Liverpool v. Chelsea - EPL - Feb 1 [R]

[ULL NEVER WALK ALONE]

Lucas did have more tackles - and won a higher percentage of them - than anyone on the field (including Mascherano).

True, but the second goal never looked like coming and Xabi would have given our play more clarity going foward.

But i think we should leave the Lucas talk for now.....let's turn the page and concentrate on the Chel$ki game. We need to try and get our campain back on track, and theres no better way than beating Chel$ki infront of the Kop.

[Twenty26Six]

So maybe we shouldn't have had both Mascherano and Lucas on the field at the same time?

Good point. This is kind of what I've been feeling lately.

True, but the second goal never looked like coming and Xabi would have given our play more clarity going foward.

But i think we should leave the Lucas talk for now.....let's turn the page and concentrate on the Chel$ki game. We need to try and get our campain back on track, and theres no better way than beating Chel$ki infront of the Kop.

I would rather see Xabi.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I am really hoping there is a cracker goal from our team this match.

Top shelf, ya'know.

[Grinners89]

I hope we pair up Torres and Keane up front, with Gerrard as a central, offensive midfielder. Put Riera left, keep Mascherano behind Gerrard and move Alonso slightly to the right. I don't want Kyut in this game, he's been playing all season long, it's about time we try something new...

I thought Babel did pretty well last match. He made a few good runs and I would not mind if we started with him again.

Xabi is definitely wasted on the wing and is too slow to play out wide. Why would we put our best passer and best player this season in a position where he wont receive the ball very often?

[ForeverRed]

This has a draw written all over it so I'm chosing not to read this game.

[Lord4]

Xabi is definitely wasted on the wing and is too slow to play out wide. Why would we put our best passer and best player this season in a position where he wont receive the ball very often?

You're right actually, Xabi's pace is mediocre.
What kind of lineup would you suggest for the Chelsea match?

To be honest, I'm getting a little sick of these overly cautious line-ups. It just doesn't feel like the Liverpool anymore...
The past few games have left me feeling very pessimistic about Liverpool's chances. We can't expect a different result if we keep doing the same thing over and over. Something has to change, I'm not sure what. Maybe it's just not the right mentality, maybe it's Benitez, I don't know, but I do know that something is not clicking right. We've got so many options and we still manage to fall short of expectations.

This is a do or die, if we lose this one, kiss the PL goodbye.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

This has a draw written all over it so I'm chosing not to read this game.

I have that feeling as well. 0-0 or 1-1.

Even though both managers know how important a win would be, I just don't think either will risk too much in trying to get it.

I think the teams will look like this when they face up against each other.

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

-------------------Drogba------------------
Malouda--Deco--Lampard--Mikel--Ballack
A. Cole-------Terry------Alex-----Bosingwa
--------------------Cech---------------------

[Grinners89]

You're right actually, Xabi's pace is mediocre.
What kind of lineup would you suggest for the Chelsea match?

To be honest, I'm getting a little sick of these overly cautious line-ups. It just doesn't feel like the Liverpool anymore...
The past few games have left me feeling very pessimistic about Liverpool's chances. We can't expect a different result if we keep doing the same thing over and over. Something has to change, I'm not sure what. Maybe it's just not the right mentality, maybe it's Benitez, I don't know, but I do know that something is not clicking right. We've got so many options and we still manage to fall short of expectations.

This is a do or die, if we lose this one, kiss the PL goodbye.

I expect the same or a similar line-up to the one that we had at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season and one that we regularly use against Chelsea.

Reina
Arbs Skrtel Carra Dossena/Aurelio
Xabi Masch
Kuyt Gerrard Riera
Torres

However...for some reason I originally had a feeling that Rafa might continue the line-up that we have seen a few times at home.

Reina
Arbs Skrtel Carra Dossena/Aurelio
Kuyt Xabi Gerrard Riera
Keane Torres

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I know I said it would be great to see a cracking goal from our team. Like Gerrard's or Riera's CL goals earlier this year.

However, if Rafa does start Keane and Torres together, I would love if they would finally just click and this would be their best strike partnership in the prem coming out party.

Here's hoping. I opened a fortune cookie today that said Hope Springs Eternal.

Errrrr....I am not much for the philosophical mumbo-jumbo.

[Grinners89]

I have that feeling as well. 0-0 or 1-1.

Even though both managers know how important a win would be, I just don't think either will risk too much in trying to get it.

I think the teams will look like this when they face up against each other.

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

-------------------Drogba------------------
Malouda--Deco--Lampard--Mikel--Ballack
A. Cole-------Terry------Alex-----Bosingwa
--------------------Cech---------------------

I think Scolari has finally realised Deco's poor form and benched him for Kalou who will probably play RW with Ballack in the middle with Lampard. One thing is that Masch and even Xabi have too much mobility for those two players and i can see Masch kicking off his season into 5th gear after this match. It would be good to see Masch in perfect form, yet even though he is below his par, he is still unbelievable. What a MONSTER!!!

[Matt Clark]

I think it's pretty safe to bet on the first seven on the team sheet

Reina
Arbeloa - Carragher - Skretl - Aurelio
Mascherano - Alonso

Obviously, Gerrard and Torres play too, but where and how is up for debate.

Which leaves right midfield, left midfield and through the middle. Two out of three. Riera and Kuyt or Keane and Kuyt. Given Chelsea are strong across the entire back four, I'd bet on him going for Riera to push the shape out wide left, with Kuyt doing the work horse thing out on the right - which means Keane sits this one out again.

[liverbird]

I think you've got it right Matt

[never walk alone TPK]

I think you are misunderstanding.

Very few are blaming Lucas completely for drawing the match. Yes, he did concede the penalty, but that isn't the reason he is being criticized.

His play was below average and his quickness on the pitch and his quickness in making soccer decisions was pedestrian at best.

He was disappointing all match.

I only got to see the highlights which dont give the full deal so cheers for the info cheers to twentysix as well.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I only got to see the highlights which dont give the full deal so cheers for the info cheers to twentysix as well.

No problem. :)

[vasilli07]

Hi guys...Not sure if the source is real but it says Keane is left out of the Liverpool squad for the game against Chelsea.

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/82806

[Grinners89]

Hi guys...Not sure if the source is real but it says Keane is left out of the Liverpool squad for the game against Chelsea.

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/82806

Very doubtful...its actually a transfer rumour story rather than a Liverpool vs Chelsea preview...there is no mention of the full squad either so just let it pass.

[Kawklee]

I gurgle with anticipation for this match, this is more anxiety than christmas eve.

[AussieLFCfan]

I gurgle with anticipation for this match, this is more anxiety than christmas eve.

I hear u brother! Make or break time!

[Magnakai.Haaskivi]

Very doubtful...its actually a transfer rumour story rather than a Liverpool vs Chelsea preview...there is no mention of the full squad either so just let it pass.

I thought that Keane had to wait a full 12 months before he could return to Tottenham...?

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

I thought that Keane had to wait a full 12 months before he could return to Tottenham...?

It don't matter, cause it ain't happenin!

Zuah!