Liverpool v. Portsmouth [R]

[RedKnight]

Not to be overly dramatic, but Wednesday's match against Portsmouth at Anfield may be the first installment of a trilogy subtitled:

"Do we even deserve CL Football in 2004-05?"

Home to Portsmouth, home to Wolves on Saturday, and away to Leicester City on the 28th.

Nine points or bust. From what I can tell, Finnan, TLT and FSP remain unavailable. Cheyrou is a question mark.

....................Dudek

Henchoz--Biscan--Hyypia--Carragher

..Murphy--Hamann--Gerrard--Kewell

.................Baros--Owen


Subs:
Luzi
Traore
Heskey
Cheyrou
Riise
(Diouf--but only if Cheyrou is still hurt)

We'll be conceding width on the right, as other posters have pointed out.

But at least Murphy can score goals, which Diouf cannot; and we desperately need scoring.

Murphy can get back and defend; Diouf cannot.

Murphy can take set pieces, and even PKs (GH's inexplicable preference for Owen notwithstanding)--Diouf (altogether with me now) cannot.

Conceding width on one flank, while pounding away at the center and left wing through Gerrard and Kewell, should be enough against these particular three opponents. If not, then I refer you back to the subtitle of this post.

----

[Suss]

My lineup:

--------------Dudek

Carragher----Hyppia----Traore----Riise

Heskey-----Gerrard-----Diao------Cheyrou

--------Kewell-----Barros

I'm only half kidding with this lineup. I know there is no chance of it happening. But after the Southampton game: Gerrard, Kewell, and Carra are the only ones that desearve to play. We have a very busy schedule the next few weeks, so it might make sense to change things up a bit.

Anyway, is Diao even still alive?

[oojason]

-------------- Dudek

Carra -- Henchoz -- Hyypia -- Riise

Diouf -- Gerrard --- Hamman - Kewell

----------Baros ---- Heskey


Luzi
Traore
Biscan
Murphy / Cheyrou
Owen

Heskey to actually play upfront - not in some sort of defensive attacking role or wide right.

[LiverpoolFanatic]

Something tells me that Owen will not sit for this one. Gerard is trying desperately to get him going--perhaps that's his reason for insisting he will continue to take penalties.

[oojason]

^ You're probably right m8, Owen will play.

I hope he bags a hat-trick and scores from the spot - tho I can't see it happening at the moment.

If he is having a bad game on Wed night I hope GH will do the right thing and sub him - NO player is above it, and we do now have options to replace him with.

C'mon the RedMen, c'mon GH.

[655321]

I'd bet my lost dollar on Owen definitely starting. I can't see him being subbed either, except in case of injury (shudder). After all the public backing that GH has given him in the face of controversy, subbing him out and having him walk off the pitch with thousands watching would be a MASSIVE statement that I doubt anyone wants Owen to have to deal with.

[liverbird]

Originally posted by RedKnight
Not to be overly dramatic, but Wednesday's match against Portsmouth at Anfield may be the first installment of a trilogy subtitled:

"Do we even deserve CL Football in 2004-05?"

Home to Portsmouth, home to Wolves on Saturday, and away to Leicester City on the 28th.

Nine points or bust. From what I can tell, Finnan, TLT and FSP remain unavailable. Cheyrou is a question mark.

....................Dudek

Henchoz--Biscan--Hyypia--Carragher

..Murphy--Hamann--Gerrard--Kewell

.................Baros--Owen


Subs:
Luzi
Traore
Heskey
Cheyrou
Riise
(Diouf--but only if Cheyrou is still hurt)

We'll be conceding width on the right, as other posters have pointed out.

But at least Murphy can score goals, which Diouf cannot; and we desperately need scoring.

Murphy can get back and defend; Diouf cannot.

Murphy can take set pieces, and even PKs (GH's inexplicable preference for Owen notwithstanding)--Diouf (altogether with me now) cannot.

Conceding width on one flank, while pounding away at the center and left wing through Gerrard and Kewell, should be enough against these particular three opponents. If not, then I refer you back to the subtitle of this post.

