Liverpool v. The Toon [R]

[liverbird]

----------Reina
finnan ---jc---agger----warnock
Pennant --MoMo--SG----Gonzalez
--------Crouch---Kiujt

Dudek
Hyppia
Alonso
Aurelio
Fowler

[Red Bird]

I'd be inclined to start with the same 11 as started today. The back four, apart from Warnock who needs minutes on the pitch, looked solid once more. While I have nothing against Crouch, I'd not disrupt the two key partnerships which we are seeking to develop-- Carragher-Agger and Bellamy-Kuijt. Actually, if Gonzalez were to come in, Pennant may make way for him with Gerrard going back to the right.

[Suss]

I'd be inclined to start with the same 11 as started today. The back four, apart from Warnock who needs minutes on the pitch, looked solid once more. While I have nothing against Crouch, I'd not disrupt the two key partnerships which we are seeking to develop-- Carragher-Agger and Bellamy-Kuijt. Actually, if Gonzalez were to come in, Pennant may make way for him with Gerrard going back to the right.

Maybe it is just as important to develop the Crouch/Kuyt partnership. IMO they are our two best strikers.

I agree about Agger though. It looks like Sami will be 3rd choice. The good thing is that Sami will be well rested whenever he is called on, and that may help his form.

[ForeverRed]

----------Reina
finnan ---jc---agger----warnock
Pennant --MoMo--SG----Gonzalez
--------Crouch---Kiujt

Dudek
Hyppia
Alonso
Aurelio
Fowler

You read my mind.....

Although Rafa might still play Alonso to give him some more time to adjust which is a good idea...I think this is the perfect game for him to find his rhythm again. Plus, I'd like to see Gerrard do damage on the flank like he did last year against Newcastle.

Agree with Kuyt and Crouch....that should be an interesting pairing..Kuyt will do a lot of work off the ball and on it and some great service should be enough for Crouch to continue his scoring.

[Ghostface]

I'm hoping the back line is all on form that day. That Martins charachter is quite fast.

For up front I'd still say stick with the Kuyt/Bellemy combo and let it develop. Crouch did bring in some opportunities at the end though, but he needs to learn to direct his headers. Everything seems to go right at the keeper.

[docliver]

Now is the time to start winning . If we win we move up to 9th place i believe so thats an improvement. I think the team needs a good win by a couple of goals and i would like kuyt to have one so that his confidence will have a boost.

[catenaccio_L'pool]

We haven't scored in 3 straight games...I have a feeling that a big, red, nasty monster will be awakened on wednesday

[el-capitano]

I'd like Kuyt and the Bella-whinger up front, with Crouch as the sub-man to come off the bench.

I do think its time to have a bit of consistency in the team picked. Rotation is fine if done carefully, and at the moment I don't think its being used properly, and the team is suffering from this.

Agree with Aggs and JC in the middle though, Sami can become the very useful backup guy if required.

[AussieLFCfan]

----------------Reina----------------
Finnan----Carra-----Agger----Warnock
Pennant--------Momo--------Gonzales
---------------Gerrard----------------
--------Kuijt-------------Crouch------

I thought we looked more likely to score when Crouch came on.
With pennants crosses we need big Crouch in there to lay it down for Stevie and Dirk.......
Xabi looks lost out there at the moment....really dissapointing!!!
I think we have real problems at LB, shame we missed out on Neill, I think we'll struggle until we get JAR back and we are really missing Harry, we need crosses from the left too.......
Can someone explain WHY Rafa persists with Zenden!!!!!

[AussieLFCfan]

We haven't scored in 3 straight games...I have a feeling that a big, red, nasty monster will be awakened on wednesday

Here's hoping!

[Red Bird]

The Maggies will be buoyed by their win over a strangley disjointed-looking Hammers. The "young man" Martin wlll be a handful but thi swill be at Anfield. too. Wonder if Titus Shambles will play?

Givens is out through injury. This is the time to priock that bubble (and not make heroes of replacement keepers). Bellamy and Kuyt to start and I'm sure Bellamy will just be itching to stick one in to them. I expect Kuyt to break his duck, too. They did make a bid for him. I expect Luis Garcia to play soem part in the match in readiness for Tottenham and Galatasaray. Hopefully Gonzalez will have recovered from whatever reportedly struck him down for most of last week.

[Crown Paints]

----------Reina
finnan ---jc---agger----warnock
Pennant --MoMo--SG----Gonzalez
--------Crouch---Kiujt

Dudek
Hyppia
Alonso
Aurelio
Fowler


I like this squad. It will be my first trip to Anfield for 3 years, and as I won't get home till 6am I really hope we stuff them.

[liverbird]

I like this squad. It will be my first trip to Anfield for 3 years, and as I won't get home till 6am I really hope we stuff them.

Ta -- have a few pints for me, son

[Fusion]

My formation for the Newcastle game:

Reina

finnan Carragher Agger Warnock

Pennant Gerrard Alonso (for creativity) Gonzalez


Kuyt Bellamy



I believe this is our strongest team at present, with the exception of Riise and Kewell to come straight back into the team. This team should be played throughout the majority of the season.

[Suss]

My formation for the Newcastle game:

Reina

finnan Carragher Agger Warnock

Pennant Gerrard Alonso (for creativity) Gonzalez


Kuyt Bellamy



I believe this is our strongest team at present, with the exception of Riise and Kewell to come straight back into the team. This team should be played throughout the majority of the season.

Any team without Sissoko in it is certainly not our best team. Momo has probably been our best player so far this year.

[Red Bird]

On the subject of Sissoko, he is already two cautions short of a suspension. Rafa reckons he is being singled out by referees. Certainly, I thought the Makelele booking was harsh but then it was the yellow peril officiating. But it's not looking good fro our lad, at the moment.

[ForeverRed]

Well its tough for an unknown young player like him in a league with such high profile players, especially in the position he plays where he has to be all over the plays and make constant tackles.

He is young and he is learning and he has only gotten better so far.

[Suss]

Sissoko got a bad reputation with the officials because when he first came to the Premieship he was a little out of control and made lots of reckless tackles. But he has improved a lot on that now, and he doesn't commit nearly as many fouls as he used to. Some of the bookings he got this season were soft and based more on reputation than anything else.

[AndSomeAreAngels]

Well its tough for an unknown young player like him in a league with such high profile players
One thing's for sure - Michael Ballack knows who he is.

I love how he's owned Ballack. In the CS, Ballack took an early cheapshot on him, and I believe he was booked. Momo then made a clean but brutal tackle on him later in the game, forcing his substitution. Then in the last game, Ballack loses his cool and stomps on him, giving Riley no choice but to send him off. Obviously he still remembered that tackle from earlier in the year.

:p

[el-capitano]

Shay Given, Nolberto Solano, Kieron Dyer (and some kid called Michael Owen) are out for the Toons.

Steven Taylor and Titus Bramble are both injury doubts for the visitors.

I'd prefer if Titus does play, he's due for a brain explosion/ own goal soon.