Liverpool vs Oldham: Preview, Preferred Line-up & Predicted Score

Liverpool host 14th placed league one side Oldham Athletic at Anfield  tonight as they begin their quest for FA Cup glory in the third round.

Liverpool have not met Oldham since January 1994 when the Latics were in the Premier League. That match ended three nil to the Reds. In the FA Cup the two sides have met three times, and each time Liverpool have been victorious. The last cup match, in 1977, ended three 3-1 to the Reds.

Of course, history is bunk  tonight. In the cup, anything can happen, especially when the less fancied side are more up for it than the favourites. As an example, Paul Black, the latics left back was a boyhood Liverpool fan,

“I don’t think it has hit me yet, but it will be a dream to play at Anfield.

“When you look at the history of the club, and all the European Cups they have won, it is exciting and I cannot wait to play.”

For some of these players it will be the biggest match of their lives, so they won’t be taking it lightly, and therefore neither can the Reds.

Preferred Liverpool line-up

Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Coates, Aurelio, Spearing, Henderson, Shelvey Kuyt, Maxi, Bellamy

Of course, there is no Luis Suarez as he serves the second match of his eight match ban, but other than that Dalglish has a virtual full set of players to choose from.

While Liverpool are keen on winning the FA Cup, they need to balance those ambitions with resting key players for a busy January fixture list.

Craig Bellamy will hopefully lead the line for the Reds as Andy Carroll recovers from his hangover after Newcastle beat Manchester United three nil. The Welshman has been one of the only players who has been able to find the net this season, and guess what, he came for free! He’s been one of our best this season, but there’s a chance we will have to endure Andy Carroll again.

Behind him, Maxi will once again prove why he deserves to be a first team regular with an intelligent goal, only to find himself on the bench for the next four or five games, while Dirk Kuyt will hope to improve on a pretty average display against Man City.

Dalglish could opt for three in midfield, with either Henderson or Shelvey playing just off the main striker, and Spearing holding in midfield.

Aurelio looks set to start at left back after another injury, while Coates, Carragher and Kelly will look to improve their first team chances and give Liverpool’s impressive back four a much needed rest.

Scoreline prediction

Liverpool 2-0 Oldham:  That’s my optimistic side talking. Oldham are 14th in League one and with Bellamy and Maxi in the side and Gerrard likely to come on late in the game Liverpool should definitely have enough firepower to win this one.

However, this is the FA Cup, so anything can happen. If Liverpool aren’t focused, Oldham may well spring a surprise, and by Fowler, that would be truly comical.

Thanks to Liverpool Football Blog for submitting this post.