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Preview: Liverpool vs. West Bromwich Albion

Sports Mole takes a look at the key talking points ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Even the most loyal of Liverpool supporters have to admit that the team are not meeting the lofty expectations they set for themselves last season.

The impact of Luis Suarez's move to Barcelona has been analysed over and over again, but Brendan Rodgers will know that the problem goes much deeper as they prepare to host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon.

Their struggles carried over to the Champions League on Wednesday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Basel, just a few days after being held to a frustrating draw in the Merseyside derby.

In response, Rodgers could be forced to make changes once again as he looks for the best way to get the most out of his new signings, with Mario Balotelli expected to keep his place in attack.

Daniel Sturridge is reported to be making good progress in his recovery from a hamstring problem, but is unlikely to be ready for the visit of the Baggies, while Joe Allen will return from his own injury after the international break.

When you're struggling to find your top form, it's not ideal to be facing a side who are full of confidence, but that's the challenge for Liverpool at Anfield.

West Brom have enjoyed a successful few weeks thanks to three successive wins in the league and cup, and they will be optimistic about their chances of causing an upset.

A big factor behind their form has been the performances of Saido Berahino, who scored twice in the 4-0 thrashing of Burnley on Sunday, while Joleon Lescott has added vital quality to the defence.

Alan Irvine was also able to reveal good news this week as he confirmed that record signing Brown Ideye could return to the squad after battling an ankle problem he picked up last month.

Recent form

Liverpool: WLWLLD

West Brom: DDLLWW

Possible starting lineups

Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lallana, Balotelli

West Brom: Foster, Wisdom, Lescott, Dawson, Pocognoli, Dorrans, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Sessegnon, Berahino

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Liverpool's Italian striker Mario Balotelli plays during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane in London on August 31, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


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