Portsmouth v. Liverpool - EPL - Feb 7 [R]

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Well. I think Alonso and Lucas are suspended, and the status of Gerrard's injury remains uncertain. So, unless someone else has a better idea, I think Lucas gets the start here. Also, I think Rafa will ring the changes with this lineup. Going into extra time against Everton is going to leave us with tired legs.

------------------------------Reina-----------------------------
Darby--------------Hyypia------------Agger-----------Aurelio
Benayoun--------Mascherano-------Spearing-----------Babel
----------------------Kuyt------------Torres-------------------

Subs - Cavalieri, Carragher, Arbeloa, Plessis, Riera, El Zhar, Ngog

This is going to be a big test if Gerrard and Alonso are missing for this match. We have a good number of our squad with tired legs.

1-2 to the good. Continue the good league form we started with against Chelsea.

This match is on FSC at 12:30 Eastern/11:30 Central Time.

[liverbird]

Well. I think Alonso and Lucas are suspended, and the status of Gerrard's injury remains uncertain. So, unless someone else has a better idea, I think Lucas gets the start here. Also, I think Rafa will ring the changes with this lineup. Going into extra time against Everton is going to leave us with tired legs.

------------------------------Reina-----------------------------
Darby--------------Hyypia------------Agger-----------Aurelio
Benayoun--------Mascherano-------Spearing-----------Babel
----------------------Kuyt------------Torres-------------------

Subs - Cavalieri, Carragher, Arbeloa, Plessis, Riera, El Zhar, Ngog

This is going to be a big test if Gerrard and Alonso are missing for this match. We have a good number of our squad with tired legs.

1-2 to the good. Continue the good league form we started with against Chelsea.

This match is on FSC at 12:30 Eastern/11:30 Central Time.

Thats a scary group. I expect Riera to play on the left, Babel on the right and Carra to play with Hyppia (Sami to deal with Crouch). I'd be shocked if Spearing plays. Benayoun will play along with Mash.

[el-capitano]

In. This has always been a tricky fixture and after the last game, its lucky the next game after this is 15 days away.

I'd say tired or not- we still have to play the majority of last nights squad- they can rest after that when they all pull out of the International squads! ;)

[poopoobigelow]

maybe el zhar getting the start, instead of lucas or spearing?

reina
arbs... carra... skrtel... aurelio
masch...
el zhar... yossi... riera
kuyt... torres

but we won't have 2 DMs... too offensive for rafa? pompey only have 2 points from their last 8 matches... lets take it to them...

0-3...

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Thats a scary group. I expect Riera to play on the left, Babel on the right and Carra to play with Hyppia (Sami to deal with Crouch). I'd be shocked if Spearing plays. Benayoun will play along with Mash.

Okay. I could go with that.

We will be weak centrally, Mascherano will have to be at his best.

We could give Carragher a rest with starting Agger, I don't know if that would cause too much trouble. Defoe is out. Crouch could be handled by Hyypia.

I think there will be youngsters on the bench.

[RedParade19]

maybe el zhar getting the start, instead of lucas or spearing?

reina
arbs... carra... skrtel... aurelio
masch...
el zhar... yossi... riera
kuyt... torres

but we won't have 2 DMs... too offensive for rafa? pompey only have 2 points from their last 8 matches... lets take it to them...

0-3...

Im in with this line-up but instead of NEZ, possibly Babel who i pray delivers some spark.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Im in with this line-up but instead of NEZ, possibly Babel who i pray delivers some spark.

Babel was quite good on the right against PSV.

Portsmouth is on the downhill. Which means nothing, especially against us.

:o

[Grinners89]

I cant believe that all of you want Yossi to start in the middle :eek:

Physically, he wont be able to cope with playing centrally, which is why he has played mostly as a right-winger for West Ham and Liverpool. He would be crushed if he played CM.


Reina
Arbs Carra Hyypia Aurelio
Masch Plessis
Yossi Kuyt Riera
Torres

Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, Dossena, Spearing, El Zhar, Babel, Ngog

Im hoping for Agger to play, but he wont. Rafa wont be so worried about dealing with Crouch, but dealing with the "2nd balls" off him, which the runners will look to receive, which Carra, Hyypia, Masch and Plessis will all need to watch carefully.

Skrtel has played the last 6 matches, with Agger not getting a minute and Sami getting only 2 starts in that time.

I wouldnt want us to come up to important games with Sami and Agger not match fit if Skrtel, Carra or Arbs got injured/suspended.

