5 key battles in West Bromwich Albion versus Liverpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Glen Johnson of Liverpool is tackled by Jonas Olsson of West Brom during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion at Anfield on April 22, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

1. Jonas Olsson (WBA) versus Luis Suarez (LIV)

Olsson is club vice-captain and a stalwart in the back four. He is one of the few centre backs in the Premier League that command a back four without much help from teammates. He will receive wise words from manager Steve Clarke, who knows Liverpool and Suarez better than anyone, but rest assured Olsson will have his work cut out guarding the trickiest striker in the EPL. Suarez hit a slump towards the latter part of the last season which he will strive to change.

2. Chris Brunt (WBA) versus Steven Gerrard (LIV)

The battle of the captains, this contest will determine who goes up ahead in the middle of the park. Both players are vital to their club’s success with Gerrard holding a demigod status in Rodgers’ lineup while Brunt taking on the responsibility as the creative architect in WBA’s attack. Things work in Brunt’s favor, with him being the younger of the CMs and the quicker of them, as Gerrard is 33 years old and is suffering from a recurring groin injury. Despite odds against Mr. Liverpool, I still tip him to win this battle through the help of more quality personnel around him.

3. Shane Long (WBA) versus Martin Skrtel (LIV)

Shane Long was a stud in West Brom’s armory last season. He scored a crucial winner against Bolton, leveled the tie against QPR and had a Man of the Match performance in the Black County Derby – efficacies that ensured WBA’s surge to the top half of the table.

Skrtel, who was linked out of Liverpool this off-season, was Liverpool’s Player of the Year in 2012. The Terminator, as he is lovingly called by Kopites, Skrtel is a set piece threat capable of scoring around five-six goals a season. His solid presence in Liverpool’s defense guarantees efficiency from the back four who are known to hardly concede goals.

This could be close – Long with his tenacity and pace, Skrtel with his bold tackles and strength.

4. Youssuf Mulumbu (WBA) versus Lucas Leiva (LIV)

Lucas Leiva is Liverpool’s best player and Mulumbu, although a talented individual himself doesn’t stand much chance in displacing Leiva’s control on the pitch. Lucas allows Gerrard to assume a free role, will make it easier for Allen to fit into the lineup and spreads the ball out perfectly for Downing, Borini and Suarez. More importantly, he lets the Reds’ defense absorb a cushion. Mulumbu has a huge task ahead of him which may just seem impossible on paper.

5. Billy Jones (WBA) versus Stewart Downing (LIV)

Jones is a product from Crewe Alexandria, a club renowned for its attacking prowess. Since his inception into the Premier League, Billy Jones has been on and off the teamsheet but certainly has lit up the screens when he does feature. Downing is coming off the worst PL season ever for a winger – 0 goals and 0 assists, nearly 10 shots on the post in 2011-2012. Jones is my favorite to shut out Downing who could find his spot taken by Liverpool’s latest Moroccan addition.

Prediction: West Bromwich Albion 0 – 2 Liverpool