Liverpool v. Everton - FA Cup - January 25 [R]

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Well. I expect a win.

---------------------------Reina-------------------------
Arbeloa-------Carragher-------Skrtel----------Aurelio
---------------Mascherano------Alonso-----------------
Benayoun---------------Gerrard-------------------Riera
---------------------------Torres-------------------------

Subs - Cavalieri, Hyypia, Dossena, Lucas, Kuyt, Babel, Keane

I am not sure on the status' of Arbeloa, Agger, or Mascherano.

The above is the side I want to see. Remove Keane, free up the middle area. It will improve the attacking play from Gerrard and Torres.

It truly is put up or shut up time. A solid win over a team we drew with 6 days earlier would shut some of the critics up.

[TheLaughingMan]

I'd love to knock them right out of the cup, but with Wigan just three days later, I think we need to keep our attentions focused on the league. I expect a large rotation from Rafa. Giving some of our bench players a run out along with another dose of Torres will hopefully be enough to contain them.

[Grinners89]

Rafa will rotate the squad, resting a few tired players and giving some match fitness to the likes Arbs, Doss and Babel. However we need to win, not for progression in the FA Cup, but for confidence. If we get another lead like in the league match but then start wasting time and not pushing for the 2nd goal, i hope we lose the match to show the players that you cant settle on the 1-0 lead, especially when players like Yossi and Skrtel keep giving away free kicks in dangerous areas.

Something like this maybe???

Cavalieri
Arbeloa Skrtel Carra Dossena
Kuyt Gerrard Masch Babel
Torres Keane

Subs: Reina, Hyypia, Lucas, El Zhar, Riera, Yossi, Ngog

[usscouse]

I'm in.
I somehow think that line up will change or there again maybe he'll pull a big surprise and leave the same team in.

I hope Setanta put a different team in. I got so tired of that "know it all whiney Scottish git" that I watched most of the second half in silence.

[el-capitano]

Yeah- in.

I'm playing a T20 cricket game that day so I'll be missing the match. :(

[burning247]

Watch, we're going to play the kids and kick their ass. Figures :rolleyes:

[ForeverRed]

Eh Lets please win this one boys. I still can't get over yesterday's horrible result.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I really hope Rafa doesn't just play all kids or bench players. This would be a killer for morale to draw-lose or draw-draw to Everton in a week. Play some squad players and maybe one kid, but let's get to the next round of the cup!!!

I guess looking at changes I would make thinking that we would rotate a little bit would be closer to Grinners team. I definitely want to see Babel out the field.

If Babel plays I will be expecting a big game from him. Much like when he started against PSV in the Champions League.

[liverbird]

Cavi
Arbs(if fit)--Carra--Sami---Dossena
Kuyt----Gerrard----Mascerano--Xabi ----Babel
Torres

[newterp]

Cavalieri
Arbs--Carra---Agger--Aurelio
-----Masch----Alonso-------
Babel----Gerrard------Riera
Torres

[usscouse]

Cavi
Arbs(if fit)--Carra--Sami---Dossena
Kuyt----Gerrard----Mascerano--Xabi ----Babel
TorresLooks good to me although I'm still iffy on Dossena, I'll give him a chance.

[L_I_V_ERP_doubleO_L]

i think i might like to see this:


Cavi
Arbs Carra Skrtel Dossena
Yossi Stevie Masch Babel
Keane Torres

Admittedly, this back lines looks a little shaky, espescially considering 3 of them are probably not match fit and Carra has been worn down; but, Skrtel is so rusty, if he can play in consecutive matches i think he needs to get as much run as possible to get back up to speed. I'm not ready to give up on the 4-4-2. Torres and Keane need to be paired again.

[newterp]

i think i might like to see this:




Cavi
Arbs Carra Skrtel Dossena
Yossi Stevie Masch Babel
Keane Torres


Admittedly, this back lines looks a little shaky, espescially considering 3 of them are probably not match fit and Carra has been worn down; but, Skrtel is so rusty, if he can play in consecutive matches i think he needs to get as much run as possible to get back up to speed. I'm not ready to give up on the 4-4-2. Torres and Keane need to be paired again.




this is true....and I'd like to see Gerrard on the right and Masch and Alonso in the middle. But Rafa won't do it.

[ForeverRed]

Is Agger still out?

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

this is true....and I'd like to see Gerrard on the right and Masch and Alonso in the middle. But Rafa won't do it.

I have been thinking the same, but I didn't want to get crucified on these boards. So, now that you have said, I will second it.

I honestly say that out of the three position that I have seen Gerrard play the last three seasons, him as a regular central midfielder is not my favorite one.

I like him in the middle on the 4-2-3-1 and on the right in the 4-4-2 better than him in the middle on the 4-4-2.

[drobny23]

Even if I thought Gerrard would be as good for the team on the right as he is in the middle, I'd swallow that thought because I could not endure the inevitable firestorm/discussion. And the stories about Gerrard being unhappy on the right! Please no!

I am fine with Kuyt on the right in the 4-4-2. The solution to his poor play isn't formation, it's teaching Yossi defense or Babel maturity.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Even if I thought Gerrard would be as good for the team on the right as he is in the middle, I'd swallow that thought because I could not endure the inevitable firestorm/discussion. And the stories about Gerrard being unhappy on the right! Please no!

I am fine with Kuyt on the right in the 4-4-2. The solution to his poor play isn't formation, it's teaching Yossi defense or Babel maturity.

I know.

Kuyt has played well on the right this year.

Replacing him with Gerrard would be purely a tactical decision to get more of our better players on the pitch, while maybe trying something (ANYTHING!) that might help Torres and Keane work together.

I just don't understand how the two can't work together. I want to eat my words by the end of the season. I hope to Fowler they can figure out something by then.

[drobny23]

I know.

Kuyt has played well on the right this year.

Replacing him with Gerrard would be purely a tactical decision to get more of our better players on the pitch, while maybe trying something (ANYTHING!) that might help Torres and Keane work together.

I just don't understand how the two can't work together. I want to eat my words by the end of the season. I hope to Fowler they can figure out something by then.

Until Robbie rises from the dead, I won't hope to him. Verily.

I agree with the basic idea here -- get Xabi, Steven and Masch on the pitch. If we want Torres and Keane to fall in love, that leaves one spot left for Riera/Kuyt/Babel/Yossi. We need Riera on the left, Rafa loves Kuyt, and what of Babel?

Bottom line: this is a great problem to have.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Bottom line: this is a great problem to have.

Unless Rafa keeps forcing the round pegs into square holes.

I really don't know what to think...

Can we play 13 on the pitch?

[drobny23]

Unless Rafa keeps forcing the round pegs into square holes.

I really don't know what to think...

Can we play 13 on the pitch?

I don't think Rafa puts our round pegs in square, or even oval, holes. For example, Babel's game right now is best suited for space needed on the left.

It's that some of our pegs have differing characteristics.

I don't think anyone's out of position.