Liverpool v. Arsenal [R]

[liverbird]

----------Dudek
Finnan--JC--Sami---Riise
Gerrard--Xabi--Didi---'Arry
------Cisse---Fowler

[TruReds]

----------Dudek
Finnan--JC--Sami---Riise
Gerrard--Xabi--Didi---'Arry
------Cisse---Fowler

Preferred line-up:
---Sami---God

[Red Bird]

Not too many problems with LB's line-up. I think Arsenal's green horns are exactly the type of defence against which Cisse would thrive. And I think Robbie (fitness permitting, of course) gives us something more with the ball in the final third.

I'd probably play Warnock at left-back. Riise looked slightly disoriented yesterday and that awkward ball, which Hyypia almost turned into an own goal, came from Wigan's right after Riise had been turned inside out. I'd also have Sanz Luis Garcia on the bench, as a back-up attacker, in the event that things are not going our way. I'd wanted to rest Finnan, too, but I can't say I've seen enough of Kromkamp to enable me to make a decision.

[liverbird]

Not too many problems with LB's line-up. I think Arsenal's green horns are exactly the type of defence against which Cisse would thrive. And I think Robbie (fitness permitting, of course) gives us something more with the ball in the final third.

I'd probably play Warnock at left-back. Riise looked slightly disoriented yesterday and that awkward ball, which Hyypia almost turned into an own goal, came from Wigan's right after Riise had been turned inside out. I'd also have Sanz Luis Garcia on the bench, as a back-up attacker, in the event that things are not going our way. I'd wanted to rest Finnan, too, but I can't say I've seen enough of Kromkamp to enable me to make a decision.

Kronkamp actually looked comfortable yesterday on the right of midfield. I just don't want him getting his first start against Henry sliding out wide!

[Red Bird]

A good enough reason, I guess. Maybe drop Xabi to the bench, play Didi and Stevie in central midfield and Krompkamp wide right? The Arsenal left back isn't blessed with experience which may allow us to take certain liberties. I dearly want to see Xabi (he looks jaded) and one of the central defenders take a rest.

[quentinc]

I'd probably play Warnock at left-back. Riise looked slightly disoriented yesterday and that awkward ball, which Hyypia almost turned into an own goal, came from Wigan's right after Riise had been turned inside out. I'd also have Sanz Luis Garcia on the bench, as a back-up attacker, in the event that things are not going our way. I'd wanted to rest Finnan, too, but I can't say I've seen enough of Kromkamp to enable me to make a decision.
I really haven't been a fan of Warnock lately. I wouldn't trust him to start in a match against Arsenal. Maybe start Riise, and if he has a crap first half, sub Steven on.

[Red Bird]

I do admit that every now and then Warnock gets caught out of position, mostly on off-side traps, but he is a better tackler than Riise. Not a good idea to sub a defender unless there is an injury. So if Riise has to start, so be it.

Whoever starts, I think we need a more convincing performance and convert those bloody chances. The defence has not been doing badly; it just seems that no sooner have they cleared the ball than they are fighting to regain possession again, after the strikers/attackers, yet again, give the ball away. That has been one of the resaons why we've lately been conceeding stupid goals. The defenders do a good job for 80 per cent of the time but get caught out by a rare lapse, which also underlines our profigacy in front of goal; other teams only seem to need one crack at our goal to score.:mad:

[ChanceTheDog]

Something like this i hope:
-----------Dudek-------------
Finnen--Carra--Agger---Risse-
Krom---Gerrard-Didi---Kewell--
-------Garcia---Fowler-----

Subs:
Carson, alonso, Cisse, Sami, Troare.

[kaisermohr]

I do admit that every now and then Warnock gets caught out of position, mostly on off-side traps, but he is a better tackler than Riise. Not a good idea to sub a defender unless there is an injury. So if Riise has to start, so be it.

