I don't think this match will tell much that we don't know already; we can beat the skanks. Can we beat teams that we need to beat to challenge for honours, though? Still, it will give Rodgers a chance to genuinely spell one or both of Gerrard and Lucas, Sturrige, Agger and Enrique and see what other options he has. No need to change the goal-keeper but it will be good to see Toure and Sakho at centre-half, Kelly at right-back and Flannagan or Brad Smith at left-back. A much changed back-line but at least round pegs in round holes. ---------------------------Mignolet------------------- ---Kelly------------Toure------------Sakho----------Flannagan--- --------------------Allen---------Lucas---------------- --------Ibe-----------Alberto------------------Sterling-- ----------------------------------Suarez-------- MODS, can we "sticky" this?
this would be my starting lineup, as well. toure and sakho should be our first-choice center back pairing from here on out. there, i said it.
-----------------Mignolet Kelly-----Toure -----Sakho ----- Enrique ----------Henderson ---Lucas Sturridge -----Alberto -------Moses ----------------Suarez
"What the ******** is Benitez thinking bringing on a defensive midfielder at halftime! We're down three goals!" ~ Every Undefeated Sunday Morning Manager Ever
Sturidge still has an injury and it certainly looked like it was affecting him on Saturday so I would rest him. Enrique didn't start on Saturday to protect his knee so I would probably save him for the weekend. Sterling for Sturidge and I'm not sure about left back
I'm just hoping Luis is committed to playing his best for Liverpool.............................at least until January.
Only if Sturridge is hurt. Sterling was really ineffectual coming on last match. Too bad we couldn't get Coutinho on as well for this match
The injury to Phil makes me wish the powers that be hadn't loaned out Suso, particulalry when it comes to these League and FA Cup games.
Seen this quite a bit and its pretty short sighted IMO. Suso is at the age he needs to play games and the odd cup start is hardly going to get him some development. Also seen the "wish we had Suso instead of Aspas, he's looked great in La Liga". Aspas also looked great in La liga.
Even with Suso here Aspas would still have got the nod over him, Sterling too most likely. A season of playing well in La Liga will change that, but he needs the playing time first.
If Allen's fit play him I say, best holding mid during pre season apart from stevie. He may not go out and get goals and assists but he will control a game unlike lucas who since his return from injury has been barely sunderland quality. ------------Mignolet---------------- Wisdom - Toure - Sahko - Enrique Allen - Stevie Studge - Alberto - moses ------------Suarez And if we go up in the first half hopefully we keep up our efforts in the 2nd half and get some goals instead of sitting back
I'd say sit SG for this one. He's looked gassed the past two matches. Put him on the bench for last 20-30 if needed.
As gassed as he may have looked no one created more chances in either game than he did. We've gone from last seasons averaging 19 shots per game to 12 this season and that is not down to Gerrard but the other players in the team. The biggest mistake in the last fixture was the CB's at FB. Although both played well they didn't attack enough and offer our midfield the usual support in the final 3rd which Johnson and Enrique usually do. This was a tactical mistake rather than the players. If Suarez is to start then we need to play Gerrard as they have a great understanding on the pitch and Suarez has yet to play with Moses or Aspas and only a handful of games with the Studge.
This is my guess what we will see. -----------------Mignolet Kelly-----Toure -----Sakho ----- Enrique ----------Gerrard ---Lucas Sturridge -----Aspas -------Moses ----------------Suarez I could see Wisdom in for Kelly as well. I like having Moses out there creating chances. We know Sturridge will do the same on the other wing. Just got to hope Gerrard and Lucas have a good game now that the wing backs are actual wing backs. and will help with the spacing.
That is hopefully true but in the 5 league games Suarez was suspended last season we were still averaging 19 a game. This season the drop off is for other reasons rather than a lack of Suarez.