Author Topic: Liverpool v Fulham - 26 Jan 2011, KO 20:00 GMT (Read 10573 times)

BabuYagu · « **on:** January 26, 2011, 10:15:35 am »

Liverpool F.C. v Fulham F.C.

Date: 26 January 2011
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

Team News:-
J Carragher Dislocated Shoulder unavailable
Lucas Hamstring doubtful

With Jovanovic (Illness), Cole (Ankle) and Gerrard (Suspension) all available for selection once again, Jamie Carragher is the only injury absentee. When was the last time in January we had so few injured players? Thanks to the Aussi's for that! Lucas is also doubtful due to a hamstring injury he picked up in the first half against Wolves. Rumours are he is being rested for tonight as a precaution.

Fulham are without Etuhu, Briggs, Zamora and Senderos.

Djphal (who is usually on the money with the lineups!) has posted the Liverpool team to be as follows:-

Reina, Kelly, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Poulsen, Meireles, Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi, Torres

Which I assume means

Reina

Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson
Poulsen
Meireles Gerrard
Kuyt Maxi
Torres

After the massive 3-0 win against Wolves at the weekend, Kenny is now hunting for his first home win of his second spell in charge. Raul really looks on top of his game at the moment which means he'll be hitting shots from everywhere. Gerrard is back also just to add to the seemingly endless list of nightmares coming Mark Schwarzer's way. Torres isn't far off top gear either. It could be a very long night (and longer trip home) for Fulham if those 3 are all in top form tonight.

Expecting Gerrard for Poulsen to be the only change. Maybe Aurelio for Kelly also as, despite being impressive so far, we also don't want Kelly's legs burning out the way Insua's did playing too many games too soon in his career.

Here's some footballing porn to warm you up for the game. Never gets tiring watching Raul's goal!

Aristotle · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2011, 12:02:06 pm »

I'm for this one, hope y'all can survive without me

Chakan · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2011, 01:20:27 pm »

Sorry guys can't contribute to this one either. I will be at work while the game is on. Stupid midweek games. Have fun and hopefully we get a good result!

BabuYagu · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2011, 02:56:02 pm »

Well that's just fine. I'll do it on my own then. *slams door in a huff*

Just read that a win tonight would put us in 7th place!!! Had a look and it's correct, as the only EPL game tonight and because of FA Cup fixtures at the weekend, it would put us 7th until the beginning of February. Would be a nice lift for all at the club that I think!

Refo · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:21:26 pm »

The huff isn't necessary, I'm up for this one!

This should be an exciting game. Interesting resting Lucas to say the least, heard he was injured though. I still think we should edge it and hopefully play some great football.

Aristotle · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:30:12 pm »

Have a few lads over to watch the game and I don't wanna be a bad host by being on the computer the entire time and ignoring them.

Will stick my prediction up and maybe some half-time thoughts.

I think this will end 4-1, just a gut feeling. Poulsen to cock up and give them an early goal but make up for it with an assist. Meireles with a goal in the third consecutive game and an ex-Atletico wonder from Maxi and Nando with a goal each.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:32:29 pm »

Liverpool F.C. v Fulham F.C.
Reina Stockdale
Kelly Baird
Johnson Hangeland
Skrtel Hughes
Agger Paintsel
Poulsen Duff
Meireles Sidwell
Gerrard Murphy
Kuyt Dempsey
Maxi Johnson
Torres Dembélé

Subs
Gulacsi Etheridge
Aurelio Kelly
Cole Salcido
Pacheco Gera
Wilson Greening
N'Gog Kamará
Shelvey Davies

Interesting to see Gulacsi as the backup keeper now under Kenny. Signing Jones was a waste of £3m + wages IMO from day one under Roy. We keep signing these talented young goalkeepers only to put the likes of Itandje and Jones in their path. Hopefully that's changed now.

I also read that Lucas' injury is a thigh strain, although only a slight one. Is that the first time he's been unavailbale due to injury during his LFC career here?

Aristotle · « **Reply #7 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:41:47 pm »

Quote from: BabuYagu on January 26, 2011, 07:32:29 pm

Interesting to see Gulacsi as the backup keeper now under Kenny. Signing Jones was a waste of £3m + wages IMO from day one under Roy. We keep signing these talented young goalkeepers only to put the likes of Itandje and Jones in their path. Hopefully that's changed now.

I also read that Lucas' injury is a thigh strain, although only a slight one. Is that the first time he's been unavailbale due to injury during his LFC career here?

Well tbf to him, Jones is at the Asian Cup. Still think he's a monumental waste of money regardless, but on all accounts seems a top lad and to his credit been using his upped profile off field for good so kudos to him for that.

