Liverpool v W.B.A. l Live fans match thread!

After a rare lengthy break our lads return to Anfield. Festive shindigs complete we now take on West Bromwich Albion, who after doing something all thought they couldn't - take a point away from Manchester City, then decided to fire their coach. As you do.

Granted the draw against Man City was more of a one off than a usual performance as WBA's table position shows. Currently sitting 2nd from last with a minus 19 GD the Baggies subsequently brought in colossal man manager Sam Allardyce, who as it happens is the last EPL manager to win at Anfield.

This festive period has been somewhat of a good one for Liverpool with several key players returning to the training grounds. A couple of them even participating in full training.

Thiago still isn't quite up to speed but is getting close and hopefully will be available to grace us with his presence early in the new year.

On the other hand James "Friggin" Milner is back to full training as well as forgotten man Xherdan Shaqiri. We also have the return of The Mack Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, as our squad is starting to fill back to full capacity.

With Manchester United dropping two points to Leicester, Spurs to face Wolves and Chelsea to do battle with Arsenal, this round could see us start to build a nice lead at the top of the table and with luck our returning players should help.

Last year the festive season was the catalyst for us to push on and more or less have the title wrapped up by the end of February / early March. There's no reason we can't do that again especially with the return of several players affording more quality on the bench and providing a greater rotation system.

With WBA's goal threat or lack of, this could be a prime opportunity to push Fab's back to midfield and allow one of our 3rd string CB's a run out. This will also aid in our midfield breaking down a no doubt very astute defensive set up by old Sammy. Therefore I'd like to see along the lines of the following.

Alisson, TAA, Rhys, Matip, Robbo, Fab, Hendo, Naby, Mane, Salah, Bobby.

Kelleher, Ox, Gini, Milner, Neco, Taki, Jones, Shaq, Phillips.

I'm not too sure when the new 'sub's rule' comes into play (more players on the bench but with the number of subs to be used the same) but hope we bang in several goals by the 55th minute and then ring the changes and get some minutes for Ox, Taki and either Milner, Jones or Naby.

I wish they would up the sub's to five per game as we are the only European league not to take advantage of the new rule which allows such.

Let's have a listen to the Gaffa's pre-match thoughts.

LiverBird's Scorecast: Top of the Xmas Tree LFC 4 - Sam's stocking full of coal 0.

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Prediction League

At what time will the first goal be scored (closest gets 5 points, get it exactly right score 25 points)
Which team will make the first substitution? (5 points)
How many sub's will Klopp use? (5 points)