Liverpool vs Man United (FA Cup) [R]

[Suss]

-------------Reina
Finnan-Carragher-Hyppia-Riise
Gerrard-Alonso--Sissoko--Kewell
--------Garcia--Crouch

Bench: Dudek, Morientes, Cisse, Hamann, Warnock

Hopefully Xabi and Crouch are fit.

[ForeverRed]

Arsenal and Benfica aside, this is the one I really want, nothing would bring me more pleasure than finishing above Manchester this season, we gotta bring those guys back down to Earth after their recent run.

Garcia starting is a must....I'd say put him up there with either Fowler or Cisse. Leave Morientes out of this one.

[LFCFanInCali]

Fowler's cup-tied, so Nando is going to play a part. I'd love to see Rafa give Luis a run up front. He's about as natural a scorer as we have right now.

[JigaMann]

I'm not so sure about Garcia starting. He performs better coming off the bench. Maybe it's because he has less time to get lost in the game

[usscouse]

Fowler's cup-tied, so Nando is going to play a part. I'd love to see Rafa give Luis a run up front. He's about as natural a scorer as we have right now.We have to put somebody up at the top who knows how to put it away. We've already lost too many points (Yes, I know) this season after dominating matches.

[655321]

Garcia must start.

[dcc134]

I'm not so sure about Garcia starting. He performs better coming off the bench. Maybe it's because he has less time to get lost in the game

The recent goal drought has coincided with Garcia being out with injury. Ideally he would be a bench player, but there is no one else in the squad beside Steve who has scored consistently over the last year.

Definately needs to start.

[Twenty26Six]

Garcia must start.

Exactly.

Newbies, don't make me break out the VHS of the CL Quarterfinal First Leg:Juve @ Anfield.

[Boris the Tonk]

I'm unsure about United. Their team sheet says they are four or five players away from being anything like the force they were, yet they are winning; sometimes luckily (against us) and sometimes with ease (against teams like Villa). I hate to say it but it shows how good a manager Whisky-Breath is to keep getting results with their dodgy midfield and half-a-defence.

However This Is Anfield and it's about time we won the cup again so I expect a performance of passion and intensity and that Stevie or Harry or even Nando will leave the uglier son of Neville Neville where he belongs - on his arse, looking stupid.

[kopiteinkc]

I want to win this match very badly. I really do.

I fear our lack of killer instinct in front of goal is gonna do us in. I think we can certainly dominate the midfield and have plenty of possession. But can we finish?

Despite my personal dislike of Man U my impression is that their back four is better than the recent debacle of an Arsenal defense that we just saw. With that in mind it is going to be very difficult to break them down leaving us in danger of throwing too many forward and them striking on the counter attack.

I'd really like to see us come out very fast (ala Juve) and hit them with speed and quick passing. This means Cisse should play with a stick of dynamite up his arse, Kewell should be raiding down the left and we need to get Garcia on there to provide some trickery and a finish.

I'd play Stevie G in the middle and Garcia on the right with Cisse and Crouch (if fit) up front.

[lackadaisical]

Do not play Garcia as a forward please.

[Liv'poolFaninAZ]

I've started wearing my lucky "This is Anfield" scarf everywhere even though the temp here has risen to 80+ I've started my days by singing YNWA on my way to work. I can't believe we have another HUGE match this year!!! I think the footy Gods are trying to give me a heart attack!!!! COME ONNNNNNNNN THE REAL REDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[docliver]

There's nothing bigger than a Liverpool / man u match and especially because it's the F.A cup. Both teams will be fast out of the starting blocks and upping the tempo from the get go. What we need is a quick goal to get them back peddaling and keep on the pressure because we cannot afford to lose our concentration in this game . The players will give it there all i just hope they have some reserved energy somewhere as a few of them are looking tired which is no fault of there own. I would like to see Garcia get the nod but playing just behind Crouchy at first so that he can lay the ball off to him . For me Morientes is done he is too slow and how many chances does one need to put the ball away ? He has experience but that just doesn't cut it in this league . If we can get something going up front and take a few shots and make utd nervous then take over midfield then it will be our day . Im so ready for this come saturday after the last match at the bought in the usa stadium . Come on you REDS !!!!!!!!! Give us another trophy why don't cha .

[Samarkand]

It's 85 years since Liverpool have beaten the Mancs in the FA Cup and only twice overall and never without the benefit of a replay.

You'd have to think they're due, no?

