Eindhoven v. Liverpool [R]

[liverbird]

Lets get the bitter stink off quickly

--------------Reina (I agree with ForeverRed)
Finnan -----Hyppia-----Carra----Agger
Pennant---MoMo---SG ----- Gonzalez
----------Kuijt----Bellamy

Dudek
Crouch
Garcia
Alonso
Aurelio
Paletta

Thats my group

[Red Bird]

Spot on with the front two. I'd stick with Aurelio on the left (this is Europe, after all) and leave Carragher to get a reserve match to regain some match sharpness. Alonso looks jaded so I agree with his starting on the bench. I'm still reserving judgement on Reina but wonder if Benitez will drop him? Otherwise, no problems.

[Springbok FC]

Is Gonzalez ever going to break into the starting lineup? I suppose it would be outside of league play, if it were to happen.

I agree that Carra needs to sit this one out. He wasn't ready to come back, even if he was declared fit.

I'll stick with Reina, for now. I don't blame today on him alone.

My guess:

---------------Reina-----------------------
Finnan-------Hyppia------Agger---------Aurelio
Pennant------Momo-----Gerrard -------Garcia
------------Kuyt---------Bellamy-----

Subs:
Dudek
Carra
Alonso
Gonzalez
Crouch

Also, a little off-subject, any reason why Kuyt is sometimes being spelled "Kuijt?" That's just the continuation of an inside joke, yes? Not the actual spelling? Just curious. Cheers.

[rockymtn_mike]

---------------Reina-----------------------
Finnan-------Hyppia------Agger---------Aurelio
Pennant------Momo-----Gerrard -------Gonzales
------------Kuyt---------Bellamy---------------

Lets get over the lost to the Blues and win one in Holland

[ForeverRed]

Lets get the bitter stink off quickly

--------------Reina (I agree with ForeverRed)
Finnan -----Hyppia-----Carra----Agger
Pennant---MoMo---SG ----- Gonzalez
----------Kuijt----Bellamy

Dudek
Crouch
Garcia
Alonso
Aurelio
Paletta

Thats my group

Hmmm.....well ok.....forgive and forget right? Get in there pepe

As for Aurelio...don't know......I think fielding Warnock wouldn't be any more risky to be honest so I wouldn't mind if Rafa goes for that option.

I like the rest of the line up, especially Kuyt....if anyone knows PSV, its him....he's scored against them more times than anyone else.

I'd also love to see Garcia either start or come on for Pennant or Gonzalez because he's so effective in Europe.

Let's get this European campaign started in a great way!

YNWA!

[Ghostface]

Also, a little off-subject, any reason why Kuyt is sometimes being spelled "Kuijt?" That's just the continuation of an inside joke, yes? Not the actual spelling? Just curious. Cheers.

I believe that's the Dutch spelling of it.

[Meta Tarsal]

------------------Reina
---Finnan----Hyypia----Agger----Carra
---------Gerrard------- Sissoko
---Pennant-------------------Gonzalez
-----------Kuyt-------Bellamy

Reina by default. Our GK situation is a bit worrying at the moment.
Drop Aurelio--he's a liability at this point--shift Carra (if healthy) to the left and let Sissoko provide cover when necessary. SG slides in on the right, where I believe he's best suited.
Drop Alonso and Garcia to the bench. They seem to be having a Belfast hangover.
As for Pennant and Speedy, let's see what a pair of wingers can do from the start in Europe and try to score a goal or two, FFS.

I don't think we can afford to have a plodding Hyypia and a half-fit Carra side by side in the middle. Carra is fine on the left with some cover, and for the moment seems a better option there than Aurelio considering Riise's unavailable.

[Suss]

Carragher is not going to play left back. If he's fit he will be in the center of the defense. He is our best defender and we need him there. And Jamie will offer us nothing going foward on the left side. Agger would be a better choice there as he has a very good left foot. With Sami's form, we many need Agger in the middle as well. I'm not sure that Rafa will give up on Aurelio so quickly. But if he is dropped, we might as well play Warnock.

[el-capitano]

Lets get the bitter stink off quickly

--------------Reina (I agree with ForeverRed)
Finnan -----Hyppia-----Carra----Agger
Pennant---MoMo---SG ----- Gonzalez
----------Kuijt----Bellamy


I'll take that, it works well with what I'm thinking for the weekend.........

[Don'tBuyTheSun]

Carragher is not going to play left back. If he's fit he will be in the center of the defense. He is our best defender and we need him there. And Jamie will offer us nothing going foward on the left side. Agger would be a better choice there as he has a very good left foot. With Sami's form, we many need Agger in the middle as well. I'm not sure that Rafa will give up on Aurelio so quickly. But if he is dropped, we might as well play Warnock.

Greetings to all from a newb.

Clearly Carra isn't going to play on the left--although he certainly can--but his lack of attacking bent isn't and shouldn't be the reason for it.
On recent form, we should worry about our backs defending before we worry about them getting forward.;)

What I'd certainly do is drop Xabi for a match or two. He seemed out of sorts Saturday after having a real rough time of it against NI in mid-week. Worst game I've ever seen him play.

Looking forward to seeing Kuyt and Bellamy together for the first time, but
what do you think about playing those two along with Crouch at some point--in order to give us more of an attacking thrust? Perhaps with Kuyt withdrawn to make room for Pennant and allow Crouch to knock down crosses for Kuyt and Bellamy to latch onto?

Just to mix it up a bit:

----------------Reina
--Finnan----Sami----JC/DA----Warnock
----Pennant----Stevie G------Sissoko
----------Kuyt------------Bellamy
------------------Crouch

[usscouse]

Welcome here.
Interesting idea up front.... but sissoko on the left, hmm.

