Topic: Liverpool v Middlesbrough (League Cup - Pre Match Thread), Tuesday 23/09/14 7:45

[Not that Gareth]

Liverpool v Middlesbrough
League Cup
Anfield,
23/09/14
Kick off - 19.45

So after an insane weekend of premier league football, from which we learnt bugger all and just confirmed its going to be a damn long season, we have the calm of the league cup to come on Tuesday. On paper we should beat  Middlesbrough but well it never seems to quite work that way in a cup.

One part of me want us to put out our strongest team so they get more competitive playing time and can maybe begin find that fluidity we are searching for.
 
However, some players need resting even at this early stage. Hendo hasn't stopped since the season started so he needs resting, as does Gerrard. I don't think Sterling needs resting but i would maybe start him on the bench with Coutinho coming in and trying to get his season going.

I would keep the entire same back four though, they really need to get on the same wavelength and fast, i'm not sure what the game plan is at the back but whatever it is it needs fixing fast, only game time can do that.

Hoping we stick with the diamond formation, it seems to be our best formation and maybe some consistency in how we set up will help get the team going. Lambert deserves to start this one and looking forward to see a couple of youngster in the shape of Suso and maybe even Rossiter.

A good cup run would be nice and with Everton at the weekend lets make this a week to remember and get the season on track. Come on Redmen 

[Fiasco]

I genuinely don't know. Could be 3-0 to either side

[TepidT2O]

Rossiter going to start this one given our injury problems I would have thought?

Lambert up front with Borini....

Kolo and Sakho at the back, jones in goal.

Is anyone else fit?

[Not that Gareth]

Rossiter going to start this one given our injury problems I would have thought?

Lambert up front with Borini....

Kolo and Sakho at the back, jones in goal.

Is anyone else fit?

Our injury problems are not that bad, Can is out and i think Allen is good to come back for the weekend. You would swap the back 4 out? I don't know I think our first choice back four needs to play, they have still only played a few games together and you would imagine more game time together will help fix some of the problems back there.

[Redman0151]

Would like to see Jones, Enrique, Rossiter, Lambert, Borini, Markovic, Coutinho all start here

[The Batman.]

Want to win a trophy this season so make sure the team is strong enough.

I'd go

Mignolet
Manquillo - Toure - Sakho - Enrique
Rossiter - Lucas - Coutinho
Suso - Lambert - Markovic

[Red-Soldier]

Our injury problems are not that bad, Can is out and i think Allen is good to come back for the weekend. You would swap the back 4 out? I don't know I think our first choice back four needs to play, they have still only played a few games together and you would imagine more game time together will help fix some of the problems back there.

I agree that our back 4 need as many games as they can together in order to settle down and improve.

[Upinsmoke]

Play some kids and a mix of experience and fringe players needing games.



 
                                     Jones
Manquillo        Toure                    Skrtel                 Enrique



                             Lucas       Rossiter

                                     
     Suso                           Lallana                         Markovic


                                   Lambert

[Solomon Grundy]

It would be good if Sturridge could get some minutes in this one. Just to get him warmed up for the derby.

[Solomon Grundy]

Our injury problems are not that bad, Can is out and i think Allen is good to come back for the weekend. You would swap the back 4 out? I don't know I think our first choice back four needs to play, they have still only played a few games together and you would imagine more game time together will help fix some of the problems back there.

I've been told that Allen is a few weeks off coming back mate.

[B0151?]

I've been told that Allen is a few weeks off coming back mate.

Swear that's what Rodgers said

Rossiter starting would be massive

[Caston]

Give Gerrard a rest, give Jones a runout, start markovic..

[Caston]

I've been told that Allen is a few weeks off coming back mate.

Says who, should be okay for this weekend?

[TheUSSR]

I've been told that Allen is a few weeks off coming back mate.

[Kopenhagen]

Says who, should be okay for this weekend?

Pretty sure someone on here quoted Rodgers re: Allen being "a few weeks out."

I never heard anything of him being back for Everton.

[Not that Gareth]

I've been told that Allen is a few weeks off coming back mate.

Really, damn was hoping he would be back for the weekend. Whats up with him?

[Solomon Grundy]

Really, damn was hoping he would be back for the weekend. Whats up with him?

So was I. He's still suffering from the injury he picked up playing for Wales.

[Solomon Grundy]

Says who, should be okay for this weekend?

Brendan mentioned it apparently.

[Solomon Grundy]

Seeing as Brendan has apparently said he's a few weeks off returning you can stop with the sly little IndyKalia dig thanks.

