Topic: Sunderland vs Liverpool, 2 January @ 15:00 - The Stadium of Shite

[theMilkman]

Really? You think the team the JUST played is going to be fully rested and at 100% for this game? No chance. Not after the work we had to do last night. If we put out the same team they'll be at a high risk of injury and out on their feet in the second half.

Lucas, Moreno, Origi and Sturridge have to come in. It's just a question of how much further we go. Do TAA, Stewart and Ejaria come in as well.

next league game is on the 11th. I think a two week break would do Firmino wonders, and if we can do the same for Milner, Wijnaldum and Clyne who've all played a lot of football this season then all the better.

Sunderland also have serious injury problems and are probably going to have to play the exact same team that lost to burnley 4-1, minus anichebe. fresh legs could be a big boost. 

[RogerTheRed]

Come on Redmen!!
Their injury list has come at a good time for us. I expect Origi to start with Firmino and Mane and Sturridge to come off the bench early in second half to replace Firmino. Sky saying Hendo came off due to a heel injury. That sounds worryingly like last season problem come back. I hope this won't prove to be serious.

[Magix]

Come on Redmen!!
Their injury list has come at a good time for us. I expect Origi to start with Firmino and Mane and Sturridge to come off the bench early in second half to replace Firmino. Sky saying Hendo came off due to a heel injury. That sounds worryingly like last season problem come back. I hope this won't prove to be serious.

Klopp has said it's unrelated to that long-standing injury, that's the positive news until we learn more.

[RogerTheRed]

Hi, just seen that, apologies - here is the quote from Echo -
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has a problem in his heel which caused him to be withdrawn from the battle against Manchester City at Anfield.

The Reds captain left the pitch after 64 minutes of the intense struggle against Pep Guardiola's men which saw the Reds grab a crucial three points through Gini Wijnaldum's early header.

There is concern for Henderson's fitness, especially with Sunderland less than 48 hours away, although one area of good news is that the injured heel is not the one which caused the midfielder so many problems last season.

Jurgen Klopp told his post-match press conference: “At this moment, it's a little bit of pain in the heel. When Hendo is limping, if it's a 'little bit' of pain, it's probably a bit more.

“We don't know exactly in this moment.

[Zoomers]

Anyone know if the boys will be training today? Interested to see how Klopp handles such a scenario.

[Floydy]

points over performance please. Although would love to hand Moyes a drubbing.

[CallumLFC]

Win this and for once let's put the pressure on Chelsea first. Let's cut that gap to 3 points.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

I wouldn't make too many changes. Sunderland are in the same position as us in terms of rest time so at least its an even playing field in that sense. Plus we don't have another league game for 12 days.

I'd bring Sturridge and/or Origi in and that's that

[killer-heels]

Really? You think the team the JUST played is going to be fully rested and at 100% for this game? No chance. Not after the work we had to do last night. If we put out the same team they'll be at a high risk of injury and out on their feet in the second half.

Lucas, Moreno, Origi and Sturridge have to come in. It's just a question of how much further we go. Do TAA, Stewart and Ejaria come in as well.

Sorry but thats a bit mad. Arnold, Ejaria and Stewart should in no way be starting this game. Nor should Lucas if Lovren and Klavan are fit.

We will monopolise the ball for most of the game and probably have 60% of it so its shouldnt be too physically draining. Personally I think the only change should be Sturridge and Origi for Henderson and Firmino. Them 2 should be nice and rested and Can hasnt played loads recently.

[Magix]

We didn't seem to expend a whole lot of energy against Man City as well.

[mc_red22]

Anyone know if the boys will be training today? Interested to see how Klopp handles such a scenario.

If they do it'll be something very light I'd imagine.

[DHKopper]

These are fucking shite. 3-0.

[ac]

            Mignolet
AA Lovren klavan moreno
              Lucas
     Can             Firmino
Mane                   Origi
             Sturridge   
   

[CallumLFC]

Really? You think the team the JUST played is going to be fully rested and at 100% for this game? No chance. Not after the work we had to do last night. If we put out the same team they'll be at a high risk of injury and out on their feet in the second half.

Lucas, Moreno, Origi and Sturridge have to come in. It's just a question of how much further we go. Do TAA, Stewart and Ejaria come in as well.