----

This is the lineup. Like 655321 I'd bet my right nut that MO starts, unless injured. Heskey won't start on the right so he can be brought on late, if needed. I didn't see the game on Sunday but I understand Diouf was crap. I think he can be a two way player so I won't buy that Spuds is a better defender but Danny is probably our best option on the right.

[oojason]

Originally posted by liverbird
Danny is probably our best option on the right.

Not too sure about that of late - it's a close call but Murphy's confidence looks drained, as is his willingness to actually stay on the right.

When he drifts into the centre it limits the space Hamman and Gerrard need. Diouf or Cheyrou wouldn't 'clog' that space up and may be more of an attacking threat - which we will no do doubt need should MO be displaying his form of late.

I have prepared a large spoon to eat many helpings of humble pie should Murphy be the hero Wed night - tho I just can't see it at the moment.

[RedKnight]

Houllier pre-match interview:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N144231040316-1342.htm

Reports are that Finnan and Cheyrou are still injured and won't figure tomorrow.

----

[liverbird]

I agree with GH on one thing " with seven home games to go" its in our hands if we make a CL place.

[usscouse]

Originally posted by liverbird
I agree with GH on one thing " with seven home games to go" its in our hands if we make a CL place. I don't think it's just in "our hands" anymore, we might need a little help from the 'toon and others.

You and Lanky are playing a dangerous game here.
"I'd bet my right nut that MO starts,"
You're betting your right and Lanky has already bet his left.
Anyone short of a hairy pair?

[liverbird]

Originally posted by usscouse
I don't think it's just in "our hands" anymore, we might need a little help from the 'toon and others.

You and Lanky are playing a dangerous game here.
"I'd bet my right nut that MO starts,"
You're betting your right and Lanky has already bet his left.
Anyone short of a hairy pair?

So far no ones taken the bet from either one of us.

[BigSoccer Radio]

Finnan. Cheyrou, Kirkland and Diao are injured.

[Bjornebye]

Originally posted by usscouse
You and Lanky are playing a dangerous game here.
"I'd bet my right nut that MO starts,"
You're betting your right and Lanky has already bet his left.
Anyone short of a hairy pair?

Stig's concerned about about this, as well. Personal experience shows that there's not much of a market for such things.

Stig

Liverpool 4-0 Portsmouth...what the hell...

[liverbird]

Originally posted by Bjornebye

Liverpool 4-0 Portsmouth...what the hell...

Stig gets an early start on St. Patrick's Day and makes his prediction after too much vitamin G, brilliant!

[Flying Weasel]

Originally posted by Bjornebye
Liverpool 4-0 Portsmouth...what the hell... I'd donate my right nut to get that result (with Owen bagging a brace to get his confidence back and Carragher and Diouf getting on the scoresheet just for Gabbage . . . well, actually Lanky!!!)




O.K., maybe I got swept up in the whole right nut, left nut spirit in this forum, but it would be a welcomed change of pace to really steamroll a team for once . . . finishing several of our many goal scoring opportunities and not making the oppossing keeper MOTM.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by liverbird
Stig gets an early start on St. Patrick's Day and makes his prediction after too much vitamin G, brilliant!

Brilliant!!

----

[LiverpoolFanatic]

FSW's website confirms that Owen will indeed start. Houllier has also said that the two talked about the penalty situation, and "if Owen wants to take them that's fine." Slightly different than the earlier insistence that Owen "will continue to take them."


My St. Patrick's Day wish is for the headline---

Revived Reds Run Rampant

[usscouse]

Originally posted by Flying Weasel
I'd donate my right nut to get that result (with Owen bagging a brace to get his confidence back and Carragher and Diouf getting on the scoresheet just for Gabbage . . . well, actually Lanky!!!)


O.K., maybe I got swept up in the whole right nut, left nut spirit in this forum, but it would be a welcomed change of pace to really steamroll a team for once . . . finishing several of our many goal scoring opportunities and not making the oppossing keeper MOTM. Be very careful about your family jewels. Very careful!
http://www.superlaugh.com/1/blkmarket.gif

[Dr. Wankler]

No one needed to see that!!!