[CoventryYNWA]

I swear I saw Sheyi Ojo warming up Tuesday, so maybe he might make the squad.

Jones

Manquillo Skrtel Kolo Enrique

Rossiter Lucas

Markovic Lallana Ojo

Borini

[B0151?]

Rodgers said: "Daniel Sturridge should, we hope, be back training at some point next week. Joe Allen is still out and he'll be out for a few weeks yet."

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/345675.html

[Solomon Grundy]

Rodgers said: "Daniel Sturridge should, we hope, be back training at some point next week. Joe Allen is still out and he'll be out for a few weeks yet."

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/345675.html

And there you go. Unfortunately he won't be playing in the derby. Could've done with him as well.

[Not that Gareth]

I swear I saw Sheyi Ojo warming up Tuesday, so maybe he might make the squad.

If you saw Ojo warming up you would know it, his fecking hair!! growing up in the late 80's and 90's i suffered some bad hair, my centre boyband parting still haunts me but i'm very glad i wont have to look back at hair styles like this, its the ginger tint that gets me, why would you do that!

[Fromola]

Lambert and Markovic need a game. Toure and Enrique need a game and Lucas, Lallana and Borini could do with a full game all for fitness and get them up to speed.

I'd like to see one or two youngsters come in.

Henderson and Gerrard both need resting for the Derby. I'd give one or both of them the night off with maybe one on the bench.

[TheUSSR]

Seeing as Brendan has apparently said he's a few weeks off returning you can stop with the sly little IndyKalia dig thanks.

Just a joke dude, damn.

[Black Bull Nova]

The best 11 players that will not be starting against Everton.

[redbyrdz]

I swear I saw Sheyi Ojo warming up Tuesday, so maybe he might make the squad.

Was it really Ojo? We had two kids warming up, but when I looked at the scoreboard for their names among the subs, they weren't on there. I'm pretty sure one was Rossiter, the other one could've been Ojo, or maybe Jerome Sinclair?

[ac]

Have to rest Sterling for this one if anything to stave of mental fatigue - it was painful watching how over-reliant we were on him on Saturday, expecting to be John Barnes every time he had the ball.

[Aceldama]

Was it really Ojo? We had two kids warming up, but when I looked at the scoreboard for their names among the subs, they weren't on there. I'm pretty sure one was Rossiter, the other one could've been Ojo, or maybe Jerome Sinclair?

They weren't in the 18 but they were there getting the "matchday experience", Brendan's done it a few times. Rossiter and Sinclair were in the squad against Villa and Ojo in the CL during midweek, they'll be the most likely youngsters to get proper involvement against Boro I think.

[12Kings]

He should get the same lads out there playing together. Rotation can wait till next month surly.
Maybe just switch the attack, leave midfield and defence.

[Haggis36]

- Play whatever back four will be playing against Everton. Fuck knows they need time to get some composure.
- Rest Gerrard, play Lucas. If we're deadly, deadly serious about this competition, play Henderson. If not, play Rossiter.
- Play Coutinho, Markovic and Borini. I'd rest Lallana personally, rather than overplaying him as he comes back from an injury and is lacking in fitness. Probably means playing Sterling though. Giving Balotelli a game depends on his fitness I suppose. Wouldn't let Sturridge anywhere near this, we need him in the league.

Don't think we have the personnel (in midfield particularly) to play a diamond so if Lambert plays then maybe Borini plays wide? Plus 4-2-3-1 probably makes the most sense if we're playing Rossiter.

[jdpapa3]

- Play whatever back four will be playing against Everton. Fuck knows they need time to get some composure.

Wouldn't play the same fullbacks. Think that's a physically demanding position and it's a long haul of a season. Especially as Flanagan is down for a few months and Manquillo/Moreno are a step up on Enrique/Johnson. Agreed when it comes to CBs, though. Always possible that he goes with the back 3 experimentation further.

Lucas as the deep midfielder. It gets weird after that because there will presumably be a front 3 in any formation of Lambert, Markovic, and Borini. Coutinho is likely penciled in as a starter in a 4-3-3 against the Ev, assuming Sturridge will come off the bench. The midfield options are thin. I think it should be one out of Phil/Henderson and Rossiter. Two U21s in midfield is a plan for failure, especially teamed with Lucas. (Don't believe Brendan has ever used Suso as a true midfielder.) Then bring on either Phil or Henderson for the other at 60'. Then it's a clusterfuck if Lucas loses his legs or Rossiter has wide eyes. Good luck, Bren! 

[boro fan]

Hi, doing a matchthread for oneboro, just looking for the views of the opposition.

