Pre-Match: Villa v Liverpool (Villa Park 31.8.08) 16:00 KO

[dunlop liddell shankly]

Well now the majority of us have mellowed after last nights shameful performance we can start to look forward again. Our next game is away to Aston Villa who can cause us a few a problems, mainly from set pieces. They've got a lot of pace in Agbonglahor and Young which may cause our full backs problems. John Carew's height will certainly cause us trouble because of the way we defend at times, especially set pieces. We all know what's gone on between the two clubs this year over the transfer of Gareth Barry which should add some extra spice this Sunday.

We're obviously without Steven Gerrard but Javier Mascherano should be returning. I'm not a fan of "rotating" but I think we need three maybe four changes just to liven ourselves up. The two wide men need to be dropped, hopefully for El Zhar and Babel. Alonso is in danger of losing his place, probably for Lucas/Plessis. I wouldn't be surprised Dossena return and I know there's a quite a few who'd like to see Arbeloa dropped as well. Whole sale changes may be required because we can't constantly play the same players with the thought of "they'll play themselves into form" We've gotta be harsh and say you're not playing well enough so sod off onto the bench. Robbie Keane could be put that category as well.

I've gone for a 2-1 win for Liverpool and whole heartedly believe we can do it. We're better than Aston Villa and need to show it. Although performances haven't been anywhere near good enough, I'm not looking for a "Liverpool of old" performance at Villa Park, only because it's the international break after the game. I don't want our players finding form then having to sod off for two weeks.

MY side would be Reina, Arebloa, Skrtel, Carra, Insua, El Zhar, Xabi, Masch, Babel, Keane, Torres.

[mmdalglish]

NOT REALLY SURE BABEL IS THE ANSWER .I NO HE SET UP GOAL LAST NIGHT BUT DID LITTLE ELSE

[mmdalglish]

WHY ARN'T WE PLAYING FINNAN... IS HE INJURED?

[mmdalglish]

ASTON VILLA 0 V LIVERPOOL 2

[lil cisse]

                      Reina

Arbeloa  Carragher Skrtel  Aurelio

               Masch  Lucas

El Zhar          Alonso         Babel

                   Torres

[adammac]

                      Reina

Arbeloa  Carragher Skrtel  Aurelio

               Masch  Lucas

El Zhar          Alonso         Babel

                   Torres

I would switch Alonso and Lucas positions, Lucas is a lot better playing in his natural position allowing him to make runs into the box and attack like Gerrard does. Other than that you team would be one I would like to see

[Istvan Kozma]

                      Reina

Arbeloa  Carragher Skrtel  Aurelio

               Masch  Lucas

El Zhar          Alonso         Babel

                   Torres

                      Reina

Carragher     Skrtel   Agger      Aurelio

                    Mascherano

        Kuyt        Alonso       Babel

                              Keane
                    Torres

I'd definitely put Mascherano straight back in, but I doubt that Rafa will due to his involvement in the Olympics, but he's been playing competetive football so I don't see the problem... I'd also put Carra right back, and bring Agger in to partner Skrtel.  All three are decent in the air and can combat the likes of Laursen and Carew on the set pieces where I think Villa will be most dangerous.  Arbeloa isn't physical enough for me in these situations, and due to the preferred zonal marking system I think we need more of a physical edge.  Also, Carragher has shown that he can get crosses into the box so with Finnan seemingly out of the picture I'd go with Carra ahead of Arbeloa.  Aurelio should keep his place ahead of Dossena as well in my opinion but I think Rafa will probably throw Dossena back in.

I know that most are against Kuyt at the moment, but I'd pick him every time ahead of Pennant!  However, I think Carra (if right back) should be encouraged to push forward and get crosses into the box, and maybe El Zhar should be given 30 minutes in place of Kuyt in the 2nd half.

[smigger15]

I would switch Alonso and Lucas positions, Lucas is a lot better playing in his natural position allowing him to make runs into the box and attack like Gerrard does. Other than that you team would be one I would like to see

Agree with Adam, another reason to swap them is the further back Xabi is, the more likely he is to score   

[lil cisse]

Agree with Adam, another reason to swap them is the further back Xabi is, the more likely he is to score   

Quite the opposite actually smiggs, case in point, Pre season. His best role is further forward, in the games he played there he was our best player and was the same in the euros, hes better further up pulling the strings. Lucas was fantastic further back in the olympics, its not his better role but xabi is better in the attacking role than him.

[dunlop liddell shankly]

I think there's one massive problem with having Alonso/Lucas just off Torres, neither have the required pace to get up there quickly or run ahead of him. In pre-season Alonso was playing behind two front men a lot of the time. I think to play that role affectively you need that bit of pace to break into the box and support Torres.

[Brian78]

Id actually drop a few lads to give them a kick up the arse. 4 games on the bounce weve been sh*te and 8 players have started all 4 of those games. Id recall Finnan but then again he isnt match fit as he got hardly any football pre season. 4-2-3-1 for me

REINA

CARRA SKRTEL AGGER DOSSENA
   
         MASCH ALONSO

EL ZAHR     LUCAS          NGOG

              TORRES

El Zahr deserves a start and I think NGog could be dangerous. I think Lucas in the role Gerrard played last season could be effective while Alonso should have the bit betwen his teeth going up against Barry. I would have gone with Babel only he looked like he couldnt be arsed last night

[lil cisse]

By the way guys if anyone wants to see exactly what we will be up against, Villas second leg of their uefa cup game is on at 7:30 on five.

