Liverpool FC Forum

[red37]

Tough one to call but i'm going for a 1-0 win

1-0 reds win.

  i sincerely hope it isnt old chap...

[El Nino_#9]

Tough one to call but i'm going for a 1-0 win

Team

Reina
Finnan
Carra
Agger
Garcia
Gerrard
Alonso
Zenden
Kuyt
Crouch

1-0 reds win.

there's only 10 players there mate? 

[red37]

riise's been sent off 

[redsince2001]

hope kuyt and crouch are given a start tomorrow......

[Cool Hand Luke]

Try and stick with whats been working:

                     Reina

Finnan   Carragher   Hyypia   Riise

Garcia     Alonso     Gerrard  Aurelio

             Crouch      Kuyt

I think we would be far better served with Aurelio’s crossing and technique from the left rather than the speed of Gonzo, Eboue is an athlete and will be able to keep up with Gonzo. Aurelio’s crossing could cause problems especially with Crouch and Kuyt both having certain types of abilities when the ball is crossed in. It’s a tough choice between Garica and Pennant. Pennant would help protect Finnan far more but I cant see him having much success against a very fast Arsenal defence, Garcia’s wondering could allow Arsenal to double up on Finnan but he is far more likely to find space and hurt Arsenal because of the way they commit people forward and leave gaps that he would be very good at exploiting.

The biggest issue for me which we got wrong at Highbury last year was using the full backs in such an attacking way, that is just playing into the hands of Arsenal, they are fantastic at exploiting this and pulling centre backs wide. The key to beating Arsenal is to stick to zones, a rigid back 4 with protection in front. This style of play would tempt me to play Bellamy but I cant see his pace being very effective against their quick defence, I would go for technique, power and footballing brain over pace.

[whylongball?]

Try and stick with whats been working:

                     Reina

Finnan   Carragher   Hyypia   Riise

Garcia     Alonso     Gerrard  Aurelio

             Crouch      Kuyt

I think we would be far better served with Aurelio’s crossing and technique from the left rather than the speed of Gonzo, Eboue is an athlete and will be able to keep up with Gonzo. Aurelio’s crossing could cause problems especially with Crouch and Kuyt both having certain types of abilities when the ball is crossed in. It’s a tough choice between Garica and Pennant. Pennant would help protect Finnan far more but I cant see him having much success against a very fast Arsenal defence, Garcia’s wondering could allow Arsenal to double up on Finnan but he is far more likely to find space and hurt Arsenal because of the way they commit people forward and leave gaps that he would be very good at exploiting.

The biggest issue for me which we got wrong at Highbury last year was using the full backs in such an attacking way, that is just playing into the hands of Arsenal, they are fantastic at exploiting this and pulling centre backs wide. The key to beating Arsenal is to stick to zones, a rigid back 4 with protection in front. This style of play would tempt me to play Bellamy but I cant see his pace being very effective against their quick defence, I would go for technique, power and footballing brain over pace.

sounds very good and valid! I would go for the same formation and players

[El Nino_#9]

Try and stick with whats been working:

                     Reina

Finnan   Carragher   Hyypia   Riise

Garcia     Alonso     Gerrard  Aurelio

             Crouch      Kuyt

I think we would be far better served with Aurelio’s crossing and technique from the left rather than the speed of Gonzo, Eboue is an athlete and will be able to keep up with Gonzo. Aurelio’s crossing could cause problems especially with Crouch and Kuyt both having certain types of abilities when the ball is crossed in. It’s a tough choice between Garica and Pennant. Pennant would help protect Finnan far more but I cant see him having much success against a very fast Arsenal defence, Garcia’s wondering could allow Arsenal to double up on Finnan but he is far more likely to find space and hurt Arsenal because of the way they commit people forward and leave gaps that he would be very good at exploiting.