You do know we're playing against a side who also played yesterday?

So where is the handicap? What is the purpose in starting the likes of Lucas and Moreno?

[ac]

You do know we're playing against a side who also played yesterday?

So where is the handicap? What is the purpose in starting the likes of Lucas and Moreno?

Potential injuries and lack of rest ahead of Man U

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

I don't think we need to make wholesale changes and play youngsters in order to have a team in reasonable condition (baring in mind they will be just as knackered). Centre backs shouldn't be too badly affected. Lucas can come in for Hendo, Can hasn't been overused and could give Lallana a rest. Mane was subbed reasonably early so I think will start. Origi and Studge should be raring to go whilst Firmino has been a bit out of form recently anyway. I would go with:

Migs
Clyne or Milner (whoever is least knackered) Lovren Klavan Moreno
Lucas
Can Gini
Mane Studge Origi

Not our best 11, but not a massive drop off. Certainly we won't press as well as we can, but will we need to?

Will be interesting...

[peachybum]

You do know we're playing against a side who also played yesterday?

So where is the handicap? What is the purpose in starting the likes of Lucas and Moreno?

So let's play our lads at 70% and at risk of injury against their lads at 70% and at risk of injury and let the team that play's the less shitest win! 

Is a 100% fully firing Moreno better for us than a 70% Milner(who's at greater risk of injury)? For me, yes. For you, maybe no. Klopp will decide. But i'm sure if we play shite with no energy or a really important player does his hammy you'll be happy to blame Klopp for not freshening things up.

[killer-heels]

So let's play our lads at 70% and at risk of injury against their lads at 70% and at risk of injury and let the team that play's the less shitest win! 

Is a 100% fully firing Moreno better for us than a 70% Milner(who's at greater risk of injury)? For me, yes. For you, maybe no. Klopp will decide. But i'm sure if we play shite with no energy or a really important player does his hammy you'll be happy to blame Klopp for not freshening things up.

We will have the ball for 60% of the time and they are not exactly going to be full of energy either. Can, Sturridge, Origi should all be pretty fresh and maybe a Lucas steps in for Lovren who has had his issues. No more then that though surely.

[McrRed]

Can replaces Hendo. Origi/Sturridge into the front three. Lallana back into midfield. That is all.

[Schmidt]

Sorry but thats a bit mad. Arnold, Ejaria and Stewart should in no way be starting this game. Nor should Lucas if Lovren and Klavan are fit.

We will monopolise the ball for most of the game and probably have 60% of it so its shouldnt be too physically draining. Personally I think the only change should be Sturridge and Origi for Henderson and Firmino. Them 2 should be nice and rested and Can hasnt played loads recently.

None of us really know who should or shouldn't be starting really, it just depends how they feel in training today. Can for example hasn't played a lot so he might be fresh like you say, or he might be shattered if he's not used to playing 90 minutes.

I do think fresh legs will be important though, especially from the bench, even with lots of possession the team will need to be quick to stop any breaks against us and sharp enough to cut through a packed defence crisply.

[Nick110581]

Imperative we keep momentum and as I said before, this is the game I am most worried about out the three.

Not because of the opposition but the fact we are goosed.

But they are in same boat and devoid of any confidence.

[peachybum]

Can replaces Hendo. Origi/Sturridge into the front three. Lallana back into midfield. That is all.

Given Lallana's problems with his groin/hammy this season, you really think he should play? He can't even play back to back on England duty without breaking down. Can we really not beat Sunderland without him?

[Caston]

Some of you lot would be worried about facing a non league team

[Robert_B]

Can replaces Hendo. Origi/Sturridge into the front three. Lallana back into midfield. That is all.

Agreed. I don't think Klopp is one to change things up too much, especially when things are going well. Unless, of course, someone is struggling in training today.

[andy07]

We didn't seem to expend a whole lot of energy against Man City as well.

Exactly, thought Mane and Firmino looked jaded but as others say they are just as tired and have big injury problems so strongest team please and go for the jugular.   If we are 2 up by half an hour this lot will capitulate. 

[Red Beret]

If we can't manage this Sunderland side without Hendo then we don't deserve a title.  I'd put Lovren on the bench for this one also, give him a rest if possible.

