Reading v Liverpool [R]

[el-capitano]

Time to keep the roll going. And wait for it..................... drum roll, I'm almost going with the same team that won against Bolton.

Yes, I'm going to rotate a couple of players!

--------------Reina----------------

Finnan-----Agger-----Sami-----Riise

Yossi----Capt MBE----Lucas----Babel

----------Torres----Kuyt---------

(which leaves Jamie to slot in for Sami in the CL three days after that, and a fresh Crouchinho, 'Arry, Arbs & Masch for Marseille- but that is for another thread! ;) )

I'm going with a nice steady 2-0 win, with Torres & Gerrard getting subbed off early to be safe for the Marseille game!

[Grinners89]

Time to keep the roll going. And wait for it..................... drum roll, I'm almost going with the same team that won against Bolton.

Yes, I'm going to rotate a couple of players!

--------------Reina----------------

Finnan-----Agger-----Sami-----Riise

Yossi----Capt MBE----Lucas----Babel

----------Torres----Kuyt---------

(which leaves Jamie to slot in for Sami in the CL three days after that, and a fresh Crouchinho, 'Arry, Arbs & Masch for Marseille- but that is for another thread! ;) )

I'm going with a nice steady 2-0 win, with Torres & Gerrard getting subbed off early to be safe for the Marseille game!

I agree with your point about Masch...i think that Rafa wants him to be fully fit for CL matches as this is where he has played his best...thats why i also dont think that Masch will even be on the bench against reading. Im sort of wondering if SG will be used off the bench for this game but im hoping that we have scored a few and that he goes off at about 60 minutes. Id love for Agger to start but i dont know how he is going so, we will see. Maybe Hobbs for a start? He started against Reading in Carling Cup. Crouch and Torres started against Marseille last time and im not sure if that will happen, im pretty sure that Kuyt/Voronin will start with Torres against Marseille. Carra should definitely rest as he has already hurt his ribs earlier this season and as he supposedly hurt them again (although less serious) i dont want him to be hurt before Marseille. It was good that Finnan didnt play as he and Arbs can now both play against Marseille (touch wood). My predicted team...given that we need our players ready for Marseille

____________Reina__________

Finnan___Hobbs___Hyypia___Riise

Babel_____SG____Momo____Yossi

________Kuyt____Torres_______

Extended/undecided bench: Itandje, Agger, Aurelio?? (if not...then Leto), Lucas, Voronin

[Red Bird]

Slightly off topic but didn't want to start another thread. Whatever did happen to our postponed match against West Ham (15 August)? I say this because Arsenal are playing their game in hand on Wednesday. I assume we can't agree on a mutually convenient day? Hopefullly we should not play 3 games in a week at some stage ...

[bayern is god]

-----------------reina------------------

finnan----carra----------agger---arbeloa

yossi------stevie----lucas--------kewell

---------torres---------babel-----------

[Ghostface]

Haven't been on here in a couple of days, but with our current form, this will hopefully be an easy one where we can avoid an injury. Torres and Babel up front for me, and assuming a lead, Torres subbed off at half or just after.

[Wingtips1]

-----------------reina------------------

finnan----carra----------agger---arbeloa

yossi------stevie----lucas--------kewell

---------torres---------babel-----------

that line up would probably start to take on more of a 4-2-3-1 characteristic as babel/yossi/harry would be able to be completely interchangeable...I LIKE IT!

[ForeverRed]

Pretty much agree with what you guys said, Stevie and Torres should come out once we've got a comfortable lead. We need them fully fit against Marseille.

[Bobinhood]

Tough to read Rafa's mind on this one since we have a full week off before the game, almost everyone gt a taste recently, and reading are hard to define unlike bolton for example you know that it will be physical. mind you, the curling cup game was both physical and highly entertaining.

This ones almost a blank slate, where he will set up the players for the mid-week game. I think Torres sits or is on the bench. Veronin and Kuyt are due up actually. For sure he wants torres against the french, but who does he want partnered and who for Sub? hmmmm. Kewell he probably saves for mid-week. momo-mash and rest gerrard? or sub him at 60 for lucas?

No idea really. Hes gonna want to attack in france but we are thin at the back and have no true right winger except beneyoun which complicates matters a lot. if it were me on my x-box id play all my reserves and rely on my superior skill :D

My X-Box team for this game:

...Charles

arbs..hobbs.. agger.. insua

babel momo lucas leto

veronin kuyt

C'mon, we can beat reading with that....no big deal the back five wouldnt recognize each other on the bus....or he wouldnt play that in a curling cup game...ok maybe not.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

One thing we know about Reading is that they won't sit back. They will try and play with us, that's just there way. I would like to see...

-----------------Reina----------------
Finnan-----Arbs------Sami-----Riise
Yossi-----Gerrard---Lucas-----Kewell
-----------Kuyt-----Crouch----------

Subs:
Itandje
Hobbs
Momo
Babel
Torres

With this lineup we should be able to score goals. If we are having trouble Torres and Babel come on for Kuyt and Yossi/Kewell. And if we are in a comfortable position, Momo can come on to get some playing time and hopefully confidence.

