Topic: Europa League - Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool - Pre - match Thurs 6pm kick off

[stoa]

If Roy gives the captaincy to the greek, he's offically fucking lost it.

Why? He's an outfield player, has tons of experience and has been one of our better players in the last year or so. Add to that that he's been acting like a captain with all the young(er) lads playing beside him, encouraging them and giving them support.

I think Pepe would be a good choice as well, but at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter who's wearing the arm-band, because they've both shown a great attitiude anyway (both playing wise and interacting with the other players)...

[Dr Manhattan]

Kelly  Soto  Wilson  Aurelio


Boss.

[rako]

 

Roy has already said Kelly is starting so it's got to be Flanagan and Robinson on the bench.

Flanagan OR Robinson you meant. If Johnson and/or Konchesky don't/doesn't make the squad of course.

[reds88]

I fancy at least a draw if not a win. Pacheco to score one at least.

[lafuriaroja]

Kelly  Soto  Wilson  Aurelio


Boss.

Have to say I'm very excited to see how this CB partnership works. A back four without Carra should be a revelation, as his hoofing (and lack of pace) has really been handicapping us.

[El Rey, por favor]

Hope that Suso is on the bench

[Gifted Right Foot]

Have to say I'm very excited to see how this CB partnership works. A back four without Carra should be a revelation, as his hoofing (and lack of pace) has really been handicapping us.

yeah but in saying that, that backline has never played together yet so anything could happen.  hopefully they do well

[gallden]

Why? He's an outfield player, has tons of experience and has been one of our better players in the last year or so. Add to that that he's been acting like a captain with all the young(er) lads playing beside him, encouraging them and giving them support.

I think Pepe would be a good choice as well, but at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter who's wearing the arm-band, because they've both shown a great attitiude anyway (both playing wise and interacting with the other players)...

Don't bother with the wum.

[Strummer77]

Kelly  Soto  Wilson  Aurelio


Boss.

Lovely. Can't wait for this. Hope Pacheco comes on and scores a blinder.

[Mr_Morosoph]

Flanagan OR Robinson you meant. If Johnson and/or Konchesky don't/doesn't make the squad of course.

No. I meant Flanagan and Robinson.

[Rigden]

Hope that Suso is on the bench

and pacheco

[kevin87]

What's the deal with ngog? Him coming off early against spurs I'm guessing was just to fatigue, anyone else heard otherwise? However I'm expecting him to be rested for the villa game as Roy will prob try to play 4-4-2 while Stevie Is out. I
Expecting
Reina
Kelly
Wilson
Aurelio
Shelvy
Poulsen
Pacheco
Cole
Jova
Babel upfront on own bring supported by Cole, jova and Pacheco.

With Cole to only play 60 minutes and to be replaced by eccleston.

[gaztop08]

Had a look at the temperatures there...Its warmer than the UK

[Suspect Package.]

Expecting
Reina
Kelly
Wilson
Aurelio
Shelvy
Poulsen
Pacheco
Cole
Jova
Babel upfront on own bring supported by Cole, jova and Pacheco.

Traditionally in football we like to use 11 players.

I wouldn't like to be you when Nick the Greek finds you.

[Suspect Package.]

Not a bad team really, a chance to Wilson, Kelly and Shelvey to show off. Myself, I'd have liked him to just start with Ngog-Pacheco up top. Play Pacheco as part of an actual strike pairing. Let's hope Roy brings him on with at least 20 minutes left, not a shite 6 minute cameo if we are winning.

I think that once again, Kelly will be the surprise package to many people watching the game though.

[careful on these streets, I've heard stories]

                                    Reina
                  Kelly   Soto  Wilson   Aurelio
                            Shelvey  Poulsen
                    J.Cole               Pacheco
                          Babel     Jovanovic

                                   or

                                 Reina
                  Kelly   Soto  Wilson   Aurelio
                            Shelvey  Poulsen
                    J.Cole               Jovanovic
                          Babel     Pacheco

                                   or

                                Reina
                  Kelly   Soto  Wilson   Aurelio
                         Shelvey  Poulsen
                     Babel               J.Cole
                            Jova Pacheco

We need just a point to qualify the midfield and defence picks itself, in attack Ngog got a couple knocks againt WH and Spurs I can see him being rested too. I think this will be the make up of the team they are good enough to get a point, maybe even more

[Walshy nMe®]

ESPN, Sky Channel 417 at 5.30pm

Nice one, couldnt see it on the planner yesterday though.  How weird.

Ta anyway mate.

[kevin87]

Traditionally in football we like to use 11 players.

I wouldn't like to be you when Nick the Greek finds you.

haha yeah my bad, forgot to slip old soto and his brick head in there

[MattieSav]

Hopefully Roy will use some of the younger players....

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/roy-s-challenge-to-young-trio

Finally 

[JK-3]

im really expecting a win tomorrow, its a must win in terms of reputation, confidence and form more than it is to advance in the competition.
I would expect to see:
                                  Jones
     
Kelly            Kyrgiakos  (c)      Wilson        Aurelio
     
Pacheco      Shelvey           Poulsen        Jovanovic
                                 
                                         Cole
                                 
                             N'gog

[Jay012345]

No point sticking these young players in if you aint going to give them a chance in their position.
Pacheco is not a winger.

