Topic: Liverpool v Arsenal 21/12/14 Pre Match Thread

[Solomon Grundy]

Keep going on about it though. The fact is if anyone deserves to be dropped it's Henderson. The fact he runs doesn't make up for his poor performances but it's always Gerrard with you lot.

Woooaaaahhhh... Keep yeah knickers on ffs. The question was asked who's place Henderson would take. I said it would probably be Gerrard. I didn't say that should happen. I actually agree with you Henderson has been in poor form.

[L666KOP]

Rodgers on Lovren injury: Waiting to hear on that, hopefully he’ll be fit for the weekend.

#anyonebutsakho

[Solomon Grundy]

Replace our best midfielder at scoring goals?

I didn't say it should happen. I just said if Henderson was to take someones place it would probably be Gerrard.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Replace our best midfielder at scoring goals?

Honestly, from open play, Henderson and Lallana are bigger threats

[B0151?]

Is it just me or this press conference of BR today seems too weird.. BR giving answers in one or two words.. all finished within 5-10 minutes.. he also looked a little bit grumpy..

Think he's 100% focused on getting the team a win and not in the mood for anything else. Not surprising he's not very relaxed. A win could be massive.

[Mr_Morosoph]

Woooaaaahhhh... Keep yeah knickers on ffs. The question was asked who's place Henderson would take. I said it would probably be Gerrard. I didn't say that should happen. I actually agree with you Henderson has been in poor form.

Doesn't really make sense when you know Brendan would drop Lucas far quicker in a big game.

[B0151?]

#anyonebutsakho

Been misquoted there. He actually said "I hope the bastard is injured so I have an excuse not to play him", happy now?

[Peabee]

Is it just me or this press conference of BR today seems too weird.. BR giving answers in one or two words.. all finished within 5-10 minutes.. he also looked a little bit grumpy..

I'd imagine he's tired.  Massive amount of pressure on him currently.

[L666KOP]

Been misquoted there. He actually said "I hope the bastard is injured so I have an excuse not to play him", happy now?

I'll be happy when he gets our defence functioning properly, and he's tried every combination of players under the sun from GK through to midfield, and only uses Sakho in emergencies.
I'll be happy when Sakho gets a few games to prove himself in match conditions. Because he's done fuck all wrong on the pitch to warrant the 'treatment' he's getting.

[Solomon Grundy]

Doesn't really make sense when you know Brendan would drop Lucas far quicker in a big game.

O.k maybe that would be true. But that would be the wrong decision imo of course. But as I have already told you I wouldn't replace Gerrard with Henderson anyway so...

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Not sure if I want us to stick with the 3-4-3 or not. If we do

                  Mignolet

        Toure    Skrtel    Sakho

Manquillo                             Moreno

              Lucas       Gerrard


      Lallana                     Markovic

                     Sterling

Which gives us the ability to use our best fullbacks who will have freedom to overlap, drop our underperforming Centre mids (Allen + Hendo) and gives us the pace and creativity of that front 3 with Coutinho a good option off the bench. Gerrard wont be as vulnerable either.

 

[The G in Gerrard]

Honestly, from open play, Henderson and Lallana are bigger threats

This season Henderson hasn't been?

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

This season Henderson hasn't been?

Well he's scored 2 so ...

[joezydudek]

Well he's scored 2 so ...

Three in fact in all comeptitions. He's actually been more of a goal threat this season than he was last, even if the rest of his game hasn't consistently been at the same level as last season.

[Twitter.com]

"Brendan Rodgers says there's 'no change' on Simon Mignolet's situation"

Presser lasted about 4 minutes - record under Rodgers?

[tubby]

"Brendan Rodgers says there's 'no change' on Simon Mignolet's situation"

Presser lasted about 4 minutes - record under Rodgers?

Wants to hurry back to his laptop and read this thread.

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

"Brendan Rodgers says there's 'no change' on Simon Mignolet's situation"

Presser lasted about 4 minutes - record under Rodgers?

That stubbornness is creeping back in again. Why would you stick with Jones? Mignolet is actually a very good shot stopper if nothing else

[Twitter.com]

That stubbornness is creeping back in again. Why would you stick with Jones? Mignolet is actually a very good shot stopper if nothing else

Like Andy Heaton said:

"Although I'd argue, and only an educated guess, that timing of it, he HAS found a replacement in the transfer window to replace Mignolet."