Sunderland have played like a bunch of strangers together this season, and we're going to be facing a makeshift side on top of that.  Klopp will have our boys guarded against complacency so I'm confident whatever side we put out should secure the points.

I'm actually wondering if Klopp might take the team up there today; have them stay overnight and have a light training session in the morning.

[sms1986]

Imperative we keep momentum and as I said before, this is the game I am most worried about out the three.

Not because of the opposition but the fact we are goosed.

But they are in same boat and devoid of any confidence.

They're also weaker, have more injuries and have to play us away. Sunderland shouldn't be a team to worry about, they should be beatable.

[jepovic]

Would be kind of typical of us to lose after a big game.
I hope we don't change too much. Sturridge,  origi and Lucas in

[Gnurglan]

Another game so close. Lovely! Means I'll have to leave work early to be home in time for kick-off. Perfect start to 2017. I'll bring out the crisps hat are left from New Year.

Suspect we will make a couple of changes to the team. Lucas, Origi and maybe Sturridge to start. I'd still like to see Firmino up front for this one. I guess it depends on where we play Lallana. Midfield? Wing? With Lallana on the wing, or in a more attacking role and Firmino stays central. Lallana in midfield and I reckon we have to play Origi or Sturridge and none of them will play wide. We need to be up for a battle. It's a must win game and they have nothing to lose.

[TepidT2O]

You've been expecting me?

[theMilkman]

"[There are] no excuses for anybody. We have to deliver, and we will deliver.

"It's clear in a situation like this. Usually after a game you ask a lot of questions because if you get an answer you can rest a player.

"I'm pretty sure that I will ask not a lot of questions -- 'how do you feel?' or whatever. I will ask for information from the medical department and then we don't even have a real [training] session.

"That's the next problem with rotation, we don't even have a real session tomorrow. That's pretty short. All we can put in this session we will do -- some tactical stuff."

http://www.espnfcasia.com/liverpool/story/3029673/jurgen-klopp-no-excuses-for-liverpool-amid-fixture-congestion

i'm taking this to mean he'll change as little as he can.

[sonny crockett]

I still can't believe we're playing again tomorrow.

Does the team fly or take a coach? That's a three hour drive at least.

They'll need to dig deep for this one.

[vinothmct]

This is the game i'm most worried.

With liverpool in town both their fans and players will raise their game. No complacency. Go out and put them to sword. Then just manage the game

[rafathegaffa83]

How many fit players do Sunderland have?

Based on what Physioroom is saying and with Jones suspended, it looks like they only have about fifteen fit first-team players, so I am assuming Moyes will have to add a few youth players to make up the bench. It also sounds like Sunderland got permission to keep Khazri and N'Dong for this game, as they are playing in the AFCON.

He'll probably have to pick from Mannone, Mika, van Aanholt, Manquillo, Love, Djilobodji, O'Shea, N'Dong, Rodwell, Khazri, Pienaar, Larsson, Januzaj, Borini, Defoe.

[gatcliffe]

Any news on Jordan anyone ?

[Samie]

This is the game i'm most worried.

With liverpool in town both their fans and players will raise their game. No complacency. Go out and put them to sword. Then just manage the game

Raise their game? They were dead on their feet yesterday.  They have no advantage than us. We have a squad capable of somewhat competing with a 24 hour rest.

[TepidT2O]

Any news on Jordan anyone ?

Alcohol problems, next relationship on the rocks, everything's getting a bit saggy

[Samie]

Alcohol problems, next relationship on the rocks, everything's getting a bit saggy

And to top it off her ex is Dwight Yorke. I mean can't get any lower than that.

[Lasardine]

People are posting some strange teams.

We have go pretty much full strength - I would rest Firmino and start Origi, Sturridge and Mane. Back five unchanged and midfield of Lallana, Gini and Can.

We can then assess at half time and make changes if needed. Rather start fast.

You do know Sunderland played on Saturday too? Our fitness is far stronger. We don't need to go crazy. They will tire late in the game, so we need to keep the ball and move them around in the first half, make their legs work harder than ours and then in the second half we can go for it a bit more when our superior fitness should shine (we're conditioned to finish strong rather than start fast). The intensity will be a like pre-season game so we've just got to keep patient and I'm sure we can create a few chances.

[gatcliffe]

Alcohol problems, next relationship on the rocks, everything's getting a bit saggy