Topic: RAWK match Preview Liverpool v Watford Sun May 8th k.o.16:00

[Hinesy]

Liverpool vs Watford
Sunday May 8th
16:00pm
         vs       

Well depending on when you read this, we'll either be in a European Final or we'll be feeling like the players performed v Swansea. So I'll hang off with any emotional comments on the past and potential near future and merely point out that the last time we played these at home in a PL game was 2006 with the 2-0 scoreline provided by Msser's C.Bellamy and X. Alonso. Alonso eh, what would we give to have him still playing especially now the two rumbling powerhouses of Henderson and Can aren't available. I do miss a silky soccer skilled proper midfielder at Liverpool, like Jari, Xabi and anyone else who's first name ends in an 'i' usually.(Igori Biscan anyone?)


Any (Vicarage) road, last time we played them it was shiter than a trip to Wales last weekend, 3-0 down, Bogdan bogged down, Skrtel off with injury and Liverpool's worst defeat to a newly promoted side since Newcastle in '93. But Jurgen has been in charge a bit longer now and I absolutely believe that irrespective of Thursday night's result, we'll be more up for this than we were last Sunday. If we win on Thurs, we'll be bouncing, if we lose we should have something to prove and I'm not entirely sure 4th spot isn't utterly out of who am I kidding it clearly is fuck it I've got no idea who'll turn up.

Watford's boss Flores' has steadied his side and has managed to ensure Premiership safety which is the main priority for a promoted side unless its to actually win the league. Still, they play well, fast and hard and are always a tricky side to play against, mainly because they get 'up' for games against teams like us and still have that Championship physicality to their team.

Still they've only won twice in the last 11 PL games and of course lost to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi's. But they did beat the real Villa this week 3-2, lets hope we can do one better with Villareal (worth doing come on be fair)

Ighalo has scored 16 this season and Deeny 13, not a bad return, comparing with Coutinho's 12 and Sturridge's 11 respectively, and I really don't have much more to say because its not about this game this week, its about scoring a few against Villareal.

It will be our penultimate game at Anfield this season in the PL, the last coming against Chelsea on the 11th, so lets hope we can still put a few past them and put to bed the bad memories of the December away game.

[Hinesy]

Bump and congrats to Leicester

[OOS]

League wise, we are both on our holidays. Pointless match with hopefully some of the fringe players looking to putting in some good performances.

[rushyman]

League wise, we are both on our holidays. Pointless match with hopefully some of the fringe players looking to putting in some good performances.

Currently a point behind the team in last europa spot with a game in hand

[JoeCole]

Please play a strong team so we don't have another Swansea game.

[KopThat]

Brilliant news for Leicester and Football.

Leicester in the Champions League will be great to see, and hopefully we will be there too.

If we are in the final an under strength side could struggle against Watford, Skrtel will be having nightmares after his nightmare performance at Vickerage Road.

[Sudden Death Draft Loser]

Leicester in the Champions League will be great to see

 

No it won't

[Marty McFly]

This has to be a wind up 😂😂😂

On a serious note congrats Leicester. Worthy champions.

[Jookie]

We'll see a number of changes for this game but hopefully we can grab the 3 points. 2 home games in 4 days and 2 wins might be enough to get 7th and hopefully secure (at least) Europa League football for 2016-17.

I expect to see something like the following:

Ward

Randall
Skrtel
Lucas
Smith

Allen
Stewart
Chirivella

Ojo
Benteke
Ibe

Think we'll see an XI looking more like first choice for Chelsea. Mainly due to the schedule but also because it's Chelsea and the last home game of the season.

[Suareznumber7]

We'll see a number of changes for this game but hopefully we can grab the 3 points. 2 home games in 4 days and 2 wins might be enough to get 7th and hopefully secure (at least) Europa League football for 2016-17.

I expect to see something like the following:

Ward

Randall
Skrtel
Lucas
Smith

Allen
Stewart
Chirivella

Ojo
Benteke
Ibe

Think we'll see an XI looking more like first choice for Chelsea. Mainly due to the schedule but also because it's Chelsea and the last home game of the season.

Yeah, completely changed side for this one, full 11 for Chelsea, then completely changed side for the match against West Brom so we have a fully fit and rested team for the final. 

[Stussy]

Wrap our key players in cotton wool please

[TheShanklyGates]

We'll see a number of changes for this game but hopefully we can grab the 3 points. 2 home games in 4 days and 2 wins might be enough to get 7th and hopefully secure (at least) Europa League football for 2016-17.

