Topic: Liverpool vs Spurs (A) - Sun 31st Aug - 13:30 KO - SS1

[PhaseOfPlay]

Sounds like the order of immediate possible return for the game injury wise out of the three injured against City is:

Moreno
Skrtel
Johnson (probably unlikely)

[mart356]

Rodgers: "Moreno twisted his ankle and has been recovering well. Sun could be difficult for Johnson, as for Skrtel we'll see over next 48hrs

[Gerry83]

Rodgers: "Moreno twisted his ankle and has been recovering well. Sun could be difficult for Johnson, as for Skrtel we'll see over next 48hrs

Good opportunity to test out Sakho with Lovren although personally i prefer Skrtel to Sakho.

[Caston]

Confirms Lallana will be in the squad

[robertobaggio37]

Didn't rule out Skrtel therefore I think he might have a chance to start.

[Caston]

Didn't rule out Skrtel therefoer I think he might have a chance to start.

Hasn't been training all week though, same with Moreno. Wouldn't think he would start them without any training?

[UntouchableLuis]

Rodgers just had his press conference and said Johnson will be out most likely, Skrtel and Moreno to be assessed, Lallana in the squad and Balotelli been exceptional in training so I imagine he will start.

Mignolet

Manquillo
Sakho
Lovren
Moreno

Henderson
Gerrard
Coutinho

Balotelli
Sterling

Sturridge

Bench: Jones, Enrique, Skrtel, Markovic, Lallana, Allen, Lambert

[LFC UNTIL THE MANAGER IS NO LONGER DESERVING OF MY SYMPATHY]

Hasn't been training all week though, same with Moreno. Wouldn't think he would start them without any training?

Might have little choice but to start Moreno if Enrique doesn't make it as well, as Johnson, Flanagan are also injured and Robinson sold.

[Caston]

Rodgers just had his press conference and said Johnson will be out most likely, Skrtel and Moreno to be assessed, Lallana in the squad and Balotelli been exceptional in training so I imagine he will start.

Mignolet

Manquillo
Sakho
Lovren
Moreno

Henderson
Gerrard
Coutinho

Balotelli
Sterling

Sturridge

Bench: Jones, Enrique, Skrtel, Can, Lallana, Allen, Lambert

You forgot Markovic

[GreenLaneRed27]

Rodgers just had his press conference and said Johnson will be out most likely, Skrtel and Moreno to be assessed, Lallana in the squad and Balotelli been exceptional in training so I imagine he will start.

Mignolet

Manquillo
Sakho
Lovren
Moreno

Henderson
Gerrard
Coutinho

Balotelli
Sterling

Sturridge

Bench: Jones, Enrique, Skrtel, Can, Lallana, Allen, Lambert

Can and Allen on the bench?? I think one of those will be replaced by Markovic - probably Can imo

[Caston]

Might have little choice but to start Moreno if Enrique doesn't make it as well, as Johnson, Flanagan are also injured and Robinson sold.

Possibly, but Enrique has been training all week so I would imagine is fine to start

[Caffeine]

I think Balotelli will take Coutinho's place. Allen and Henderson will look to win the ball high up the pitch and get our rapid front three running at Spurs' mediocre back four during that 'chaos'/turnover period that PoP, royhendo and others talked about us embracing last season.

[Funky_Gibbons]

So potentially our bench on Sunday could include Balotelli, Markovic/Coutinho, Lallana and Lambert.

Wow, talk about options.

[UntouchableLuis]

So potentially our bench on Sunday could include Balotelli, Markovic/Coutinho, Lallana and Lambert.

Wow, talk about options.

Great isn't it? Last season we had Aspas and Moses.

[peachybum]

Ain't going to help the defence putting Moreno and Skrtel in after missing a week of training. We really need to get a back four drilled day in day out to get rid of all the positional mistakes.

I guess we'll have to wait and see the bibs tomorrow to know if Balotelli makes the starting eleven. But with Balotelli and Lallana added to the group somebody decent isn't making the bench. Probably Can although i'd be inclined to leave Coutinho out and have a more defensive midfield option on the bench.

[Caston]

Great isn't it? Last season we had Aspas and Moses.

This was our bench when we played Chelsea on 29/12/2013 

46 Rossiter
1 Jones
4 Toure  Subbed On 90'
6 Luis Alberto
9 Aspas  Subbed On 83'
20 Cissokho
44 Smith

[Miltonred]

Didn't rule out Skrtel therefore I think he might have a chance to start.

What does it say about where Sakho is rated is a player questionable in his recovery from injury starts ahead of him.  having four trustworthy center backs should mean anyone with a knock gets plenty of time to recover and is not rushed back.

I would prefer to see that happen then Skrtel hobble out on Sunday.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Ain't going to help the defence putting Moreno and Skrtel in after missing a week of training. We really need to get a back four drilled day in day out to get rid of all the positional mistakes.