[bartman49]

I think with Gerrard out I'd like to see Lucas in the cenrte withAlonso & Mascha in front of back four who I hope are the same as last night, El Zahr on the right Babel on the left, the front two will click and as it's a prem game I hope Robbie Keene is left to do what he's good at and score some goals......

[lil cisse]

According to a villa fan I speak to Keane always scores against them.

[vydex]

I would go 4-2-3-1 like much of last season

           Pepe
Arbeloa Hyppia Agger Aurelio
     Masch Alonso
          Keane
          Torres

[mmdalglish]

Id actually drop a few lads to give them a kick up the arse. 4 games on the bounce weve been sh*te and 8 players have started all 4 of those games. Id recall Finnan but then again he isnt match fit as he got hardly any football pre season. 4-2-3-1 for me

REINA
agree with you completely  why isn't ngog given a chance he as look promising & dangerous
CARRA SKRTEL AGGER DOSSENA
  
         MASCH ALONSO

EL ZAHR     LUCAS          NGOG

              TORRES

El Zahr deserves a start and I think NGog could be dangerous. I think Lucas in the role Gerrard played last season could be effective while Alonso should have the bit betwen his teeth going up against Barry. I would have gone with Babel only he looked like he couldnt be arsed last night

[mmdalglish]

spot on about babel last night

[Semple]

why not have babel on the right and el zhar on the left?? Something tells me that El Zhar will not be playing even though he deserves to be

[7-King Kenny-7]

I hope El Zhar gets a longer run out, he has come on 3 times now and everytime we have gone on to win so maybe if he starts we will actually get a goal before half time

[u1m81]

does anyone think that villa have been holding back on the tx of barry for this game. maybe things will go thru after this???

[Pepe Reina]

Hoping to go back to our 4-2-3-1 at Villa and play this

-Reina-

-Arbeloa--Carra--Skrtel--Aurelio

Mascherano - Alonso

Babel - Keane - Benayoun

- Torres -


I think if we play more wide with Benayoun and Babel going down the wings often, We should really win.

[Dadorious]

I dont know what Dossenna did wrong to be dropped from everyones line up I think we will need someone like him to stop Agbonlahor as he is not attacking minded as Aurelio so we need him to be purely a left back and not a left wing bck as the Villa lads have alot of pace about them. I think Carra and Skrtel can deal with Carew quite easily would not mind seeing Agger make an appearence also sometime during the game.

                                         Reina
              Arbeloa              Carra    Skrtel       Dossenna

              Kuyt/El Zar         Masch Alonso      Babel

                                        Keane
                                    Torres
We need Masch in that defensive role and with Gerrard's absence give Alonso more of a free role in the guts of the pitch. Something tells me that this has draw written all over it but I think we can do them in 1-0.

[king kenny]

does anyone think that villa have been holding back on the tx of barry for this game. maybe things will go thru after this???

Mmmm  I am sure a statement like that will add another 10 pages to the Gareth Barry thread.

As for this game it is vital that we play a winger whether that be Pennant or Al Zhar on the right, it now has to be a must as we are getting to predictable. 

[huonvalleyfc]

mash will be the difference...
There is no way that mido wld have got that space if mash was on the field thats also y alonso should play
further forward.
Alonso has linked up really well with torres we seen that at sunderland and they were
awesome together for spain v denmark.
I think with mash back in and alonso further forward we'll get a good result and a good performance.
Villas defence was terrible against stoke we should have no problems here
0-2 for the reds
YNWA

[crouchinho]

I'm going to actually back Keane for once this season and say he must start. While Stevie is gone he will step up and I have no doubts about that. My team would be:

                              Reina

Finnan        Carragher         Skrtel           Dossena

                          Mascherano

Pennant                                                 Babel

                             Alonso

                     Torres         Keane

OR have a 4-4-2 with Masch and Xabi in the middle and Keane drop back a wee bit.

I think Rafa will however play this:

                               Reina

Arbeloa        Carragher         Agger          Dossena

 Kuyt          Mascherano        Alonso           Babel     
 
                   Torres            Keane

I really think Babel will start, Lucas will come off the bench should he be needed and El Zhar making a stint with about 15 to go.

I think Alonso did a very good job of orchestrating our boys when he came on V Sunderland, that will be invaluable to us if we are to claim 3 points against Villa. They are a dangerous side with the likes of Barry, Laursen, Agbonlahor, Carew and Young in their side who all pose a goal threat either scoring or assisting. We must be on song for the first time as I think Villa are the strongest we have had to come up against on paper and they will want to forget that loss V Stoke very soon.

Keeping it on the ground will be key for us, none of this long sh*t we have been seeing. It may grab a goal V Sunderland and Boro but Villa will handle that with ease.

Now, onto the obvious. Gareth Barry, the will he, wont he? kind of saga has all but died for now and we will no doubt be hearing alot heading into this one. I think he MUST be shut out early, my solution? Well quite simple really, lock Masch in a cage for 3 days heading into this one being fed out of a bucket and repeatedly torchered. Not only this, have a poster of Barry hanging from his cage and a 3 hour session of just staring at it each day.

Seriously though, he must be on Barry's shoulder all game. He is their midfield maestro and without ours we have to minimalise their threats.

MON will prepare them very well, he will want to gain some title of King of the middle table clubs or something ludicrous like that. They will put a bucket load of pressure on us, should we win this one then it is the only chance of getting a result when we play Scum.

My heart says 1-0, my head says 1-1. Nando scoring with Carew netting for Villa should they score.