What: Premier League, round 2
Who: Liverpool (9th, 3pts), Middlesbrough (6th, 3pts)
When: Saturday, August 23 (1500 BST)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool

Improvement Needed

Both sides come into this game hungry for another Premier League victory in order to maintain perfect starts to the season. Last week Liverpool lacked sharpness and struggled against Roy Keane’s lively Sunderland side. A moment of Fernando Torres magic snatched Liverpool a victory late on but Rafael Benitez will certainly demand more from his men this weekend. Analysis of Middlesbrough’s victory over Spurs will confirm that Liverpool will have to raise their game to beat a Boro’ side who were full value for their three points last week.

More of the Same

Gareth Southgate has assembled a youthful side, spearheaded by the impressive Afonso Alves. Alves plays with the hybrid style of part traditional English centre forward coupled with a touch of Brazilian flair. Centre back David Wheater deputised at full-back and shone last week, in effect scoring twice after his first goal was wrongly disallowed. Stewart Downing, as ever, is a creative force in midfield but Tuncay’s tireless work down the right flank, if he plays in that role, will also be crucial. A slim line Mido made an almost instant impact from the bench and will be pushing Jeremie Aliadiere for a starting berth.

Off field distractions

‘Clear the air’ talks between Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry took place this week in order to resolve issues over Liverpool’s transfer policy. Once again a united front has been presented for the cameras but whether these issues are truly resolved will remain to be seen. What this has meant is that Middlesbrough may have an off field distraction of their own as rumours mount once more that Liverpool are possibly looking to lure Stewart Downing from the Riverside. As much as Boro’ fans would normally want a class performance from their young winger, they may hope he remains a little bit quieter than normal at Anfield this Saturday.

FORM GUIDE – Last Five Results

Liverpool

Aug 2: Rangers 0 Liverpool 4

Aug 5: Valerenga 1 Liverpool 4

Aug 8: Liverpool 1 Lazio 0

Aug 13: Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0

Aug 16: Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

Middlesbrough:

Jul 29: Carlisle 1 Middlesbrough 2

Aug 2: Hibernian 2 Middlesbrough 3

Aug 5: Darlington 0 Middlesbrough 5

Aug 8: S. Rotterdam 1 Middlesbrough 6

Aug 16: Middlesbrough 2 Tottenham 1

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Ryan Babel has returned from the Olympics and is now available. He will probably start on the bench with Yossi Benayoun initially continuing on the left hand side. Javier Mascherano is still on Olympic duty and is thus unavailable. Xabi Alonso should be expected to be given an opportunity to prove his worth in the centre of midfield after impressing both as a substitute against Sunderland and whilst on international duty mid-week. A further change from last week could be that Daniel Agger slots in to the centre of Liverpool’s defence, replacing veteran Sami Hyypia.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun, Keane, Torres

Middlesbrough

Justin Hoyte is available to make his debut but will struggle to dislodge David Wheater at right-back. This will mean that Southgate has to decide whether to field the same back four who did so well against Spurs or reshuffle in order to award Hoyte a starting berth. If Southgate opts to change his winning formula then Wheater could move to centre-half to partner Huth. This will mean that skipper Emanuel Pogatetz will move to left back and Andrew Taylor will miss out. Summer signings Didier Degard and Martin Emnes look likely to continue on the bench. Another decision for the Boro’ gaffer will be whether Aliardiere, Tuncay or Mido partner Alves up front. After linking himself with a move to Wigan this week, Mido may have made his managers mind up for him and could well be on the bench again. If so, Tuncay will play on the right with Aliardiere partnering Alves.

Possible Starting XI: Jones, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Taylor, Tuncay, Shawky, O’Neil, Downing, Aliardiere, Alves

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

Xabi Alonso’s expected return  after an influential second half display against Sunderland and two-goals for Spain mid-week will be eagerly awaited. Both of Liverpool’s expected strikers seem to enjoy playing against Middlesbrough. Last season Fernando Torres scored four times against them. Robbie Keane has scored seven times career goals against Boro’, scoring more against only one other club, Manchester City.

Middlesbrough

Afonso Alves will be the main threat up front, and will certainly keep the Liverpool defence on their toes. Potential Liverpool target Stewart Downing will also have more eyes on him than normal.

PREDICTION

Expect a close game at Anfield with Middlesbrough giving Liverpool a tough home start to their campaign. Torres though seems to like playing against Middlesborough and his class may once again make the difference. The return of Xabi Alonso to the starting XI will add a direction and precision that was lacking in the first half against Sunderland. Liverpool may just shade out Middlesbrough with it being hard to predict more than a goal separating the sides. Liverpool have the impetus of being at home, as well as the irrepressible Torres up front, and thus will be favourites to steal all three points. If this is the case then, it will be the first time under Benitez that Liverpool have won both of their opening two fixtures. After the final whistle we may find a happy Benitez echoing the same sentiments as he did last weekend; that essentially it is the result that matters.

Ref From Tom Mathew - goal.com