I guess we'll have to wait and see the bibs tomorrow to know if Balotelli makes the starting eleven. But with Balotelli and Lallana added to the group somebody decent isn't making the bench. Probably Can although i'd be inclined to leave Coutinho out and have a more defensive midfield option on the bench.

We're probably travelling tomorrow though. Today's training session might be the one that has the team preparation for the game.

[UntouchableLuis]

This was our bench when we played Chelsea on 29/12/2013 

46 Rossiter
1 Jones
4 Toure  Subbed On 90'
6 Luis Alberto
9 Aspas  Subbed On 83'
20 Cissokho
44 Smith

My eyes hurt.

[El_Pelusa_10]

This was our bench when we played Chelsea on 29/12/2013 

46 Rossiter
1 Jones
4 Toure  Subbed On 90'
6 Luis Alberto
9 Aspas  Subbed On 83'
20 Cissokho
44 Smith

Dont remember Aspas coming on. Was it not Smith instead of him? Know for definite Smith played.

Not that it matters or anything 

[Solomon Grundy]

Rodgers just had his press conference and said Johnson will be out most likely, Skrtel and Moreno to be assessed, Lallana in the squad and Balotelli been exceptional in training so I imagine he will start.

Mignolet

Manquillo
Sakho
Lovren
Moreno

Henderson
Gerrard
Coutinho

Balotelli
Sterling

Sturridge

Bench: Jones, Enrique, Skrtel, Markovic, Lallana, Allen, Lambert

Going off current form Allen should be starting ahead of anyone else in midfield.

[Caston]

Dont remember Aspas coming on. Was it not Smith instead of him? Know for definite Smith played.

Not that it matters or anything 

I just pulled it from skysports website, but I remember Smith did come on yes

[Solomon Grundy]

I have a feeling Balotelli is going to start this game.

[peachybum]

We're probably traveling tomorrow though. Today's training session might be the one that has the team preparation for the game.

So you don't think we'll train then travel? If that's the case i definitely wouldn't put Skrtel or Moreno back in.

This will shock you PoP but i'd play the diamond 442 for this game. Spurs are a possession based team who press and defend very high so i'd expect us to be pretty deep for a lot of the game and struggle to play out across the floor under that kind of pressure. So i'd stick Balotelli and Sturridge up top and challenge Spurs 2v2 on counters. I'm a 433 man but we just aren't at the races at the moment especially in the final 3rd. At least having two powerful and pacey 6ft+ strikers allows us to cause the opposition problems even if we don't have the fluency or cohesion we really should have in a 433.

I'd go with

Mignolet

Manquillo
Lovren
Sakho
Enrique

Gerrard
Henderson
Allen
Sterling

Balotelli
Sturridge

Jones, Toure, Can, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana, Lambert

[PhaseOfPlay]

So you don't think we'll train then travel? If that's the case i definitely wouldn't put Skrtel or Moreno back in.

This will shock you PoP but i'd play the diamond 442 for this game. Spurs are a possession based team who press and defend very high so i'd expect us to be pretty deep for a lot of the game and struggle to play out across the floor under that kind of pressure. So i'd stick Balotelli and Sturridge up top and challenge Spurs 2v2 on counters. I'm a 433 man but we just aren't at the races at the moment especially in the final 3rd. At least having two powerful and pacey 6ft+ strikers allows us to cause the opposition problems even if we don't have the fluency or cohesion we really should have in a 433.

I'd go with

Mignolet

Manquillo
Lovren
Sakho
Enrique

Gerrard
Henderson
Allen
Sterling

Balotelli
Sturridge

Jones, Toure, Can, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana, Lambert

I don't know if we train and then travel, but it wouldn't surprise me if we didn't. But even if we did train, it's the day before the game, so it probably wouldn't be an all-out 11v11 team session. More likely set pieces and passing patterns, at low intensity. I could be wrong though.

As for the diamond - I bet you'll be peaking at the game through your fingers if we do play it

[killer-heels]

I think we will go with the same team and system except for the changes that are forced upon us by injuries.

The only other change I think could be Markovic for Coutinho. Lamela and Dier have played well on that side and Coutinho could struggle on that side.

[dane]

What does it say about where Sakho is rated is a player questionable in his recovery from injury starts ahead of him.  having four trustworthy center backs should mean anyone with a knock gets plenty of time to recover and is not rushed back.

I would prefer to see that happen then Skrtel hobble out on Sunday.

I agree.  If Skrtel was borderline you'd expect BR to give Sakho a run... and if not, you'd expect Sakho to feel pretty discouraged.

[Funky_Gibbons]

I think we will go with the same team and system except for the changes that are forced upon us by injuries.

The only other change I think could be Markovic for Coutinho. Lamela and Dier have played well on that side and Coutinho could struggle on that side.

That's what I think too. Markovic for Coutinho and everything else the same barring injuries.

[n00bert]

So you don't think we'll train then travel? If that's the case i definitely wouldn't put Skrtel or Moreno back in.

