Or hopefully we're not going Toulouse. I don't think we will see Carra or Gerrard for this one, but thats alright IMO. ---------------Riena--------- -Finnen---Hypia----Agger--Arbeloa- -Pennent-Alonso--Sissoko--Riise- ----------Crouch--Kuyt---------- I wanted to put Sissoko up front after this weeks game, but that might be pushing it. I'd also say that if Crouch doesn't make an apperance here, he's out the door.
I think Hyypia is a major doubt for this one. Arbeloa may have to play center back. ---------------Reina Finnan--Arbeloa--Agger--Riise Pennant--Mascherano--Sissoko--Benayoun ------------Kuyt--Crouch What is up with Kewell? I still haven't heard anything about an injury.
So who will Rafa play? Fun just trying to guess, I would like to see Crouch out there but again I don't know what Rafa is up to. He hasn't played him much at all since he was running hot around World Cup time, do you think he can remember what do do when he gets the ball?
Groin strain supposedly, but he says he hopes to be fit for Australia's WC semi-final appearance in 2010, definitely 2014. Absolutely.
rofl. 2018 latest. edit: just checked physioroom.com and the Hairy one actually does have a groin strain. Shocked, i can tell you. Mortified. Never saw that one coming. Sept 1 they say, as long as he doesnt knick himself shaving. pffffffft
Or Sissoko? I think Arbeloa used to play center back in Spain. He should be okay until Sami starts seeing straight again. No Paletta please. How could Kewell possibly be hurt again? We are all of a sudden short on left wingers. If Arbeloa has to play CB, then Riise has to play LB. That leaves us with Babel and maybe Yossi to play on the left wing...both right footed. I wonder if Rafa thinks either Insua or Leto are ready for the first team. No Heinze signing and an injured Kewell means we are a little bit thin down that left side.
----------------Reina-------------- Finnan----Arbeloa----Agger----Riise Yossi----Masch-----Alonso----Babel ----------Crouch----Torres--------- SUBS: Itandje, Kuyt, Sissoko, Pennant, Insua, Leiva, Voronin. Reds 3-0.
Good, it was never going to work out for him at Anfield. We need to sign another defender. Rafa really expected to land Heinze.
Tue Aug 28 11:00AM Pacific Tue Aug 28 12:00PM Mountain Tue Aug 28 01:00PM Central Tue Aug 28 02:00PM Eastern Length: 2 hr LIVE GolTV (US) UEFA Champions League - 3rd Qualifying Round - 2nd Leg Liverpool (England) vs Toulouse (France) Tue Aug 28 06:00PM Pacific Tue Aug 28 07:00PM Mountain Tue Aug 28 08:00PM Central Tue Aug 28 09:00PM Eastern Length: 2 hr R GolTV (US) UEFA Champions League - 3rd Qualifying Round - 2nd Leg Liverpool (England) vs Toulouse (France)
Should be party time on the Kop, be a fun match to go to even this early. Damn I was trying to edit the first post and ended up quoting it....Oh well!
----------------Reina-------------- Finnan----Hyypia----Agger----Arbeloa Pennant----Masch-----Alonso----Riise ----------Crouch----Kuyt--------- LFC 2-0 Toulouse. Hyypia (32) header from a corner Crouch (61) poaches one from Kuyt's shot off the post
that's the EXACT lineup I expect. The reason Sissoko won't start even though he scored is because that's Rafa's way. MAscherano didn't play the last 2 games b/c he will get all 90- tomorrow. Same with Crouch and Benayoun. Babel, Torres and Itandje on the bench too.
I have to admit, I'm not broken up about this news at all. I never rated Paletta. Always felt, while still young, he was a liability. Have to partner Sami and Agger in central defense. Arbeloa can fill in for either, if needed. Also, for the life of me, I'm not sure why anyone thinks pairing Masch and Momo in central mid is a good idea. Doing that effectively assures us of little-to-no pressure on opposing goal. Here's my crack at the lineup: ---------------Reina Finnan --- Sami -- Agger --- Arbeloa Pennant --- Alonso---Masch--- Yossi --------Crouch-------Kuyt Subs: Itandje JAR Babel Momo Torres Voronin Lucas 1-0 to the good.
I'm a bit relieved, to be honest. When you watch some players, even if they aren't quite there, you just know they have it in them. Agger was one of those guys. Paletta never looked like he had the ability or mental fortitude to play in the EPL. I'm sure he'll be a solid player in the Argentine league, and perhaps move to Serie A or La Liga soon enough. But his constant mental errors just left me uneasy and skeptical that he'd ever be a regular for us. Agree 100%. I'd love to see Lucas get a run-out, if we go up a goal, possibly to spell Xabi (though I'm guessing Momo gets some time). Crouchy goes the full 90 and Riise comes in for Arbs. I'd be interested to see Arbeloa tested at CB, just to see what he's got, but this game's far too important for that, unless we snag a couple early ones. Sucks that the one spot where we lack true depth we get hit by a critical injury. Wonder what Rafa will do between now and Friday to shore up our weakspot at CB. Matthew Upson, anyone?
I don't love them as a pairing either, but I think we may just see it in this match. So far Xabi has been first choice in all our league games, so it might make sense to rest him for this one. While Momo and Masch may not create too many chances, they will no doubt make it impossible for Toulouse. Remember, we don't need to score to go through. I know thats no way to approach this game, but it is the reality. It would be up to our wingers and strikers to create some scoring chances.
Isn't Upson an injury liability? Let's go out and get a young good center back so once Sami and Carra are both gone we will have Agger and ________ can continue to form a good partnership.
If there's any one single thing this club should avoid like the plague, it is the mentality of playing "not to lose." Too often does that passive, timid approach backfire. With a spot in the CL on the line, I'm not willing to risk that here. Are you?
Thats why I said its no way to approach the game. Playing Mascherano and Sissoko in midfield does not mean you are playing "not to lose." We have plenty of other players that can create and score goals. And given that we already have a lead, the priority should be to stop them from scoring.
Then you should be aware of what "playing not to lose" means. A scoreless draw isn't a loss, obviously, but the same mentality applies. You would put it all on Pennant, then? Solely? I cannot warm up to the notion of "remember, we don't have to score a goal to go through." You agree. But I also cannot envision our forwards and wide men creating enough of an attack without at least one central-mid with an attacking mentality. I'm not saying go overboard and throw everyone forward, "best defense is a good offense." No, what I'm suggesting is continuing to play a balanced lineup that can generate some pressure on the opponent's goal. Seems a rather simple concept. I've just seen too many times a team protecting their one-goal lead, lacking a creative spark in the second leg, and it coming back to haunt them. Hey, I know we're on the same side, here, so don't please don't misinterpret this post as a personal attack or anything, but the whole "cart before the horse" routine (a.k.a. -- "We've already got a 1-0 lead, so let's rest some key players and sit on our heels while they bring the game to us. We can skate by on our talent, anyway.") is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.