Topic: Wigan 0-0 Liverpool: Second half....

[Wembley 78]

Tough ground to go into in the last few years but now we should build on today's good performance and keep putting presure on the CL places.

A little bit early to talk about but I'm looking forward to it.

[Kopite B205]

I'm still digesting today's game.

[Roslagen]

Accelerate!

[GreatEx]

Tempting fate, but I'd give Agger a rest for this one lest the Xmas period prove the undoing of his miraculous fitness run. Whether we go with Carra or Coates, I'm not sure. Heart says Coates, but I think Carra will get the run out if Kenny does decide to rest a defender. Kelly can give Johnson a spell, too. Bellamy won't play, I'm assuming we'll immediately appeal any Suarez ban announced Tuesday (if Sweet FA can make a decision) so Luis should play on Wed. Carroll may have some joy against Wigan's loose defence but I think he'll remain a sub.

Reina; Kelly Carra Skrtel Jose; Henderson Adam; Shelvey; Maxi Suarez Kuyt

[soxfan]

Tempting fate, but I'd give Agger a rest for this one lest the Xmas period prove the undoing of his miraculous fitness run. Whether we go with Carra or Coates, I'm not sure. Heart says Coates, but I think Carra will get the run out if Kenny does decide to rest a defender. Kelly can give Johnson a spell, too. Bellamy won't play, I'm assuming we'll immediately appeal any Suarez ban announced Tuesday (if Sweet FA can make a decision) so Luis should play on Wed. Carroll may have some joy against Wigan's loose defence but I think he'll remain a sub.

Reina; Kelly Carra Skrtel Jose; Henderson Adam; Shelvey; Maxi Suarez Kuyt

I expect you're right. And perhaps we'll see Coates and Carroll replacing Skrtel and Suarez by the 60 minute mark or so if we can get a 2 goal lead. Maybe even one of the youngsters giving Enrique a breather too?

[AriGold]

I'd like to see 2-3 players rested myself.

                        Reina

Johnson    Carragher   Skrtel   Enrique

        Adam   Henderson   Shelvey

Kuyt                                              Maxi

                      Suarez

Maybe something like that, Shelvey/Adam getting into the hole. Depending on Suarez' hearing aswell. If he's found guilty stick Andy in there.

[UntouchableLuis]

I think we need to rotate over this period but to split up a defence when it's at its most successful is foolish to me.

--------------Reina------------------

--Johnson----Skrtel------Agger--------Enrique---------

------------Hendo----------Jonjo-------------------------

---Downing---------Maxi----------------Bellamy--------

-----------------------Kuyt-------------------------------

Suarez is definitely in need of a rest and so is Adam.

[the_red_pill]

I don't think we can underestimate Wigan with their pace and "mad skillz"- not with Gomez and Rodallega etc in attack. I'd like to see the standard XI we've come to expect during the past few weeks. After this game, we can think about giving the fringe players some gametime- OR- if we have the game wrapped up early.

But then again- this is on our new pitch- "AWAY"(jeez, we move to a new "home" every week these days ), so I prolly expect a reslt whoever we put out. If we had them "away" at Anfield, it'd be even more of a worry.

[ShibbyLFC]

I'd go with the same 11 except Maxi for Downing. Maybe Kelly for Johnson too to give him some rest, we've got a ton of fixtures coming up.

Is it selfish of me to enjoy a congested schedule like this? lol.

[soxfan]

I think we need to rotate over this period but to split up a defence when it's at its most successful is foolish to me.

Agger is brittle. A rest would do him good.

[TOMMO86]

We don't know if today was the last time we see Suarez for a while. I'll go for my team on Tuesday.

[redpirate]

Start Carroll. Suarez, Bellamy on the bench. Kuyt, Maxi to start as well. Downing to be dropped...not rested, but dropped.