[el-capitano]

Because they shouldnt have ten men behind the ball, I'm not sure if we need people like Harry, and even though I picked him, Yossi from the start.

We wont need those tricky types of players who can break down a stubborn defence as they should be coming at us and playing, which will leave enough space for the more, how should I put it, 'direct' players to play into, like Babel, Kuyt even Momo!

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Because they shouldnt have ten men behind the ball, I'm not sure if we need people like Harry, and even though I picked him, Yossi from the start.

We wont need those tricky types of players who can break down a stubborn defence as they should be coming at us and playing, which will leave enough space for the more, how should I put it, 'direct' players to play into, like Babel, Kuyt even Momo!

That's a good point. Plus against a team that attacks right back like Reading those kinds of players are a defensive liability. Putting that into perspective here is my lineup.

--------------------Reina--------------------
Finnan-----Arbeloa------Sami---------Riise
-------Lucas------Momo------Gerrard------
-------------------Babel----------------------
----------Kuyt------------Torres--------------

Subs
Itandje
Hobbs
Kewell
Yossi
Crouch

[RichardL]

Shouldn't need much debate. This will almost certainly be a routine win for Liverpool.

Reading's midfield is probably the crappiest in the premiership at the moment, creating almost nothing and offering little help to the defence. We have no fit right winger, and only one semi-fit and one off form left winger. One of the left wingers plays on the right lately, but one can't cross with his right foot, and the other is blind (literally) in his left eye, so it's not ideal. We only have one player who tackles in midfield (Gunnarsson) but he gets overtaken by plate tectonics these days. For a team who play old-school English tactics of 442 with two wingers and a ball-winner in midfield, it's a bit of a drawback.

Depending on how boring the game is, and if the other matches this season are anything to go by it'd be worth bringing a book to read, Liverpool should win 3-1 or maybe 4-1. Two of the goals will come from Reading giving away possession cheaply, probably a poor Shorey set-piece and an intercepted weak pass from Gunnarsson.

Carrying our only shining beacon of hope will be Dave Kitson, taking the field like a flame-haired knight, with sword and shield carring a swashbuckling fight to all and sundry, in his own particular idiom, if given half the chance at least.

Or we might actually play well. Stranger things have happened. As it is we are just ticking over until the transfer window. Mind you, we haven't managed to sign a single player since promotion who has made it into the first team barring injury to others, so our record is not great.

It's odd. When we went up this was the sort of game Reading fans were supposed to look forward to. Now it's written off as a loss and nobody (among regular fans at least) gives a shit about it.

[Grinners89]

Shouldn't need much debate. This will almost certainly be a routine win for Liverpool.

Reading's midfield is probably the crappiest in the premiership at the moment, creating almost nothing and offering little help to the defence. We have no fit right winger, and only one semi-fit and one off form left winger. One of the left wingers plays on the right lately, but one can't cross with his right foot, and the other is blind (literally) in his left eye, so it's not ideal. We only have one player who tackles in midfield (Gunnarsson) but he gets overtaken by plate tectonics these days. For a team who play old-school English tactics of 442 with two wingers and a ball-winner in midfield, it's a bit of a drawback.

Depending on how boring the game is, and if the other matches this season are anything to go by it'd be worth bringing a book to read, Liverpool should win 3-1 or maybe 4-1. Two of the goals will come from Reading giving away possession cheaply, probably a poor Shorey set-piece and an intercepted weak pass from Gunnarsson.

Carrying our only shining beacon of hope will be Dave Kitson, taking the field like a flame-haired knight, with sword and shield carring a swashbuckling fight to all and sundry, in his own particular idiom, if given half the chance at least.

Or we might actually play well. Stranger things have happened. As it is we are just ticking over until the transfer window. Mind you, we haven't managed to sign a single player since promotion who has made it into the first team barring injury to others, so our record is not great.

It's odd. When we went up this was the sort of game Reading fans were supposed to look forward to. Now it's written off as a loss and nobody (among regular fans at least) gives a shit about it.

Glad to read an honest assessment, rather than another Manure attack on Liverpool...as long as Liverpool dont give you goals we should win

[usscouse]

Shouldn't need much debate. This will almost certainly be a routine win for Liverpool.

Thanks for that. Funny every time we get a post like this, from the prem to the CL.....We have trouble..!

We've been playing ugly of late but the ball keeps falling into the other teams net, so who knows.
On paper we have it won, lets see what happens played on cow fodder.

[ChanceTheDog]

Thanks for that. Funny every time we get a post like this, from the prem to the CL.....We have trouble..!

We've been playing ugly of late but the ball keeps falling into the other teams net, so who knows.
On paper we have it won, lets see what happens played on cow fodder.

I thought the same thing when I read that post. I've got my fingers crossed for a draw now. ;)

[ForeverRed]

Shouldn't need much debate. This will almost certainly be a routine win for Liverpool.