[AussieLFCfan]

------------------Reina-----------------
Finnan----Carra/Sami----Agger----Aurelio
--------Gerrard----------Sissoko--------
Pennant------------------------Gonzales
----------Kuyt----------Bellamy---------

Subs:
Crouch
Alonso
Carra/Sami
Garcia
Dudek

I don't think we can go with Sami and Carra in the middle, both have been really poor so far this season. The gaffa really needs to sort the sh1t out at the back or we are gonna get fcuked by Chel$ki!!!
I also think that so far Kuyt & Bellamy have looked the most dangerous together in their brief spell together against the Hammers so we should run with that.

[Ghostface]

----------------Reina
--Finnan----Sami----JC/DA----Warnock
----Pennant----Stevie G------Sissoko
----------Kuyt------------Bellamy
------------------Crouch

I really like this line up, but switch Momo with Xabi. Maybe he just had an off game, he'll hopefully be on form this game. Momo would be a nice jump off the bench.

[liverbird]

I really like this line up, but switch Momo with Xabi. Maybe he just had an off game, he'll hopefully be on form this game. Momo would be a nice jump off the bench.

Can someone tell me whose going to defend if we play three forwards, Pennant, SG and Alonso? Stevie and Xabi alone? When will either of them get forward if they have to defend? If we are to play Pennant then someone of the CMs has to sit and I can't see it being Momo

[Red Bird]

Benitez seems to think there is no need to drop Reina (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N153437060911-) nor, I assume, will he drop the defenders. I do think Agger merits a starting berth and I also hope that Paletta will soon be knocking on the door and putting pressure.

I still think Reina is suffering from a dreadful case of the jitters but hope they won't be of the Dudek type. Otherwise, we may as well stick with local keepers. Carson isn't doing badly at Charlton, y'know.

[royalstilton]

This match takes on a different spin than if the Reds had handled the Toffees. It's now partly about settling down and regaining confidence in the backline. Frankly, and since I watch matches on Setanta and FSC, I'm not sure how he looks with a full-field view, but I'm not at all sold on Aurelio as a defender.

At this point, I would want to see whether Warnock can get the job done. I don't think that it would be a mistake to put Agger and Hyypia together, even in such an important match.

I agree with Alonso on the bench. That means Gerrard having a more central role if Pennant starts. If Zenden and Sissoko play in the middle, then Gerrard can roam, and Benitez can play Gonzales on the left.

Another option would be Zenden on the left, and Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle, with Pennant on the right, but Gonzales is the more dangerous in attack than Zenden, whose play against Chelsea looked like the can distribute the ball well enough to fill in for Alonso, but in a more forward position.

This is how I would like the squad to look:

------------------Reina-----------------
Finnan----Hyypia------Agger----Warnock
--------Gerrard----------Sissoko--------
Pennant------------------------Gonzales
----------Kuijt----------Bellamy--

with
Alonso
Crouch
Zenden
Aurelio ( only if Warnock picks up a knock )
Carragher
Dudek
in reserve...

[liverbird]

This match takes on a different spin than if the Reds had handled the Toffees. It's now partly about settling down and regaining confidence in the backline. Frankly, and since I watch matches on Setanta and FSC, I'm not sure how he looks with a full-field view, but I'm not at all sold on Aurelio as a defender.

At this point, I would want to see whether Warnock can get the job done. I don't think that it would be a mistake to put Agger and Hyypia together, even in such an important match.

I agree with Alonso on the bench. That means Gerrard having a more central role if Pennant starts. If Zenden and Sissoko play in the middle, then Gerrard can roam, and Benitez can play Gonzales on the left.

Another option would be Zenden on the left, and Gerrard and Sissoko in the middle, with Pennant on the right, but Gonzales is the more dangerous in attack than Zenden, whose play against Chelsea looked like the can distribute the ball well enough to fill in for Alonso, but in a more forward position.

This is how I would like the squad to look:

------------------Reina-----------------
Finnan----Hyypia------Agger----Warnock
--------Gerrard----------Sissoko--------
Pennant------------------------Gonzales
----------Kuijt----------Bellamy--

with
Alonso
Crouch
Zenden
Aurelio ( only if Warnock picks up a knock )
Carragher
Dudek
in reserve...

No room for Garcia?? Little Luis loves European nights. I'd add him and drop Zenden. With Aurelio giving you cover at both left positions and Alonso at CM why carry Zenden?

[royalstilton]

No room for Garcia?? Little Luis loves European nights. I'd add him and drop Zenden. With Aurelio giving you cover at both left positions and Alonso at CM why carry Zenden?
your idea is better. Garcia for Zenden.

i'm not crazy about his new hair, though. ( Luis' )

[Ghostface]

Can someone tell me whose going to defend if we play three forwards, Pennant, SG and Alonso? Stevie and Xabi alone? When will either of them get forward if they have to defend? If we are to play Pennant then someone of the CMs has to sit and I can't see it being Momo

I suppose you're right, but with three up, the mid wouldn't be forced to push forward as much. Regardless Rafa isn't gonna play that line up. More realisticly just Kuyt and Bellemy up front.

[ForeverRed]

Yea, Garcia has to see some playing time...he is made for the CL.

Plus, if anyone expects to see Aurelio on the bench, you might to get ready to be disapointed because Rafa doesn't bring in a player if he is not confident enough in them to play, despite terrible setbacks. Morientes was a perfect example.

Benitez is going to continue to entrust him with the LB position until Riise is back which is good because he'll feel a sense of trust and confidence from his manager which might just in turn lead to him actually improving....it can also backfire horribly though..time will tell.

Personally, I'm in a forgiving mood so let him start....not that I have any say in it :D