[poopoobigelow]

I cant believe that all of you want Yossi to start in the middle :eek:

Physically, he wont be able to cope with playing centrally, which is why he has played mostly as a right-winger for West Ham and Liverpool. He would be crushed if he played CM.

you really think kuyt's touch, vision, and playmaking ability is superior to yossi's?

yossi might not be the ideal candidate to pull the strings in the mid-field, but i would say he's the best we've got... i have no faith in lucas, at this point...

[Grinners89]

you really think kuyt's touch, vision, and playmaking ability is superior to yossi's?

yossi might not be the ideal candidate to pull the strings in the mid-field, but i would say he's the best we've got... i have no faith in lucas, at this point...

Firstly, Lucas is suspended. Second, i put Plessis in midfield next to Masch in my line-up. There was no mention of Kuyt playing as a central midfielder. I dont know where you got this from but i didnt even mention Kuyt at all in my post.

Maybe read the post first before you comment.

[CCSC_STRIKER20]

Well, Lucas and Alonso can't play.

Let's remember it all depends on how Rafa decides he wants to play this.

If he wants to play a 4-2-3-1, then Benayoun can most certainly play in Gerrard's role. And then Kuyt or Babel could play on the right side.
Masch--Plessis
Kuyt--Benayoun--Riera

If he wants to play a 4-4-2, then I am less certain that Benayoun could play centrally partnered with Mascherano. I think Rafa would end up having to play Spearing in the center of the midfield, because he is more of a true central midfielder, while Plessis is a defensive midfielder. Then Kuyt would play up top, with Benayoun/Riera/Babel being put on the two wings.

I am now starting to think that Rafa will stick with the 4-2-3-1, and probably bring up Plessis or Spearing to play alongside Mascherano.

[el-capitano]

I can see this lineup from Rafa.......

------------Pepe-----------

Arbs----Carra---Sami----Fab

-------Masch---Plessis------

Kuyt-------Yossi-------Riera

-----------Torres----------

[poopoobigelow]

Firstly, Lucas is suspended. Second, i put Plessis in midfield next to Masch in my line-up. There was no mention of Kuyt playing as a central midfielder. I dont know where you got this from but i didnt even mention Kuyt at all in my post.

Maybe read the post first before you comment.

you gave me shit about putting yossi centrally, and you put kuyt in the same spot in your lineup -- that's what i responded to...

no need to get pissy, mate, with your little condescending comment at the end... seriously... is your post so genius that i couldn't have possibly said what i said if i had read it?

who is the playmaker in your lineup?

[AussieLFCfan]

I can see this lineup from Rafa.......

------------Pepe-----------

Arbs----Carra---Sami----Fab

-------Masch---Plessis------

Kuyt-------Yossi-------Riera

-----------Torres----------

Yeah me too, If Stevie is out. Apparently Torres picked up a knock also so that would suck if he, Gerrard and Alonso are out. Would give us ******** all creativity.

However this might work too;

-------------------Reina------------------
Arbeloa----Carra----Hyypia/Skrtel----Aurelio
------------------Masch------------------
Babel-----------Benayoun-------------Riera
----------Kuyt----------Torres-------------

Subs: Cavalieri, Agger, N'Gog, El Zhar, Dossena, Spearing, Skrtel/Hyypia.

Gonna be a tough one. Every game is make or break from here on in.

[el-capitano]

If Torres is out too, then it might look like this :eek:

------------Pepe-----------

Arbs----Carra---Sami----Fab

-------Masch---Plessis------

Babel-------Yossi-------Riera

------------Kuyt----------

[AussieLFCfan]

If Torres is out too, then it might look like this :eek:

------------Pepe-----------

Arbs----Carra---Sami----Fab

-------Masch---Plessis------

Babel-------Yossi-------Riera

------------Kuyt----------

Looks like 0-0 to me.

[Grinners89]

you gave me shit about putting yossi centrally, and you put kuyt in the same spot in your lineup -- that's what i responded to...

no need to get pissy, mate, with your little condescending comment at the end... seriously... is your post so genius that i couldn't have possibly said what i said if i had read it?

who is the playmaker in your lineup?

Playing as a central midfielder (Yossi in your line-up) and playing as a second striker (Kuyt in my line-up) are completely different.

Its not that difficult to see.

[poopoobigelow]

Playing as a central midfielder (Yossi in your line-up) and playing as a second striker (Kuyt in my line-up) are completely different.

be that as it may, they'll be occupying the same space on the pitch, 'centrally,' and they'll have a similar responsibility to link play and set-up torres, no?

[American Red]

Couldn't Agger or Carra play as a DMF?

[Grinners89]

be that as it may, they'll be occupying the same space on the pitch, 'centrally,' and they'll have a similar responsibility to link play and set-up torres, no?

No...one would be taking up similar positions to Xabi/Masch and the other would be making runs behind, beyond and next to Torres.