I expect to see something like the following:

Ward

Randall
Skrtel
Lucas
Smith

Allen
Stewart
Chirivella

Ojo
Benteke
Ibe

Think we'll see an XI looking more like first choice for Chelsea. Mainly due to the schedule but also because it's Chelsea and the last home game of the season.

Smith will be suspended after his red card against Swansea.

[Chakan]

What are the U21's doing that day?

[Bincey]

What are the U21's doing that day?

Nowt but playing tonight V Man City so I guess those that don't start tonight may well be in the squad on Sun.

[Chakan]

[RogerTheRed]

Come on Redmen!
After the Lord Mayors show but a good chance for some of the younger squad members to show what they can do at Anfield. Would expect Allen & Benteke to start. Watford seem to have gone to shit recently but will be up after a late recovery against Villa. We need to watch their forwards as they are dangerous.

[Yerolo]

I hope Jurgen plays the U-21s and fringe players for all the remaining league games...the only thing that matters is that Europa final now. We should not risk any first team players until then. Sure we can still qualify for next seasons Europa via league placings which would be insurance for European football if we were to lose the final....but this is a great opportunity for the youngins to get more games under their belts.

[Number 7]

We'll see a number of changes for this game but hopefully we can grab the 3 points. 2 home games in 4 days and 2 wins might be enough to get 7th and hopefully secure (at least) Europa League football for 2016-17.

I expect to see something like the following:

Ward

Randall
Skrtel
Lucas
Smith

Allen
Stewart
Chirivella

Ojo
Benteke
Ibe

Think we'll see an XI looking more like first choice for Chelsea. Mainly due to the schedule but also because it's Chelsea and the last home game of the season.

While I agree with that logic so that we have essentially one more game with the first XI, I'm a bit worried about Chelsea and some of their snide and cynical tactics trying to rough us or hurt us, especially Costa. It only takes 1 player to do it as we saw against Everton.

I don't think Watford are that kind of team. I still expect the B team against them though just because of the intensity of the game on Thursday.

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

We can't rest all our players until the final, that would be crazy. They need to stay match sharp.

I would rest everyone for Sunday, then play the same starting 11 against Chelsea as would be expected to play against Sevilla. Then rest everyone for the last game of the season against West Brom.

Luckily for us, Watford appear to have switched off weeks ago and are playing like they are already on their holidays. They even conceded twice to Aston Villa and were two minutes away from losing. We should beat them regardless of who plays.

[TepidT2O]

I hope Jurgen plays the U-21s and fringe players for all the remaining league games...the only thing that matters is that Europa final now. We should not risk any first team players until then. Sure we can still qualify for next seasons Europa via league placings which would be insurance for European football if we were to lose the final....but this is a great opportunity for the youngins to get more games under their belts.

No, you can't do that, the players need to be match sharp....

Give them today off, that will give them a good rest...

Then play them against Chelsea and rest them against west Brom

[Redman78]

Lee Mason is the ref for this one.. just when you had forgotten he existed 

Think we should rest as many players as possible here.

[Upinsmoke]

I wouldn't play that same midfield like we did against Swansea. Now with Can back we was able to have Allen and Lucas on the bench on Thursday so they should be okay to come in. Wholesale changes from thursday but stronger in centre mid than Swansea. I'd go...


                               Ward
     Randall.   Skrtel.    Caulker.    Flanno


                        Lucas. Allen
       Ibe                                               Ojo
                        Brannagan
                               Benteke

Bench: Mignolet, Lovren, Moreno, Milner, Lallana, Firmino, Sturridge

Basically Ojo and Ibe get down the wings, put the ball on Benteke's fod. Lucas and Allen recycle it, cut stuff out. Brannagan finds Ojo and Ibe outwide, Any knockdowns from Benteke fall to Brannagan and he smashes it in for his first goal!

     

[Fruity]

No point risking any injuries for the final. Would play benteke and 2nd string to see if any of those could fight for a starting place in the final.

[bigbear]

We could do with the 3 points here though and on Wednesday.

We want to get 7th so we are in Europe if United beat Palace (as they will) whether or not we beat Sevilla.

I'd expect a lot of changes with Skrtel/Lucas/Allen/Benteke/Ojo all to start.

I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 or 3 of the lads that played on Thursday starting this one to bolster the side though and doing an hour.

I'll go Ward, Randall, Moreno, Lucas, Skrtel, Allen, Stewart, Milner, Ojo, Firmino, Benteke.