The biggest issue for me which we got wrong at Highbury last year was using the full backs in such an attacking way, that is just playing into the hands of Arsenal, they are fantastic at exploiting this and pulling centre backs wide. The key to beating Arsenal is to stick to zones, a rigid back 4 with protection in front. This style of play would tempt me to play Bellamy but I cant see his pace being very effective against their quick defence, I would go for technique, power and footballing brain over pace.

thats the formation i'd choose.

[dawson99]

Cant play Gerrard and Alonso together against Silva and Fabregas if you ask me. Zenden will be in the middle in this one with gerrard back on the right. I can see us using 442 tho.

they would beat us in the middle with their pace if we use steve and xabi in the middle trust me.

[dawson99]

interesting racing post view on the match if anyone cares:

LIVERPOOL have bounced back impressively from last month’s defeat at Old Trafford but expectations dictate that Rafa Benitez will need to avoid defeat at the Emirates Stadium to avoid a post-match inquest.

Reds supporters are getting increasingly frustrated with their team’s failure to get results in the big games and their angst is understandable.

Liverpool have lost nine of their last 11 matches against fellow members of the Premiership’s big four.

And they have picked up just two points from their last six Premiership visits to Arsenal.

Rafa Benitez will draw some comfort from the Gunners’ below- par display at Upton Park last Sunday when they were unsettled by the hosts’ feisty effort in midfield.

Benitez may have wanted to mirror the Hammers’ tactics but his plans have been thrown into disarray by the dislocated shoulder sustained by Momo Sissoko during Wednesday night’s Carling Cup victory at Birmingham.

Benitez rested a host of first- team regulars at St Andrews but he didn’t want to go into battle without his toughest tackling midfield player.

However, the gamble backfired and Sissoko’s qualities will be sorely missed this afternoon.

Benitez may decide to switch Steve Gerrard to a central midfield role but he also has the option of deploying Boudewijn Zenden, who was given Sky’s man-of-the-match award for his efforts in midweek.

Arsenal also have a decision to make in midfield due to the absence of wide midfielders Tomas Rosicky and Freddie Ljungberg.

Arsene Wenger may decide to switch Robin van Persie to the flank and bring in another striker, most probably Emmanuel Adebayor.

Adebayor demonstrated his big-match temperament at Old Trafford in September when he capped a powerful display by notching the winning goal.

And he also gives Wenger a physical option at the sharp end.

There is little doubt that Arsenal play the most attractive football in the country but their desire to score the perfect goal can work against them.

They have been stymied by Everton, Middlesbrough Aston Villa this season and theymay need to tinker with their approach to unlock a disciplined Liverpool defence which can be extremely tough to break down.

[floppo]

I posted a few days ago that Zenden should play in the middle, and haven't changed my mind on that one. Would leave too many holes in centre mid with Stevie & Xabi together against the ar$es.

Originally thought Gonzo would be best on the left, but can see the argument for having Aurelio playing there, as he's a far better crosser and passer of the ball.

Would obviously love to see us win, but think it may be a 1-1 draw today.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Zenden is worse than Gerrard in terms leaving gaps, he really doesn’t know how to defend properly, Gerrard and Alonso can easily deal with the “pace” of Gilberto and Cesc, that isn’t an issue.

[dawson99]

I hope u r right mate. Important game tho, will be interesting to see if pennant plays. and who plays in defence, as id like to see agger because henry will have hypia in his pocket

[Cool Hand Luke]

I am imagine that who ever plays in central midfield will be asked to be disciplined in their positioning, this is neither Gerrard’s or Zenden’s natural game so it doesn’t make a huge difference in that respect, but Gerrard is a far superior defender than Zenden.

Arsenal’s style of play is all about pulling players out of position and exploiting those spaces, that is why it is so vital that the full backs are disciplined today, we don’t want a case of Hyypia or Carragher having to come wide and face Henry or anyone else in a one on one situation.

[floppo]

Would play Agger today, he looked good in the week and think his pace will be needed.

With regards to the midfield, another reason I would play Gerrard on the right is that I don't yet trust Pennant to do the job there in the big games. He didn't play well away against Birmingham and Arsenal is a much bigger game than Weds.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Oh Hamann, where art thou Hamann?