Whoever starts, I think we need a more convincing performance and convert those bloody chances. The defence has not been doing badly; it just seems that no sooner have they cleared the ball than they are fighting to regain possession again, after the strikers/attackers, yet again, give the ball away. That has been one of the resaons why we've lately been conceeding stupid goals. The defenders do a good job for 80 per cent of the time but get caught out by a rare lapse, which also underlines our profigacy in front of goal; other teams only seem to need one crack at our goal to score.:mad:

Well said. I think the defence have done a steady job considering how much time they've had to put up. I would love to see Sami, Riise, and Xabi all rested but I don't think we can afford to this match. Even with Arsenal in a funk I'd hate for them turn their season around at our expense.

[Matt Clark]

I would have thought it very likely that the line-up against Arsenal will be the same as it was at Wigan, to be honest. If I were looking for any changes, it would be Crouch in for Morientes. Arsenal's centre of defence is not equipped to deal with Crouch at the moment, whereas Moro present a more manageable proposition in his current muted form. Fowler, of course, is essential against Arsenal.

[Twenty26Six]

Fowler, of course, is essential against Arsenal.

"Robbie Fowler ...is the scourge of Arsenal!!"

[Bluto11]

it is going to be close.

fowler is going to score

[ghazi]

----------Dudek
Finnan--JC--Sami---Riise
Gerrard--Xabi--Didi---'Arry
------Cisse---Fowler

I'll take this lineup. Cisse's pace and HArry on the edge could unsettle the stumbling Arse defense, leaving Fowler with a few chances. That should be all he needs.

[ForeverRed]

There is NO Reason why we shouldn't get 3 points out of this draw.

Henry is always a threat, especially if Pires starts with him, but Adabeyor can easily be handled and so can the rest of the team.

Lehmann is in top form though, so we'll have to keep hammering them. One thing I have noticed about Jens is that he is always stepping a little too far off the goalline. Crouch can expose that ;)

[docliver]

We need this win to keep pace with utd and i think it would really help our morale. Looking to see a great game from xabi if he starts and our strikers.

[Bluto11]

There is NO Reason why we shouldn't get 3 points out of this draw.

Henry is always a threat, especially if Pires starts with him, but Adabeyor can easily be handled and so can the rest of the team.

Lehmann is in top form though, so we'll have to keep hammering them. One thing I have noticed about Jens is that he is always stepping a little too far off the goalline. Crouch can expose that ;)
he's a sweeper/goalkeeper

[ForeverRed]

he's a sweeper/goalkeeper

Yup, which makes him one hell of an entertaining GK...one of the best in the league so far in my opinion.

[usscouse]

Yup, which makes him one hell of an entertaining GK...one of the best in the league so far in my opinion.True, I like the Keeper/sweeper concept, I have the goalie on my U15 team playing that. He loves it of course because his varsity coach won't let him come up past the penalty spot.

[Bobinhood]

Miss a week miss a lot. It was interesting to see the mix of players Rafa employed in the last 3 games all at once, he resolutely rotated as players much ap yet also tried to field strong teams. So now you look up at the next big 3 games, and wtf he could play anyone on his entire roster in any given game. I suppose that’s a big compliment to him.

Fowler must surely be in. If he’s not fit enough the last half hour might have to do. Im guessing rafa wants moro in Europe and Crouch on the mancs so Cisse-Fowler, cisse-crouch to start if fowlers knackered.

In the mid? Pick a player or 2 to rest…Xabi? Kewell? Both?. Muscle seems to work on these guys, so do you maybe throw traore on d and sissoko and hamman all out there, perhaps risse on the wng also, sacrificing purism but clogging service to henry/pires, and gaining some rest? Hmmm very hard to say, Garcia is in the picture too…

On d? conundrum, you need your best players but you need to rest them too. So in summation damned if ive a clue who will start here.

I think rafa wll go with a good line up with 2-3 semi-surprise starters, tending big.

[KevTheGooner]

In the mid? Pick a player or 2 to rest…Xabi? Kewell? Both?. Muscle seems to work on these guys, so do you maybe throw traore on d and sissoko and hamman all out there, perhaps risse on the wng also, sacrificing purism but clogging service to henry/pires, and gaining some rest? Hmmm very hard to say, Garcia is in the picture too….

Yep..that's the playbook against us. But we've got a wrinkle in things with our new signings. Adabayor is great in the air up front and Diaby is inexperienced in the middle but tall, quick, and skilled. But look for our vets to get a run out tomorrow. Here's to a good match guys.