http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N157989071210-1446.htmGary Ablett's reserves take on Middlesbrough at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington tonight knowing a victory would see them top the table going into 2008.
This is the final reserve game of 2007 for the Reds, and for Ablett the prospect of seeing his team leading the way in the Barclays Premier Reserves League North would make the ideal early Christmas present.
"This is our last game before Christmas and if we win we will go top of the table so there is everything to play for," he said.
"Middlesbrough also know they will go top if they win so it's a game we are really looking forward to. It would be a fantastic confidence booster though for the lads to go top of the table.
"Our main job is always player development but we want to win every game we play and we always tell the lads that."
At the start of the season Liverpool drew 1-1 with the Teesiders in a controversial encounter at the Riverside Stadium, when Boro' striker Tom Craddock scored with a Diego Maradona style punch into the back of the net.
"That was disappointing to concede a goal like that but it was a good game which could have gone either way in the end," added Ablett.
Meanwhile Ablett's squad is boosted tonight by the return of striker Craig Lindfield who is now back at Melwood after his loan spell with Notts County.
"Craig has had a good month at County and he scored on his debut for them against Accrington Stanley," said the Reds coach. "He always works his socks off for the team and he has a great attitude."
In Lindfield's absence Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth has certainly made a name for himself and he has scored four goals in two games for the second string since returning from injury.
Ablett, however, has warned people not to get too carried away by the start the former MTK Hungaria ace has made.
"Krisztian is in fantastic form. In time we believe he will be a very good player but it's important to give him time and not get too carried away.
"He missed the first 11 weeks of the season through injury and he is still settling into life in a new country and learning a new language. He has done very well since he has come into the side and we hope he can do well again for us against Middlesbrough."
Unfortunately Nemeth's countryman Andras Simon hasn't had the chance to show his quality yet due to injury and his long awaited debut is on hold until the new year.
"Andras has a dislocated shoulder which is similar to the one Momo Sissoko did at Birmingham last season, and he is still about six to eight weeks away from returning," revealed Ablett.
"He actually came on trial with us last season and did very well. We then signed him in the summer and he played very well in pre-season. Unfortunately he then picked up his injury playing for Hungary Under-19s. Like Krisztian we think in time he could be a good player for us."
Remember, as always this match is being shown live on LFC TV which can also be watched online. Our coverage starts at 6.45pm GMT and kick-off is 7pm.
Should be a decent game this. For anyone wanting to go, we're playing at home - Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington. £5 Adults, £2 Concessions.
Nice to hear Lindfield is back and hopefully he will take some part tonight. Will be good to see how Nemeth gets on again too. Hopefully he can get another couple of goals and stick our reserves at the top of the league going into next year.
Come on you reds.