For once, we're playing Liverpool when Pompey fans actually care about the game. The last three times we've met at home nobody in blue has really cared about the game for one reason or another. Last season we'd just survived at Wigan, we didn't care about the FA Cup game as we were embroiled in a relegation battle and the season before that there were actually some fans who forgot that we were playing Liverpool midweek because the following Sunday we had the small matter of beating Scummers in the most anticipated derby for years.
This time, we have everything to play for. Sol and Linvoy sat out training yesterday but should be available to play. We're screwed if they were to both be injured that's for sure! Other than those two minor injury scares Harry Redknapp has virtually a fully fit squad of players to choose from, minus long-term absentees Mendes and Toddy.
The Liverpool team news is anyone's guess but it's reported that Rafael Benitez could rest up to seven of his star players. It's reported that Gerrard, Carragher and Reina haven't even travelled to Fratton Park and Bellamy, Agger and Xabi Alonso could also be rested as the Reds look to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Chelsea on Tuesday. It's said that some of the youth cup winning side on Thursday will be included in the squad.
The noises coming from Pompey players suggest that this is the best time to play Liverpool but any hint of over-confidence or lack of effort and we will end up beaten. Liverpool still have a good squad of players and we'll still need to be at our best to take three points, though I'm quietly confident we can.
Winning is an absolute must if we're to stay in the hunt for Europe and with Everton at home to United and Bolton away to Chelsea in the lunchtime kick-offs, we could be presented with a great opportunity to close the gap on them and jump Reading who play on Monday.
This game promises to be a lot better than the dire 0-0 draw at Anfield earlier this season, let's hope it delivers and more importantly, we pick up that vital win!
C'mon Pompey, win it for Bally!
Premiership Past: Pompey vs Liverpool
03/04: Pompey 1 Liverpool 0
The curse of the former player hit Liverpool as Patrik Berger netted an early winner against the club we had signed him from for nothing in the summer. Thanks Houllier!
04/05: Pompey 1 Liverpool 2
Fernando Morientes put the away side ahead only for Diomansy Kamara to equalise with the mother of all scrappy goals. Luis Garcia popped up with a goal out of nowhere just before half-time and that's how the game finished.
05/06: Pompey 1 Liverpool 3
It was a carnival atmosphere on the final day of last season following the Great Escape. Robbie Fowler's opener was met with chants of "We don't care!" by the home fans and nobody seemed to care about Peter "Scummer" Crouch getting the second. Ognjen Koroman scored the final Pompey goal of the 05/06 season but Djibril Cisse slotted in a third to bring down the curtain on a rollercoaster season.