Liverpool is set to face Cardiff City in the opening match of the 17th day of the Premier League, with the opportunity to temporarily take the lead in the championship. Currently trailing Arsenal by only two points, Liverpool aims to finish 2013 on a high note and potentially secure the top spot in the league.
With a three-game winning streak and a convincing 5-0 victory against Tottenham last weekend, Brendan Rodgers’ men are in excellent form. The team can rely on the goal-scoring prowess of Luis Suarez, who recently extended his contract with the club until 2018.
In the absence of Daniel Agger, Mamadou Sakho is expected to start alongside Kolo Touré in central defense. Sakho, who scored his first goal for Liverpool two weeks ago against West Ham, is eager to establish himself in the team. The French international emphasized the importance of concentration and collecting maximum points in each match to maintain their current standing at the top of the rankings.
Sakho stated, “We have to concentrate as much as possible on each match and collect as many points as possible. It’s really good to be at the top of the rankings, but as I always say, the reckoning is done at the end of the season. We have to be serious, especially today against Cardiff, to secure the three points before facing City and Chelsea.”
