Chelsea v. Liverpool (2.10.8) [R]

[elsoluis]

Competition: Premier League
Date: Sunday, February 10, 2008

After a 3-0 win over Sunderland, the Reds are still trying to catch Everton???

We need this win. To save our place in the top 4.

Prediction: 1-0 Reds






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[liverbird]

Well lets see. On your 23rd post you open a thread that kind of goes against conventions here

--------------reina
Arbeloa-----JC-----Sami-----Finnan
Pennant-----Mash----SG----Lucas
---------Crouch -- Torres

Why change much????

2-0 to the good guys on Red

[Grinners89]

Things are certainly feeling and looking better. Agger back in training, Arbs in the NT (which will give his confidence a massive boost), Pennant playing well, Crouch and Torres scoring, Skrtel getting another 90 mins, Pepe getting to 50 clean sheets in a record 92 games, plus a recent 3-0 win :D

We must keep this going and im not sure that the same lineup can do that against Chelsea. Pennant is a must on the right vs Chelsea as he has always played well. Although playing a RB at LB when both our LB's are fit will hurt their confidence, it is a must. Aurelio can be on the bench incase of injury or if we need more width and attacking from both full-back positions. Masch must play to stop any threatening passes from Ballack who is confident and on form. We need to stop Chelsea's wide/quick players and also Ballack who are all on form...apart from that they dont have much of an attacking threat (SWP, J Cole, Malouda). Arbs would be perfect for LB in this game and hopefully will get back for the game.

IMO, there are a few ways we could go about the LM position. Plenty of options but many arent in form...SG, Yossi, Kewell, Babel, Riise and Aurelio.

SG - Very tempting to start him on the left, which will take him away from Makelele and mean that he isnt man-marked...giving him more freedom but id much prefer to start him in the centre and sacrifice his game until Xabi comes on or until the end of the match.
Yossi - Im against starting Yossi on the left away as we need to create and use the space rather than restricting it.
Kewell - Despite his inconsistent form, he has almost the most amount of assists this season and is experienced. Against Ferreira, who manages to beat himself he should have a good game...look for an assist for Torres (btw there was no ounce of Aussie pride involved here) ;). With Crouch and Torres occupying the centre, we need wingers to play wide, so Kewell and Pennant should start together for the first time this season. Both can cross the ball and Pennant/Crouch and Kewell/Torres seem to be our best attacking partnerships.
Babel - We need players who can pass the ball and i cant even fit him on the bench unfortunately...unless we want to risk not having a defender on the bench.
Riise or Aurelio for the bench

___________Reina___________

Finnan__Carra___Sami____Arbs

Pennant___SG__Masch__Kewell

_______Crouch___Torres______

Bench: Itandje, Riise, Xabi, Yossi, Kuyt

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Well lets see. On your 23rd post you open a thread that kind of goes against conventions here

--------------reina
Arbeloa-----JC-----Sami-----Finnan
Pennant-----Mash----SG----Lucas
---------Crouch -- Torres

Why change much????

2-0 to the good guys on Red

Like this lineup. Like the result.

This will be a difficult game, hopefully a good game from both sides with us getting the win. Will be difficult because tis' at the Bridge.

[AussieLFCfan]

___________Reina___________

Finnan__Carra___Sami____Arbs

Pennant___SG__Masch__Kewell

_______Crouch___Torres______

Bench: Itandje, Riise, Xabi, Yossi, Kuyt

That'd be my pick!

[Jimmyb79]

I like Grinners Lineup, but i'd stick babel on the bench instead of Kuyt (if he's available).

Shame we have to face Chelsea now that Anelka has joined, but thats life, no friendship for this one.

One thing i have noted after watching the last 5 Chelsea games is that Ballack is really coming on strong there lately. Very close to his dominating German squad form. Masch will have to break him in 2 pretty early on.

All being said, this will be a statement match for us. If we win, we loose the monkey on the back and nay sayers, if we loose, it will be heaped on.

The lads will be ready for this.

2-1 to the red machine.

[Gandalf The Red]

If we could be the team that ends their epl home record, it would be something sweet in this crappy season.

CHEEEEEEEEEARGE:mad:

[Red Bird]

Benitez notes that Alonso has been below par and needs to step it up (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158711080204-0848.htm).
Rafael Benitez has told Xabi Alonso to step up his game if he wants to reclaim his place in the heart of Liverpool's midfield.
After playing all 90 minutes of the Reds' defeat to West Ham last Wednesday, Alonso failed to even make the bench for Saturday's visit of Sunderland as Benitez instead opted to pair Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano in the middle.

