Liverpool FC Forum

[Toffeehater]

Benitez shuffles his pack for trip to Derby

Dec 24 2007

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is likely to shuffle his side for the trip to bottom club Derby on Boxing Day with a tough away trip to fourth-placed Manchester City on the horizon next Sunday.

Benitez has already made 223 alterations to his sides this season, on a match-to-match basis, and used 77 substitutions, making it a remarkable 300 changes in player personal in 28 matches so far.

And there will be more of the same at Pride Park, with Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas all in the running for a starting berth. Youngster Jack Hobbs could also get another run-out in defence while Xabi Alonso could also continue his comeback from injury.

Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kewell, Babel, Lucas, Sissoko, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

[tubby]

Please no Voronin! Im looking forward to seeing plenty of Lukas and Babel though. I think this is the sort of game they can thrive on. Maybe even Hobbs too, but I think his experience against Utd may have dented his confidence a bit.

[Toffeehater]

Please no Voronin! Im looking forward to seeing plenty of Lukas and Babel though. I think this is the sort of game they can thrive on. Maybe even Hobbs too, but I think his experience against Utd may have dented his confidence a bit.

who? hobbs? he did not play against UTD

[the_red_alonso]

5-0 Reds
Torres hat-trick

[Forever_Red]

suggestions of resting torres are nonsense imo. get ahead comfortably and then take your best players off.

agreed, we have a really difficult game away to City on Sunday

[stmichael]

Please no Voronin!

i have no problem with voronin playing, aslong as he's played upfront in his proper position. playing him wide in a 4-3-3 is complete madness.

[mungi]

madness? THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!

[Emerald Red]

madness? THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!!!!!!

No. This is RAFAAAA!

[holylamb2006]

Should be a walk over again thats if we put out good players that can do their job....

Derby drew with newcastle 2-2 AWAY which was a shock but newcastle are completely dyer.....

But i stll think its gonna be an easy 3 points

[Effes]

These are a different team to the one we beat 6 nil.

[roberto green]

Paul Jewell is in charge now and in my eyes is a very top manager i would love us to give him a chance here in the future.

I still think we should have to much 3-0,

[Seano Kop]

These are a different team to the one we beat 6 nil.

There defence is still woeful thought, which will allow Torres 15 goals, if Derby are lucky 

[JoeTerp]

Need to get off to a flyer so we can take off Gerrard and Torres and Hyypia:
                                  Reina
Arbeloa            Carra              Hyypia        Aurelio
Gerrard             Alonso            Lucas       Kewell
                        Voronin       Torres
Subs: Riise, Hobbs, Babel, Yossi, Nemeth

[ruskiy playmaker]

I'd like to see Torres and Gerrard rested for this one, but it might be risky.

                Reina
Arbeloa,Carragher,Hyppia,Aurelio
Benayoun,Masch,Lucas,Kewell
           Babel,Voronin

[holylamb2006]

I dont understand why people say they want our top scorer out of the game ?

and Gerrard

We want to challange for the title bring on our class players and finish the game off .....

And if we're winning by 2 or 3 then bring off our top players