Topic: Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers FA Cup Rd 4 Sat 28th 12.30 KO

[Redsnappa]

       

'Deus Nobis Haec Otia Fecit' = 'God has given to us this leisure.'

versus

Dry your tears, blow your nose, shake off the blues and let's back our boys ... it's the FA Cup on Saturday 

A chance to get back to winning ways.

A chance to see our brilliant young prospects.

A chance to see some of our older lads get their mojo back.

We welcome a famous old Club - founder members of the Football League - to Anfield for the first time since 2011, the last time they were in the top division.

Make no mistake, this is MASSIVE for them. 8300 tickets sold in a couple of days, and from a look at a couple of their Forums, it sounds like there'll be around 20,000 Old Gold loyalists descending on Liverpool for the craic - loads without tickets either hoping to get one or happy to watch the game in a Liverpool boozer or buying tickets in our end off Ticketbis as our Seasie holders sell off their seats to defray the cost of four Home games in a row ...

... so, once again, we're going to be outsung - and irritated - they're keen on that fucking awful generic Icelandic Clap bollocks  - and once again we're going to be up against a packed defence with lightning quick counterattacks and once again, those of us watching on the box will be subject to the incessant 'Magic of the Cup' mantra from Commentators and Pundits alike.

Wolves beat Premiership Stoke City at the Britannia a couple of weeks back in the 3rd Round. A well-deserved and disciplined performance considering they've amassed the princely sum of 32 points in the Championship so far:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/ZTOK31Ycga4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/ZTOK31Ycga4</a>

It's a wonderful weekend out for the Wolves fans and fucking lovely for the Liverpool Hoteliers, Pub/Club owners and Tourist attractions. Those fans are here for a 'bosting' weekend in Black Country parlance ... win and all their dreams come true, draw and they make a shitload of money and fill Molineux, lose and they return to the bread and butter hardscrabble of yet another season struggling to make any headway in what must be the World's toughest Division to get out of or to stay in.

We welcome back - and there'll be a generous round of applause (we may be many things, but small-time ain't one of 'em) - our old player Conor Coady, who joined Wolves from the Terriers a season and a half ago.

The phrase 'Perfect Storm' came into my head to describe the game, but I checked it quickly on Wiki (I know, I know ) and this is how it's described on there:

A "perfect storm" is an expression that describes an event where a rare combination of circumstances will aggravate a situation drastically. The term is also used to describe an actual phenomenon that happens to occur in such a confluence, resulting in an event of unusual magnitude.

Well, those circumstances are no longer rare ...

Home game against lower league opposition. Check.
Packed low-block defence. Check.
Opposition have a 'free hit' against us. Check.
Early kick-off with little chance for a bevy beforehand to stir the spirits. Check.

There's loads more 'Checks' to be listed, but I can't be arsed. We all know the disadvantages and really, after the last few games, I'm struggling to find any positives. It's no longer a 'free hit' for us, it's probably the only chance of a Trophy this season now if I'm being honest. Argue all you like, but a League Title win looks increasingly a forlorn hope.

OK. Us. What's Jurgen to do?

What was a chance to play the same sort of side as we did against Plymouth in both games doesn't now look so assured.

I was heartened by that 20 minute or so spell in the second half against the Saints and indeed that similar spell against the Swans, so it's not all doom and gloom (he said through gritted teeth ...)

What I'd like to see - though after yesterday I now doubt it :

Karius ... (who I thought was fabulous last night - MOTM and deffo the future)

Trent ... (think Clyney will be rested till the Plastics game.)
Matip ... (Thought he looked rusty last night, passing off, not as assured as he has been.)
Lucas ... (Needs, nay, DESERVES a game.)
Moreno ... (Unlucky to not play last night considering Millie looks to be needing a rest & took a heavy clattering in the Kop hoardings)

Wijnaldum ... (Pass and move, it's the Liverpool groove)
Woodburn ... (Class, let the lad off the leash, he'll marmalize these.)
Ejaria ... (where's he gone? Is he injured?)

Wilson ... (Almost telepathic relationship with Ben)
Origi ... (Needs a start.)
Ojo ... (Oh you pacey lil beauty, just run at these and GAMBLE on the far post lad, you'll gerra hat-trick.)

Bench: All the just-in-case experienced older hands.

Come on Jurgen ... give the lads a go, they SURELY will have more zip and conviction than the tired old stagers we've seen in the last couple of games. Save the arl arses for Tuesday. As it's probably our only chance of silver though, Klopp may play the first team.

Someone's going to pay for our poor form in January. I think it'll be Wolves. I hope they're ready to be torn a new one. 

