Author Topic: Newcastle v Liverpool: Team news and in-game blather... (Read 103497 times)

Barney_Rubble · « **on:** December 28, 2008, 11:16:08 am »

Javier Mascherano returns to the starting XI for Liverpool's final match of 2008 at Newcastle United.

The midfielder comes in for Xabi Alonso as the Reds make three changes from the team that secured a comfortable Boxing Day triumph over Bolton.

Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva also start with Robbie Keane and Albert Riera dropping to the bench.

The Reds have also been boosted by the return from injury of Martin Skrtel who is named amongst the substitutes.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Insua, Agger, Hyypia, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Kuyt, Babel, Benayoun.

Subs: Cavalieri, Keane, Riera, Alonso, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.

Manav · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:16:46 am »

Quite suprised Keane's on the bench, but still sure we can win.

HiroProtagonist · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:25 am »

No Alonso, Riera or Keane. And Kuyt up front, yeah. Brilliant, that is. Tactical genius.

lfcmaster · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:29 am »

why is riera on the bench he was one of our best players on saturday ?

Liverbird 2010 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:44 am »

FFS keane on the bench

I will always be singing YNWA · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:47 am »

i think it is a decent selection

keane played full 90 minutes
be nice to see riera alonso and keane come off the bench in 2nd half

i hope lucas and babel will show us wt they are made of

AndrewFitz22 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:53 am »

Fuckin Madness..No Robbie or Bertie?!?!...Can't see the point...

Helsinki Red · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:56 am »

Reina

Carra Hyypiä Agger Insua

Lucas Masch
Yossi Gerrard Babel
Kuyt

ben · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:17:57 am »

shocking dropping keane.

Ben_ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:09 am »

Thats abit strange that.

killer-heels · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:15 am »

Surprised that Alonso, Riera and Keane is on the bench.

But happy to see a left wing of Insua and Babel.

Nice positive team that! Skrtel on the bench.

The Nihilists · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:17 am »

Less than 48 hours since last game, so makes sense to freshen it up a bit.

Still surprised Keane is on the bench, but still a strong team there.

I will always be singing YNWA · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:18 am »

newcastle line up anyone??

lfcmaster · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:22 am »

the only good news is that skrtel is on the bench
other than that i am not happy with the team rafa has picked

Surprise me. · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:24 am »

i like that line up. Should get a win

elmo · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:33 am »

Hope Rafa sticks Kyut to the right wit Babel upfront

nayia2002 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:38 am »

Good team that, hope Babel performs well.

gollne · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:43 am »

Well Keane was limping about against Bolton and maybe he dosnt feel 100%.

----------------Reina
Carragher-Sami-Agger-Insua
------Mascherano-Lucas
Benayoun-Gerrard-Babel
-------------Kuyt

smicer07 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:52 am »

Great to see Skrtel back.

whtwht · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:18:56 am »

lol who predicted this one ??

hiphopdj · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:19:03 am »

Good to see Babel, starting Kuyt upfront on his own??

Should be still good enough to beat this lot

FinnishRed · « **Reply #21 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:19:10 am »

Who o why is Keane on the bench, just when things were getting some much better for him and he's been getting on the scoresheet in the last two matches? Can't understand it, fucking odd really.

tonyLFC · « **Reply #22 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:19:29 am »

Was just about to post about Skrtel but someone beat me to it. We will still beat Newcastle; they're shite.

Helsinki Red · « **Reply #23 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:19:32 am »

Quote from: whtwht on December 28, 2008, 11:18:56 am

lol who predicted this one ??

No one.

smicer07 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:19:47 am »

Quote from: FinnishRed on December 28, 2008, 11:19:10 am

Who o why is Keane on the bench, just when things were getting some much better for him and he's been getting on the scoresheet in the last two matches? Can't understand it, fucking odd really.

Maybe he's knackered from 48 hours ago? We don't see them in training, who knows?

No666 · « **Reply #25 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:13 am »

I'm not a bit surprised - they played a full 90 minutes one and a half days ago.

sivapc · « **Reply #26 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:13 am »

Good enough to win against Newcastle. Disappointed to see Xabi on bench.

Steven Gerrard · « **Reply #27 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:15 am »

I never thought Keane would start this match despite his 2 goals, with 2 games in 3 days Rafa is resting him

SMD · « **Reply #28 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:24 am »

It's the fucking Christmas games, of course we're going to rotate.

Helsinki Red · « **Reply #29 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:37 am »

Quote from: FinnishRed on December 28, 2008, 11:19:10 am

Who o why is Keane on the bench, just when things were getting some much better for him and he's been getting on the scoresheet in the last two matches? Can't understand it, fucking odd really.

True. Would have rather taken him off against Bolton around 65-70 minutes than start him on the bench today.

Rotation · « **Reply #30 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:54 am »

Have any of you ever played football before??? Playing 2 games in 3 days is fucking madness as amateur level. Playing 2 games in 3 days in the Premiership is suicide. Rafa knows what he's doing and responses like this

Quote from: MEPA on December 28, 2008, 11:17:25 am

No Alonso, Riera or Keane. And Kuyt up front, yeah. Brilliant, that is. Tactical genius.

tell me that some of you lot have a promising future working for Sky.

Brentieke · « **Reply #31 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:55 am »

Dropping both Keane and Xabi?? Fucken insane considering their performances on Friday and seeing how fluid we were in attack...

If we don't pick up 3 points here Rafa has some serious answering to do.

And if Kuyt is leading the line alone, forget about any attacking fluidity.

Mighty pissed off about this line up.

Hunts Cross · « **Reply #32 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:57 am »

After Kuyt's laboured performance on Boxing Day, I expected him to get a rest, but no.

Sad to see 'Nando is still not fit. Have read he'll be available in two weeks.

Babel really needs to make the most of this.

matthew45 · « **Reply #33 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:20:59 am »

Quote from: FinnishRed on December 28, 2008, 11:19:10 am

Who o why is Keane on the bench, Can't understand it, fucking odd really.

Because he's an important player who has played 90 minutes 44 hours ago and put in an important shift against Arsenal. And there are bigger games to come.

BTW - you don't have to understand it. Your job is to support the team.

smicer07 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:21:03 am »

Quote from: Helsinki Red on December 28, 2008, 11:20:37 am

True. Would have rather taken him off against Bolton around 65-70 minutes than start him on the bench today.

But then you'd have moaned that he'd taken Keane off again.

lfcmaster · « **Reply #35 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:21:07 am »

Skrtel to score the winner today
rafa refuses to bring robbie keane on

Chicken Wow Wows · « **Reply #36 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:21:09 am »

Why oh why

Last games 3 best players are dropped, i can understand how some players get fucked off at Liverpool

Still maybe they are knackered, but Alonso should play every game

JURGENKLOPP · « **Reply #37 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:21:16 am »

Makes sense i think switching Babel for Riera
Freshen things ups and i remember Babel playing well and scoring against Newcastle last season.

ben · « **Reply #38 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:21:24 am »

really hope babel can explode today. will be like a new signing when his season kicks in.

Gaz123456 · « **Reply #39 on:** December 28, 2008, 11:21:26 am »

Great to see Skrtel back.

Massive opportunity for Babel - he has got to take it.