Liverpool v Macabi Haifa preview

The expectant Kop should witness the comfortable victory they will no doubt be anticipating when Israeli side Maccabi Haifa visit Anfield in their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. The Reds will be without Robbie Fowler, who is sidelined with a knee injury, while Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez are both recovering from calf problems. Danny Agger will be another absentee for Pool, and Harry Kewell must be on the verge of rivalling Darren Anderton's record for time spent in the treatment room. Nevertheless, Liverpool are rich in resources and, in any case, one doubts that Rafa Benitez will pitch some of his leading lights into the fray in this game, as many have only recently resumed training following their World Cup exertions. This fixture represents an excellent chance for new boys such as Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant to make an immediate impact. Both players could fill voids that the Spanish coach has been struggling to fill since taking hold of the reins. This game probably won't turn out to be too significant in the grand scheme of things - indeed, as odds of around the 1/7 mark suggest, Liverpool are far superior to their rivals - but the recent additions to the squad will be keen to make their mark as early as possible, thus staking a claim on a position in Benitez's starting 11. Bellamy amassed an impressive haul of 17 goals in 26 games for Blackburn Rovers last season, and for a player of his quality, aged 27, the £6million Liverpool coughed up could turn out to be money well spent so long as the Welshman's off the field antics are curbed, and he remains in the headlines for the right reasons. I reckon he'll rise to the challenge. Although the likes of Newcastle and Celtic have huge followings, the chance to pull on the Liverpool shirt - the club he supported as a boy - will no doubt be the pinnacle of his career thus far, and he can start to repaying the fee paid for him instantly by scoring first in this encounter, about which William Hill offer a top price of 7/2. No disrespect to Maccabi, but it's easy to dismiss them against a Liverpool side very much on the ascendancy, and with the Kop behind them. This really should be a penalty kick for the home side. Verdict - 1pt Craig Bellamy to be the first goalscorer @ 7/2 (William Hill)