Who do you see as Boros biggest threat ? if you havnt heard of any of our players dont worry

What sort of team will Liverpool put out for this?

Are you bothered about the league cup this season?

How do you see the game going?



Cheers

[TepidT2O]

Hi, doing a matchthread for oneboro, just looking for the views of the opposition.

Who do you see as Boros biggest threat ? if you havnt heard of any of our players dont worry

What sort of team will Liverpool put out for this?

Are you bothered about the league cup this season?

How do you see the game going?



Cheers

Always had a soft spot for boro after bankruptcy and rebuilding the club.

Steve Gibson (right?) poured his heart into the club, but it never quite worked.

Good luck on Tuesday (but obviously I hope we thrash you )

League cup does matter to me.  It's part of Liverpool's heritage, it's something that we could win and Rodgers needs a trophy now.

The game could be anything.  We will probably play some kids and .... They play pretty much what the first team played last season....

Who knows which team will turn up?

[lorenzo23]

Hi, doing a matchthread for oneboro, just looking for the views of the opposition.

Who do you see as Boros biggest threat ? if you havnt heard of any of our players dont worry
Sorry not been following much of championship of late.

What sort of team will Liverpool put out for this?
I would guess we will see Jones/Enrique/Toure/Sakho not sure about right back/Coutinho/Lucas/Suso(maybe)/Lambert/Markovic/Borini

Are you bothered about the league cup this season?
Yes i hope we win it.

How do you see the game going?
Really tight game at this moment in time could go either way, how we are playing but i will go with 2-1 win.


Cheers

[Gerry83]

-------Jones
Manq Toure Skrtel Enrique
---Lucas Rossiter
--Coutinho Markovic
---Lambert Borini

Subs: Migs, Coates, Sakho, Hendo, Sterling, Balo maybe another youngster in there too.

Would be my choice. Not sure what formation we'd play to compensate that team though.

Would surprise me if we got beat in this one. Think a run in this is important for the players who arent automatic starters and for a few of the younger lads to get a run out..

[Haggis36]

Wouldn't play the same fullbacks. Think that's a physically demanding position and it's a long haul of a season. Especially as Flanagan is down for a few months and Manquillo/Moreno are a step up on Enrique/Johnson. Agreed when it comes to CBs, though. Always possible that he goes with the back 3 experimentation further.

Lucas as the deep midfielder. It gets weird after that because there will presumably be a front 3 in any formation of Lambert, Markovic, and Borini. Coutinho is likely penciled in as a starter in a 4-3-3 against the Ev, assuming Sturridge will come off the bench. The midfield options are thin. I think it should be one out of Phil/Henderson and Rossiter. Two U21s in midfield is a plan for failure, especially teamed with Lucas. (Don't believe Brendan has ever used Suso as a true midfielder.) Then bring on either Phil or Henderson for the other at 60'. Then it's a clusterfuck if Lucas loses his legs or Rossiter has wide eyes. Good luck, Bren! 

Totally forgot Suso! Be interesting to see if any of the youth players get ahead of him. Rodgers probably sees him as more of a forward option than a midfield one but it might be worth a shout.

I agree I'd rather not run the FBs into the ground, but with Flanno out we don't have many options. Maybe start Enrique, is Johnson fit? I guess Manquillo didn't have to play the full game yesterday so he should be relatively fresh. I don't know how helpful playing the CBs with new FBs would be for them getting used to each other.

[Caligula?]

They're doing quite well in the Championship as of late, wouldn't surprise me at all if they came and knocked us out.

[Chris~]

Hi, doing a matchthread for oneboro, just looking for the views of the opposition.

Who do you see as Boros biggest threat ? if you havnt heard of any of our players dont worry

What sort of team will Liverpool put out for this?

Are you bothered about the league cup this season?

How do you see the game going?



Cheers

Bamford, seems to score wherever he goes. Expecting heavy rotation after three games in 7 days. If we get past the first few rounds I'd like us to take it serious, otherwise more important things to focus on. Extra time win for us.

[redbyrdz]

 My team would be:

          Jones
Manquillo Skrtel Sakho Enrique
               Lucas
Markovic Lallana Coutinho
  Lambert Ballotelli


This is our usual defence (ha!) with Lovren getting time to recover from the head injury, and Enrique getting a game.
Lucas in for Gerrard.
Markovic needs a game, Lallana minutes, Coutinho to build his confidence. Sterling on the bench, try to rest him.
Lambert deserves a start, Ballotelli should play as much as possible to get used to us and the club.