With regards to Lucas I think it's the first time he's been injured since he became a regular, think he was injured when our midfield was Masch-Alonso but we weren't really effected then.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:49:09 pm »

Right, well kinda completely forgot the asian cup was evening happening to be honest.... hence my OP about Schwarzer

.... explains where Jones is and agreed, as a person, he's top notch and seriously hope he has more luck in his personal life. Still though, we've spent maybe £10m + a further £10m in wages in the last 5 years on Itandje, Diego and now Jones. That is a LOT of money without even having a league game to share amongst them!

Anyway, just 12 minutes to KO. Time to find me a stream, dig out a Liverpool shirt and settle down with my pre-match cuppa and biscuits

COME ON YOU REDMEN!

Refo · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:52:34 pm »

^^^
In the process of the same thing right now. Except the liverpool shirt. We always lose when I wear my liverpool shirt.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:56:20 pm »

Quote from: Refo on January 26, 2011, 07:52:34 pm

^^^
In the process of the same thing right now. Except the liverpool shirt. We always lose when I wear my liverpool shirt.

Fucking superstitions, they are brilliant aren't they. For me, I have to wear away shirts when we wear red, and red when we don't. I can't even remember the reason... I think I changed shirts at half time in May, 2005 and since then have convinced that small change resulted in our comeback. Nothing to do with Rafa, Hamann, Gerrard, Xabi or anybody else.

Think I've been watching the butterfly effect too much.

Oh the pre match cuppa is another superstition

It's 40 degrees here, sweating like hell, last thing I need is coffee!

BabuYagu · « **Reply #11 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:58:04 pm »

T-3 mins

Teams walking out onto the pitch now. Good to see Gerrard leading us out once again

YNWA now playing. Ground very quiet for a mid-week game or is it just me?

Chakan · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2011, 07:58:29 pm »

I stopped wearing my red shirt this year. Every shirt I tried we lost. The black one the red one, hell I even started wearing the standards corrupted one and we lost. So now I usually don't bother. I may start wearing my Torres one again though. But I don't want to jinx anything.

Anyway good luck lads!

I am off for now as I don't want to know the result until I watch it tonight when I get home.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:01:14 pm »

Quote from: Chakan on January 26, 2011, 07:58:29 pm

I stopped wearing my red shirt this year. Every shirt I tried we lost. The black one the red one, hell I even started wearing the standards corrupted one and we lost. So now I usually don't bother. I may start wearing my Torres one again though. But I don't want to jinx anything.

Anyway good luck lads!

I am off for now as I don't want to know the result until I watch it tonight when I get home.

Have a good one Chakan!

I think it's more a fact that Roy Hodgson was wearing a Liverpool bench jacket had more to do with it.

WOW, and now we hear the kop

BabuYagu · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:03:30 pm »

2 mins

We are off here at Anfield. Not much happening so far except for Agger doing an overhead kick clearance near his own flag.

Fulhams gameplan tonight appears to be long balls into the channels for Johnson to chase down. No surprises.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:04:39 pm »

3 mins

Fulham freek in a dangerous area on our right. Cross comes in and it's flicked on by Aaron Hughes, but just drifts wide.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:07:05 pm »

6 mins

Fulham doing a good job of pressing us high up the pitch, we haven't really gotten our passing game going yet at all.

Then, out of nowhere we put together 10 passes in a row with Meireles receiving the ball in the hole. Picks out Torres' run perfectly and he slots past Stockdale. But it's offside.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:08:21 pm »

Glen Johnson appears to have shaved his head for this game.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:09:42 pm »

8 mins

That little passing move seems to have settled us a little and we are playing it around much better now. Liverpool have just had another good chance, this time Kuyt, but he was a good 4 yards offside. And he missed anyway.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:11:44 pm »

10 mins

Another good move by us. This time it's Kelly crossing from the right, a Meireles header looks in.... but it's clawed out of the bottom corner by Stockdale. Great save.

Corner comes in by Gerrard by Skrtel heads wide.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:14:27 pm »

12 mins

Another Kelly cross which Torres gets on the end off... but he's off balance and doesn't connect at all with his spectacular looking attempt at a shot.

Torres Gets the ball back and lays it back to Gerrard at the edge of the box but left footed, he fails to get the power and accuracy he would on his right... and it's straight at the keeper.

Refo · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:14:41 pm »

We look really up for this!

BabuYagu · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:15:23 pm »

Didn't see a reply of it, but apparantly Torres' goal was onside. He's what Tomkins had to say on the matter

Quote from: NineTails20 on January 26, 2011, 08:12:14 pm

Paul Tomkins: "Torres ruled offside after scoring. Was onside. As others noted, a woman would have got that right."