With Brazilian youngster Lucas also impressing over recent weeks, the Liverpool manager has urged Alonso to improve if he wants to get back into the team.
Interesting that Benitez is not seeing what van Basten and most of us think, namely that Kuijt is struggling and the team with him. But then, I only see him on match day and I'll accede to Benitez superior observations.

Benitez opted to partner Peter Crouch with Fernando Torres on Saturday in a move which was ultimately rewarded as both strikers found their way onto the scoresheet.

"We knew that it could be a good partnership. One is good in the air the other one is quick. It was a good option for us today," added the manager.

"I like to use all the players I have in my squad and for this game, we knew that we could play long balls to the strikers.

"But I don't think people are fair on Kuyt, he does a fantastic job for the team and the question is finding the balance between them. This game was good for Crouch and another game might be good for Kuyt.

"We used Crouch and Torres because we knew how Sunderland would mark in defence. They were both playing high, but Torres was sometimes playing between the lines."
I guess it is too much wish for us to have our own game plan and try and play to that, eh? We do worry far too much about other teams and it has done very little good so far this year.

On the team to play, both Grinners and LB's line-ups look good to me. Unshackle them and attack ...

[Chelseafutbol1]

2-0 Chelsea.
Teams with as little talent as Liverpool simply won't win at the Bridge. To think it could happen shows true ignorance.

[tarheelfan490]

is chelsea still missing a shit ton of players due to injury and the ANC?

[drobny23]

I can see our marching into the Bridge and scoring a goal, but not two. A win here, we have to say, is unexpected. It can happen, and oh how great will it be if it does, and if it happens it'll be 0-1. Remember we had them in our place but for Rob Stiles' whistle.

Rafa plays for a point, and Kuyt starts instead of Crouch.


Finnan......Carra......Hyppia.....Arbs
Pennant...Gerrard....Mash.....Riise
........Kuyt...........Torres.............

[Chelseafutbol1]

Lampard will be back and Mikel is back with Nigeria being knocked out. Shevchenko back as well perhaps. Terry still out.

[liverbird]

Lampard will be back and Mikel is back with Nigeria being knocked out. Shevchenko back as well perhaps. Terry still out. Stop with the good news -- Lampard over Ballack? Sheva instead of Anelka? all the more reason we will win:D

[usscouse]

Somebody fix the title of this thread, it's driving me crazy.
Always, ALWAYS put the home team first.

I don't do predictions but Chelsea are enjoying a good run now that they don't have to 'contend' with their manager. Now the better players are on the pitch instead of the suck ups. They're not unbeatable though and one goal either way could very well sort this one out.....

Just hope it's ours.. :)

[usscouse]

2-0 Chelsea.
Teams with as little talent as Liverpool simply won't win at the Bridge. To think it could happen shows true ignorance.Teams with as little talent as Liverpool And you don't think that comment is neither ignorant or arrogant.

If one of us posted that comment on the Chelsea board that twat clan bleu would be tossing out cards like Rob Styles. If you want banter, fine just show a little respect, if you want to be an arsehole then just piss off.

[liverbird]

Teams with as little talent as Liverpool And you don't think that comment is neither ignorant or arrogant.

If one of us posted that comment on the Chelsea board that twat clan bleu would be tossing out cards like Rob Styles. If you want banter, fine just show a little respect, if you want to be an arsehole then just piss off.

Perfectly stated

[Gandalf The Red]

Lampard will be back and Mikel is back with Nigeria being knocked out. Shevchenko back as well perhaps. Terry still out.

still eating da balls from those two euro and 1 FA cup semi son.

I think so.:D

[adammac19]

I will be interested with the player selection for this game. If rafa will use Carra as a RB and who will play with Gerrard in the middle. I am hoping we go with a 4-4-2 with Crouch/Torres up front but I have a feeling Rafa will for 4-5-1 with Gerrard with the free role.

[Chelseafutbol1]

still eating da balls from those two euro and 1 FA cup semi son.

I think so.:D

I can't hear you, someone is rattling off league standings and trophies since Benitez showed up.
Also, I wasn't insinuating that Shevchenko would play over Anelka. But, I'd much rather take him than Pizzaro as the other striker.
It's ambitious to think Liverpool can win. But, they will be better when Agger is back.

[Fussballer]

___________Reina___________

Finnan__Carra___Sami____Arbs

Pennant___SG__Masch__Kewell

_______Crouch___Torres______

Bench: Itandje, Riise, Xabi, Yossi, Kuyt

I'll give Kewell one last start (no, I'm not Australian!). If he continues to suck, sub him out at half for Lucas.