According to Bettinglatest.com, money is pouring in for a Chelsea win against Liverpool in the up coming Carling Cup tie at Stamford Bridge on 29th November. There’s an age-old expression that the bookies are never wrong but I’m not so sure.

Let’s face it, Liverpool are certainly the underdogs here, make no mistake. Especially in the wake of Kenny Dalglish’s comments about fielding a weakened side. Call me a blind optimist but I think there’s still lots of reasons for the lads to get on the team bus come match day.

Suppose Dalglish does field a team of youngsters. All of whom are desperate to pull on the red shirt and make a claim for first team football. Hungry? I’d say so. Motivated? I can’t see what better motivation are they going to get.

If you take a look at the Liverpool fringe players, there’s more than enough quality there, perhaps not to easily best Chelsea of course, but surely give them a good game and, who knows, with that bit of luck that any team needs, there may well be an upset on the cards. Those like Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, Jack Robinson, Sebastian Coates, Maxi Rodriguez, Alexander Doni, Fabio Aurelio (if he’s not injured) will all be dying to get a look in and impress the boss. You could arguably include Craig Bellamy in that lot who was bought for just these types of occasions. I’d even go sa far as to mention Raheem Sterling, Conor Coady and young Jesus Fernandez (that’s Suso to you and I). Any right thinking footie fan would have to admit: The Liverpool reserve cupboard is hardly bare!

Let’s also not forget that Chelsea themselves have a tough run of games over that period with matches away at Bayer Leverkusen, Wolves at home, and a journey to Newcastle three days after the game against Liverpool. With the table as it is, I’m not sure Andre Boas-Villas will be fielding a full strength side either bearing in mind the match against Newcastle that he’ll certainly want everybody fit and ready for.

It has to be mentioned that Dalglish’s record against the top teams makes somewhat better reading than that against the so-called “smaller” sides and which of those two would you place Chelsea in?

My point is that it’s not over until the proverbial “fat lady sings” and she hasn’t even arrived yet. The game is two weeks away and some good results for either side in the run up to the match will go a long way to giving or taking away the confidence needed.

So for all you Liverpool fans out there and those who enjoy a punt, stick a fiver on the reds and see what happens. After all… stranger things have happened.

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