BabuYagu · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:16:02 pm »

14 mins

Torres tries a very speculative, half volley from 25 yards. Very high.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:17:48 pm »

Quote from: Refo on January 26, 2011, 08:14:41 pm

We look really up for this!

Yep, it's pretty much one way traffic so far bar one Fulham set piece. Have to agree with Robbie also!

Quote from: robbie96 on January 26, 2011, 08:16:00 pm

Are we playing well, how does Anfield sound?

Can't shake the feeling that we're going to bounce in a minute!!!!

BabuYagu · « **Reply #25 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:19:01 pm »

I'm with a very jumpy stream tonight guys which is cutting out regularly. Anybody got anything better, with low bandwidth?

BabuYagu · « **Reply #26 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:20:15 pm »

Changing streams. Can you take over play by play Refo?

BabuYagu · « **Reply #27 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:24:03 pm »

Quote from: NineTails20 on January 26, 2011, 08:18:11 pm

According to someone else on Twitter: "Main stand start a chant; "There's only one Sian Massey" after male linesman disallows a Torres goal.".

- Was always going to happen with the Kop!

Quote from: stoa on January 26, 2011, 08:21:29 pm

Am I be overly dramatic when I'm saying that I could cry watching us at the moment? After months of dull "football" under Roy we're actually trying to move the ball on the ground. It's such a great sight, even though we haven't scored yet...

Said as much to someone by PM. It's a complete reversal, regardless of result I know I will enjoy watching us. Complete opposite of life under Roy.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #28 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:26:26 pm »

25 mins - Still 0-0

Stream back

Fulham trying to play the ball around a bit too but we do well to break them down. We counter switching play to the left. Johnson gets on the ball, runs at the full back, cuts in on his right and drives the ball towards goal which Stockdale can only tip over for a corner.... which comes to nothing.

Replay of the goal shows Torres is very much onside. Brilliant run and good vision to pick him out by Raul.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #29 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:31:02 pm »

28 mins

Reina called into action for the first time saving a shot from Dempsey.

Fulham on the attack again, Andy Johnson does well to beat Skrtel and gets in a low cross which arrived on the penalty spot for Dembélé who thankfully shots straight at Reina with the whole goal to aim for. Poor finishing!

BabuYagu · « **Reply #30 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:33:01 pm »

PMS

I'm trying to sort out the play by play.... if you want to PM us about the game, cc in the other mods like Aristotle, Refo, or anybody else you see posting here on this thread.

If nobody picks them up I'll sort them during the half time break.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #31 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:34:24 pm »

33 mins

Liverpool pass the ball about nicely around the box. Meireles finally gets the ball out to Johnson who ghosts past the full back, cuts into the box and tries to cut it back to Torres who is shut out with too many defenders around him.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #32 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:35:46 pm »

Must say, I'm loving watching this.

When on the attack we our furthest man back is Skrtel who is still in the Fulham half. Agger ventures forward about 10 yards ahead. Kelly and Johnson are getting their boots white staying out on the touchlines. Fulham struggling to contain us and a goal feels immenent.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #33 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:37:32 pm »

36mins

Maxi and Torres closing down the Fulham defence brilliant.... finally forcing an error from Paintsel and we get the ball back. However our passing move breaks down with Kelly.

Fulham work the ball forward and Johnson gets behind our defence somehow but he controlled with his hand. He also shot appalling wide anyway.

Refo · « **Reply #34 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:39:16 pm »

We aren't playing badly, but we need to press them a bit more imo.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #35 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:39:24 pm »

38 mins

Liverpool trying to work another chance... Meireles trying a 1-2 with Johnson, who chips the ball over the defence back to Meireles.... overhit and the move breaks down.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #36 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:41:54 pm »

40 mins

Liverpool pasing the ball around again 30 yards from goal. Agger joins the attack and tries a shot 35 yards from goal.... but drags it wide of the left hand post.

On that attack, Fulham had everybody bar Andy Johnson behind the ball.... i.e. in or on the edge of their own box. Proving a tough nut to crack this.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #37 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:42:52 pm »

42 mins

Cross comes in from the right and Fulham dont deal with it well.... falls for Maxi in the box but his shot is charged down. Corner.

Another Gerrard corner comes to nothing. Can we get Raul on these please?

BabuYagu · « **Reply #38 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:45:56 pm »

44 mins

Liverpool still passing the ball about quit nicely at times.... but there is something missing. I think maybe a winger who can beat a man and deliver a cross. Johnson hurting them down the left, Kelly plays some good crosses when we work some space for him.... but a creative wide player would make a difference here.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #39 on:** January 26, 2011, 08:46:23 pm »

45 minutes up.... 1 minute to be added