Topic: Match Preview: Liverpool FC v FC Sion. Europa Cup. Thursday, October 1st. 8.05pm

[Crosby Nick]

We're gonna be iron like a lion in Sion.

*trumpet riff*

[jdpapa3]

The question is whether Sturridge is more likely to get injured because he plays this game.

Where's the evidence? Most of his injuries have come when he breaks down in training, not when he's on the pitch. He has played a total of 143 minutes of Premier League football this season.

So why the insistence that he needs to be rested?

He got hurt in England training last year after 2 games in 4 days. He was shut down in April in training after playing 2 games in 4 days. I don't even know if there are any studies out there, but it just feels like common sense to me that it's more risky to muscular injuries.

Seems he won't be involved. Think it becomes an interesting call with Ings, who played 120 minutes in the League Cup and 90 minutes on Saturday. Alternatives pretty thin, though.

[Chakan]

He's good, but I reckon we might find a keeper and a couple of other outfield players to help him

It's a switch in formation again though, we've played 2 upfront since Sturridge has been back, with Benteke and then with Ings, if we're resting both of them and Benteke is injured, we're reverting back to a lone striker.

[Giono]

We're gonna be iron like a lion in Sion.

Iron

Lion

Sion

[G1-tiga]

Just made the very stupid decision to read some of the bile put on the LFC training photos put up on Facebook. It's all fair and well to be irritated but some of the shit people write is unbelievable, I would be willing to bet a lot for money they wouldn't have the bottle to say any of that to the players or the manager.

On that note I was kind of hoping that our team against Sion would be weakened, and I am sure it will be. But I actually now hope that Brendan goes strong initially and subs off key players around 60 if we are winning e.g Origi on for Ings and Rossiter on for Can.

I know the derby is at the weekend and that is the game that matters, but winning this trophy would be huge for us as fans, the players and the manager. So I really hope we go for it and shut those internet warriors up at least for a few hours. Seriously I don't think I've been this angry at the fan base since the how some of them treated Rafa in 2009.

[JSteve]

It's a switch in formation again though, we've played 2 upfront since Sturridge has been back, with Benteke and then with Ings, if we're resting both of them and Benteke is injured, we're reverting back to a lone striker.

Surely Origi will partner him upfront like he did against Carlisle.

[Chakan]

Surely Origi will partner him upfront like he did against Carlisle.

Partner who? Ings?

[JSteve]

Partner who? Ings?

Yes. I don't think Ings will be rested.

[heylookitsjacob]

The question is whether Sturridge is more likely to get injured because he plays this game.

Hmm, I'm not sure when I asked that? I actually asked an entirely different question that you didn't feel like answering, which is fine.

Where's the evidence? Most of his injuries have come when he breaks down in training, not when he's on the pitch. He has played a total of 143 minutes of Premier League football this season.

So why the insistence that he needs to be rested?

I didn't insist anything. I asked you a question because I didn't agree with your reasoning whether Sturridge should be rested or not.

In the end, as I have said several times, the decision will rest with the club's medical staff, who know far more than you do about whether or not he is at risk. So stop shitting your pants, and leave it to the professionals.

You state that the decision will rest with the club's medical staff and then you repeatedly voice your opinion as if it is fact. How can you not expect a response?

It's a bit crazy that in your opinion me questioning your reasoning (I'm not even disagreeing with you!) means I'm shitting my pants. How the heck can anyone have a normal conversation  without 100% agreeing with you?

[Chakan]

Yes. I don't think Ings will be rested.

It's a risk though, considering we'd want Ings for the Derby. I mean 4 games in under 2 weeks, that's a pretty big ask.

[heylookitsjacob]

Is Allen back yet for this? Possibly a good opportunity for him to get some minutes under his belt.

[ryatnalkar]

It's a risk though, considering we'd want Ings for the Derby. I mean 4 games in under 2 weeks, that's a pretty big ask.

Would have been an ideal game to play Firmino up front with Origi. It's a shame he is injured.

[JSteve]

It's a risk though, considering we'd want Ings for the Derby. I mean 4 games in under 2 weeks, that's a pretty big ask.

That's true. Its really unfortunate that Firmino is sidelined, because I think he is an ideal Second Striker.

