v Bournemouth v Liverpool 25 Jan 2014, KO: 12:45 http://www.liverpoolfc.com/match/next-match/next-match-preview
Torn here. Staying in the Cup is important. But beating Everton three days later is vitally important.
I anticipate a big war in this thread between the "We always play to win, we're LFC and our purpose is to win trophies" crowd vs the "The league is more important, and the Everton match is a 6-pointer, so keep the best players available fresh" crowd.
I'm not going to pick a side in that debate, though I will say that I think Brad Jones should start in goal. Mignolet has been shaky the past couple weeks, and a game off might help him clear his head. Let him focus on the Everton match. Aspas should also play the full 90, and Suarez and Sturridge should each play 45.
hate using this line - but we better be able to put out a weakened team and win....except the away factor worries me - magic of the FA Cup blah blah
Jones Johnson-Skert-Sakho-Cissokho SG Allen - Hendo Alberto Aspas - Sturridge Obviously this depends on if Sakho is healthy. But if not then Kolo. I put SG in there because he has been lacking on pace lately. This may be a game that can get him back on track. Same with Sakho coming off injury(hopefully). Give Allen some starting time. And hope to take off Henderson after he has harassed the defense enough to keep us up after a quick goal. Give Sturridge some more time as well. Plus a little time to shine since his return from injury to boost confidence. I also might make it known to Countinho that if Alberto does well enough he may start against Everton. I think Countinho is just in a slump but we cannot wait for him to pull himself out. Sidenote: I really can't wait for one of our LB's to get back.
Hopefully the quality in the side will win the day against Bournemouth allowing for fresher legs against the Bitters on Tuesday.
This, although Im seemingly in the minority as I'm more intrigued by the idea of Enrique's return than Flanno. Enrique gives a bit of an inconsistent offensive contribution, although he's one of the best defensive LBs in the league. I'm more worried about defense than "shape and offensive contribution" from the LB. We can score plenty of goals, we need to keep them out. Though Flanno seems to be an upgrade over Cissokho so Id take him too.
Can we really afford to risk any of our first choice CMs in this game? Play the U21 midfield with Sturridge and Aspas upfront. Either they get it done or they don't, but until a replacement for Lucas comes in (which I assume has to be coming, doesn't it?) I'm firmly in the camp of no risk to Allen, Gerrard or Hendo in this one.
I would agree with you in the fact that I don't want them to get hurt, but I also need them to be firing on all four cylinders. And after the midfield lapse of the last game I want to get them working. that is the reason I play them this game.
jones Kelly -- Kolo -Sahko --Cissokho Ibe --- Alberto---Henderson -- Smith ---------Sturridge -- Aspas Mingolet, Allen, Skirtel, Suarez, Rossiter, Ngoo, Sterling
If Rodgers sets the team up properly, they'll be fine. Don't need them to have heavy legs after a long trip and 90 minutes of getting kicked by shitty players on a shitty pitch.
Normally in the "Liverpool exists to win Trophies" side of the debate but this year with a genuine 6 pointer on Tuesday I say some "liberal" rotation is in order. If we go out we go out Tuesday is what matters.
Unreal comedic timing right there. This match does represent quite a conundrum. I'm one for the "only the next match matters" mentality. With that said, I'd be one of the people ranting and raving should we play our strongest side and suffer an injury, red card, etc. I would like to see at least one of the non-regulars (Aspas, Alberto) get a chance to see what they can do when playing with the regulars. I think if we play a totally changed side, we'll play poorly, lose, and not learn anything about any of the non-regulars. I certainly wouldn't mind making a run at a trophy this year.