NOTE FROM IAIN: The Predictor League for Liverpool on Saturday is open HERE. Entries can be submitted until 3.30pm this afternoon.
West Ham’s run of difficult games continues this weekend, when we travel to Anfield to play against the Champions Liverpool for a Saturday evening kick-off. Ahead of the game I spoke to live-long (about 40 years to those asking) Liverpool fan and Scouser, Ged McNicholl to talk about the game and the season.
Hi Gerard, last season Liverpool finally won the League after being ‘knocked off their perch’ for 30 our so years. What was your reaction to this?
Disbelief for a few hours! And a slow elation. It was strange feeling because momentum was lost, other things were more important/in perspective in people’s lives, and it was a given for so long when the games weren’t being played.
You’ve had a few managers in the meantime, what qualifies for Jurgen Klopp have that the rest didn’t?
I think his strong relationship with the players is fundamental, they seem to want to play for him and for the rest of the team – he seems to have built a togetherness. The others lost the respect of players, something he hasn’t seemed to have done. Also, the fans love him which helps broaden that togetherness, he’s light hearted and has used humour from the off, on his first few days he was out in pubs in town and speaking to the public.
After a mixed start to the season, to the rest of the league Liverpool moving into 2nd place has an ominous look about it. Are you surprised to see your City rivals Everton above you? Will this last?
No and no. They’ve made some great signings, also I think the empty stadiums is having an impact on the players psychologically, Liverpool seem less energised at times, something they get from fans at the home games, conversely when teams are used to pressure from the stands it can stifle them and make them more cautious – I think Everton have benefited from this.
After drawing against West Ham last week, and then beating Marseille midweek, Manchester City look like they are finally hitting their stride: do you see them as your biggest challengers to retaining your title?
I still do, I think they’ll find their stride and more points will be dropped all round this season. Albeit Chelsea are our other big threat again.
Early days yet, but how do you envisage the top 4 looking come the end of the season?
Us, Chelsea, City and probably Leicester.
It looks like Virgil van Dijk will be missing for quite a while, are Liverpool going to struggle in his absence? Do you have the squad to take his injury in your stride?
We will struggle and we’ll leak a lot more goals, VVD is so good that there is rarely a squad player who can cover. Hopefully Fabinho can recover and settle into that role.
What, if anything do you know about your latest transfer signings, Jota, Alcantara, and Tsimitas? Will they improve your squad?
I only know what I’ve seen in recent weeks, Jota is hungry and has already scored a couple, so I think he’ll be nuisance to opposition, but probably to us too at times. Thiago is obviously more experienced and considered, great vision around the pitch and I think he’ll have the greatest impact in dictating a game.
You must have been impressed by West Ham battering Leicester a few weeks ago. Is your rival’s ex-manager David Moyes going to be the man to take us forward. Where do you think West Ham can realistically aim this season?
There’s obviously something in Moyes which stops teams keeping hold of him, but that trend will influence if he stays for longer than a couple of seasons this time. I think you could finish the top half of mid table this season.
*Who are your early picks for relegation?
Man United! Probably Sheffield United, West Brom and Fulham. I think Burnley may have enough to stay up.
Mo Salah recently reached his 100 goal milestone for you: where do you place him in the Anfield Pantheon of strikers, and is Saido Mane a better player?
I think Mane is a better player, he’s got more in his locker and when he drops back he influences the game more. Salah is obviously up there, but the Pantheon of strikers is often players where the fans form a connection… Fowler, Torres, Rush etc
How are Liverpool going to line up against us this weekend? Players/formation?
Anyone’s guess now, I’m not sure who will even be fully back from injury.
Finally, are you confident of victory in Saturday, will Liverpool be able to end our small unbeaten run? Prediction for score please.
I think we’ll win, but I don’t think it’ll be a convincing performance, probably scrappy and maybe lack lustre. Alison is back so I’m hopeful we’ll keep a clean sheet, so 3-0.
Well thanks to Ged for his time and thoughts, interesting to note how he thinks an unconvincing performance from them will leave us battered 3-0! Given our history against Liverpool at Anfield, you can’t blame his optimism. I think if Antonio was there to bully their defence we might have got a victory, without him I’ll have to settle for a draw. 2-2. COYI!