1998/99
MU 2-1 LFC 21-01-99

1995/96
MU 1-0 LFC 11-05-96

1984/85
MU 2-1 LFC 17-04-85
MU 2-2 LFC 13-04-85

1978/79
MU 1-0 LFC 04-04-79
MU 2-2 LFC 31-03-79

1976/77
MU 2-1 LFC 21-05-77

1959/60
LFC 1-3 MU 30-01-1960

1947/48
MU 3-0 LFC 24-01-1948

1920/21
MU 1-2 LFC 12-01-1921
LFC 1-1 MU 08-01-1921

1902/03
MU 2-1 LFC 07-02-1903

1897/1898
LFC 2-1 MU 16-02-1898
MU 0-0 LFC 12-02-1898

[kopiteinkc]

It's 85 years since Liverpool have beaten the Mancs in the FA Cup and only twice overall and never without the benefit of a replay.



I did see us beat them at Wembley in a cup final though :)

In the League Cup Final in '83

Wembley was completely sold out and I gave ther bloke at the turnstile a tenner and got in without a ticket. Ronnie Whelan was the hero that day.

[kaisermohr]

I'd really like to see us come out very fast (ala Juve) and hit them with speed and quick passing. This means Cisse should play with a stick of dynamite up his arse, Kewell should be raiding down the left and we need to get Garcia on there to provide some trickery and a finish.

I'd play Stevie G in the middle and Garcia on the right with Cisse and Crouch (if fit) up front.

I'm for giving Cisse a chance to run up front. He is the only one that looks like he has some fire in him. Since neither Crouch or Nando can seem to score I would leave off Crouch. Rafa's lob-them-to-Crouch-to-nock-them-down tactics are just to predictable and easy to defend (see Chelsea match). Plus I don't know how well Cisse fits into that system. So it looks like Morientes. The guy is a historic goal scorer. He has to come 'round soon.
I'd play Stevie in with Momo. With Garcia on the right and Harry to the left.
If things look flacid early on then bring on Hamman for Nando, push SG out to the right and tuck Garcia behind Cisse.
I can't see Rafa starting Xabi even if he is fit. The guy needs a rest.

[liverbird]

i am back. Been away at a conference for business. I am with KopiteinKC on this one:

---------------Reina
Finnan--JC--Sami---Riise
Gerrard--Momo-Xabi--- 'arry
------------Garcia
----------------Cisse

[Bobinhood]

I’m always an optimist, ‘cept when im not, and this game is gonna be a very beautiful thing…a god given early shot at redemption. If the late loss clearly showed our progress under rafa to date (very good, very often, in fact nearly there, but not quite finished yet ) well it also showed us the finger-nail scraping sounds of a dying dynasty hanging onto the windowledge. Pulling every tired late goal by a star at home with the ref cliché outta the now-completely empty bag of tricks, getting it done one last time.… it’s just a fish flopping around people I tell you. Gary Neville all but confirmed it. Its like he was running around so no-one would see that the bag was empty.

Also, imo, here is where we can hone a little killer instinct to go with the awesome gerrard-driven kop-inspired never say die Attitude. I wanna Spank these guys. Demolish them. Play our best, shut them down handily, finish a few, and win in a walk. It would represent a move to a higher notch on the rafa ladder and do the team wonders.

Plus I really hate those pricks. This here is a great opportunity to land a heavy shot right on the Kisser. The Glazerdomians will rend garments and pour whiskey neat.

[royalstilton]

Garcia must not start. He must be the "devastating substitution" as in the game with the Arsenal. Morientes is so close to scoring every time he starts, I can't believe he doesn't have a goal in him.

With Vidic playing on ManU's backline, I have to think that speed is the key to prising a goal from the Red Devils' treasure chest. I would like to see Cisse and Morientes up front.

My worry is with Ronaldo. The bugger is finishing very well and he presents problems on both wings. With Rooney playing up top, and RVN deep, that leaves a bit of space for Park and Ronaldo to float into the open areas at the edge of the box, where they seem able to play give and go with Rooney or Ruud.

I don't see this match as a 1-0 win for the Reds. If ManU can be held to one goal, I think that will be an accomplishment, given their recent form. They have scored 10 in three matches since the tragic Rio goal in stoppage time.

This means a win will require 2 from Liverpool, if I'm right. The best odds are Gerrard and Cisse. Or Garcia at 85 minutes.

[Red Bird]

Xabi is out (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N151496060217-1357.htm)of this. The rest will do him good. Crouch is also back in contention.