But in his absence we need someone in and around Origi occupying defenders otherwise it will be a very quick return the clueless football as displayed against Bordeaux.

[redjed1]

We need 2 up front, or else we'll struggle to score and it will become another frustrating game.

If we're going to continue playing 3 at the back with 2 wingbacks, we'd better keep to that set-up for this game.

Something like.....
........................................Bogdan...................................
....................Gomez...........Skrtel.............Toure..............
..Ibe..................Allen....................Rossiter........Moreno..
........................................Lallana.....................................
........................Origi...............................Ings....................

[ConqueredAllOfEurope]

I'll be going to this tomorrow. I hope it is going to be a better showing then the last game I attended vs Carlisle. We need to win our home games in Europe as travelling is always difficult. Hopefully we should have some confidence from last Saturday.

[Nessy76]

Hmm, I'm not sure when I asked that? I actually asked an entirely different question that you didn't feel like answering, which is fine.

I didn't insist anything. I asked you a question because I didn't agree with your reasoning whether Sturridge should be rested or not.

You state that the decision will rest with the club's medical staff and then you repeatedly voice your opinion as if it is fact. How can you not expect a response?

It's a bit crazy that in your opinion me questioning your reasoning (I'm not even disagreeing with you!) means I'm shitting my pants. How the heck can anyone have a normal conversation  without 100% agreeing with you?

If you want people to take you and your questions seriously, don't start off by being antagonistic for no reason whatsoever. I've not seen you posting here before, so let's not get off on the wrong foot.

As for Sturridge, it's been made clear that he isn't playing, and the reason given for that is fitness, not injury.

I've explained what I think about this several times. You are of course, free to disagree. There are several posters here who have done so, and that's perfectly fine. There's not much point repeating myself again, especially since we now know he won't be involved.

If you want to have a "normal conversation" with me, start whenever you like. As a hint, though, calling me arrogant or crazy, my posts bollocks, and then setting up a straw man argument to beat me up with probably won't get you an especially considerate reply. We don't know each other.

[Nessy76]

There may or not be a town somewhere called "Daft Twat." Imagine how surreal an experience it must be to sit there reading your post in that town 

There's a "Twatt" in Orkney. Don't know if they have internet up there yet, though.

[heylookitsjacob]

snip...

Fair enough.

[Gnurglan]

Like the research in the OP. Let's hope we don't have to play them again in the Final...

Looking forward to this game. We should pick a strong side and after the win vs Villa, hopefully we have a lot of confidence. I want to see a couple of players take leading roles for us. Not accept, but take those roles. Would be great if the likes of Lallana, Can and Ings could do it.

[kevin87]

We need 2 up front, or else we'll struggle to score and it will become another frustrating game.

If we're going to continue playing 3 at the back with 2 wingbacks, we'd better keep to that set-up for this game.

Something like.....
........................................Bogdan...................................
....................Gomez...........Skrtel.............Toure..............
..Ibe..................Allen....................Rossiter........Moreno..
........................................Lallana.....................................
........................Origi...............................Ings....................

I can see that being the formation, however i almost would like to see Ings Rested. We will need a full 90 from him on the weekend. Sinclair has been scoring in the ressies pretty frequently so would like to him given a go. He is quick too so can cause real problems.

........................................Bogdan...................................
....................Gomez...........Skrtel.............Toure..............
..Ibe..................Allen....................Rossiter........Moreno..
........................................Lallana.....................................
........................Origi.........................Sinclair...........

I would also like to rest Moreno, as he has played some serious minutes since Bordeaux.

Don't know if we have anyone else that can play there unless... Joe Maguire??

It becomes a bloody young team but Im confident the young lads can get it done.

Toure to captain. Lallana to score.

[PIPA23]

Markovic would be ideal starter for games like these ...

[anil_vedala]

It's a risk though, considering we'd want Ings for the Derby. I mean 4 games in under 2 weeks, that's a pretty big ask.

Ings would start assuming we'll play 3-4-1-2 formation.Later, He'll be substituted for Coutinho or someone thereby changing to 3-4-2-1

[Upinsmoke]

Just read what Texeira has had to say about his opportunities with Us this season and how he had a chat with the manager in the summer about how he'd get chances this year.