[newterp]

Given our thread bare squad - I'm thinking mix and match - something like this:



    -----------------Karius-------------------
    AA--------Matip----Gomez-----Moreno
    Ejaria-------Woodburn------Wij
    Ojo--------Origi------------Coutinho

    ---Migs, Lovren, Wilson, Lallana, Firmino, Sturridge, Can

[Number 7]

Thanks for the OP.

I wonder if Klopp if forced in to playing a slightly stronger side now than what he originally intended to. All of a sudden this competition becomes a little bit more important.

[Medellin]

Quality OP RS,thanks for that.

I think Can won't start this..every game i have thought he shouldn't play he has played..and vice vesa.
One eye will defo be on the plastics without a doubt.

[Upinsmoke]

Good OP, thanks for that.

It's important to get back to winning way and despite the game against Chelsea only being a few days later I'd still pick a couple of first teamers, the team I would go for would be:


                          Karius
Clyne (if fit)  Lucas.  Klavan.    Moreno


                          Stewart
              Lallana.          Wijnaldum
Wilson .                Origi.            Woodburn

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Really enjoyed that OP. Ta.

Think we will have to stronger than we would like. Could do with a win and a bit of a confidence boost.

I really want to see Woodburn and Ejaria. Reckon TAA is nailed on to play.

[jimbo1962]

what is our strongest team at the moment, for fucks sake
there is no up and down anymore.

[Redsnappa]

Thanks fellers, I actually feel better about our chances now having written that!

Forgot to mention a couple of things ...

1. Reading their Forums, they have as much dislike as some of us for the inimitable Steve Morgan - their previous owner - and the scourge of LFC AGM's of the distant past.

2. One of their Honorary Presidents is that absolute - to some of us arl arses - GOD of the Rock voice, Robert Plant ...

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/a3HemKGDavw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/a3HemKGDavw</a>

Sorry to Ramble On like 

[killer-heels]

Strongest side, or at least a number of senior players. Should try to get Clyne (if fit), Matip, Coutinho, Origi, Can and Sturridge some more minutes. All need to keep playing and get back into the swing of things quickly.

[SerbianScouser]

Only two competitions now, no sense resting too many of our first team players. A lot of our players had their rest this season due to various reasons - there won't be no accumulation of fatigue with them.

Second half yesterday was encouraging, it's time to build on it and get our mojo back completely. I'm convinced we will with some of our players back, Adam moved back to his best position, it's time to rock'n'roll.

[Solomon Grundy]

This on telly then?

[Redsnappa]

This on telly then?

Oh yes 

[swoopy]

This on telly then?

BT

[Adam_LFC]

Play the strongest side. Which includes Firmino up front.

[Red_Irishman]

Wonder what the atmosphere will be like at this one.

Tough to get a crowd going for early game.

[pyroparty]

Wonder what the atmosphere will be like at this one.

Tough to get a crowd going for early game.

Shit from our end. I'm sure they'll be noisy though and have a witty array of Steven Gerrard and anti scouse songs.

[ScubaSteve]

Wonder what the atmosphere will be like at this one.

Tough to get a crowd going for early game.

Don't want to sound negative but the atmosphere is gonna be dull! It'll be ok at the start and then just die out.

Really feel like we need a pretty strong team out, some of them badly need some more games for practice. It won't be an easy one and a replay surely won't happen again!!

[TheShanklyGates]

Wonder what the atmosphere will be like at this one.

Tough to get a crowd going for early game.

It will be like a morgue as it is always is for this type of game. Struggling to get up for this one myself.

[bodhisattva]

Team i'd go with, think we have to rest some but others need the game time...

............................Karius.............................

TAA............Matip..............Gomez.............Moreno

.............................Can...................................

............Wijnaldum..........Woodburn...............

Wilson................Firmino......................Coutinho


I'd play Can as the holding midfielder because after this game i'd give him a rest from the first team, after the U23 game i'd really like to see Woodburn in that Lallana
position playing with better players. Matip and Coutinho need the minutes and i'd play Firmino centrally because I think him being moved has been a huge factor in our drop in form and from now on that's where i'd play him every game, I also think Wilson deserves another chance and he is more of a like for like Mane replacement compared to anyone else we have (except maybe Ojo).

[Solomon Grundy]

Oh yes 

BT

Cheers lads.

[Suareznumber7]

Play all the kids again please. 

[Funky_Gibbons]

Play all the kids again please.

Why, this is our most likely chance of silverware. Confidence is low and we could do with a good win, I'd like to see mainly first team players with a few kids like Ejaria, Ojo and Woodburn, maybe Trent if Clyne is injured.

[DefJack]

Team i'd go with, think we have to rest some but others need the game time...

............................Karius.............................

TAA............Matip..............Gomez.............Moreno

.............................Can...................................

............Wijnaldum..........Woodburn...............

