vs. As nice as our performance was midweek, time to forget about that and progress in another cup. Should be an opportunity to keep a few of the players fresh for the 2nd leg this coming week.
I'm really hoping we rest some of our guys. No one talks about Hendo but he has played a ton of matches. Gerrard, Lucas, Hendo, Sterling, Coutinho, Skrtel, Sakho, Can, Markovic all need some rest. The important return trip to Chelsea plus the league and fourth is the most important. These guys can play Tues and prob next Sat vs WHam. But playing any of these guys for three games is pushing it, especially the amount of matches just played last few weeks. We have three matches in 8 days. And next one 4 days after this FA Cup match. Here is what I would pick: Borini, Lambert,(pick 2), Balotelli Ibe, Rossiter, Allen, Lallana, Johnson(pick 4/5), Moreno Manquillo, Lovren, Enrique, Johnson, (pick 3/4), Flanagan Migs Plus some more academy players to fill bench. I realize some may still be injured. Throw Lazer, Coutinho, Sterling on bench for a cameo if needed. They are young enough 10-2o minutes won't affect them. This should be enough against a mid table championship Bolton team AT Anfield. Bolton doesn't score much especially away from home. Although they have had good form recently. This is the reason we spent millions in the summer. We need to start trusting some of these players to play their roles. Get a win with this team then we can be set for the next few games. YNWA.
ibe is cup-tied. would have been a perfect start for him. would brining in manquillo at rwb and moving marko up to make the front three with borini/balotelli and lallana be too much tinkering? henderson and rossiter in the middle with the same back three.
You know he "died on the down-stroke", right? Now that's going all-in. BTW, I'm all-in, but in agreement about starting some bench players for this one.
No point in too much tinkering. But I might get Rossiter in for Lucas and Ojo for Sterling with Borini and Lallana up top. Rest of the team the same.
I'd not mind seeing Lovren get some time - if he can't play in this match, when will he? - and have Can move into the MF.
I need to tell my broker I worked 90 minutes 4 days ago. I just need a rest... After half a season we've finally got a defense together that is working! They're playing well together and are showing trust in each other. The confidence they built playing the Chav's was massive. Then you guys want to change that. Geesus!!! It's not broke so don't try and fix it. Mess with them now and we're back to November's games.
^+1 i'd like the lads to win this one, me. no experimental guff. just a side that can roll over a lower tier club without a lot of stress and strain, like maybe score 2 goals before halftime and not pull a Leicester. the Trotters are 14th in the SkyBet Chumpionship... c'mon!
They will come gunning for us...any lower division side will want to claim a Premier League scalp, especially a side as historic as LFC...and many players from lower division clubs will relish the opportunity to kick a "superstar"...get the job done early then show our ability to maintain possession...use all three subs - early if possible... WIN!
LFC team : Mignolet, Johnson, Can, Sakho,Manquillo, Allen, Hendo, Enrique,Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling
That lineup doesn't give me too much heartburn. Hopefully Johnson injuries himself and is out form another 6 weeks. Other than that cant really complain.
for me, it's Lucas, not Allen, and i'm not inspired by Can as a CB, though worse things have happened. that's why Lucas.
You don't think he needs a rest before Chelsea? If we can't beat the 15th place team in the championship without him, we are in trouble. Not sure many will be shedding tears if we go out. Far bigger games coming up to be worried about. I really don't get the Allen hate that's going round. In a team performing well he does a good job keeping things ticking over. He was really good in the run in last year. He certainly struggles when the rest of the team is struggling, but he's a decent enough squad player. I'm surprised Coutinho is getting the run, but hopefully he can get us a lead and come off early.
if a 28 year old can't play on Saturday and Tuesday, there's something wrong. i wouldn't feel this way if Allen were a little more robust. i like him, but he's a fox terrier. we may need a Staffordshire terrier. Heskey and Gudjonsen are big boys, assuming they play.
I'm sure he could play if we really needed him, but its a decent enough opportunity use someone else. Can, Sakho, Hendo are all playing, so I think we have enough physicality to deal a couple of 40 year olds who can't run any more.
Need an early goal to open things up...otherwise...might be a long day...(see ManU vs CamU result)...
A pretty much first team ManUre just drew nil-nil with Cambridge United who are currently in 12th place in League Two
Bruno makes his return. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/emile-heskey-emotional-liverpool-return-5031716
Can you remember how he gifted both Basel & Scum goals? You say he's not a liability but watch those matches and you'll see what a "soft passenger"™ he really is. We haven't seen much of him since those matches as he was supposedly injured but I can read between the lines.