling at the moment and the odd sporadic result isn’t good enough.

Everton will welcome the absence of Liverpool’s Adam Lallana. He picked up a knock in the International break while playing for England. That is a huge blow for Jurgen Klopp. His thigh injury looks likely to rule him out for around 3-4 weeks. At such a crucial stage of the season then that could well tip the balance in whether or not Liverpool ultimately make the top four.

Koeman in Demand

If Everton continues their impressive form, it is difficult to see bigger clubs not coming in for the “in demand” Ronald Koeman. He is clearly adding to his already impressive managerial CV. It is highly likely that a top job is only just around the corner for the Dutchman. That won’t worry the Everton fans though who will clearly fancy their chances of going to Anfield and getting a win.

Liverpool is a tough team to beat at Anfield having won ten of their fourteen league games there this season. Liverpool can be backed at 4-6 with SkyBet and that seems like very poor value to us. Everton, on the other hand, are a best-priced 4-1 with 888Sport.

The draw is 3-1 with BetVictor and we much prefer that as the value bet of the day. We also like the “both teams to score” market too and 888Sport are quoting 5-7 for both teams to find the net. Given how attack-minded Liverpool are and how fragile they are at the back then we like the look of that bet too.

Liverpool v Arsenal: Fans Yearn for Return of Past Glories

It is a huge match historically with the two teams involved having contested some truly memorable games over the years, not least on the opening day of this season when Liverpool shocked the Gunners with a thrilling 4-3 victory at Emirates Stadium.

Who could forget Michael Thomas’ incredible last gasp winner for Arsenal at Anfield to clinch the title on goal difference from Liverpool back in 1989? Or Michael Owen’s late double to win the FA Cup for the Reds back in 2001? How about Andrey Arshavin’s stunning individual four goal salvo in a thrilling 4-4 draw at Anfield back in 2009?

The teams have certainly created some wonderful memories for the fans in recent times, but this coming Saturday’s clash isn’t a battle for the title as it was on that breathtaking night back in May 1989. It is instead a battle for a top four finish, and even that isn’t guaranteed with both clubs facing stern competition from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester’s City and United, not to mention title shoe-ins, Chelsea. Arsenal is currently as short as 8/11 with BetVictor to finish in the Champions League qualifying places, while Liverpool is longer odds at 11/10 to secure that all-important lucrative top four finish.

Title Dreams Must Wait Another Year At Least

It’s now 27 long years since Liverpool were last crowned champions of England. Reds supporters have had to watch in anguish as Sir Alex Ferguson’s United overhauled their English record of 18 titles before his retirement in 2013. Arsenal too has been suffering something of a title drought of late. Just ask their increasingly disgruntled fans, whose patience with long-serving manager Arsène Wenger is starting to wear thin.

While Liverpool supporters have had to get used to no longer being the kings of England and Europe they once were in the 70s and 80s and are undoubtedly concerned with their club’s tepid start to 2017, they are willing to give manager Jürgen Klopp time to build a squad to implement his ideas and tactics.

Arsenal’s last title triumph came back in 2004, courtesy of The Invincibles vintage. It has been an agonising wait for another title for the club’s supporters and one which shows little sign of ending soon. They have become used to hearing lines about paying off the stadium as excuses for not spending the big bucks and have grown tired of being labelled as happy with a top four finish and Champions League qualification.

Top Four The Only Target

Arsenal currently lies fourth in the table, 14 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, while Liverpool is a further place and point behind following their capitulation to reigning champions Leicester on Monday evening. Having played a match more than their North London opponents too, Saturday evening’s clash at Anfield is a must win for Klopp’s men and Boyle Sports price them at 23/20 to do just that. Arsenal meanwhile, who are almost certainly out of the Champions League following their crushing 5-1 first leg defeat at Bayern Munich, have only the FA Cup and a top-four position to play for. Bet365 among others quote them as long as 13/5 to inflict only a second home league defeat upon their hosts.

