Liverpool FC Forum

[mistyred]

We will absolutely trounce these ponces, they wont even know what
hit them today i think because of the slow start of our season they under estimate us and that my fellow reds will be the downfall of the Mongrel army

[66-1112520797]

and here come the butterflies...damned man u matches always do this.

                    Reina
Finnan    Agger    Carragher    Warnock
Gerrard   Alonso     Sissoko        Riise
             Crouch   Kuyt

id go for that.....if it stays 0-0 and inneffective, would bring on bellamy at half time.

2-0 to pool...gerrard and crouch scoring.

That would be my pick too.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Reina in goal is a sure thing, Finnan at right back and Carrgher at centre back. Between Hyypia and Agger I would stick with Hyypia because he gave an excellent performance against Bordeaux and has had 3 full days to recovers, plus Agger is unlikely to be fully recovered from him broken hand. Left back is another choice, this time between Riise and Fabio Aurelio, I personally would go with Aurelio at left back with Riise supporting him at left midfield. Ronaldo is going to be Man Utd’s biggest threat so I wouldn’t fancy either Garcia or Gonzalez at left midfield.

We are always at our strongest when Alonso and Sissoko are in the centre with Gerrard on the right. This was the bedrock for most of our success last season and I would continue with it, I wouldn’t even consider messing about with Gerrard on the left, if its not broke……

In terms of strikers I would be happy with a number of combinations. A Crouch and Bellamy combo must be at the top of the list but a Kuyt and Bellamy partnership is also viable, but also a Crouch and Garcia partnership would not leave me disappointed.

As long as the starting 11 comes in this sort of shape I will be happy:


                        Reina

Finnan     Carragher    Hyypia/Agger    Aurelio/Riise

Gerrard     Alonso           Sissoko        Riise/Aurelio

           Crouch/Kuyt    Bellamy/Garcia

[joko]

i expect not to see sami in this match, hes still being a low bat after the latest match for his age

the thing with good sami is, when he's out of pace, he tends to stop opponents with an unecessarily challenge, which is very risky when commited inside the penalty area

i have a feeling rafa will introduce 4-5-1 in this match, should this happens, my line-up verdict is as follows

.................pepe
finnan - agger - carra - riise
pennant - gerrard - xabi - momo - fabio
................kuyt (or bellamy)

[66-1112520797]

Thats a possibilty (4-5-1) and one that Rafa could opt for, my only concern is our left flank. There gonna have to contend with Ronaldo down their and I just dont think Aurelio is up to it, he's been dissapointing so far this season and a trip to Old toilet is hardly going to help his confidence. Defensively he looks suspect, and although Warnock hasnt had a lot of playing time in the first team I'd opt for the young scouser as he'll naturally be more pumped up and determined IMO. I think him and Riise would snuff out the spotty Portugese cheat, my only concern of Warnock would be he's more likely to throw himself into the tackle and get booked but I'd play him still.

[Cool Hand Luke]

As most people have stated, we can really dominate the midfield. Sissoko and Alonso should be able to out muscle and dominate possession against any 2 they can put out. But more of a concern to me is the left hand side, I would not like to see either Garcia or Gonzalez play there, we all know that the defensive side of their games are a weakness and Ronaldo could really exploit any left back left alone. Playing Gerrard on the left against Chelsea to accommodate the average Pennant was a big blunder and one that Rafa should not even contemplate trying again. The choice for me is clear, the left hand side should be a combination of Riise and Aurelio. I have no qualms about playing Aurelio in this match, I think he has had no problems with the physical side of the game, this is just an assumption because he is Brazilian and comes from the Spanish league. I would stick with him at left back for his comfort on the ball and the fact that he is less rash in the tackle than Riise. Riise’s energy and hard work will be best served on left were he will provide the option of permanent width unlike Gerrard on the right.

                      Reina

Finnan   Carragher    Hyypia    Aurelio

Gerrard    Alonso      Sissoko     Riise

              Crouch     Bellamy

[floppo]

Totally agree with that eleven to start, would just start Riise at left back and Aurelio left midfield, think they'll be able to swap roles, cover each other and double up on the likes of Ronaldo better than any other combination on the left.

As has been said before if we can dominate midfield we can get a win out of this game, but performance needs to go up a notch or two from the midweek game against Bordeaux.

All the best lads, lets do em!

[Red H]

I would be more comfortable with Rise at left back and Aurelio On the wing personally.  I have heard ( and I know what speculation is like) that Fowler and Kuyht (spelling) will start which I am also not sure about.

[Cool Hand Luke]

GERRARD RETURNS AT OLD TRAFFORD

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will return from injury to make his 350th appearance for the club in today's crunch lunchtime clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. 
Gerrard starts after missing Wednesday's Champions League win over Bordeaux and could play on the right side of midfield. Rafa Benitez has opted for Dirk Kuyt up front with either Gerrard or Garcia in a supporting role.
 
Liverpool - Reina, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia, Kuyt. Subs - Dudek, Paletta, Crouch, Pennant, Warnock.

[Cool Hand Luke]

LIVERPOOL:

                        REINA

FINNAN   CARRAGHER   HYYPIA   RIISE

GERRARD   SISSOKO    ALONSO  GONZALEZ

                   KUYT       GARCIA

CROUCH
PENNANT
WARNOCK
PALETTA
DUDEK

[112-1077774096]

that cant be right, dudek is banned i think, and i will be surprised that bellamy isnt even on the bench

[dawson99]

i honestly have a great feeling about today:

his sister is his mother
his brother is his father
they all **** one another
the neville family

{i really like that song}

[Cool Hand Luke]

My only disappointment is that we didn’t go for the Aurelio at left back and Riise at left midfield combo. Hope Ronaldo doesn’t make a fool of Riise today. It’s a massive boost for Gonzalez though, maybe he is now going to get a run in the side.

I would have probably stuck with Crouch ahead of Kuyt but I’m not overly disappointed. Looks like Agger is not fit enough to take part and Pennant has gone down in Rafa’s esteem.

[Cool Hand Luke]

that cant be right, dudek is banned i think, and i will be surprised that bellamy isnt even on the bench

I got it from the official website, so its got a good chance of being correct.

[66-1112520797]

that cant be right, dudek is banned i think, and i will be surprised that bellamy isnt even on the bench

He was also on the bench against Blackburn?

I dont know, if you get a suspension in the reserves does it carry over to the first team?