This is a really tough fixture to figure. They've lost two games and are out of all competitions but the league. They are ahead by four points, with a game in hand, but won't want to lose three in a row. We really want to get a result . They've got to play on Sunday as well. I haven't seen any injury reports, although some think Henry might've been pulled due to injury rather than for tactical reasons. Lineup: -------Dudek Carra -- H --- Igor ---Riise Diouf---SG---Didi----Harry ------Emile---Owen In other words why change on a 4-0 result? Subs: Luzi FSP Baros Henchoz Murphy COME ON YOU REDS!!!
Take Henry out of the Arsenal squad and they aren't much better than us. Henry is the best player in the world and he creates so much for their attacks. There is no reason we can't pull out 3 points. We need to play our best game and take our chances when we get them. We lost all our home matches against the top 3 because we did not take our chances when we got them. We should have beaten Arsenal at Anfield, but we went into halftime at 1-1 when we could have been up 4-0. A win on Friday would really show me something. I can't wait to see it.
Arsenal still dangerous without Henry. Game will hinge on whether Liverpool can capitalise on good chances, which seems to be the case with every game.
This game will be tough. Wenger will want an undefeated league campaign _badly_ now. Lehman Lauren/Toure/Campbell/Clichy Parlour/Vieira?/Edu/Wiltord? Bergkamp/Kanu vs. Dudek Carra/Biscan/Hyypia/Riise Hamann Diouf/Gerrard/Kewell Heskey/Owen
I reckon that Traore may play at LeftBack to give a more solid back line, and Diouf will get the nod ahead of Murphy for the RightMid spot - esp after seeing Arse struggle to cope vs Chels' 2 wingers on Tues night. Only question marks is whether Baros or Heskey partners Owen - Heskey did v well against B'burn, but Baros has done the business vs Arse before and seems to enjoy playing vs Sol Campbell... Either way, 2-1 to the Pool
Some good ideas on the lineup, oojason. I think Ged will stick with Diouf on the wing (although in big-match, highly-pressurized situations, EHD has tended to do weird, undisciplined things, which would be an argument for Murphy--that worries me). I wouldn't mind seeing Traore at the back, either, but I don't think it will happen; Riise has done well enough. My guess is that it'll be the LB lineup from the first post on this thread. Henry's absence might be a boost; and it seems we have as fit a squad as we've had this year. The opportunity is definitely there for us. This really could be an epic match. Ideally, of course, we slaughter them on Friday, and they rise up again on Sunday in time for Newcastle. ----
That would be our heart's desire. It'll be a mystery which Arse shows up. Pires and Lundberg looked worn out by halftime on Tuesday and I hope they haven't recovered. Bergkamp is at the end of his useful life but he can still create a bit of magic. Clearly you'd rather play them without Henry than with, but teams have a tendency to step up for one game without their star and fold later. That would be terrible for us if the results were reversed from RedKnights wish. I still think we can turn the tables on them and win 2-1.
So, which Arsenal is going to come on out on Friday. The cool team that hasn't lost a game this season (Sans Henry, unless that's a Wenger ploy) Or a team desperate to salvage something, anything, that's left of their "treble" season. Well here's hoping that they 'overplay' their hand and the 'Pool rise to the occasion like we know they can. Predictions.....Don't be silly......
I am going to go for a 1-1 draw because Liverpool have been to inconsistent this season and after a good win against a poor team they will give arsenal to much respect....lets hope whatever the score is that the gunners are gunner do the geordies come sunday.
LB, it looks like it MAY have been too good to be true... http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3606745.stm Perhaps Wenger will play it safe and leave him on the bench. That way, Henry can make a full recovery in time for their match against the 'toon! I'm also predicting a 2-1 result in our favour. MO with the first, Heskey (riding the wave he caught from the Blackburn game) to take the second.
Houllier sums it up, I'd say: "Arsene is a strong manager and his players are capable of overcoming their recent difficulties. Hopefully, they will start on Sunday though and not Friday." Vlad is back, and may travel to London as part of the squad: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N144503040408-1109.htm ----
Even better would be if Henry starts and then pulls up injured after 5 minutes and their whole teams suffers from depression as Mikey knocks in a hattrick
what a sensible post... what a surprise.. an englishman... well done retribution this is still a match at highbury.. it's not like we all-of-a-sudden forgot how to play football... lets tap the brake a bit boys....
^ Yes, you are quite right to point this out. It is a bit futile to try and predict the result of this one. However, I wouldn't feel I was supporting my team if I were to 'predict' a loss. Besides, I am merely being optimistic (which hasn't always been easy this season) after our last performance. Perhaps instead of using the word 'predicting', I should have used the word 'hoping'...as in "I am hoping Arsenal have forgotten how to play football come friday".
This match is impossible to predict. I could see us winning 3-0, and could just as easily see us losing 3-0. After Arsenal's recent results you can't predict how well they will play. And based on this season, you can never predict how we will play.
THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY? "Steven Gerrard and his crew will arrive at Highbury tomorrow hoping to add to Arsenal's pain. Having been knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League this week, the Gunners face two crucial league games in the space of three days as they try to prevent their season falling apart." More of this preview at: http://www.4thegame.com/previews/form152001/afclfc.html ----
Yea, you really can't predict how the arse are gonna play, just hope and wish like Houllier said, that they aren't ready to play tomorrow, but come back on sunday against newcastle.
Yes it's at Highbury and its not like Liverpool have won much at Highbury over the last six years --- oh wait --- that doesn't help your argument at all, now does it? Henry will be back from the walking wounded like Reyes and Lundberg -- frankly, he may do well, but its more likely that he'll be less than completely fit and that might be better than facing a fully fit substitute desperate to prove he can fill in for Henry. Let's see -- the proof is in the pudding.
what does your team's record in the PAST have to do with today???? ohhhh, cuz thats really all you have to look to.. it certainly isn't the present..
Noone can argue that either team can take this match...so save the smack talk until the final whistle, eh Phishy?? Thanks.
That's certainly a well thought out argument. What about your past three games? What form do you want to count? this week, last month, last year? I've said nothing negative about your side's play, only that we have a shout to win and have done well against Premiere League winning sides at Highbury in the last few years. You have an excellent first 11, that has perhaps hit a wall with too many fixtures at once and I'm only hoping my side can steal a point or 3. That said, you are not the sharpest tack in the box.