[-Willo-]

Must win with Spurs playing Chelsea and at least one of them dropping points,

Reina
Johnson     Agger      Skrtel     Enrique
Henderson      Adam
Kuyt      Maxi      Bellamy
Suarez

(Shelvey to come in for Suarez if he's banned and Kuyt to go up top with Maxi coming over to the right and Shelvey slotting in behind Dirk.)

[Gerrard[LFC]]

if we do indeed rest a CB, Carra shouldnt come in for a start. we saw today what happened in 5minute... now imagine that for 90. I think Coates should play if we do rest a CB. I fear Agger playing too many games in short time will increase his chance of getting injured again. so there is the need for rotation. Kelly should get a runout as he has been solid whenever called upon. Not sure about Lb, enrique, adam, suarez all need some kind of rest too. also have to wait on the Suarez thingy too

[s_andrews89]

I'd go with the same 11 except Maxi for Downing. Maybe Kelly for Johnson too to give him some rest, we've got a ton of fixtures coming up.

Is it selfish of me to enjoy a congested schedule like this? lol.

Agree entirely with that. Keep the same team (ish) and keep the momentum. Someone soon is gonna get a hammering when we realise where the goal is properly. Hopefully it's Wigan. Then Blackburn. Then Newcastle. Etc.

[steve10]

I am amazed that some of you want to give Agger a rest and play Carra. Carra was on the pitch for about 10 minutes (including extra time) and we had a major wobbly in defence because he gave the ball away twice in the penalty area. I would play Kelly or Coates if Agger has to be rested. Watched the Wigan game against Chelsea. Wigan are a better team than AV and will give us a tougher game. They also have a lot of pace which is why I think we will be set up more defensively. I think Spearing and Maxi will start instead of Shelvey and Downing.
Kenny also said that Carroll will play in the games over the Xmas period. Wigan, Newcastle, Blackburn and Man city- Not sure which game he will start.

[Get]

Start Carroll. Suarez, Bellamy on the bench. Kuyt, Maxi to start as well. Downing to be dropped...not rested, but dropped.

yeah now that he is startting to play better with each game, drop him.

I expect few changes for this one, we want to be winning games one by one. Bellamy might be the only one rested for this one

[CHOPPER]

Meat pie
Sausage roll
Come on Andy giz a goal

[Red_Isle_Chap]

I am amazed that some of you want to give Agger a rest and play Carra. Carra was on the pitch for about 10 minutes (including extra time) and we had a major wobbly in defence because he gave the ball away twice in the penalty area. I would play Kelly or Coates if Agger has to be rested. Watched the Wigan game against Chelsea. Wigan are a better team than AV and will give us a tougher game. They also have a lot of pace which is why I think we will be set up more defensively. I think Spearing and Maxi will start instead of Shelvey and Downing.
Kenny also said that Carroll will play in the games over the Xmas period. Wigan, Newcastle, Blackburn and Man city- Not sure which game he will start.

isn't spearing still suspended for this one?

[BigAl24]

Same today except Maxi/Kuyt coming in for Bellamy is how I expect to see things on Wednesday.

[keano7]

yeah now that he is startting to play better with each game, drop him.

I expect few changes for this one, we want to be winning games one by one. Bellamy might be the only one rested for this one

I'm not Downing's No. 1 fan by any means but thought he had one of his best games in a red shirt today. I'd keep the same team that played today as I thought everyone gave a good account of themselves. However, Suarez decision could determine whether he'll be able to play or not. If not I'd swap him for Carroll.

[Upinsmoke]

I'd be happy to play the same team as today.

[Jersey]

Bring it on.

[s_andrews89]

isn't spearing still suspended for this one?

No - he only had a 2 match ban. Today was the 2nd game.

[gazzathered]

Same today except Maxi/Kuyt coming in for Bellamy is how I expect to see things on Wednesday.

This.
Bellamy I feel will be rested.dont want to tamper with the defence that has served us so well.
If Suarez is banned I'd play kuyt up top.

[stevied]

No - he only had a 2 match ban. Today was the 2nd game.

Liverpool FC JAY SPEARING 05/12/2011 21/12/2011 Suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a Sending Off in a match played on 05/12/2011.