Fingers crossed.

[JackWard33]

"Brendan Rodgers says there's 'no change' on Simon Mignolet's situation"

Presser lasted about 4 minutes - record under Rodgers?

Jones has faced 4 shots on target and conceded 4 goals.... why would you change when your reserve (who may or may not be a professional football player - it's too soon to say) is doing so well...

 

[L666KOP]

Like Andy Heaton said:

"Although I'd argue, and only an educated guess, that timing of it, he HAS found a replacement in the transfer window to replace Mignolet."

Fingers crossed.

Risky run of games to do it though.

[RogerTheRed]

Come on Redmen!
Talking to a gooner yesterday and he is worried about their defence. Finish our chances and we can win this

[JackWard33]

Like Andy Heaton said:

"Although I'd argue, and only an educated guess, that timing of it, he HAS found a replacement in the transfer window to replace Mignolet."

Fingers crossed.

In which case it makes even less sense not to play him
If you've dropped him to give him a kick up the arse or time to clear his head or whatever then that's one thing but if you've dropped him and he's not coming back because someone else is coming in that makes no sense to me because it doesn't matter how bad Mignolet's form was (and there was actually evidence it was improving) Jones is far far worse - so you're weakening the team for what reason exactly?

[Peabee]

Jones has faced 4 shots on target and conceded 4 goals.... why would you change when your reserve (who may or may not be a professional football player - it's too soon to say) is doing so well...

There'll be some speculative long shots coming from Arsenal on Sunday, knowing they have a good chance as long as they're on target.

[Durlmints]

Jones has faced 4 shots on target and conceded 4 goals....

Not true in the slightest though is it?

He tipped one over the bar from Van Persie at Old Trafford and against Bournemouth he had a couple of ones that bobbled and trickled towards him.

They might not have been good shots or even good saves but he's definitely not only had 4 shots on target.

[Historical Fool]

Our pressing seems to have increased a bit in intensity, but we're still not at full pelt and we can get weary pretty quickly. If we continue the press we've seen the last 2 games, BUT score early- preferably more than one, we can unsettle these. We know their not up for a fight in general and can fall apart when effectively pressed. Chances will be aplenty, we just have to take them.

Actually I disagree, there are two teams in the BPL I don't think a high press by the attackers will work against, and that's Chelsea and arsenal. The first because they always have a mobile outlet in attack that can win the inevitable hoof, and the second because there is no team in the BPL better at playing out from the back than them.

[Titi Camara]

"Brendan Rodgers says there's 'no change' on Simon Mignolet's situation"

Presser lasted about 4 minutes - record under Rodgers?

He seems to be a man under pressure but a man honed by pressure rather than floundering under it!

If we persist with the 3 at the back (and given BR's comments about Migs) I'd go with...

--------------------------Jones

-------------Toure-----Lovren-----Sahko

Manquillo--------------Lucas--------------Moreno

-------------------------Lallana

--------------Markovic---------Sterling

Personally I'd jibb it and go with a flat back 4, giving us more bodies in attack, as pinning them back and putting them under pressure is the way to play Arsenal. Let them play their game and come at us and we'll get fucking destroyed even if we played every CB at the club!

-------------------------Jones

Manquillo-----Lovren-----Sahko-----Moreno

-------------------------Lucas

--------------Coutinho-------Lallana

------Markovic--------Borini-------Sterling

[Solomon Grundy]

Risky run of games to do it though.

Agreed.

[Solomon Grundy]

Like Andy Heaton said:

"Although I'd argue, and only an educated guess, that timing of it, he HAS found a replacement in the transfer window to replace Mignolet."

Fingers crossed.

Well if that's the case, I hope we have somehow managed to persuade Chelsea to let us have Petr Cech. Instead of signing the Mexican Mignolet.

[Chris~]

Actually I disagree, there are two teams in the BPL I don't think a high press by the attackers will work against, and that's Chelsea and arsenal. The first because they always have a mobile outlet in attack that can win the inevitable hoof, and the second because there is no team in the BPL better at playing out from the back than them.