In the last eight league meetings between the two teams, 30 goals have been plundered while this season alone they have conceded 61 goals between them whilst burying 109 goals at the right end of the park. With both defences looking leaky, to say the least with an emphasis seemingly more on a ‘we’ll score more goals than you‘ philosophy, goals look assured this weekend and you can get a tempting 2/1 on there being over 3.5 match goals with William Hill.

The first goalscorer markets as always provide great profit possibilities with Sadio Mané, top goalscorer for the Reds with 11 and his Arsenal counterpart Alexis Sánchez, who has 17 goals to his name thus far, both a massive 6/1 with bookmakers including Ladbrokes and Coral to notch that all-important first goal.

Saturday evening’s match should provide great entertainment based on previous encounters between the two teams. It will also give a strong indication as to which of the two giants of English football will achieve a Champions League qualifying berth next season.

Leicester Face Mané Troubles Ahead

Just over a year ago, Jamie Vardy terrorised Liverpool and scored a true contender for goal of the season, in a 2-0 win for Leicester at the King Power Stadium. The incredible volleyed shot which flew past Simon Mignolet was just one of many manifestations of the miracle that was Leicester’s title-winning 2015/16 campaign.

Today, the situation could not be more different. Only a miracle of similar magnitude can now stop Leicester from becoming the first relegated champions since 1938. The odds of that particular event unfolding grow ever shorter, with 15/8 ( Paddy Power) now the best price.

Meanwhile, Liverpool Football Club is far from the meek outfit that finished eighth last term. For all their inexplicable inconsistencies, Jürgen Klopp’s men remain well on course for a top-four finish. They also boast what may be the most hell-raising attacking skills in the entire league – when in form.

A Foxic Mess

Eliminated from the F.A Cup by Millwall – and on current form, soon to be eliminated from the Champions League – the party has not only died but transmogrified into a wake. Even back in August, nobody expected much of Leicester, but the statistics are nothing short of appalling for Claudio Ranieri’s flailing Foxes.

In the last six league games, his Leicester charges have conceded no less than 12 goals. Worse yet, they have done so without once finding the back of the net in response. Where a standard 1X2 bet is concerned, the only worthwhile option for bettors is to delve into the handicap markets.

Given Leicester’s plight, all bookmakers have slashed the typical odds for a Liverpool handicap over bottom half opposition. Subsequently, Paddy Power is offering a market-best 9/2 on a Liverpool win, with a handicap of –2 against.

Sadio the Superstar to Enjoy Glut

Overall, this year has begun disastrously for the Reds by their own lofty standards. However, much of the recently-arrested winless run can be attributed to Sadio Mané’s international duties at AFCON 2017.

Liverpool’s most recent game, against fellow Champions League chasers Tottenham, is a case in hand. In his first Anfield start since returning from Gabon, Mané was in inspired form. Within the first eighteen minutes, he netted a double blast which demonstrated his lethal combination of pace and shooting prowess.

If Ranieri has conjured the courage to watch footage from that game, then many sleepless nights will have followed. On Monday, a red-hot Mané’s personal opponents are likely to be Marc Albrighton and Wilifred Ndidi. Bluntly put, the latter has proven to be a sorry excuse of a replacement for N’Golo Kante. However, Albrighton also bears much responsibility and remains badly out of form.

If backing Mané to be the first goalscorer on Monday night, bettors can enjoy odds of 5/1 across at most respected bookmakers. For those of a braver disposition, William Hill is also offering 8/1 on Mané to score two or more goals against a hapless Leicester side.

Riot running reds to begin strongly

Above all else, it was Liverpool’s transformed attitude from the first whistle, against Tottenham, which resonated most deeply in the last round of the Premier League.

If a usually well-drilled side like Tottenham can fold in such an alarming manner, then logic dictates that Leicester will do likewise. As such, Sky Bet’s specialist first-half market is currently offering tempting odds of 10/3 on Liverpool to score two or more goals in the opening 45 minutes.

Ultimately, it is only a question of how many the Reds will win by. The official Betcirca prediction for this match is Leicester 0-3 Liverpool, which is available at 12/1 with Bet 365.

Liverpool To Breathe New Life Into The Title Race

WHAT a match to welcome back the Premier League this midweek when Liverpool host table toppers Chelsea at Anfield.

