Wigan v. Liverpool - EPL - Jan 28 [R]

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Ho hum.

This match is on FSC.

I thought on the whole, despite the last two disappointing results, that our two major players back from injury (Skrtel and Torres) are getting closer back to their normal fitness and playing levels.

This is a must-win, mainly because we have to keep pace at the top and because this is a Wigan side that has lost two of their major players in the last ten days.

Is it too much to hope that Agger is fit, so that we can possibly rest Carragher?

Here is the side I hope/expect Rafa to send out:

-------------------------Reina-----------------------
Arbeloa-------Hyypia----------Skrtel-------Aurelio
----------------Alonso----------Lucas---------------
Benayoun--------------Gerrard---------------Riera
--------------------------Keane---------------------

Subs - Cavalieri, Agger, Dossena, Kuyt, Babel, Ngog, Torres

[usscouse]

OK I'm in.

[liverbird]

Gonna DVR this one -- maybe that'll help. I can't take off anyway. We need all 3 points.

[ForeverRed]

This is 3 points in the bag.

Why?

Because its an away game of course!

[Suss]

-------------Reina
Arbeloa--Skrtel--Carra--Aurelio
----------Masch--Alonso
Keane------Gerrard----Riera
-------------Torres

Give Keane a try out wide. When we signed him Rafa talked a lot about how he can play in that position. Keane and Gerrard can interchange positions and hopefully open up space for Torres. Lets sit Kuyt down and see what happens.

[LiverMorgh]

-------------Reina
Arbeloa--Skrtel--Carra--Aurelio
----------Masch--Alonso
Keane------Gerrard----Riera
-------------Torres

Give Keane a try out wide. When we signed him Rafa talked a lot about how he can play in that position. Keane and Gerrard can interchange positions and hopefully open up space for Torres. Lets sit Kuyt down and see what happens.

From your fingertips to Rafa's eyes.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Give Keane a try out wide. When we signed him Rafa talked a lot about how he can play in that position. Keane and Gerrard can interchange positions and hopefully open up space for Torres. Lets sit Kuyt down and see what happens.

Keane has played out wide once or twice and he has had "C-" efforts at best. He usually just plays like he is lost out there, more than usual. I would much prefer to see him just where Gerrard plays. And have Gerrard play wide right. No changing of positions, unless it happens in the flow of attack.

I am also going to DVR this one. My athletic training professor won't buy that I have to miss observation because I am sick. Though my Coaching Soccer professor (head women's soccer coach at my school) is letting us watch the Champions League games during class when they start coming up later on. :)

Like everyone said we need these three points.

[Grinners89]

Ho hum.

This match is on FSC.

I thought on the whole, despite the last two disappointing results, that our two major players back from injury (Skrtel and Torres) are getting closer back to their normal fitness and playing levels.

This is a must-win, mainly because we have to keep pace at the top and because this is a Wigan side that has lost two of their major players in the last ten days.

Is it too much to hope that Agger is fit, so that we can possibly rest Carragher?

Here is the side I hope/expect Rafa to send out:

-------------------------Reina-----------------------
Arbeloa-------Hyypia----------Skrtel-------Aurelio
----------------Alonso----------Lucas---------------
Benayoun--------------Gerrard---------------Riera
--------------------------Keane---------------------

Subs - Cavalieri, Agger, Dossena, Kuyt, Babel, Ngog, Torres

I think Dossena deserves another go and Agger should also get a game.

Maybe Agger in for Skrtel, Doss in for Aurelio and Masch in for Alonso...thats what id like the see.

Reina
Arbs Hyypia Agger Dossena
Lucas Masch
Yossi Gerrard Riera
Keane

Subs: Cav, Carra, Alonso, El Zhar, Kuyt, Babel, Torres

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I think Dossena deserves another go and Agger should also get a game.

Maybe Agger in for Skrtel, Doss in for Aurelio and Masch in for Alonso...thats what id like the see.

Reina
Arbs Hyypia Agger Dossena
Lucas Masch
Yossi Gerrard Riera
Keane

Subs: Cav, Carra, Alonso, El Zhar, Kuyt, Babel, Torres

I was thinking ahead. As we have Chelsea this weekend.

[AussieLFCfan]

This is definately a MUST win game. Anything less and I fear United will have too much momentum to drop 6 points in the run home....