Wilson................Firmino......................Coutinho


I'd play Can as the holding midfielder because after this game i'd give him a rest from the first team, after the U23 game i'd really like to see Woodburn in that Lallana
position playing with better players. Matip and Coutinho need the minutes and i'd play Firmino centrally because I think him being moved has been a huge factor in our drop in form and from now on that's where i'd play him every game, I also think Wilson deserves another chance and he is more of a like for like Mane replacement compared to anyone else we have (except maybe Ojo).

I like this team, reckon we'd more likely see Ojo in the RW spot, and maybe Lucas may come in for Can, but other than that it look good.

I think everyone who watched the last U23 game want's Woodburn in the Lallana role 

[Greatness]

Play all the kids again please.

That would be a horrible decision.

Need to play our best eleven as this is by far the best opportunity, we have of winning silverware this season.

Expecting this to be a tight scrappy affair that could go either way, my prediction is a narrow 2-1 win for us.

[bird_lfc]

Yep best eleven baring match fitness/injury please

I think this place would go into full meltdown if we fail to get a result

[Caligula?]

Yep best eleven baring match fitness/injury please

I think this place would go into full meltdown if we fail to get a result

And rightly so. Imagine being out of the title race, league cup and FA Cup all in the space of a week. We'd out-Arsenal Arsenal.

[Garnier]

Desperate in the need of a good performance, the team and the fanbase.

Expect another double decker to come

[rawcusk8]

Mix of kids and first teamers for this. Some of our lads are so out of form heres hoping they can find their groove in this. Let Hendo have a rest and play Can as the DM. Sturridge, Origi and Ojo as the front 3 for me. Would love to see Woodburn play in the Lallana role and hopefully more minutes for the likes of Wilson and Ejaria.

[kavah]

Thanks snappa - massive game for both clubs

Thanks fellers, I actually feel better about our chances now having written that!

...Robert Plant ...

in training, clearly untroubled by the arctic conditions


 

[Sat1]

Fuck the negativity from the media, oppo fans and some of our fucked up fans, let's get back to spanking teams.

We're in a blip and some think the whole is collapsing around us.

[JackWard33]

That would be a horrible decision.

Need to play our best eleven as this is by far the best opportunity, we have of winning silverware this season.

Being in the 4th round of the cup isn't an opportunity to do anything except get to the 5th round. Klopp will be judged by the owners on his performance in the league - nothing else.
Top 4 is a coin flip right now. He'll pick the team that gives him the best chance of winning this game that doesn't have a negative effect no our team for Tuesday

[CHOPPER]

For those of you who have never been to a game versus wolves - this is what they look like

[didi]

Another opposing manager with a great record at Anfield, think Lambert never lost a game at Anfield as manager

[mikeb58]

All these nomark teams think can they stroll into our home and easily do a number on us these days.

These teams normally go on to achieve fuck all, but their players and fans live off the fact they put one over us for the rest of the lives.

Let's twat these 6-0 and put a stop to this.

[Alf]

I think we need to get back to winning ways and put in a decent performance. Therefore we need to put a decent side out, I'd play a strong spine Matip, Wijnaldum, Coutinho and Origi.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Hopefully warmer than the game yesterday!

[Gnurglan]

Wolverhampton. Brings back memories from the past.

We should play backups like Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Lucas, Sturridge and Woodburn in this game. Wouldn't mind seeing Origi as well. We need to play a good team, win and get some confidence back. And, put simply, if those players are to have a future (bar Woodburn, he's in there for other reasons) they need to take their chances and perform when they get to play.

[Suareznumber7]

Why, this is our most likely chance of silverware. Confidence is low and we could do with a good win, I'd like to see mainly first team players with a few kids like Ejaria, Ojo and Woodburn, maybe Trent if Clyne is injured.

Because the team is absolutely exhausted and we are playing Chelsea on Tuesday.  If we had rotated more earlier in the Christmas/January period I don't think we'd be quite as tired as we are now and could play a stronger side. 

[Garnier]

Another opposing manager with a great record at Anfield, think Lambert never lost a game at Anfield as manager

Oh no, not him again 

It was incredible how he would always pull results against us, no matter how shit his sides were. Even during Rodgers' good season we drew at home (although Rodgers made a major tactical blunder with Gerrard-Hendo midfield in a 4-4-2).

And there was a defeat against them in september of the same year. Things looked promising after beating Spurs at the Lane with a power trio of Sturridge-Balotelli supported by Sterling at the tip of the diamond. Villa show up at Anfield, up against all our new toys in Lovren,Manquillo,Lallana,Markovic,Moreno and Balotelli, and give a masterclass smash early and park the bus. Agbonlahor, the c*nt.

[killer-heels]

Because the team is absolutely exhausted and we are playing Chelsea on Tuesday.  If we had rotated more earlier in the Christmas/January period I don't think we'd be quite as tired as we are now and could play a stronger side. 

How do we know the team is exhausted?