Topic: Preview - Liverpool v Sunderland, 2nd Jan 7.45pm

[Snusmumriken]

December saw us average 2 points a game, which by all means should be considered good form for us, even though the result against Villa still hurts. Two  really positive key points I hope we'll carry with us from december: Averaging 2 goals/game, Not drawing a single game. Seems like we're really going for the wins now, if that means some unexpected and embarrassing loses but in the end an higher points/game I'll take it! Could just as easily have gone through december undefeated with less points seen to our earlier form.

[SabrinaLFC]

Must game win as it's very likely we'll drop points at Old Trafford and the Emirates later in the month

[fewmin' bedwetter]

Oh dear - we have another well-timed pronouncement just before a home game, this time about bringing
the "fear factor" back to Anfield. Be worried, be very worried.

[DG]

Oh dear - we have another well-timed pronouncement just before a home game, this time about bringing
the "fear factor" back to Anfield. Be worried, be very worried.

Do. Not. Ever. Criticize. Lucas. Leiva.

If it wasn't him I'd agree with you though.

[didi]

Oh dear - we have another well-timed pronouncement just before a home game, this time about bringing
the "fear factor" back to Anfield. Be worried, be very worried.

very true, 10-15 games unbeaten run at Anfield, yea lets talk about it then

[Ashfordian]

I'd like to know why Jack Robinson doesn't get a go at left back. He's more than capable of playing against Sunderland at home and it would be good experience for him.

Not a fan of Wisdom coming in to play right back & then Johnson over to left back as it takes away so much of Johnsons attacking ability and Wisdom offers nothing going forward at all as his natural position is a centre back.

[Number 7]

I'd like to know why Jack Robinson doesn't get a go at left back. He's more than capable of playing against Sunderland at home and it would be good experience for him.

Not a fan of Wisdom coming in to play right back & then Johnson over to left back as it takes away so much of Johnsons attacking ability and Wisdom offers nothing going forward at all as his natural position is a centre back.

I like Robinson as well but Rodgers hinted at him going out to get experience elsewhere.

As for Wisdom, I don't think he's going to play today. Think it'll be Downing at LB, and Johnson at RB.

[RichardM]

Downing's been very effective on the wing these last few games, be a shame to see him dropped back into LB. Sterling's form hasn't been great recently either. Robinson at LB or Wisdom at RB would be the best choice in my opinion.

[Alex7]

I'd like to know why Jack Robinson doesn't get a go at left back. He's more than capable of playing against Sunderland at home and it would be good experience for him.

Not a fan of Wisdom coming in to play right back & then Johnson over to left back as it takes away so much of Johnsons attacking ability and Wisdom offers nothing going forward at all as his natural position is a centre back.

You should ask yourself why Rodgers feels it necessary to make these changes instead of just bringing the natural left back in Jack Robinson into the team..

Quite simple really. Either he doesn't rate him, or doesn't think he's ready.

[Kansti]

So...Sturridge parade?  He should dance before the kick-off. Inspire our static lads.

[5ive Times]

right we got to twat these lot tonight - anyone seen their thread about us on their horrible forum?

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=752135

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones - comes to mind!

[Ashfordian]

You should ask yourself why Rodgers feels it necessary to make these changes instead of just bringing the natural left back in Jack Robinson into the team..

Quite simple really. Either he doesn't rate him, or doesn't think he's ready.

He's no less ready to play first team football than Wisdom has been this year or Sterling & Suso.

He's played a few games at centre back for the U-21's so as you say, he may just not rate him. Although his performances in the Europa League this year haven't done him any harm at all in my opinion.

[lamonti]

get an early goal and we will win this.If we havent scored in the first 30 minutes we will draw.

If only the actual team didn't seem to believe this when they played. Such an infuriating phenomenon - the groundhog days at Anfield.

[Roady]

If only the actual team didn't seem to believe this when they played. Such an infuriating phenomenon - the groundhog days at Anfield.

it is very strange.I think we will tonight though by two clear goals

[Alex7]

He's no less ready to play first team football than Wisdom has been this year or Sterling & Suso.

He's played a few games at centre back for the U-21's so as you say, he may just not rate him. Although his performances in the Europa League this year haven't done him any harm at all in my opinion.

When you look at the physical stature of Wisdom, and the raw ability of Sterling and Suso, you could say he's not ready.

I remember reading that Rodgers and the fitness team did not believe he had the required fitness for Premier League games or something to that tune.

[ReeNah]

Both Henderson and Downing playing pretty well these last couple of weeks. I hope they keep it up and prove all the doubters wrong. Both of them could really use some polishing on their final product though!!

I'm going with 6-0, Sterling hat-trick. You heard it here first.

[Weytske]

4-0 win.

[sattapaartridge]

Id go with this (if norovirus hasnt hit!)

                     Reina

Wisdom   Agger    Skrtel      Johnson

                       Allen
        Henderson     Gerrard
Downing                             Assaidi
                     Suarez

Assaidi hasnt done much to deserve a start, but with Sterling showing signs of ware, I'd probably give him a rest. I dont want to see Downing at left back, as he's been looking very dangerous.

Johnson at left back is better than downing there, we may miss his attacking prowess but hey, i'd like to see us defend properly. wisdom vs adam johnson im more comfortable with. wisdom has the pace and power against him. larsson vs glen johnson should be easy for us.

