We are without: Kompany, both Toures definitely. Not sure about Dzeko and Balotelli for tomorrows match. I'm not sure if i would start Savic, or Richards at CB tomorrow.
Silva's out unfortunately and could be out a few weeks. Dzeko and Balotelli are "doubts" but both trained so I think at least one will play, maybe both. If I was Mancini I'd be tempted to bring our down-to-10-men/plan B formation back for this game. 3 centre-backs, 2 full-backs (both attacking), 3 midfielders, 2 attackers. ------------------Hart----------------- ------Zaba------Savic-----Lescott------ -Micah-----------------------Clichy/Kola- -----------Milner------Barry------------ ------------------Nasri----------------- ---------Mario/Dzeko----Aguero--------- Something like that anyway, it's a great counterattacking formation and with so many players missing might be good, we used it against the scum in the 2nd half when we were down to 10 men and it nearly got us a replay. See with Kompany missing and Liverpool's main strategy without Suarez being to bang it high into the box to the big man Carroll, three CBs might be a good idea.
We just beat them at home 3-0 last week. I'm interested to see who starts in goal Pantilimon didn't play poorly in the Utd game, and has played every domestic cup game to this point. I'd let him play again, but without Kompany Mancini may wanted a stronger voice at the back.
Silva will be ready for the Wigan game this weekend according to https://twitter.com/#!/ian_ladyman_DM
Hola, Long-time poster here, haven't been on in years. MY MY, worrying times but we don't have to go hitting the panic button just yet. Everyone and everything associated with the team were quite embarrassing today, the players, the fans, all pathetic. I could have sworn two seasons ago we'd have packed into the stadium for a semi-final, frothing at the mouth while oggling at the chance to win silverware. Still, out of the 36,000 who did turn up there wasn't a sound to be heard from them other than the Liverpool fans. We looked sorry for ourselves, we played as if we knew defeat was imminent and without the belief that we could launch a comeback. It was fairly inevitable Savic was going to blunder at some stage of the match, he was a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode. Sadly he hasn't looked convincing when he has been called upon, he looks nervous and constantly gets exposed for his lack of strength, physique and positional sense - an example being within the first few minutes when he somehow allowed a sluggish Andy Carroll to pass him by with ease. In fact, its frightening to watch Savic's positional play at times. To call him a 'rough diamond' would be an understatement but I hope he learns from these experiences, there is hope for him. I hope Mancini has the sense to put aside his personal differences with Nedum Onuoha aside and rightfully play him at CB against Wigan (a much much stronger presence and a defender who covers the basics extremely well). As for the rest, if I'm honest it wouldn't surprise me if half of the players that started tonight are still at the club within two/three seasons. The fringe players needed to up their game in the absence of Yaya, Kompany and Silva - the core of our team (along with Hart, Richards and Aguero) - needless to say they flopped. Johnson has the ability, but having joined two years ago he still cannot produce consistent performances and is nowhere near a match-winner, especially when he starts - notice how his best performances have been coming off the bench and terrorising tired defences. Balotelli once again doing his best impression of Jekyll and Hyde, this time having a stinker. And we lacked leadership! There weren't many warriors on the pitch, De Jong has been unusually quiet recently. Without Kompany, we really lack leadership. Not all bad though. We're still in the match, Liverpool have the small matter of an FA Cup 4th round tie with Man Utd three days after so they may be slightly distracted. Hart (once again) kept us in the match and proved why he IS the best goalkeeper in the league and without doubt in the top three in Europe - sensational performance. Richards looked fired up and was one of the few bright sparks, Clichy played pretty well. But make no doubt about it, Liverpool under Dalglish will be itching to grab any silverware - I fancy them to win the domestic cup double - they more than most clubs know how to make these two-legged matches count. Anfield will be rocking. Tough times ahead...
Rubbish performance, worst I've seen at home since Everton over a year ago. We don't look nearly as good without Kompany, Silva, and Yaya. At least Silva should be back for the second leg but not confident of reaching the final now. And Johnson's tackle, no yellow despite technically being "worse" than Kompany's as his feet were together! Not that either should result in a red card, but if Kompany's was, that has to be.
Plus, depending how we do away at Wigan, I'd be very tempted to play that 5 backline formation you proposed at the top of the thread when Spurs come to the Etihad, it can quickly switch to a five man midfield when in attack and we can do the damage on the counter-attack.
Kolarov's turgid performance last night, now in video montage form! [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQcT7heNGuI"]Aleksandar Kolarov vs. Liverpool - YouTube[/ame] After his last cross, I could hear the sighs of disgust around me as people got up and left. Can't believe AC, Inter, and Juve all want him!
Round 2 at Anfield tomorrow, I'd assume no Bellamy for Liverpool who was their only decent player when the lost to Bolton on Saturday. We don't play again till Tuesday so resting players shouldn't matter for this game. [LINEUP-4-3-3]Aguero, Dzeko,Nasri,Silva,Barry,Nigel De Jong,Kolorov,Savic,Lescott,Zabaleta,Pantillimon[/LINEUP-4-3-3]