[Jezza789]

Liverpool squad: Pepe Reina, Brad Jones, Martin Hansen, Fabio Aurelio, Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Ryan Babel, Lucas, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Pacheco, David Ngog, Martin Kelly, Nathan Eccleston, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson

as on the .tv website.
Good to see Flanagan and Robinson in the squad, as well as Hansen. Would've loved to have seen Suso though. Whats happened to Bouzanis? He was tipped for greatness by Rafa.

[Veinticinco de Mayo]

No point sticking these young players in if you aint going to give them a chance in their position.
Pacheco is not a winger.

We generally don't play with wingers so that ain't a problem.

[ShortyKop]

Kelly  Soto  Wilson  Aurelio


Boss.

Probably our best back four with Agger injured...

[mulhergremista]

Just read a Lucas twitter saying that he is goig to thairport John Lenon (What a beautiful name or and airport)  and he is going to play in Romania, I don't know if it means he will open or be on the bench to enter just like the former game when he scored. 
He wrote a tweet to Babel reminding him to prepare his things..
Whoever open, I will suppport them, come on Liverpool!
I pray to God please please no more injuries, and also protect us from ignorant refs.

[JK-3]

No point sticking these young players in if you aint going to give them a chance in their position.
Pacheco is not a winger.

I agree, but I'm being realistic and Roy will not pick him ahead of the other options in his natural position.

[1770ben]

Have to say I'm very excited to see how this CB partnership works. A back four without Carra should be a revelation, as his hoofing (and lack of pace) has really been handicapping us.

Hate to say it, but agree with this. Kelly has already shown he's up to it. Wilson has CL experience. All good to me.

[Roger Federer]

                                  Jones
     
Kelly            Kyrgiakos  (c)      Wilson        Aurelio
     
Pacheco      Shelvey           Poulsen        Jovanovic
                                 
                                         Cole
                                 
                             Ngog

I'd play Skrtel ahead of Kyrgiakos, and swap the places of Cole and Pacheco.

Nice squad though, would love to see Robinson or Flanagan at some point.

[GrkStav]

We generally don't play with wingers so that ain't a problem.

Amen! Or "This".

I see no reason to play a 4-4-2 vs Steaua in Buckarest or a 4-4-1-1, either.

A 4-2-3-1 would be perfectly fine for this game.

[GrkStav]

Liverpool squad: Pepe Reina, Brad Jones, Martin Hansen, Fabio Aurelio, Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Ryan Babel, Lucas, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Pacheco, David Ngog, Martin Kelly, Nathan Eccleston, John Flanagan, Jack Robinson

as on the .tv website.
Good to see Flanagan and Robinson in the squad, as well as Hansen. Would've loved to have seen Suso though. Whats happened to Bouzanis? He was tipped for greatness by Rafa.

I wouldn't read too much into the inclusion of all the English/homegrown youngsters. It's more UEFA rules than anything else (most clearly the case with the inclusion of Hansen).

[mbyx6cg2]

Made up to see Wilson starting. I already know he's a good player, but I hope he takes his chance and shows Roy what he's made of. I'm weary of him having a poor game and Roy not playing him again for another 3 months. He's too good to play in the reserves.

[Titi Camara]

                                  Jones
     
Kelly            Kyrgiakos  (c)      Wilson        Aurelio
     
                    Shelvey               Cole           
                                 
Suso***                  Pacheco                  Babel
                                 
                                 Ngog

***Needs to get on a plane sharpish!!!

[Not2Xabi]

Unfortunately I think you'll find that substitutions can only be made from the eightieth minute and onwards, and by no means can they ever be sensible.

Is that from Roy's "Handbook for Experienced European Football Managers"? If so, it would seem that he adheres to it unswervingly.

[OldCold]

Different sources on facebook saying Pepe is captain tomorrow, excellent choice although i'm not usually a fan of keepers being captain.

[Not2Xabi]

                                  Jones
     
Kelly            Kyrgiakos  (c)      Wilson        Aurelio
     
                    Shelvey               Cole           
                                 
Suso***                  Pacheco                  Babel
                                 
                                 Ngog

***Needs to get on a plane sharpish!!!

So, tell me: what do you think will be achieved by deploying Joe Cole as a holding midfielder??

[NeoAdjuvant]

I wouldn't like to be you when Nick the Greek finds you.

They say his days are numbered but we play him every week!

[conman]

pity the match is on Setanta 1, i only have Setanta....
guess it will be some shitty streams again tonight, while Man City take the big screen.

Hope Pacheco plays a stormer and forces Roys hand to give him some more opportunities,

[CorKopite]

pity the match is on Setanta 1, i only have Setanta....
guess it will be some shitty streams again tonight, while Man City take the big screen.

Hope Pacheco plays a stormer and forces Roys hand to give him some more opportunities,

Your in Ireland arnt ya Conman?is it not on that Tv3 sports channel? Channel 105 on Sky?All the games so far have been....

[conman]

Your in Ireland arnt ya Conman?is it not on that Tv3 sports channel? Channel 105 on Sky?All the games so far have been....

and 3e also...

but its not on any of them this time.

[Hunter Thompson]

pity the match is on Setanta 1, i only have Setanta....
guess it will be some shitty streams again tonight, while Man City take the big screen.

Hope Pacheco plays a stormer and forces Roys hand to give him some more opportunities,

City play tonight. We play tomorrow.