Topic: Man City 0-1 Liverpool: (Gerrard, pen) Half time........

[shelovesyou]

Excuse my ignorance but does the away goal rule come into play here ?

[The Jackal]

Excuse my ignorance but does the away goal rule come into play here ?

Only if the scores are still level after extra time in the second leg (I think)

[shelovesyou]

Only if the scores are still level after extra time in the second leg (I think)

OK Cheers mate.

[exiledintheusa]

OK Cheers mate.

We'd better get two or three - just in case.

[Anfield Kopite]

Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Lescott, Clichy, De Jong, Milner, Barry, Milner, Nasri, Aguero - Probably their best 11 if your info is correct although expect Balotelli to be back. Can see us snatching a draw at the very least and then hopefully finishing the job at Anfield. I'm sure we'll comfortably still be in it come the 2nd leg.

Have they cloned Milner or signed up his bro ?

[ryatnalkar]

If we win this one, I can see us shifting gears finally for the first time this season. I can also see that Kenny and Commolli are looking at the striker situation based on next few games and if we do well in this one and next (Stoke), no immediate signing for the first team till summer is a possibility IMO.

[stevedo]

Compared to the red shown to Jay Spearing, Kompany's was "nailed on". Two feet off the ground, scissors-like movement at the end. Don't have a problem with it.

Agreed. The only quibble I have are the ones that get away, the Lampard, Cabaye etc challenges. Consistency required.

[Elzar]

Hart, Zabaleta, Richards, Lescott, Clichy, De Jong, Milner, Barry, Milner, Nasri, Aguero - Probably their best 11 if your info is correct although expect Balotelli to be back. Can see us snatching a draw at the very least and then hopefully finishing the job at Anfield. I'm sure we'll comfortably still be in it come the 2nd leg.

They won't play Richards in the middle, they are better off with Savic there.

[the_red_pill]

The thing about Mancini is that he has a superb squad and he's don't a very good job so far, surprisingly good in fact when you look at his record in Italy. The only time he won anything of importance was after Inter had Juve sent to serie B and Milan docked points. Despite having arguably the best squad in Italy for years, Inter never won anything. Now maybe he's improved as a manager, but I don't think he has a winning mentality. That said, his players are so damn good it almost doesn't matter

Hmmm... you sure? His Inter was basically unbeatable.

[exiledintheusa]

Agreed. The only quibble I have are the ones that get away, the Lampard, Cabaye etc challenges. Consistency required.

Yep, the consistency is none existant - not sure why we should expect any from The FA though because they have a shocking record at it, nowhere near their own 99.5% standard .

Cabaye challenge was awful, so was the elbow on Bellamy in the same game.  Will let Cabaye off though for his free kick against the mancs.

[shelovesyou]

We'd better get two or three - just in case.

Ha, why the hell not eh!

[the_red_pill]

If we win this one, I can see us shifting gears finally for the first time this season. I can also see that Kenny and Commolli are looking at the striker situation based on next few games and if we do well in this one and next (Stoke), no immediate signing for the first team till summer is a possibility IMO.

From Rushie's latest article.. hope it's the case- we DID seem to be on a steamrole from January when Kenny came back, even though we had an exhausting, energy-sapping and humiliating 5 months prior to that:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/we-are-a-force-under-kenny

"We've got a realistic chance for the top four this season. When Kenny was in charge before we always used to come on strong after the turn of the year.

"In the second half of the season we really stepped it up and hopefully that will be the case again.

[keano7]

Have they cloned Milner or signed up his bro ?

Schoolboy error! I meant A. Johnson, honest

[Nick110581]

Love to see the usual back 4 then Spearing, Hendo and Stevie in the middle with a front three of Maxi, Carroll and Bellamy.

However, Downing may play instead of Maxi.

[Rome-77]

home tickets still on sale for a semi v us,

city a big club ?

[hwieniawski]

Hmmm... you sure? His Inter was basically unbeatable.

Very sure

Inter spent tons of money on phenomenal players, but only after Juve were demoted and lost their best players (including zlatan to inter) and Milan docked points did Inter start actually winning anything. Mancini is not a bad manager of course, but he's not a winner like Dalglish, Mourinho, or Ferguson

[exiledintheusa]

home tickets still on sale for a semi v us,

city a big club ?

Saving their money for their European Cup Final trip.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

I was surprised to see Bellamy and Gerrard start on Friday night, given their respective fitness levels. Bellamy struggles with two games in a short succession and Gerrard is just returning from injury. The last time he was injured we eased him in gently, and I think we'll do the same again. With Stoke on Saturday, arguably a bigger game, do we think Gerrard and Bellamy will start both games having started on Friday?

I can't see it, myself.

[eirwen]

How is Stoke a bigger game? We play them at home.

[exiledintheusa]

I was surprised to see Bellamy and Gerrard start on Friday night, given their respective fitness levels. Bellamy struggles with two games in a short succession and Gerrard is just returning from injury. The last time he was injured we eased him in gently, and I think we'll do the same again. With Stoke on Saturday, arguably a bigger game, do we think Gerrard and Bellamy will start both games having started on Friday?

I can't see it, myself.

5 days rest - which is why they probably started on Friday night.  Both players would be capable (I believe) of giving us 65-70 minutes tomorrow night.  As for Stoke on saturday, every game is a big game but this is a cup semi-final! Remember the last time we won one of those?  Alas, it is massive game tomorrow night - probably the biggest we have had for a few years.  As for saturday Shelvey and Maxi can start.