[UntouchableLuis]

Lovren, Can, Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge should be used very sparingly, if at all, before the final. You can't lose any of those players before it.

[MichaelA]

(worth doing come on be fair)

[El Lobo]

Lovren, Can, Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge should be used very sparingly, if at all, before the final. You can't lose any of those players before it.

And Kolo

[Alf Garnett!]

This will be a decent & pretty open game i reckon.

                     Ward
       Flanno Skrtel Illori Smith
               Lucas Stewart
          Ojo      Allen       Ibe
                   Benteke

The only doubt will probably be Illori,Ighalo's strength may be a factor who plays CB.
     

[classycarra]

big match, this

[mc_red22]

Lovren, Can, Coutinho, Firmino and Sturridge should be used very sparingly, if at all, before the final. You can't lose any of those players before it.

They need to play before the final, I'd say up to 90 minutes against Chelsea. You can't go 2 weeks without playing and expect to perform at 100% immediately.

[Upinsmoke]

This will be a decent & pretty open game i reckon.

                     Ward
       Flanno Skrtel Illori Smith
               Lucas Stewart
          Ojo      Allen       Ibe
                   Benteke

The only doubt will probably be Illori,Ighalo's strength may be a factor who plays CB.
     

Smith is banned

[Redinho]

[PaulF]

play the squad players vs chelsea, highlight the fact they have NOTHING to play for .
We can host a friendly against our reserves if we want match sharp.

[Alf Garnett!]

Smith is banned

Oops poor oversight from me.

Randall RB & switch Flanno LB.

[Another Red]

Surely West Ham losing and Man United up next (for them) changes the complexion of things. If Spurs win at home to Southampton, I think we have to field a fairly strong team. Put a bit of pressure on West Ham and see what transpires.

[Barneylfc∗]

Surely West Ham losing and Man United up next (for them) changes the complexion of things. If Spurs win at home to Southampton, I think we have to field a fairly strong team. Put a bit of pressure on West Ham and see what transpires.

The team will be decided before the Spurs game kicks off. The result of that game has the square root of fuck all to do with our line up.

[bodhisattva]

team id pick..........

.................................Ward....................................

Randall.......Skrtel.................Illori.................Flannagan

.....................Stewart......Lucas................................

Ojo......................Brannagan................................Ibe

............................Benteke.......................................

[Marty McFly]

team id pick..........

.................................Ward....................................

Randall.......Skrtel.................Illori.................Flannagan

.....................Stewart......Lucas................................

Ojo......................Brannagan................................Ibe

............................Benteke.......................................

Yes please.

I want us to win but only for pride.

No injuries to any first XIs affordable.

[Another Red]

The team will be decided before the Spurs game kicks off. The result of that game has the square root of fuck all to do with our line up.

In that case, I'd still expect us to go fairly hard at this one. A mixture of our best 11 and some reserves. I'd love to see us tie up a Europa league spot before the final. Klopp would look pretty silly if he fielded reserves for the next three games, we miss out on Europe and then we lose the final. Think about it.

[JerseyKloppite]

In that case, I'd still expect us to go fairly hard at this one. A mixture of our best 11 and some reserves. I'd love to see us tie up a Europa league spot before the final. Klopp would look pretty silly if he fielded reserves for the next three games, we miss out on Europe and then we lose the final. Think about it.

6th is not in our hands, the EL is. The players have already played 59 games this season, the first teamers need a break. We're at home and with Watford's form have to think that we can rotate and still win.

Play a strong side against Chelsea to keep the team match-fit/sharp and try to beat them in our last home game. Then before west brom we can evaluate what we can achieve and whether it's worth risking first team players. We could easily finish 7th if saints lose today, in which case we'll get EL football if Utd win the FA Cup (which would certainly be a silver lining to that deeply unpleasant prospect).

But with tired players and a lack of depth in key areas I just can't see the point of risking players today. If Moreno, Clyne or Lovren get injured, who plays in the final? Flanno is not in the squad for the EL so at LB/RB we'd either have to play Smith/Randall, drop Milner back or shift Kolo. Not ideal. We're already asking a lot of Kolo's legs so he should be rested. Lovren is our only other in form CB. Skrtel has lost it, Lucas is a CM playing out of position and Caulker is poor.

And if Can or Allen got injured, we're down to 3 options for the midfield again. Can made all the difference on Thursday. Keep him rested. Finally if Sturridge gets a knock it's pushing Firmino up (not an awful option but a waste of his best attributes) or usin Benteke (hmm). Not worth it.