Keane has to play, if he doesn't then surely his career in a Liverpool shirt is over no? I mean you don't sit a 20m striker on the bench for 80% of the season, he needs the opportunity to gel with Torres....

http://www.eloquor.net/mod/ixp_compositions/resultats/composition-5.php?mon_champ=angleterre%2Fpremier_league%2Fliverpool2.png&gardien=REINA&Defdroit=ARBELOA&Defcentdroit=SKRTEL&Defcent=&Defcentgauche=CARRAGHER&Defgauche=F.+AURELIO&Mildefdroit=&Mildefcentdroit=&Mildefcent=&Mildefcentgauche=&Mildefgauche=&Mildroit=&Milcentdroit=GERRARD&Milcent=&Milcentgauche=X.+ALONSO&Milgauche=&Milorgdroit=BENAYOUN&Milorgcentdroit=&Milorgcent=&Milorgcentgauche=&Milorggauche=RIERA&Attdroit=&Attcentdroit=KEANE&Attcent=&Attcentgauche=TORRES&Attgauche=&Rempa=CAVALIERI&Rempb=HYYPI%C4&Rempc=LEIVA&Rempd=MASCHERANO&Rempe=N%B4GOG&Rempf=DOSSENA+&Rempg=KUYT&submitButtonName=Formation+n%B01

[revelationx]

I think we will crush them. We have been playing well this month imo. The results have been draws but the performances were ok. Only in the Stoke game was the performance disappointing. Against Everton we were minutes from winning and conceded from a set-piece. In the Cup game Everton were completely dominated but scored from their first corner. Some folks will see it as a calamity but the reality is that we are joint top with 16 matches to go. Our squad is virtually full strength and we have played more than 30 matches and only Spurs have beaten us. Indeed teams are finding it extremely difficult to score against us in open play. Van Persie was the last player to do so and that was 7 games ago.

Unless Agger gives the ball to Zaki again then I think we should win this one comfortably. Torres and Skrtel are now able to play a full match without puffing. Heskey has gone from Wigan so this weakens them. Gerrard is maintaining his scoring form and must be full of confidence. I fully expect the team to go up a few gears from now. The team is primed to really hammer someone.

If we score early - I think we win 3-0. :)

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I think we will crush them. We have been playing well this month imo. The results have been draws but the performances were ok. Only in the Stoke game was the performance disappointing. Against Everton we were minutes from winning and conceded from a set-piece. In the Cup game Everton were completely dominated but scored from their first corner. Some folks will see it as a calamity but the reality is that we are joint top with 16 matches to go. Our squad is virtually full strength and we have played more than 30 matches and only Spurs have beaten us. Indeed teams are finding it extremely difficult to score against us in open play. Van Persie was the last player to do so and that was 7 games ago.

Unless Agger gives the ball to Zaki again then I think we should win this one comfortably. Torres and Skrtel are now able to play a full match without puffing. Heskey has gone from Wigan so this weakens them. Gerrard is maintaining his scoring form and must be full of confidence. I fully expect the team to go up a few gears from now. The team is primed to really hammer someone.

If we score early - I think we win 3-0. :)

I like it, and I like your optimism! :)

I am hoping the boys come out and just have some fun. Wouldn't mind seeing some of the brilliance that like what we saw from Torres and Gerrard for Gerrard's goal. Except maybe from some others. Remember we have Chelsea this weekend. I think Rafa will be resting Torres for most of the match.

[royalstilton]

The team is primed to really hammer someone.

I know Wigan isn't the nut that Everton is, but, really, Liverpool hasn't shown much offensive sharpness since NUFC, and that's been nearly a month.

Wigan has also been defensively sound at the JJB, with only 10 goals conceded. Their run of form is 15 points in 8 matches. Liverpool is 14 for 8.

This is a critical match, and Benitez needs to figure out a squad that can score 2 goals. Wigan won't go quietly.

[Grinners89]

This is definately a MUST win game. Anything less and I fear United will have too much momentum to drop 6 points in the run home....

Keane has to play, if he doesn't then surely his career in a Liverpool shirt is over no? I mean you don't sit a 20m striker on the bench for 80% of the season, he needs the opportunity to gel with Torres....


He has started 23 matches this season...

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

He has started 23 matches this season...

If stories about his reaction are true, it will be interesting to see how many more he starts.

If stories about his reaction are true, it will be interesting to see if he is in the squad (starting or bench) against Wigan.

As Grinners said in another thread, all ifs of course. ;)

[revelationx]

If stories about his reaction are true, it will be interesting to see how many more he starts.

If stories about his reaction are true, it will be interesting to see if he is in the squad (starting or bench) against Wigan.

As Grinners said in another thread, all ifs of course. ;)

It is funny. Whenever some of our players are rotated out of the team the Press scream and shout that he is out of favour and is about to be sold!