Reading's midfield is probably the crappiest in the premiership at the moment, creating almost nothing and offering little help to the defence. We have no fit right winger, and only one semi-fit and one off form left winger. One of the left wingers plays on the right lately, but one can't cross with his right foot, and the other is blind (literally) in his left eye, so it's not ideal. We only have one player who tackles in midfield (Gunnarsson) but he gets overtaken by plate tectonics these days. For a team who play old-school English tactics of 442 with two wingers and a ball-winner in midfield, it's a bit of a drawback.

Depending on how boring the game is, and if the other matches this season are anything to go by it'd be worth bringing a book to read, Liverpool should win 3-1 or maybe 4-1. Two of the goals will come from Reading giving away possession cheaply, probably a poor Shorey set-piece and an intercepted weak pass from Gunnarsson.

Carrying our only shining beacon of hope will be Dave Kitson, taking the field like a flame-haired knight, with sword and shield carring a swashbuckling fight to all and sundry, in his own particular idiom, if given half the chance at least.

Or we might actually play well. Stranger things have happened. As it is we are just ticking over until the transfer window. Mind you, we haven't managed to sign a single player since promotion who has made it into the first team barring injury to others, so our record is not great.

It's odd. When we went up this was the sort of game Reading fans were supposed to look forward to. Now it's written off as a loss and nobody (among regular fans at least) gives a shit about it.

Well don't be THAT optimistic.

[revelationx]

I think Rafa will stick to the spine of the team, Reina, Gerrard, Carra and Torres. I am not sure Agger will be ready to start but who knows?

Go for
Reina
Finnan Hyypia Carra Riise
Benayoun Gerrard Masch Kewell
Torres Kuyt

Bench :- Itandje, Lucas, Arbeloa, Babel, Crouch.

I know we have important games next week but it is important to keep our momentum going by playing a strong side at Reading. If we beat Reading by 3 goals our confidence going to France will be sky-high.


Arsenal will play at Newcastle tomorrow so one of two things will occur. Arsenal will win, in which case they go 9 pts clear of us or Arsenal drop points in which case we can close the gap right up with a win at Reading. Now Newcastle have been in bad form for the last 5 games but they have to get some points sooner or later. They will be at home and Arsenal will make the long trip without Fabregas, Hleb, Flamini and Diaby in midfield so may be vulnerable. Either way Liverpool need to pick up 3 pts at Reading.

Reading have the worst defence in the Prem except for Derby, so with our current goalscoring form we should give them loads of problems.

Let's not underestimate them though, field a strong side and bring back the 3 pts.

[RichardL]

Thanks for that. Funny every time we get a post like this, from the prem to the CL.....We have trouble..!

We've been playing ugly of late but the ball keeps falling into the other teams net, so who knows.
On paper we have it won, lets see what happens played on cow fodder.
I think it's a pretty safe bet, but I'm not the world's best tipster. I saw Sevilla play last weekend and thought they were pretty dire and wouldn't cause Arsenal any problems. Rather more embarrassing was seeing Slavia Prague win (7-1, it has to be said) and thinking they might be quite dangerous at the Emirates, only for Arsenal to sneak seven lucky goals in the last 90 minutes.

Honestly though, we are playing crap at the moment. If you don't win you need shooting. It's only the utter crapness of the bottom of the division that's keeping us so strangely high. I mean, Birmingham are 12th. We beat Birmingham last season in the FA Cup with effectively our reserve team last season, at St Andrews.

Mind you, it could be said that some of our better displays have been against the better sides. We did draw at Old Trafford on the opening day, and absolutely pissed over Chelsea for 45 quite remarkable minutes in the very next game.

btw, the pitch could be awful. It seems that the heaviest day's rain of the season, such as that on Sunday, always seems to coincide with a London Irish rugby fixture, such as the one they had on Sunday. Our best hope probably revolves around your owner/manager turmoil upsetting the team spirit though.

[ChanceTheDog]

I think it's a pretty safe bet, but I'm not the world's best tipster. I saw Sevilla play last weekend and thought they were pretty dire and wouldn't cause Arsenal any problems. Rather more embarrassing was seeing Slavia Prague win (7-1, it has to be said) and thinking they might be quite dangerous at the Emirates, only for Arsenal to sneak seven lucky goals in the last 90 minutes.

Honestly though, we are playing crap at the moment. If you don't win you need shooting. It's only the utter crapness of the bottom of the division that's keeping us so strangely high. I mean, Birmingham are 12th. We beat Birmingham last season in the FA Cup with effectively our reserve team last season, at St Andrews.

Mind you, it could be said that some of our better displays have been against the better sides. We did draw at Old Trafford on the opening day, and absolutely pissed over Chelsea for 45 quite remarkable minutes in the very next game.

btw, the pitch could be awful. It seems that the heaviest day's rain of the season, such as that on Sunday, always seems to coincide with a London Irish rugby fixture, such as the one they had on Sunday. Our best hope probably revolves around your owner/manager turmoil upsetting the team spirit though.

Well thats it now, we're ********ed. ;)

[el-capitano]

Well thats it now, we're ********ed. ;)

I'll wait for RichardL to say he's put money on Liverpool before I confirm that! :)