He hasn't even been registered in tonight's game against Sion, one of the weakest teams in this European competition
He also didn't play against Carlisle

It just begs the question that if he can't make the team at home to them two then barring a series of injuries where we have no other choice he isn't gonna get a look in.

[Dree]

Just read what Texeira has had to say about his opportunities with Us this season and how he had a chat with the manager in the summer about how he'd get chances this year.

He hasn't even been registered in tonight's game against Sion, one of the weakest teams in this European competition
He also didn't play against Carlisle

It just begs the question that if he can't make the team at home to them two then barring a series of injuries where we have no other choice he isn't gonna get a look in.

We should have just let him leave rather than wasting 6 months of his career.

Any talk of Enrique for this one? If he's match fit he's an asset as he's better defensively than Moreno (which is quite damning for Moreno I admit).

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Markovic would be ideal starter for games like these ...

He's banned anyway.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Really looking forward to this match. Anfield. Europe. Bonzah!

[Buck Pete]

Wonder if Sion will play a diamond formation?  That would be crazy if they did.

Sion, your crazy Diamond.

(coat already got)

[Nessy76]

Just read what Texeira has had to say about his opportunities with Us this season and how he had a chat with the manager in the summer about how he'd get chances this year.

He hasn't even been registered in tonight's game against Sion, one of the weakest teams in this European competition
He also didn't play against Carlisle

It just begs the question that if he can't make the team at home to them two then barring a series of injuries where we have no other choice he isn't gonna get a look in.

He'd have to be registered for the whole competition, not just this match. Because of the lack of club trained players in the squad, there simply isn't room to add any more over 21s.

[Jonny-LFC]

Any talk of Enrique for this one? If he's match fit he's an asset as he's better defensively than Moreno (which is quite damning for Moreno I admit).

I don't think he's registered for the Europa?

[1892tillforever]

Wonder if Sion will play a diamond formation?  That would be crazy if they did.

Sion, your crazy Diamond.

(coat already got)

We should have 2 strikers tonight, a lot to ask of Ings but he will hopefully become the new Bionic Man of Anfield.

[Kelvinlfc]

It's a fucking travesty Tex can't play in this, whoevers decision it was to leave him out is stupid. Next to Rossiter probably my favourite up & coming. 

Doing the rounds in the news this morning that he had a heart to heart with BR and has been promised chances.. in what? The league cup? Didn't get a chance against Carlisle iirc? Leaves the FA cup..

[theMilkman]

It's a fucking travesty Tex can't play in this, whoevers decision it was to leave him out is stupid. Next to Rossiter probably my favourite up & coming. 

Doing the rounds in the news this morning that he had a heart to heart with BR and has been promised chances.. in what? The league cup? Didn't get a chance against Carlisle iirc? Leaves the FA cup..

Not sure how he's still 'up and coming' though. He's 22. If he hasn't already forced himself into at least substitute appearances i highly doubt he'll break through into the first team.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

We should have 2 strikers tonight, a lot to ask of Ings but he will hopefully become the new Bionic Man of Anfield.

Good. Because people are always banging on about new Sionings

[Vortigen]

Not sure how he's still 'up and coming' though. He's 22. If he hasn't already forced himself into at least substitute appearances i highly doubt he'll break through into the first team.

It's a strange one because he's looked good any time he's played.  Feel bad for the boy.

[PaulF]

It's a nightmare game for the manager. Pick a weakened squad, fail to win. Fans up in arms. Pick a strong squad, key player gets injured for the Derby, fans up in arms.  Pick a strong squad, we are not giving youth a chance. Pick a weakened squad, we aren't given the established players a chance to gel\ rotating the squad too much. Anywhere in between and he gets slated for both.

[lionel_messias]

I don't think he's registered for the Europa?

Enrique?

He's registered himself on Fifa 16 and PES 16, there will a crazy party at his tonight with mojitos and crisps and everything. After the tourny, he will get out his instagram album of him swimming with Dolphins.

Love this guy, he's totes amazeballs.

[spider-neil]

If Gomez has a great game then there is a chance he'll come in for Can at the weekend.

[elsewhere]

We're gonna be iron like a lion in Sion.

 

[TobyLFC]

Is Ibe eligible?

[DeLeiva]

Is Ibe eligible?

Why would he not be?