[5ive Times]

We will win 2-1.  It will be a tight affair but we will just edge it.

Fletcher 4 mins
Gerrard 38 mins
Suarez 71 mins

[LucasLeiva]

With our defending in recent weeks I can see Fletcher scoring. I do think we will win though.

[ACE1]

Is this match on sky or espn ?

[Harris96]

went on the sunderland forum and they expect the team to be;
Mignolet

Gardner
Cuellar
Kilgallon
Rose

Johnson
Larsson
Colback
McClean
Sessegnon

Fletcher

Seems a bit attacking? McClean, Johnson, Larsson are all wingers or play out wide, sessegnon is an attacking mid so olback is their only natural center mid?

Hoping we can dominate the midfield as a result, hoping allen, henderson and lucas do the trick with henderson pressing from the top of the three. Also looks like brown and o'shea are out which is pretty handy. Wouldn't mind sterling tearing rose apart again as well!

[Anywhichwayicant]

went on the sunderland forum and they expect the team to be;
Mignolet

Gardner
Cuellar
Kilgallon
Rose

Johnson
Larsson
Colback
McClean
Sessegnon

Fletcher

Seems a bit attacking? McClean, Johnson, Larsson are all wingers or play out wide, sessegnon is an attacking mid so olback is their only natural center mid?

Hoping we can dominate the midfield as a result, hoping allen, henderson and lucas do the trick with henderson pressing from the top of the three. Also looks like brown and o'shea are out which is pretty handy. Wouldn't mind sterling tearing rose apart again as well!

If that's the team, very well set up to hit us on the counter.

[B0151?]

went on the sunderland forum and they expect the team to be;
Mignolet

Gardner
Cuellar
Kilgallon
Rose

Johnson
Larsson
Colback
McClean
Sessegnon

Fletcher

Seems a bit attacking? McClean, Johnson, Larsson are all wingers or play out wide, sessegnon is an attacking mid so olback is their only natural center mid?

thats the team they played against spurs mate. think theyve been playing with larsson as a cm a fair bit this season. with sessegnon behind fletcher?

[Rigden]

Is this match on sky or espn ?

ESPN 2 I think.

[ACE1]

Thank you Rigden..... I will watch it in bed with a cuppa tea and muffin.

[tom tucker]

Hi long time lurker and finally joined.We all know this could go two ways tonight,an all out hammering or a tight tense affair,sunderland are not the fittest and will tire in the last ten due to the oneil way of playing.I believe the last ten or fifteen will be when we win it

[Harinder]

right we got to twat these lot tonight - anyone seen their thread about us on their horrible forum?

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=752135

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones - comes to mind!

They aren't all bad - http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=740737&highlight=

[Harris96]

thats the team they played against spurs mate. think theyve been playing with larsson as a cm a fair bit this season. with sessegnon behind fletcher?

Ah fair enough, hopefully we'll try and exploit larsson a bit then as i can't see him wanting ti defend much, should definitely watch out for him knocking it out to the wings though he's got a great left foot.

If that's the team, very well set up to hit us on the counter.

Yeah definitely, might be why he's apparently/seemingly moved gerrard out of the midfield 3 if the rumored line up is true?

[CaptainSuarez]

Am I right in thinking we go within 3 points of Arsernal with a win?

[Red in Korea]

Am I right in thinking we go within 3 points of Arsernal with a win?

Yep. 8 behind Spurs.

[GerrardsUnbornSon]

really hoping we win this game... i don't care how as long as we get three points.

we really need to start stringing together back to back wins.

[theredguy03]

Sunderland seem to be a tough nut to crack and could very easily frustrate us.

Hoping Suarez plays a blinder, home win by 2 goals to nil.

[Camarero25]

Ah fair enough, hopefully we'll try and exploit larsson a bit then as i can't see him wanting ti defend much, should definitely watch out for him knocking it out to the wings though he's got a great left foot.

Yeah definitely, might be why he's apparently/seemingly moved gerrard out of the midfield 3 if the rumored line up is true?

What's the rumoured line up mate?

Also Larsson is right footed.

[Funky_Gibbons]

What's the rumoured line up mate?

Also Larsson is right footed.

Riena, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Downing, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Suarez.

Rumoured.....

[bigbear]

I like Robinson as well but Rodgers hinted at him going out to get experience elsewhere.

As for Wisdom, I don't think he's going to play today. Think it'll be Downing at LB, and Johnson at RB.

Wisdom right back, Johnson left back.

[Harris96]

What's the rumoured line up mate?

Also Larsson is right footed.

what funky said below, and ah yeah so he is! my bad! 

edit: Below your reply not this post 

[bigbear]

Riena, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Downing, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Suarez.

Rumoured.....

I've heard Wisdom is starting.

[ConqueredAllOfEurope]

I've not listened to a match on the radio for years. Think I'll listen to our game tomorrow on it.

Being 18, think I've been a bit spoiled with a lot of our games being on TV. Don't think I could listen to the radio knowing that there is a stream available.

Hopefully we break our 'yoyo' form tonight and start the year with a victory.

[Renato]

ESPN 2 I think.

since when is there a second ESPN?