Liverpool have a problem. They might be sixth in the league and on a run of just one defeat in 14 matches, but they have a problem.
Quite simply, their problem is scoring goals – particularly at home.
The Reds have scored just 21 times in 18 Premier League games this season, which is less than half the total of pace-setters Manchester City and Manchester United.
At home, the issue is even more pronounced, with their total of 11 goals in nine games equalled or bettered by all but five teams in the division.
For a team supposedly chasing a place in next season’s Champions League this simply isn’t good enough, with their lack of potency causing them to drop points against the likes of Swansea, Norwich and Blackburn at Anfield.
The trouble is, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Craig Bellamy, Maxi Rodriguez and the recently returned Steven Gerrard at their disposal you can’t help but think it is a temporary affliction and that the next match will see the floodgates open.
The trouble is, there has been an expectation that Liverpool will splutter into life for quite some time now.
Liverpool’s forwards always seem to be on the verge of filling their boots rather than squandering gilt-edged chances and seeing goal-bound efforts saved by inspired goalkeepers.
It is therefore tempting to predict a Liverpool win at odds of 9/20 when Newcastle become the latest team to try their luck at Anfield on Friday.
And not only that, but considering the Magpies have won just one of their last seven games – against relegation strugglers Bolton on Boxing Day – a bet on a Liverpool to take advantage of Newcastle’s poor form and win a game with at least four goals looks attractive at 29/10.
The trouble is, there has been an expectation that Liverpool will splutter into life for quite some time now.
After Norwich escaped with a 1-1 draw on 22nd October, Kenny Dalglish’s men had the chance to put things to rights with a convincing home win against Swansea. They drew 0-0. Games against QPR, Man City and Blackburn followed and they failed to score more than a single goal in any of those matches.
So why should things be any different against Newcastle? In short, there appears no reason why they shouldn’t.
And while a Newcastle win at 13/2 might be pushing things a little far, even allowing for the form of Demba Ba, a sixth draw in nine matches at Anfield looks the best bet at odds of 3/1.
A successful £25 free bet on a fifth draw in six Liverpool home games is set to return £100, with the free bet available to new customers who sign up for a bwin account.
Meanwhile, a bet on a 1-1 draw looks good value given this has been the final scoreline in five of Liverpool’s nine league matches at Anfield this season.
And, if Liverpool really are to revert to type, back Newcastle to score their goal in the second half.
The Reds have conceded just twice before the interval in their home games this season but have let in five goals after the break, suggesting the Magpies will have more attacking joy as the game wears on.
As such, odds of 23/10 on Newcastle to score more goals in the second half than they do in the first are there to be taken advantage of.
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