After a morale boosting victory at home against Sunderland last week the Baggies travel to Anfield with renewed optimism.
The signing of Peter Odemwingie on Friday last week was the catalyst for a much improved performance following the capitulation against Chelsea. Perhaps the signing of Marc-Antoine Fortuné will have a similar effect this week.
Whilst the players may travel with optimism the fans are probably expecting another heavy defeat against a team that has not conceded a goal against the Baggies since they first entered the Premier League under Gary Megson.
Chris Brunt on today’s game
“We know we will come under pressure at Anfield but we go there with confidence following our win last week.’
“It will be tough but why can`t we get a result?’
“We beat Sunderland, which we really needed to do.
“Liverpool will be playing their third game in a week so we will be going there with confidence.”
Liverpool Team News:
Torres and Gerrard should return but Joe Cole will again miss out following his sending off in the opening game against Chelsea.
Player to watch: Fernando Torres
Quality strikers like Torres can hurt you even if they are not on top of their game.
West Brom Team News:
Cech, Mattock, Miller, Thomas and Meite are all injured and will not feature in the squad but Fortuné was signed in time to make his West Brom debut at Anfield.
Player to watch: Peter Odemwingie
Nigerian international Odemwingie is still in dreamland after his match winning performance against Sunderland and should prove a thorn in the Reds’ side this afternoon.
Match Facts & Stats
West Brom have an awful record against the big four, Man United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
33 games have been played with 30 losses, 1 win and 2 draws. A total of 5 points from a possible 99 points.
Ref Watch:
Lee Probert – as usual for newly promoted teams the referee will do all that he can to ensure that the established teams do not have cause to complain.
Match Prediction:
2-0 to Liverpool
Next Fixtures:
Due to the international break the next game for the Baggies is not until 11 September against Tottenham.