Spurs seem to be buying back back all their previous players this month (Defoe and Chimbonda) so Keane returning there is an easy story to make up/report.

[Aljon]

It's an away game, so I have full confidence on a comfortable 2-3 goal lead.

[Alexandris]

A must win, these games are crucial we have to get full points against the lesser clubs. Maybe Benitez should start playing more English players against the weaker English clubs. Those players know how the opposition play. The European players seem to struggle a little.

[AussieLFCfan]

He has started 23 matches this season...

I meant alongside Torres when both fit. Apologies for not being clearer...

[revelationx]

My predictions are this

a) If Keane does not start or does start but is subbed then the Press will scream that Rafa has fallen out with Keane who will be sold!!! This is irrespective of the actual result or Keane's performance.

b) If Agger does not start, the Press will bleat about how unhappy and unsettled he is because he only has 18 months left on contract.

c) If Babel does not start, the Press will mention that Juve or Milan will move for Babel who is unsettled.

d) If Liverpool concede from a set-piece, the Press will claim that Liverpool are woeful at set-pieces and that zonal-marking is a shambles. The actual result will be irrelevent to this criticism, as will the number of goals Liverpool scored against Wigan from set-pieces.

e) If Liverpool draw or lose the game, the Press will conclude that this was obviously because Rafa made some public comments 2 weeks ago and this affected the players. The fact that Hicks and Gillett are reportedly looking to sell the club in the summer will also be blamed for the bad result. The actual performances and circumstances of the match will be ignored. Draws against Hull, Stoke and Fulham will be mentioned.

f) If Liverpool win the game convincingly, the Press will claim that it was only Wigan and Liverpool were bound to win a game eventually and are still bound to struggle against Chelsea. The fact that Liverpool will be behind Man U if they win their game in hand will be mentioned.

g) If Gerrard plays badly or misses a good chance, the Press will claim that this was proof that he is being affected by his court case. This will mean LFC's challenge will peter out and they will win nothing this season and it will all be Gerrard's fault for i) assaulting someone or ii) not assaulting someone but 'putting himself in that position'. The angle that is used to blame Gerrard will be determined by the results of the court case.

h) If Gerrard plays well and scores, the Press will claim that Liverpool are too reliant on him and will thus suffer when Gerrard becomes affected by his court case.

i) If Keane plays well and scores, the Press will claim that this is not due to Rafa's rotation but in spite of it. Rafa will be criticised for benching him so often and for trying to force him out of the club.

j) If Torres plays but does not score, the Press will claim that this is due to second season syndrome and that Torres is a pale shadow of the player he used to be before his injury. The Press will mention that Torres has failed to score a League goal since November. Rafa will be blamed for stifling his flair and creativity.

h) If Torres plays well and scores, the Press will claim that Liverpool are too reliant on him and will suffer when he has another hamstring injury which surely must be imminent. The Press will mention that Torres has still not scored at Anfield this season. This is because he cannot score when teams defend at Liverpool and Torres cannot cope with the pressure from the Kop. Last seasons goals at Anfield will be irrelevent to this argument. Rafa will be criticised for not playing Torres enough last season.

i) If Riera plays well and/or scores, the Press will criticise Rafa for attempting to buy Barry in the summer. They will claim that Rafa was forced into buying Riera because other transfer targets were denied by the board.

j) If Alonso plays well and/or scores, the Press will mention that Rafa tried to sell him this summer and replace him with Barry. The Press will criticise Rafa for publicly unsettling Barry and praise Martin O'Neill for his handling of the Barry transfer and his impressive work at Aston Villa. Heskey choosing to go to Villa rather than Liverpool will be mentioned as further evidence of the greatness of MON. Heskey's previous connection to MON and the fact that he has already been and gone from Liverpool will be ignored. Also ignored will be the fact that Liverpool did not bid for Heskey.

k) If Liverpool beat Wigan but by a narrow margin, the Press will claim that Liverpool do not look convincing title-challengers. They will argue that Liverpool are in chaos because of the potential sale of the club, Gerrard's court case and the contract situation of Agger and Rafa. The Press will emphasise the point that Liverpool need a better goal difference.

l) If Liverpool win by virtue of scoring a late goal, the Press will claim that Liverpool do not look convincing title-challengers and got out of jail thanks to a piece of luck. They will argue that Liverpool have been lucky this season so far as they scored late winners against Man U, Man City, Boro and Sunderland.

Let's see what happens and how the Press respond... :D