9/14: Bolton vs. Liverpool [R]

[BrianCappellieri]

BBC Match Preview (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2254693.stm)

[Lanky134]

Not having Henchoz really throws the spanner in.

Some options:

1). Diao and The Rock. I only listened to the game but Hunter was pretty impressed with Diao back there.

2). Traore in central D and Ginger to left back, but that didn't work so well last time.

3). Carragher to the center and bring back Abel (ugh. Is Babbel ready?).

Dave

[655321]

Babbel (or Xavier)/Hyypia/Carragher/Traore

[Theo]

i think i read on soccernet that Traore would be in Central D with Sami and Riise would play left back. i love Riise at left back but who will play on the right?

[Dr. Wankler]

For those who haven't checked the "Liverpool on TV in the States" thread, FSW will have this one on at noon saturday, SDD.

[kopiteinkc]

Originally posted by Theo
i think i read on soccernet that Traore would be in Central D with Sami and Riise would play left back. i love Riise at left back but who will play on the right?

Carragher should play right back if Babbel is still not ready. So you would have:

Dudek

Carragher - Sami - Traore - Riise

Murphy - Hamann - Gerrard - Heskey

Diouf - Owen

Berger came on as sub and could play left mid instead of Heskey. Smicer is out. Cheryou has a slight knock.

[Theo]

thanks, that's a solid lineup...i hope Carragher does play.

i also read that Houllier is thinking strongly of using Milan Baros in this match, given that he recently scored 2 goals in the Czech Republic's victory over Yugoslavia and i guess has generally been impressing the gaffer.

could Baros potentially play on the left of midfield? i would hope that Owen and Diouf would get the start up front and continue to work out their partnership.

[BrianCappellieri]

World Soccer News (http://www.wldcup.com/news/2002Sep/20020913_15042_world_soccer.html)Injury crisis hits Bolton ahead of Liverpool clash

Bolton's bid for an early season double over Liverpool and Manchester United have been hit by a growing injury crisis.

[Lanky134]

I'd like to see Baros, just because I haven't seen him apart from the few brief run-outs against Barca and, I think, the Charity Shield. I'm guessing he would take Diuof's spot, with Heskey on the wing.

Dave

[RedKnight]

Should be an interesting match. Bolton come home on a high after humiliating the Mancs; we go there deflated from two straight points-squandering misadventures at home. And let’s not forget the match last year . . . Actually, let’s do forget it.

Squad:

Dudek

Carragher---Hyypia---Traore---Riise

Murphy---Hamann---Gerrard---Heskey

Diouf---Owen


Subs:

Kirkland
Xavier (Yeah, I know, but . . . )
Diao
Berger
Baros (But absolutely give him a run-out!)

Arbitrary, groundless prediction—Reds 2:1

[kopiteinkc]

Good to see talk of a run out for Baros. Maybe off the bench. With the shuffling at the back because of injuries I can't see Houllier experimenting too much with the rest of the team. But you never know.

Predictions: 3-1 Reds (Murphy, Gerrard and .... Owen :D)

He is guaranteed to score this week!! (Yes, I said that last week too!)

[JRedknapp11]

I'm hoping that Baros gets the nod as well. His performance for the reserves against Bradford a few weeks back was nothing short of marvelous. ( he had four goals).

....also I wonder when GH is going to give Marcus the all clear to come back and play regularly, as his performance in that Bradford match was pretty good too.

Here's a little more on the Baros situation....http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/0913/20020913lfcbaros.html

[LiverpoolFanatic]

Owen may rest due to the Valencia match coming up on Tuesday. Sounds like a good time to play Milan to me.

[kopiteinkc]

Gerard Houllier has decided to rest Michael Owen for today's trip to the Reebok Stadium with the Liverpool manager obviously worried about eight games in 24 days.

Official site:

Owen has to make do with a place on the bench alongside Chris Kirkland, Patrik Berger, El-Hadji Diouf and John Arne Riise.

Liverpool line up as follows:

Dudek

Carragher
Hyypia
Diao
Traore

Murphy
Hamann
Gerrard
Cheyrou

Heskey
Baros

[kopiteinkc]

Formation is actually Heskey out wide on the left and Cheyrou playing between the midfield and Baros alone up front.

Diao and Hyypia playing together in the middle at the back, Jamie and Traore as full backs.

[RedKnight]

Well, all of the Baros and Cheyrou
supporters are finally getting their
wish--on the same day, no less!

[kopiteinkc]

Baros makes it 1-0! :D

[kopiteinkc]

And that's half time 1-0.

[Dr. Wankler]

Here's my summary of what I hope GH delivers as his team talk:

Okay, boys. The idea in the 2nd half is to ADD to the lead, then not blow it in the last 10 minutes. Got it?

[kopiteinkc]

Gardner makes it 1-1.