Liverpool FC Forum

by **Redman in wales** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:39 pm

its on the news at the mo that gerrard is definately out for this game.

they'll prob be a full story soon

by **stmichael** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:56 pm

with gerrard and alonso out, if it was up to me i'd play benayoun as an attacking central midfielder and play babel up with torres. this won't happen though. from a creative point of view i just don't think a central midfield of mascherano and lucas offer enough.

reina

arbeloa carragher agger auerlio

kuyt benayoun mascherano riera

babel torres

by **Richj** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:31 pm

stmichael wrote:with gerrard and alonso out, if it was up to me i'd play benayoun as an attacking central midfielder and play babel up with torres. this won't happen though. from a creative point of view i just don't think a central midfield of mascherano and lucas offer enough.

reina

arbeloa carragher agger auerlio

kuyt benayoun mascherano riera

babel torres

That team looks good, Rafa will prob play Aurelio in mid and also Skrtel instead of Agger.

by **Effes** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 3:52 pm

Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Liverpool's clash with Manchester City this weekend.
The Reds midfielder is still recovering from a hamstring injury and won't be risked for the visit of Mark Hughes' men.

There was hope earlier in the week that Gerrard could be on the bench this weekend, but manager Rafael Benítez today confirmed he will not figure.

"Steven will not be ready for this game. We don't know if he'll be back for the game in midweek but clearly he will not be involved against City," said the boss.

"He is improving but we cannot take any risks so he won't be in the squad."

Gerrard and Philipp Degen apart, Benítez reports no fresh injury worries for Sunday's game.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163321090220-1318.htm

by **heimdall** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:09 pm

Effes wrote:Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Liverpool's clash with Manchester City this weekend.
The Reds midfielder is still recovering from a hamstring injury and won't be risked for the visit of Mark Hughes' men.

There was hope earlier in the week that Gerrard could be on the bench this weekend, but manager Rafael Benítez today confirmed he will not figure.

"Steven will not be ready for this game. We don't know if he'll be back for the game in midweek but clearly he will not be involved against City," said the boss.

"He is improving but we cannot take any risks so he won't be in the squad."

Gerrard and Philipp Degen apart, Benítez reports no fresh injury worries for Sunday's game.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163321090220-1318.htm

Oh dammit you mean we won't have Degan playing!

Oh well that's it, we're doomed, no chance now.

by **Toffeehater** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:16 pm

Stevie's a big loss but we have to show that we can win without him , i think it all depends on which robinho turns up , the one against italy or the one who against portsmouth last week

by **stmichael** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:19 pm

Is Insua back yet?

by **RedBen** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 4:40 pm

stmichael wrote:Is Insua back yet?

Yes, since the 14th

by **JoeTerp** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:33 pm

stmichael wrote:Is Insua back yet?

you thinking about Aurelio in central midfield again?

Reina
Skrtel Carra Agger
Arbeloa Mascherano Aurelio Insua
Kuyt Yossi
Torres

I know its been a while, but this was the most recent way we set up, and in both matches we had no Alonso or Gerrard from the start. I am sure that Lucas will play though since Rafa has backed him so many times.

by **NANNY RED** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:09 pm

Man city fans view of the game,

A Cold Sunday at Anfield
After the Copenhagen game, Mark Hughes acknowledged that City have trouble with away fixtures. (No sh*t, Sherlock!)

More specifically with teams that "park the bus" adding that Liverpool will be compelled to attack on Sunday and in so doing may leave gaps that can be exploited. However, Rafa Benitez is no mug; the Liverpool manager will have looked at the last two City games and will have come to the conclusion that if his team can stop Robinho, Bellamy and Ireland from performing, then a victory is in the bag. So how can Hughes and his embattled side come up with a riposte to this simple but stubborn problem?

DO WE?

i. Forget about winning the game against Liverpool, and adjust the team and tactics to battling out a draw, or

ii. Carry on with a more cavalier approach, and try for a 3-2 victory or similar? Keegan surely would have.

MANCHESTER CITY (likely)

1. Given - quality keeper, still finding his feet
2. Richards - unable to climb out of his trough of poor form
3. Bridge - having a tough time with little help from Robinho
4. Onuoha - good test against Torres for a future star
5. Dunne - lacking in Copenhagen
6. Elano - mercurial talent - will he perform?
7. Kompany - super player, we need him in the midfield imho
8. De Jong - still finding his feet, will need to be ready on Sunday
9. Ireland - not at his best recently, hopefully todays goal will help him
10. Robinho - will he show?
11. Bellamy - good player, but easily isolated away when the only striker

LIVERPOOL (likely)

1. Reina - solid, consistent GK, helped by a great defensive unit
11. Riera/Babel - both capable of destroying full backs
10. Kuyt/Benayoun - Kuyt is SuperVass, Benayoun useful against tired players
9. Torres - his battle with Ned should be titanic
8. Benayoun/Kuyt - see above
7. Mascherano - the standard by which holding midfielders are judged
6. Aurelio/Dossena - Aurelio is a top quality LB, Dossena more ruthless
5. Lucas/(Gerrard) - decent enough player to come in for Alonso
4. Skrtel - nasty but effective
3. Arbeloa - intelligent and steady
2. Carragher, one of the best still

Honestly, if we play the above City side we are in for a heavy defeat. I just cannot see the same old personnel and tactics working - Hughes should go with this line-up;

Given

Zabaleta Dunne Onuoha Bridge

Ireland Kompany De Jong Garrido

Bellamy Caceido

(Bench, Hart, Richards, Mee,Elano, Robinho, Clayton, Sturridge.)

Zabaleta comes in for the out-of-form Richards, Ireland on the right side of midfield with the brief to track Aurelio/Riera and to release Bellamy behind the Liverpool defense. Kompany and De Jong are team-mates from Hamburg so I'm hoping they will quickly form a strong unit. Many fans will disagree, but I've left the Brazilians on the bench with the intention of introducing them later on in the game when and if the opposition tires. Garrido can do a good job on the left, swapping with Bridge if that becomes more effective. Finally, I'd like to see Bellamy and Big Phil Caceido in harness to provide a genuine threat to Carragher and co. One or the other will need to drop into midfield when necessary, but I think both players are capable of this.

Argue if you like, but I honestly believe a surprise change is essential, at least now we have the personnel to do it.

by **Alex G.** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:57 pm

For me Liverpool is basically this:

Alonso - Gerrard - Torres

With Alonso and Gerrard out for the City game, bad feelings

by **Madmax** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:58 pm

Toffeehater wrote:i think it all depends on which robinho turns up , the one against italy or the one who against portsmouth last week

Thats what worries me..

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:42 am

Nice little interview here from Rafa on the offal video an all

FREE VIDEO: EXCLUSIVE RAFA INTERVIEW
Paul Eaton 20 February 2009
Rafael Benitez today spoke exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City - and you can now watch our interview with the boss for FREE online.
The Liverpool manager discusses the latest on Steven Gerrard's bid for fitness, he looks forward to the fixture with Mark Hughes' men and warns of the dangers City will pose on the day.

Benitez also assesses the state of play in this season's title race and reveals his thoughts on Manchester United's current advantage at the top of the table.

To watch our exclusive interview with the boss simply click on the play button below.

Article continues below

Did you like this video clip? Sign up for an e-Season Ticket and you'll be able to enjoy the related links below - plus lots more great content - online.

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:46 am

Sorry ive messed the link thingy up again or maybe it wouldnt let me copy it but its a good interview take my word for it :laugh:

by **bigmick** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:14 am

I think me and you are about equal on the old computers nan, maybe you know a faction more than me but there ain't much in it :laugh:

.

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