Birmingham v Liverpool: Ronny Goodlass talks tactics

Apr 26 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

BIRMINGHAM will be looking for a significant improvement on their performance against Aston Villa to ensure they win their fight against relegation.

Defence

MAIK TAYLOR has played more than 415 games for Fulham and Birmingham and proved himself a more than capable performer over the years.

The Northern Ireland international is brave, shows good handling skills and has a sound temperament.

Stephen Kelly has established himself at right-back since moving from Spurs in June 2006. The Republic of Ireland international is a good tackler and likes to overlap to support he attack and delivers decent crosses.

The experience Radhi Jaidi has gleaned from playing in two World Cups will be invaluable. The Tunisian is strong and good in the air and likes to put in his tackles.

Liam Ridgewell will be the player shouting instructions from centre half. Having signed from neighbours Aston Villa for £2million in 2007, he has proved to be an aggressive, competitive defender with a good left foot. However he is prone to lapses in concentration and can be caught out pulling and tugging at attackers.

Birmingham have conceded the most penalties in the Premier League (eight) and given the pace Liverpool can inject into their attacking options in and around the penalty area that may be a worry for Birmingham.

At left-back, former Hibs defender David Murphy looks composed on the ball and will push forward at any opportunity to support the front players.

Midfield

BIRMINGHAM will have to meet Liverpool head-on in the midfield battle, because if they don’t the visitors will pass them out of the game.

Liverpool’s ability to keep hold of the ball will make it difficult for the home team, but in Fabrice Muamba and Mehdi Nafti they have the kind of players who can snap at Liverpool’s ankles.

Muamba found his chances at Arsenal restricted, but such was his potential at 18 that Birmingham were prepared to pay £4m for him in 2007. His all-action style means he will look to keep pushing the team forward. Likes to get his tackles in.

Nafti has found his runs in the team disrupted by injuries, but when he plays the Tunisian brings a competitive edge to the middle of the park.

Attack

MIKAEL FORSSELL has a great goal-scoring touch, but his career has been dogged by injuries.

Whether he has the pace to trouble Liverpool will be weighing on manager Alex McLeish’s mind and it may be that Cameron Jerome is a better option when allied to the trickery of McFadden.

Jerome arrived at Birmingham from Cardiff for £3m after scoring 20 goals. Phenomenal pace means he is a threat up front, but he has been playing wide right. At six feet one inch tall, his height coming in at the far post can also pose problems.

Dangerman

JAMES McFADDEN – on his day has the ability to cause problems and prove himself a match-winner.

Overall verdict

BIRMINGHAM will have to put the Aston Villa defeat behind them quickly. They are difficult to beat at St Andrew’s, with only Chelsea winning there since the turn of the year.

A lot of managers involved in the relegation dogfight will be looking at what kind of team Rafael Benitez puts out, but as they showed at Fulham there is plenty of strength in depth in the squad at Anfield these days. Liverpool should have enough quality to take something from the game.

Ronny Goodlass was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON