Topic: Torres: Don't rush Gerrard back too soon

[rocco]

Lucas will play in a five man mid-field.

?

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

Arbeloa------Carragher---Skrtel--------Aurelio

---------------Lucas-------Mascherano---------

Kuyt--------------Alonso----------------Riera

----------------------Torres------------------------

[Fat Scouser]

Who knows with Rafa but I reckon, Kuyt, Lucas, Masch, Xabi and Riera will be the midfield.

Just like I wouldn't worry about Liverpool in this type of game, I wouldn't worry about Lucas either. Just like the team itself, I worry about him against the likes of Stoke and Everton, them small physical clubs.
Cliche, but there's truth in it.... Give the lad a bit of time and space, play football against him, and he's decent. Throw him in the trenches on a wet Wednesday night and he struggles.

[Fat Scouser]

?

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

Arbeloa------Carragher---Skrtel--------Aurelio

---------------Lucas-------Mascherano---------

Kuyt--------------Alonso----------------Riera

----------------------Torres------------------------

for what it's worth.... that's exactly what I reckon

[rocco]

for what it's worth.... that's exactly what I reckon

Doesn't look right  ?

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

Arbeloa------Carragher---Skrtel--------Aurelio

                         MASCH   

---------------Lucas-----Alonso---------

      KuYT-------------------------------Riera
   
----------------------Torres------------------------

?

[Fat Scouser]

As I said, who knows with Rafa. He'll probably spring some surprise. But I can see him putting that out.

Sorry mate, just noticed you meant the formation. I just meant the personel.

[X_Alonso14]

Let's just hope the time scale of 3 weeks out was the maximum for precaution and Stevie comes back within 2 weeks, you never know, it could happen, and I think Stevie might be back before the Real game on the bench and start the match in Madrid.

[PAC-MAN]

no way will Rafa chance anything with Gerrard. If he's not ready for Madrid, he won't play. We can do them without him anyway. He'll be kept in bubble wrap for the run in.

Yeah has to be done that way!, Got too much tough games in the last part of this season and would hate to have a Gerrard free pitch!

[Fat Scouser]

Yeah has to be done that way!, Got too much tough games in the last part of this season and would hate to have a Gerrard free pitch!

Even if he'd had his leg cut off, Gerrard would rise like Lazarus for the Manc game. Other than that, I can't see him being risked in anyway until he's fully fit.

[WorldChampions]

We don't need Gerrard against madrid anyway, they are shite

[the_prodigal_s0n]

Even if he'd had his leg cut off, Gerrard would rise like Lazarus for the Manc game. Other than that, I can't see him being risked in anyway until he's fully fit.

He's due a performance against the Mancs too, IMO. Hopefully that performance comes in the next 5 weeks!

[L Redwing]

Yeah just like he cracked against Inter Milan 

Thank you. I was just about to say this.

[Dante79]

If Gerard is not 100% for the Man City game than I rather Rafa doesnt play him, I rather have him 100% for the Madrid first leg, we need to get out of the Bernabeu with at least 1 goal

[the_prodigal_s0n]

If Gerard is not 100% for the Man City game than I rather Rafa doesnt play him, I rather have him 100% for the Madrid first leg, we need to get out of the Bernabeu with at least 1 goal

I'd rather he played a part - if ready - against City than against Real. We need the three points in that game more than we need a goal in the Bernabeu.

[rocco]

I'd rather he played a part - if ready - against City than against Real. We need the three points in that game more than we need a goal in the Bernabeu.

No chance ....

[El Denzel Pepito]

Yeah just like he cracked against Inter Milan 

On recent performances I wouldn't let him start against Real. Plus he's very low in confidence.

[the_prodigal_s0n]

No chance ....

If he's fit enough I'd have him on the bench. It'll probably be too early for him though. I'd rather he sat out the entire game in the Bernabeu on the bench unless we're really desperate.

[RED-EAZY]

We don't need Gerrard against madrid anyway, they are shite

tar lad new sig

[rocco]

If he's fit enough I'd have him on the bench. It'll probably be too early for him though. I'd rather he sat out the entire game in the Bernabeu on the bench unless we're really desperate.

Not to worried about city  , think they have only won 1 away game this season  v Sunderland and  Wright-Phillips scored 2 of the goals
and beaten in their last away game v stoke ...

[lvcjmac]

I don't like the way that Real Madrid is being underestimated.

• They've won 7 on the trot, 6 of them clean sheets.
• Juande Ramos may have been shiite at Spurs, but he's made quite a reputation for himself as a cup manager. (2 UEFA Cups, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 League Cup with Spurs)
• We aren't in the best of form right now, although we seem to find a way to get up for these European ties under Rafa.

I'm know Rafa and the boys aren't taking them lightly, but this isn't the Real Madrid of the CL over the past 5 years or so that constantly leaked goals.

[lvcjmac]

?

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

Arbeloa------Carragher---Skrtel--------Aurelio

---------------Lucas-------Mascherano---------

Kuyt--------------Alonso----------------Riera

----------------------Torres------------------------

I'm thinking we would see Lucas and Alonso flip flopped?  All reports are of Lucas being more of an AM in the Stevie G role when we first bought him.

[scousemike187]

Lets not underestimate Real .. they have won like 7 games on the trot ?

While I have great confidence we will win, I agree with you completely. By the looks of things people are getting a little carried away with it and this tie will not be as easy as some seem to be anticipating.

[johnny_be_good]

I don't like the way that Real Madrid is being underestimated.

I dont think we are underestimating them. I just think we are confident we can beat them over 2 legs. After beating AC Milan, Inter, Barca, Juve, Chelsea and Arsenal in the Champions League, we know we can beat any team.

[El Denzel Pepito]

I dont think we are underestimating them. I just think we are confident we can beat them over 2 legs. After beating AC Milan, Inter, Barca, Juve, Chelsea and Arsenal in the Champions League, we know we can beat any team.

..What he said.

[xavidub]

no way will Rafa chance anything with Gerrard. If he's not ready for Madrid, he won't play. We can do them without him anyway. He'll be kept in bubble wrap for the run in.

[Regi]

Yeah, just hope Lucas doesn't get included into such a big game though, he'll crack..

No end to this shite is there...

[lovelymofo]

Lets not underestimate Real .. they have won like 7 games on the trot ?

Yeah, but did you watch any of those seven matches?  Not exactly impressive wins.  I'm sure the team will miss Gerrard, but I'm pretty confident about their chances of winning in Madrid.  Plus, I'm sure Torres will be up for the match.

[robbie96]

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

Arbeloa------Carragher---Skrtel--------Agger

---------------Aurelio-------Mascherano---------

Kuyt--------------Lucas---------------Riera

                               Torres


Highly unlikely but.....it would be neat to see

[Dante79]

..What he said.

I dont think we are underestimating them. I just think we are confident we can beat them over 2 legs. After beating AC Milan, Inter, Barca, Juve, Chelsea and Arsenal in the Champions League, we know we can beat any team.

True, I dont think no one is underestimating Real, but I believe in the first leg like I mentioned Liverpool should look for at Leta a draw and get the away goal, if we loose by one it wont matter cause i strongly believe that we will finish them at Anfield

[sat]

I can see us playing:
                 Reina
Arbs  Carra  Srktel  Aurelio
Kuyt  Masch Xabi  Riera
               Benni
               Torres

That should be more than good enough to nick an away goal and get a draw. Than SG back at Anfield should do the business. 

[-Daws-]

Keep Stevie well and truely wrapped up for this one. We don't need him to get some sort of result in Madrid and we are capable of scoring without him.

Would love to see...

GK Reina

RB Arbeloa
CB Carragher
CB Skrtel
LB Aurelio

CM Alonso
CM Mascherano
RM Kuyt
LM Riera

AM Lucas

ST Torres

Soak up the pressure and hit them on the break with smooth passing and a bit of pace.

[scott]

any update?

[Karthik]

with or without him i think we can beat madrid over two legs.

[farawayred]

?

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

Arbeloa------Carragher---Skrtel--------Aurelio

---------------Lucas-------Mascherano---------

Kuyt--------------Alonso----------------Riera

----------------------Torres------------------------

My selection too. Although I would play both Alonso and Lucas in more advanced roles with Mach backing them up.

[Dante79]

with or without him i think we can beat madrid over two legs.

True, we have the team to do that but wouldnt you prefer to have Gerrard fit for the first leg? that will make us stronger, but I see what you mean

[saintslfc13]

Lucas will play in a five man mid-field.

I agree, I think he'll occupy Gerrard's position if we go 4-5-1.

Himself and Rafa, as well as many who follow him have kept saying he's more of an offensive player. I think we'll see him given a go there at least once during Gerrard's absence. He seems to do well in Europe, so I think rafa will give him a shot.

[GurjandoTorres]

Hope rafa plays lucas behind torres for the real game, got a sneaky feeling about it and idk why

[rowan_d]

Why Lucas in that position over Benayoun?

[Red_Rich]

Yeah, just hope Lucas doesn't get included into such a big game though, he'll crack..

Yeah, like he did in the San Siro last year? 

Give the lad some support hey?


As for the OP.  I hope we don't rush Stevie back too soon.  Sit him on the bench for the Sunderland game at the earliest.

[bakstabba]

Why Lucas in that position over Benayoun?

Exactly. Not discounting Lucas or anything, but Benayoun has been on fire lately and deserves starts. CAM is IMO Benayoun's best position in a 4-2-3-1 system.

[mazzapool]

Don't play him at Real for the first leg. Play him in the second at home and he'll tear them apart (not unlike his hamstring)

Mazz