Leeds United v. Liverpool FC, 29 February [R]

[RedKnight]

"Liverpool will be looking to further strengthen their fourth place Champions League aspirations when they play at Leeds, and the loss of a match last weekend due to an FA Cup replay is a slight hinderance.

Earlier this season Liverpool beat Leeds 3-1 at Anfield with Florent Sinama-Pongolle coming off the bench to score his first ever Premiership goal."

Preview here:

http://www.4thegame.com/redir/_da65e599d4a8741a113f35d0527239a7/previews/form148951/lufclfc.html

(Tape-delayed PPV in the US: 11am ET, 8am PT, I think)

.................Kirkland

Finnan--Henchoz--Hyypia--Carragher

...Murphy--Hamann--Gerrard--Kewell

..............Owen--Baros

Subs:

Dudek
Biscan
Diouf
Cheyrou
Pongolle

(BTW, on-loan striker Neil Mellor is returning from West Ham, but not until Monday.)

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[Gabbage]

Originally posted by RedKnight
(BTW, on-loan striker Neil Mellor is returning from West Ham, but not until Monday.)

Disappointing. If Mellor couldn't get a game for first division West Ham, I am not sure which of the current reserve players could.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by Gabbage
Disappointing. If Mellor couldn't get a game for first division West Ham, I am not sure which of the current reserve players could.

I seem to recall that he was injured during much of
his loan spell--which more than anything affected his ability to win a spot with the Hammers. I could be wrong, though . . .

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[usscouse]

This game is a must. I know they tied with Manure but if we don't get 3 points we'd better concentrate on the UAFA cup because the rest is over.

Other that that we can beat Leeds anytime...!

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by usscouse
This game is a must.

From here on out, they all are!

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[655321]

Yea, I don't believe the Mellor / West Ham situation had much to do with his ability. From what I gather, it was mainly injury and other factors just making it a complete nightmare for him from start to finish.

[gaz_vince]

what did they say? Mellor the equivalent of the next Owen/Gerrard from the youth academy. I don't see it yet. Plus you've got that diving little rat Sinama-Pongolle in along with Le Tallec who looks a decent player. Mellor's not going to be sold COUGH COUGH

[655321]

Mellor played a bit last season, and showed alot of promise, but clearly wasn't ready to be a starter or a consistent substitute. That said, he's not going anywhere, unless it's a loan situation.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by gaz_vince
what did they say? Mellor the equivalent of the next Owen/Gerrard from the youth academy. I don't see it yet. Plus you've got that diving little rat Sinama-Pongolle in along with Le Tallec who looks a decent player. Mellor's not going to be sold COUGH COUGH

You may be thinking of Welsh, not Mellor.

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[gaz_vince]

No, Welsh is a midfielder, Mellor is a forward. I'm sure Thompson said that he was gonna be the next big thing from Anfield.

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by gaz_vince
No, Welsh is a midfielder, Mellor is a forward. I'm sure Thompson said that he was gonna be the next big thing from Anfield.

Yes, yes, that's right. Got confused when you mentioned Owen and Gerrard together in your earlier post.

Mellor is the next Owen; Welsh the next Gerrard.
Of course, every ambitious club has youth/reserve players who are "the next [fill in the name here]."

We're pretty fortunate in that most of the time, the youth/reserve player is compared to one of our senior players, rather than a first-teamer from another club.

But given our injury history this year, I'd be surprised if we gave away too many young promising stars in the next year or so--though if Cisse comes to Liverpool, someone may go.

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[gaz_vince]

If it weren't for the French legion coming in to Liverpool I wouldn't dislike them as much as I do, but still, I'm noticing less quality players coming through the ranks at Liverpool these days. I know I'm not really one to talk about bad performances, Leeds and all, but I'm glad we're still producing the players, Milner, Lennon etc.

[Matt Clark]

Err...yes. And before Millner and Lennon? Smith. And then ... erm. There was those two lads who were going to be 'the new David Batty' and 'the new Gary Speed'. Both of whom now play for Carlisle, if memory serves. Other than that - now't, as a local observer of the situation may say.

The day the Leeds academy is even in the same ballpark as the Liverpool set-up will not be upon us in our lifetimes, my friend.

[gaz_vince]

2 words - Harry Kewell

[usscouse]

Originally posted by gaz_vince
2 words - Harry Kewell I know there's a Newcastle in Oz, chance are there's a Leeds as well.

[NC RED]

Been reading all your comments for a year. Thought I'd finally add my inane comments- what the heck.
I've been waiting for the Baros-Owen combo to get going. With a couple of games under their belt hopefully we can start this team up yet!
Heskey on the bench - great.
If Kewell can pick up his form we may see a new team?

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by NC RED
Been reading all your comments for a year. Thought I'd finally add my inane comments- what the heck.
I've been waiting for the Baros-Owen combo to get going. With a couple of games under their belt hopefully we can start this team up yet!
Heskey on the bench - great.
If Kewell can pick up his form we may see a new team?

Welcome, NC Red. I lurked for a year as well before jumping in. Enjoy the LFC board: An island of sanity in the BS Fever Swamp, for the most part.

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[Suss]

I think Barros is ready to score a couple of goals. From everything I read, he was our best player against Levski. My prediction is 2 goals from Barros, 1 goal from Kewell and we win 3-2.

I also think its time that Diouf gets back into the squad. I'm tired of seeing all 4 midfielders playing int he middle of the field. Murphy, Cheyrou, and Le Tallec are not wingers. Put Diouf on the right and Kewell on the left so we can have some width.

My lineup:

Kirkland

Finnan
Henchov
Hyppia
Carragher

Diouf
Gerrard
Hamann
Kewell

Owen
Barros

[gaz_vince]

Diouf isn't a winger, he's a forward, but what does it matter, he's rubbish and a waste of money where ever he plays

[Gabbage]

Eh. Thanks for your insight.