This will shock you PoP but i'd play the diamond 442 for this game. Spurs are a possession based team who press and defend very high so i'd expect us to be pretty deep for a lot of the game and struggle to play out across the floor under that kind of pressure. So i'd stick Balotelli and Sturridge up top and challenge Spurs 2v2 on counters. I'm a 433 man but we just aren't at the races at the moment especially in the final 3rd. At least having two powerful and pacey 6ft+ strikers allows us to cause the opposition problems even if we don't have the fluency or cohesion we really should have in a 433.

I'd go with

Mignolet

Manquillo
Lovren
Sakho
Enrique

Gerrard
Henderson
Allen
Sterling

Balotelli
Sturridge

Jones, Toure, Can, Coutinho, Markovic, Lallana, Lambert

Doesn't our 4-3-3 become a 4-5-1 once we give up possession? It seemed that way against City. Part of why Sturridge was a bit isolated I think.

Edit: my bad re-read your post.

Anyway, the reason why I would prefer to play the 4-3-3 is because I think spurs don't have great defensive fullbacks. Having two quick and tricky wide players could really curb them pushing forward.

I also fancy Sturridge to be able to hold the ball up better against the Spurs centre backs. Southampton dropped off him for the most part and made him play in front of them while they defended deep, city tried to stay tighter to him.

The Spurs centre backs are more like the City defenders without being as good as Demechelis or Kompany. Even West Ham troubled them until Collins got sent off.

[cowtownred]

Despite his lack of game time, surely if someone comes in for Coutinho, its much more likely to be Lallana than Markovic?

I also think Balotelli starts.

[Caston]

Despite his lack of game time, surely if someone comes in for Coutinho, its much more likely to be Lallana than Markovic?

I also think Balotelli starts.

Not if it's the diamond, Balotelli comes in for Coutinho if that happens

[Funky_Gibbons]

Despite his lack of game time, surely if someone comes in for Coutinho, its much more likely to be Lallana than Markovic?

I also think Balotelli starts.

Rodgers said that Lallana is fit but is short of match fitness and will be in the squad so it looks like he's not quite there yet.

[Reds Flag]

Bet you we'll see the diamond given a go. Assuming Skrtel and Johnson don't make it:

Manqillo Lovren Sakho Moreno
                 Gerrard
       Allen/Can Henderson
                 Sterling
        Sturridge Balotelli

Which I think would be a very exciting team...

[Twelfth Man]

Bet you we'll see the diamond given a go. Assuming Skrtel and Johnson don't make it:

Manqillo Lovren Sakho Moreno
                 Gerrard
       Allen/Can Henderson
                 Sterling
        Sturridge Balotelli

Which I think would be a very exciting team...

It will be that team, minus Sakho, don't see Skrtel being dropped.

[Koprich]

Doesn't our 4-3-3 become a 4-5-1 once we give up possession? It seemed that way against City. Part of why Sturridge was a bit isolated I think.

For this reason I'd like ballotelli to lead the line down the centre rather than sturridge whom naturally tends to drift deep anyway and would better suit the slightly wider position.

[diegoLFC7]

Bet you we'll see the diamond given a go. Assuming Skrtel and Johnson don't make it:

Manqillo Lovren Sakho Moreno
                 Gerrard
       Allen/Can Henderson
                 Sterling
        Sturridge Balotelli

Which I think would be a very exciting team...

Good team except for Sterling playing in the middle. He thrives on the wings were he just beats players with pace. The central role relegates him to too much pressure.

[n00bert]

For this reason I'd like ballotelli to lead the line down the centre rather than sturridge whom naturally tends to drift deep anyway and would better suit the slightly wider position.

Maybe if it wasn't his first week with us I could see that happening.

Would much prefer to bring him on if things aren't going well or if we aren't breaking through enough. Then id switch to the diamond and stick two up top. If things are going well I can see him coming on and leading the line with no pressure.

[Reds Flag]

It will be that team, minus Sakho, don't see Skrtel being dropped.

As I said, I was going on the assumption that Skrtel doesn't recover from his injury in time - if he does, I agree he'd start!

[Reds Flag]

Good team except for Sterling playing in the middle. He thrives on the wings were he just beats players with pace. The central role relegates him to too much pressure.

Sterling's great down the wings too, of course, but as his technique and ability just keep improving I think he's becoming more and more suited to that role at the tip of the diamond. He was amazing there against Man City in April.

[LFCDynamic]

Ain't going to help the defence putting Moreno and Skrtel in after missing a week of training. We really need to get a back four drilled day in day out to get rid of all the positional mistakes.

I guess we'll have to wait and see the bibs tomorrow to know if Balotelli makes the starting eleven. But with Balotelli and Lallana added to the group somebody decent isn't making the bench. Probably Can althoug




How the fuck do you leave Coutinho out of a matchday squad? This ain't the capital one cup.