Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Match Thread

[JD]

Liverpool v Middlesbrough
3pm kick off



Martin Skrtel returns to partner Jamie Carragher at the heart of Liverpool's defence against Middlesbrough this afternoon. Xabi Alonso is also back in the starting XI to partner Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park.
 
The Reds line-up in full is:

Reina
Arbeloa
Dossena
Carragher
Skrtel
Gerrard
Alonso
Kuyt
Benayoun
Torres
Keane.

Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Agger, Babel, Ngog, El Zhar, Plessis.

[Reslivo]

Interesting to see Degen didn't make the bench. Looks like no more over-shuffling of LFC this year then. Rafa has learned from one of his very few mistakes.

[dunlop liddell shankly]

Looks a decent side.

3 games into the season and all four centre halves used already

[JD]

Benayoun then on the left again. 

Hope that is due to Babel 'jet-lag' and not our new formation.  Agger played mid-week so possibly needs to be treated with kid-gloves, especially with Sami injured.

Reckon N'Gog and Babel will both come on today.

Where's Voro?

[mcarz]

looks a good strong side that we're fielding then. we should win this one even though middlesbrough are a hard team to break down. we're at home and therefore should win. 2-0 to liverpool I'm going for with torres and gerrard to score

[JD]

Interesting to see Degen didn't make the bench. Looks like no more over-shuffling of LFC this year then. Rafa has learned from one of his very few mistakes.

Yep.  Skrtel was enforced due to injury and Alonso wasn't up to 90 minutes last week.

Technically, that team hasn't been 'rotated'.

[ayrton77]

Looks like more or less our strongest XI, not counting those still in China. Should be good enough this afternoon, though I hope Babel will get a decent go as our wings stand out as being by far the weakest element yet again.

[Reslivo]

For those who haven't got the, uh, broadcasting privileges of watching the game on TV, just click here.

[RedPuppy]

Excellent team selection Rafa, nice and strong, or did Montse pick the team?

I really hope Keane scores so he does not have a monkey to carry like Crouch did.

[Magillionare]

Was the same team I had bar babel and yossi switching, but I think we'll see that sub, unless Keane has another poor match, then he'll be subbed again I think

[Bpatel]

Strong team being played!! Should be a good win, with Torres and Keane scoring. Hopfully we get another clean sheet as well.

[crouchinho]

I was one selection off choosing Rafa's side. I had Agger in for Skrtel Nearly performed the impossible.

Feeling confident the boys will come out and play some good footy. 3-1.

[JD]

No one else surprised Babel got the nod over Benayoun?

And quite frankly I thought Arbeloa had a 'mare last week.  Finnan should be in.

[smigger15]

For those who haven't got the, uh, broadcasting privileges of watching the game on TV, just click here.

Its on here as well

http://www.justin.tv/iraqgoals

[crouchinho]

No one else surprised Babel got the nod over Benayoun?

And quite frankly I thought Arbeloa had a 'mare last week.  Finnan should be in.

I couldnt be arsed complaining this week, although they should be out.

[ayrton77]

No one else surprised Babel got the nod over Benayoun?

And quite frankly I thought Arbeloa had a 'mare last week.  Finnan should be in.

I suppose Rafa is going to bring Babel on as a "super sub" once their defence is knackered after 60-70 minutes of trying to keep up with Torres and Keane. I would have liked Babel to start though. Maybe another run out for El Zhar late on as well?

[ayrton77]

Its on here as well

http://www.justin.tv/iraqgoals

I'm on that one too! And I'm sure I saw Reslivo in the chat box too!

[Reslivo]

Has everyone got their predictions in for this game?

Too true mate, I can't help but voice my opinion!

[crouchinho]

Kept stopping and starting for me.

[Reslivo]

It is stuttering a bit, but that could be due to the amount of people trying to watch it :s