Huddersfield F.C. v Liverpool F.C. – Match Preview
Thankfully, the international break is over and we return to Premier League action this weekend. Notwithstanding the 2-3 victory for England against Spain and the 3-0 drubbing of Germany at the hands of The Netherlands, there hasn’t been much to write home about. Other than the injuries of course!
Overview
Liverpool endured a tough few weeks before the international break. Games against Chelsea (x2), Manchester City and Napoli resulted in two draws and two wins. The Reds showed their fight. They showed their title credentials but the one thing they didn’t do was to show they can win.
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester City: 5 things we learned https://t.co/QTE4bY6FD3
— Liverpool FC Online (@liverpool) October 7, 2018
Jürgen Klopp will, no doubt, be looking to show this against Huddersfield Town on Saturday. Liverpool have played the Terriers only twice in the Premier League era. Both were last season when the Reds came out 3-9 winners both home and away.
Huddersfield will be hoping for a win but for somewhat other motives than their visitors. The Terriers having not won a game yet this season hope to put that right. Sadly, their opponents will be one of the strongest teams in Europe, let alone the Premiership, and this will not fill manager and Klopp’s best friend David Wagner positive vibes going into this match.
The Terriers have shipped 17 goals thus far this season. None of which coming against Liverpool’s rivals Manchester City (6) and Chelsea (3). In the process, they’ve managed to score only one goal to their credit. The omens do not look good.
Team News
Liverpool have a number of injuries to key players sustained during the international break. James Milner (thigh), Virgil van Dijk (ribs), Naby Keita (thigh), Sadio Mané (broken finger), and Mo Salah (muscle strain) are all 50/50 at best for this weekends game. Salah looks as if he’ll definitely miss out, with his return given as “late October”.
Keita injury scare for Liverpool https://t.co/C1fjFY1eg2 pic.twitter.com/XAhyJ4X3Qg
— Liverpool FC Online (@liverpool) October 16, 2018
Huddersfield on the other hand have a list of injuries as long as your arm with no less than seven player sidelined. Recent casualty Ramadan Sobhi has recently returned to action so that’ll be a boost for Wagner’s goal-shy attack.
This injury lost certainly doesn’t bode well for the Terriers. Especially considering the injuries are to defensive and midfield players. Areas where Liverpool are particularly strong right now.
Betting
For the gamblers among you, this should be a banker. Still, football’s a funny old game as someone once said so anything can happen. Seeing as many of Liverpool’s best players may well be a tad less than 100% its worth having a flutter. You can check out the current prices here.
In Summary
The Echo mentioned earlier this month that the Liverpool players would travel over 50,000 miles for international matches with 15 of the first team squad involved. It certainly seems to have taken its toll with the amount of injuries sustained for what many consider to be sub-standard international tournaments.
The Reds therefore go into Saturday’s game at around 80% of their usual level so it wouldn’t surprise me if they make heavy weather of this fixture. All told, given the injury problems facing Huddersfield, I think even an under-strength Liverpool will be too much for Wagner and his men. Best friends or not.
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