It’s been a contrasting few weeks for both of these footballing giants with Liverpool struggling for any form after just one win in their last six matches, and Chelsea pulling NINE points clear at the top of the Premier League table after 13 wins from their last 14 matches.

This is a mini crisis for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his side have to win this to stand any chance of winning their first English title in 25 years; and although their form is shocking at present, their record against the top teams is very good and they can’t be overlooked.

The Reds’ have no problem when they are up against the best, it’s the lower sides that they can’t find a way past as they’ve let odds-on punters down FIVE times now in their last six matches.

Liverpool isn’t odds-on to win this one, which means they stand a good chance; you can get 2.50 on them for the win and in a game where it arguably means more to them than the visitors, that looks a decent bet.

Earlier on in the season Liverpool went to Stamford Bridge and came away with three points in a 2-1 win, and despite Chelsea’s excellent form, the 3.00 on the Blues’ isn’t a price that I would want to take against a side that they’ve had problems beating recently,

Recent History not Good for the Favourites

In the last six meetings between these two rivals, Chelsea has just one win and it will be interesting to see the tactics that Antonio Conte goes with at Anfield, as a point is a good result for the Londoners’ and Liverpool have struggled this season when teams have come to Merseyside to defend.

In six of the last seven meetings, both teams have scored and that will be a popular bet with punters at 1.66, but in a game that means so much for both sides, I am expecting this one to be tight. I would rather swim against the tide and play “no” at 2.25 with BetVictor, and also get involved in the under 2.5 goal market which is 2.00 with William Hill, which has been a regular winner in Liverpool’s recent matches.

I always like to take Liverpool when they are not expected to perform and on big nights like this under the Anfield lights, the “Kop” can inspire them to a slender 1-0 win, which is a general 9.50, to get their title hopes back on track and a result that will be cheered on by all the other title contenders.

Can Liverpool End 27 Years of Pain?

It was 1990 when Liverpool last tasted success by winning the league title. They have won numerous cups since then, including the Champions League, but haven’t won the league title. Their loyal fans have had to sit back and watch close rivals Manchester United override their previous record of 18 titles. Liverpool came agonisingly close several years ago under Brendan Rodgers but ultimately fell short. Jurgen Klopp is making their fans believe again and Liverpool has put in some stellar performances this season.

Chelsea is firm favourite to land the title and currently have a seven point lead over Liverpool and Tottenham. It is looking increasingly likely that both Manchester clubs have too much to do to overhaul Chelsea. Liverpool seems to be the best-placed team to catch the Blues should they suffer a blip.

Will Greed Costa Chelsea the Title?

This is why they will be keeping a close eye on events at Stamford Bridge and the saga surrounding Diego Costa. Chelsea has been heavily dependent on Costa and Hazard this season for their goals. If Diego Costa ultimately decides to go to China for a reported thirty million per season then Chelsea may struggle to score enough goals without him. Liverpool host Swansea City on Saturday in what is a must-win game for the Reds.

If they are ultimately to go on and win the title under Jurgen Klopp then these are certainly games where they need to pick up all three points. Swansea has struggled badly this season and has changed their manager again with Paul Clement now taking charge.

Swansea Simply Lack Quality

The fact of the matter is that Swansea City is not bottom of the Premium League for nothing. With just seventeen games of the season to go, they are going to struggle to survive the drop. They may be only one point from safety but they appear to lack quality. Opposing teams don’t fear them anymore. The one shining light for Swansea for their trip to Anfield is that Liverpool has hit inconsistent form since Christmas.

Liverpool is a best-priced 1-4 with Stan James and Coral but there is certainly no value in taking those odds. Stan James and Coral also go 11-2 on the draw while Swansea is a best-priced 14-1 with Bet365. Big odds always seem appealing but not at the risk of them taking too long to win. One bet that may appeal is the 19-20 from Bet365 for both teams to score.

There are three factors which point to this being a good bet. Firstly, as the home team, Liverpool is expected to score! Swansea needs to start picking up points very soon, and finally, Liverpool has been inconsistent of late. If Swansea City finds the net at Anfield then this bet looks a sure winner at almost even money.