It's risky against Arsenal, but if you get it right they can crumble. They'll likely be playing a makeshift defence/midfield (No Areta, Ramsey, Wilshere, Koscielny, Ox hasn't been training, Monreal unlikely) and it's not like we have the ability to sit back and be clinical enough to only need one chance.

[slw614]

Not to be negative, but I can only see us getting another caning. Arsenal's defence are not great but our attack is toothless, while our defence is worse than theirs. We are a very average side at the minute, and Arsenal have no problem with average sides. It is when facing teams higher up that they struggle.

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal.

[Peabee]

Not to be negative, but I can only see us getting another caning. Arsenal's defence are not great but our attack is toothless, while our defence is worse than theirs. We are a very average side at the minute, and Arsenal have no problem with average sides. It is when facing teams higher up that they struggle.

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal.

Like Stoke?

[JackWard33]

Not true in the slightest though is it?

He tipped one over the bar from Van Persie at Old Trafford and against Bournemouth he had a couple of ones that bobbled and trickled towards him.

They might not have been good shots or even good saves but he's definitely not only had 4 shots on target.

No it's not true if you want to deal in actual facts - but it's tragically believable given his performances
By the way he should also lose "saves" for the two he jumped the wrong way on

[Solomon Grundy]

Not to be negative, but I can only see us getting another caning. Arsenal's defence are not great but our attack is toothless, while our defence is worse than theirs. We are a very average side at the minute, and Arsenal have no problem with average sides. It is when facing teams higher up that they struggle.

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal.

Fuck me. I'd hate to see a negative post from you then.

[Twitter.com]

Well if that's the case, I hope we have somehow managed to persuade Chelsea to let us have Petr Cech. Instead of signing the Mexican Mignolet.

Heaton said we have no chance for Cech.

He said he'd like Rui Patricio:
"Haven't seen much Portuguese football lately but always impressed with Rui Patricio, tall, powerful and playing in a team that pushes high"

..but it's not inside info on a target, he just said whom he'd like.

Rui Patricio would be good imo.

[slw614]

Like Stoke?

Head... In... The...Sand.

Always an exception to the rule. And we were fantastic against Newcastle, Palace, Villa and West Ham this season weren't we?

Arsenal are a better side than us. Just take it and accept that we are 5th at best this season. There'll be a lot less pain for you this season that way.

[L666KOP]

Agreed.

90 % of RAWK wanted it to happen though, we got our wish.

Personally it was 4 games too late, Simon was starting to look a lot better as part of a defensive unit that included Lucas.

I half hope Heaton is wrong, because if he is right it looks like a point scoring exercise by Brendan, clean sheets shouldn't get a GK dropped.

[flyingbulletsfromjohnarne]

Not sure if I want us to stick with the 3-4-3 or not. If we do

                  Mignolet

        Toure    Skrtel    Sakho

Manquillo                             Moreno

              Lucas       Gerrard


      Lallana                     Markovic

                     Sterling

Which gives us the ability to use our best fullbacks who will have freedom to overlap, drop our underperforming Centre mids (Allen + Hendo) and gives us the pace and creativity of that front 3 with Coutinho a good option off the bench. Gerrard wont be as vulnerable either.

Like this team. Not sure who I would rather at right WB. Hendo for his pressing and high intensity but Manquillo is the better defender.

[slw614]

Like this team. Not sure who I would rather at right WB. Hendo for his pressing and high intensity but Manquillo is the better defender.

Probably the best we can do if I am honest. Hendo needs a rest too.

[Solomon Grundy]

Heaton said we have no chance for Cech.

He said he'd like Rui Patricio:
"Haven't seen much Portuguese football lately but always impressed with Rui Patricio, tall, powerful and playing in a team that pushes high"

..but it's not inside info on a target, he just said whom he'd like.

Rui Patricio would be good imo.

Yeah I'm not holding out much hope for Cech. Just hope it's not Ochoa. Barring his distribution he's a carbon copy of Mignolet. That's not what we need at all.

[flyingbulletsfromjohnarne]

Probably the best we can do if I am honest. Hendo needs a rest too.

Id like to see Allen in there though. I really rate him. I can see a midfield 2 of Allen and Lucas if i'm honest. Don't like it but I can see Stevie being on the bench again!