EPL: Liverpool bare their teeth

Brendan Rodgers must be the only manager whose reputation has improved after getting his teeth done.

At the end of last season he was, as he might say, a ‘wee’ bit chubby, while his gnashers were somewhat less than ‘terrific’.

But the man who cut a rather embarrassing David Brent figure in the excruciating Being: Liverpool documentary, is now seen in a very different light, a little like his now-impressively-white incisors.

Why? As usual, it comes down to results. His team are winning, and winning in style, scoring bucketloads of goals.

Just a glance at the stats book will tell you that Liverpool have scored at least three goals in each of their past five Premier League games, which they’ve all won, by the way.

All the other plaudits, declarations of tactical genius (he’s been tipped for the Barca job!) and proclamations of his man-management skills can be found via just a couple of clicks on the internet.

Amazing what a (verythorough) scale and polish will do to a man’s career prospects.

Cardiff should be braced for a few blinding smiles from the opposition dugout tomorrow. Liverpool are a genuine force once again. n

All 12pm unless stated

TOMORROW

Chelsea v Arsenal

9:45am

Defeat for Arsenal would really dent their title ambitions — and Chelsea are unbeaten at home in 24 league games and haven’t conceded in their past four. The Gunners got the job done at Spurs but were far from inspiring. Do they have enough verve to trouble the Blues?

Prediction: 2-0

Cardiff v Liverpool

Three points from safety, the Bluebirds’ lack of quality is being put on show by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s more open approach to the game. The Reds’ movement in the final third is breath-taking at the moment and they should punish the home team.

Prediction: 0-3

Everton v Swansea 

Swans give the impression of treading water at the moment, which is a dangerous state to be in. Everton have lost only once at Goodison Park all season — and it’s hard to see that  changing tomorrow.

Prediction: 2-1

Hull v West Brom

WBA gave Pepe Mel his first win as manager at Swansea last time out, which surprised many. Could he be getting the team together just in the nick of time to save their season? We’ll know more after facing Hull, who have lost their past three at home.

Prediction: 1-1

Man City v Fulham

Vincent Kompany starts his ban after getting sent off against Hull but City surely have way too much in their locker to be worried by a Fulham side that at least managed a win last weekend. Their away record, no wins in their past six, is nothing to shout about.

Prediction:  4-1

Newcastle v Crystal Palace

Just a hunch about this one but with Newcastle’s manager again not allowed in the stadium and the team having very little to play for, Palace must see this as a chance to collect some points.

It won’t be pretty but an away win is a distinct possibility.

Prediction: 0-1

Norwich v Sunderland

The Canaries have won each of their past four games at home to the Black Cats so defeat will send their fans rushing to the messageboards to slag off manager Chris Hughton — again.

He’s not popular, it’s fair to say, and there’s a fair chance those message boards may be crashed tomorrow night.

Prediction: 1-2

West Ham v Man Utd

1:30pm

Buoyed by their excellent Champions League comeback, manager David Moyes has a great chance to salvage a poor campaign with a late-season surge to show everyone he does indeed have a plan. 

Another win and some of those worry lines that plaster his face might fade away. Vital they follow up Wednesday night’s win with a strong performance.

Prediction:  1-2

SUNDAY

Tottenham v Southampton

10:30am

Big test for Tiger Tim Sherwood here to see whether he can refrain this time from throwing his gilet down in anger, if that is not contradiction in terms. For all their effort in the derby, they now need to add a little craft to their attacking play. Saints have the ability to punish such wastefulness.

Prediction:  2-2

Aston Villa v Stoke

1pm

A mid-table melee that should interest each sides’ fans and that’s about it. For Villa, it’s all about building on their excellent win over Chelsea. Can Fabian Delph repeat that goalscoring flick? My money is on ‘no’.

Prediction:

  2-0

English Premier League standings