Tranmere v Liverpool (Match thread)

[JD]

Tranmere v Liverpool
12th July 2008 3pm
Prenton Park
Pre Season Friendly



This match is live on Setanta Sports and on various places on the internet.

Gerrard, Carra and hopefully Agger expected to take part.  Don't expect too many of the Spaniards.

We won 3-2 against Wrexham in our first game last season so another one of them would do us nicely.

[redkenny]

I reckon Pacheco will get a game as well. Looking forward to getting a good look at how two of our new signings play.

[lil cisse]

Cant wait for this, the reds back in action. Eager to see the new signings if they will play and hoping to see pacheco show what he can do as well as some other youngsters.

[Magillionare]

Should we should expect Degan, Dossena and Cavelgi (I no I spelt his name wrong )

[JD]

I would imagine Agger will be the name most people are looking out for after his lengthy lay off.

[lil cisse]

Yeah Agger is the main player I want to see.

[Bpatel]

Can't wait to see all the players back, playing. Especially looking forward to seeing Agger and new signings play, if they do.

[MsGerrard]

AGGER AND PACHECO START AT TRANMERE

Paul Eaton 12 July 2008 

  Fit-again Daniel Agger is joined by debutante Daniel Pacheco in the starting line-up for this afternoon's first friendly of the season at Tranmere - a match you can watch live here on Liverpoolfc.tv. 
Agger, who has recovered from the metatarsal problems which ruined his season last year, will be partnered by Jack Hobbs in the heart of the defence with Jamie Carragher likely to begin at left back.
 
Spanish youngster Pacheco will make his first appearance for the Reds in a forward position where he is likely to be joined by Yossi Benayoun, with Jermaine Pennant, Damien Plessis, Lucas and Emiliano Insua operating in midfield.
 
New signings Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen are joined by skipper Steven Gerrard among the substitutes.
 
Rafa's first team selection for the new season is as follows:
 
13 Martin
2 Darby
6 Hobbs
5 Agger
23 Carragher
16 Pennant
7 Plessis
21 Lucas
22 Insua
15 Benayoun
11 Pacheco
 
Subs:
 
1 Cavalieri
4 Hyypia
3 Skrtel
19 Degen
20 Kelly
12 Aurelio
8 Gerrard
14 Spearing
10 Voronin
9 Flynn
 
 

[redkenny]

No Dossena?

Also Pacheco on his own up front with Benayoun playing behind him? And is Rafa testing the waters with Insua in a more advanced wingers position?

[Brian78]

Oh yes Pacheco is in now I hope he shows how good he is friendly or not

[JD]

No Dossena?

Benitez had said he wouldn't take part.

I fancy Pacheco to grab the first goal.

[MsGerrard]

I expect Rafa to make a few changes in the second half.........an interesting team though.

Will be good to see how Pacheco gets on.

I'm going for Yossi to score first goal 

[adammac]

I assume this is the set up

-------------------Martin---------------------
Darby------Hobbs---Agger-------Carra
Pennant--Lucas---Plessis--------Insua
----------------Yossi-----------------------
--------------Pacheco---------------------

[JD]

Poor old Scotty Carson.

[JD]

You've got to worry for Carragher.  He isn't getting any younger and he seems to be getting pushed around as a left or right back these days.

With Degen, Dossena, Arbeloa and Aurelio all capable of playing in those positions, and with Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia and even Hobbs still about I think the days of Carragher being one of the first names on the teamsheet are over.

[Venison 86]

Agger starting

[redkenny]

You've got to worry for Carragher.  He isn't getting any younger and he seems to be getting pushed around as a left or right back these days.

With Degen, Dossena, Arbeloa and Aurelio all capable of playing in those positions, and with Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia and even Hobbs still about I think the days of Carragher being one of the first names on the teamsheet are over.

I've been thinking the same thing myself. I doubt he'll be playing as many games as he did last season. And it'll be interesting to see how many times he's not used as a central defender.

[7-King Kenny-7]

Looks like a pretty good line up and it will be good to see how the youngsters do, hopefully they will have a great game and get selected again

[7-King Kenny-7]

I've been thinking the same thing myself. I doubt he'll be playing as many games as he did last season. And it'll be interesting to see how many times he's not used as a central defender.

I think that he will be playing just as much next season, maybe missing the carling cup games and thats it because he is part of the spine

[Reslivo]

Plessis took the number 7 shirt then o.O