[latortuga]

Hmmm... you sure? His Inter was basically unbeatable.

Pretty much spot on what hwieniawski is saying.  They should really walk the league this year, but I'm not sure they will because of Mancini...in fact I can see a pretty uncomfortable spell coming up for Man City.  No doubt he has come on since last year where he was far too cautious, but it's still there.  Plus listen to him in the media, at times he sounds like an Italian version of Roy Hodgson, almost like he knows he can't fail because of the bottomless pit of money he has, but creates excuses just in case he were to.   

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

How is Stoke a bigger game? We play them at home.

*arguably*

Stoke is must win if we want CL football.

City is must not lose (not that I would ever encourage us to go out to settle for that) as there is a second leg at Anfield.

Also, 'we play them at home'...? Exactly. Need our strongest side out.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

5 days rest - which is why they probably started on Friday night.  Both players would be capable (I believe) of giving us 65-70 minutes tomorrow night.  As for Stoke on saturday, every game is a big game but this is a cup semi-final! Remember the last time we won one of those?  Alas, it is massive game tomorrow night - probably the biggest we have had for a few years.  As for saturday Shelvey and Maxi can start.

We have to win against Stoke to be in with a shout of CL football, whilst I feel the City game is must not lose, as we have a second leg at Anfield to turn any negative result around. It is a massive game for sure, but it's a two-legged affair. No second chances against Stoke.

[eirwen]

It's Stoke. I'd expect us rest a couple of players and still be able to win it. In theory of course, as we can pretty much draw with any team due to our inconsistency.

But winning or even drawing against City will give us a great chance to a trophy so I'd definitely pick the strongest team for that.

[Fordy]

So away goals count.

Meaning we need to score tomorrow then.

[farawayred]

How is Stoke a bigger game? We play them at home.

They have taller players especially in the absence of Toure and Balotelli 

Seriously though, I don't know which game is bigger. If we beat City, we have a clear shot at a cup. Mickey Mouse Cup or not, it comes with a place in Europe attached to the tag. And that happens in February with a lot of season games yet to come. If it happens, it will guarantee the worst possible finish - Europa League (never mind the million pound per place). The minds of the players will be cleared, the weight off their shoulders. Who knows what can happen in such circumstances, but playing with a though in the back of your mind that you can't do any worse can be very liberating. I suspect that that may be the best way for us to get a CL place.

[farawayred]

So away goals count.

Meaning we need to score tomorrow then.

They do? I thought that a draw is a draw, whether 0-0 or 7-7, but I could be wrong...

[Riedles Reds]

So away goals count.

Meaning we need to score tomorrow then.

the carling cup is odd. the aggregate score over the two legs is taken at the end of the second leg. If the aggregate score is level then extra time is played. At the end of extra time, the away goals rule over the two legs is applied. Only then does it go to penos

[ryatnalkar]

the carling cup is odd. the aggregate score over the two legs is taken at the end of the second leg. If the aggregate score is level then extra time is played. At the end of extra time, the away goals rule over the two legs is applied. Only then does it go to penos

So away goals count.

Meaning we need to score tomorrow then. 

[JACKO_LFC]

home tickets still on sale for a semi v us,

city a big club ?

The game they had against united went on General sale and it's a fiver for U16s tomorrow...

[Riedles Reds]

So away goals count.

Meaning we need to score tomorrow then. 

.....or we could just smash 3-0 them at Anfield. I can dream.

[Gifted Right Foot]

we'll lose.  im trying this reverse psychology thing

[stevedo]

we'll lose.  im trying this reverse psychology thing

Or the scapegoat thing.

[junior soprano]

If this ain't on sky is it on itv?

[hawkwind]

If this ain't on sky is it on itv?

BBC1 i think.

[red_mark1980]

If this ain't on sky is it on itv?

The beeb

 http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/fixtures

[Smudgester]

We have to win against Stoke to be in with a shout of CL football, whilst I feel the City game is must not lose, as we have a second leg at Anfield to turn any negative result around. It is a massive game for sure, but it's a two-legged affair. No second chances against Stoke.

3 points off 4th with 18 games to go does not make Stoke a must win game by any means.

However, win tomorrow and - no disrepect to Cardiff/Palace - I would say we're 75% chance of qualifying Europe next month (and who knows how that might boost our league performance)

[bootroom boy]

Away goals do not count.
As regards Kompany's tackle, it was a great tackle and the lad didn't deserve to be sent off. He should really be playing against us tomorrow.
I always want us to play the best team an opposition can field because then our victory is more worthwhile!
WE ARE LIVERPOOL FC!

[Smudgester]

Away goals do not count.

Erm - yes they do. Why are people failing to understand this simple concept. If the aggregate score after 90 minutes at Anfield is a draw then extra time will be played. If after those 30 minutes, it's still a draw then away goals determine the winner if possible otherwise the tie goes to penalties.

As regards Kompany's tackle, it was a great tackle and the lad didn't deserve to be sent off. He should really be playing against us tomorrow.

Bollocks. If Spearing's was a red and the Wolves player's was a red - so was Kompany's.

I always want us to play the best team an opposition can field because then our victory is more worthwhile!

I'll take any advantage we can get thanks

[Bernard Shakey]

As good a time as any to play these with the players they are missing ..hope we learned a few lessons about converting superior possession into GOALS after the last match.