[Appreciator of former strikers]

no bellamy? no that was my 20000 goal submit! damn
anywho we need to win this, period. If we do we gain some ground on either chelsea or spurs and thats what we need. Games like these are must win now that we have drawn so many.

[Red_Isle_Chap]

Liverpool FC JAY SPEARING 05/12/2011 21/12/2011 Suspended from all first team football until the Club have completed 3 first team matches for a Sending Off in a match played on 05/12/2011.

Thanks, i thought i was going mad for a minute

[Matt8Pie]

Bellamy won't play in this but might be on the subs bench. I'd be tempted to give Agger a rest because of his injury record but I'm sure the medical team will assess him properly. We don't want another situation similar to Lucas'. Gerrard maybe on the bench?

It's gonna be a hard game.

[stevied]

Thanks, i thought i was going mad for a minute

Only Rooney gets a two game ban for a straight red these days

[eirwen]

It's a crucial game for us to push on. I don't think we can risk it by resting Agger. And if he has to be rested I'd bring on Coates rather than Carra.

[danno08]

Think we need to make a few changes but not to the spine of the team. I would keep Reina (obviously), Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Adam and Suarez in the team but maybe change the wingers/second striker.

[BigAl24]

This.
Bellamy I feel will be rested.dont want to tamper with the defence that has served us so well.
If Suarez is banned I'd play kuyt up top.

Deffo, Bellamy can't play 2 games in a week so we'll rest him for Blackburn.

Suarez may be banned, but if he is then we'll appeal; so theoretically he would be available for Wigan. If not, I'd agree with you about Kuyt. Then Maxi in Bellamy's position.

[redk84]

id have hoped Wigan's result yesterday should be a little reminder that complacency cannot be afforded! We usually struggle as it is at Wigan....but reckon Kenny will have us focused

id like to see the following start


                         Reina

Johnson     Skrtel     Agger     Enrique

Kuyt    Henderson    Adam    Maxi

           Bellamy
                         Suarez

They like to pass it around and have some quick players, but the movement of that ^ team should be too much for them.
Would hope for us to sail into the lead then be able to bring on the likes of Downing and Carroll.

Liverpool to win it 2-0

[stevied]

Only change if it has to be would be Bellamy if he cant make it, got a bad feeling about the FA and the impending decision so maybe something might have to change up top, wouldnt change anything about the back 4 at all

[DutchRed]

Last round we won and Spurs and Newcastle and Man City dropped points.
This time we won and Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle dropped points.

If we can show the bottle to win matches like the next one on a regular basis, we're in for some fun. Especially with the Mancs heading for Fulham, Arsenal to their bogey team Aston Villa and an out of form Newcastle playing Hodgson's Boys and Spurs entertaining Chelsea. I'm quietly confident about this one and it's our last chance to make up some ground on the other teams in 2011 as the schedules for the festive games are these.
Mancs: Wigan and Blackburn home
City: WBA and Sunderland away
Chelsea: Fulham and Villa home
Arsenal: Wolves and QPR home
Spurs: Norwich and Swansea away

[GhanselLFC]

Id keep the same backline maybe give kelly a start. Skrtel and agger were just so comfortable today i dont see a need to give them a rest

[Saint Kopite™]

I would like this team to start:-


------------------Carroll--------------------
Maxi------------Suarez--------------Kuyt
---------Adam------------Hendo----------
Enrique----Agger----Skrtel----Johnson
--------------------Reina--------------------

[skene11]

Deffo, Bellamy can't play 2 games in a week so we'll rest him for Blackburn.

Suarez may be banned, but if he is then we'll appeal; so theoretically he would be available for Wigan. If not, I'd agree with you about Kuyt. Then Maxi in Bellamy's position.

Has anyone came out and said that Bellamy doesn't have the legs to play two games in a week, or is this just in your opinion?

[Aido LFC]

Fucking hate playing these. We should beat them but somehow always end up drawing.