Prematch - Liverpool v West Ham

[dunlop liddell shankly]

Well the Premiership is our main focus again now. We've got a side who have just ended their current run without a win, so they'll be looking to keep that going which could prove difficult for us. We're without Torres again, which either means back to one up top  or two out of Keane/Kuyt/Babel/Ngog. I personally think it'll be one up top and that one will be Keane.

We'll have the knowledge of what Chelsea have done before we play and hopefully Aresnal can do us a favour there. Even a draw for Scolari's men wouldn't be too bad for us, but no matter what they do we must win because I feel another draw at Anfield will have a lot of fans doubting us again. Some fans made it clear they weren't happy with the goalless draw at Fulham, so another game where we drop points could have the same effect. A must win game and a game we can providing we settle early.

During the Marseille game one or two looked very tired, but this is not the game to give them a rest because we need full strenght (or at least full from what's available) in every Premiership game.

If I remember rightly, I've gone for a 2-0 win.

[MsGerrard]

Seems odd that this match is being played on a Monday night...........not right in my opinion and I'll miss my badminton.

Bloody Television companies.

Anyway, we need to get back to winning ways again, with no Torres, I guess we'll all be looking to Robbie Keane (if Rafa plays him) sure he will, to stick that ball in the back of the net, cos we haven't really got anyone else have we, and unlike Nando, Keane can't and shouldn't play up front on his own especially at home.

So will it be Babel? N'Gog or one of the younger lads from the reserves? We will have to wait and see but I'd love to see Nemeth given a go up front.

I'm going for a win for Liverpool............I should think so I hear you say, but will it be 2-0, 2-1, 1-0  or will we be daredevils and get 3  To be honest any win will do me, but it would be nice to make things comfortable for ourselves for a change.

So I'll stick my neck out and go for 3-1.

[robbyr]

DLS I think this is a match we MUST shine in, certain attackers must show their possible worth to the cause now, if they dont then its surley curtains for them.

im going for a 4-0  as its about time LFC pulled their fingers out and gave us something to shout about, we may be top of the league but we are not top of our form

shining players I think that can pull us through to have a glorous christmas are

KUYT....this man plays out of his skin whenver he can and is really an adoped scouser,

GERRARD...... huytons biggest export since the jimmy kelly murderers song....and the kingpin of the side, he is coming close to king kennys achievements as one of liverpools best now

ALONSO.........dynamite this year, he has got to be one of liverpools players of the season already

CARRAGHER..........no explanation required

MASCHERANO.......fire in his guts.... he is from the same background as half the scousers so in my mind he is a virtual scouser

AGGER.................th is man is class on a stick, powerful, and a natural defender

with these players we can win the leage, and we can blow away the bubbles of west ham

[Adryan]

I don't need to state the importance of this game or in fact of every game we play.

This game is being played at home and it is a MUST win for us and we don't need to bother what the other title rivals' resuts are but let's just hope Chelsea slip up against Arsenal and Man City do us a favour against United.

Like it has been stated, play the full strength team. We can't be thinking it'll be easy against team having a bad run of form as we know what happened at Anfield this season. Play the full strength team and remove them when we are winning. We'd have many days left before we play Blackburn.

Come on lads, get out there, put in your class performance, lift up our hopes, get the 3 points and don't forget to score 3 and concede none so I can get 5 points in the Prediction League

The 3 points is more important, though.

[scouseuk]

we cant afford to drop points at any stage now
its a must win  game
time to step up the pressure on chelsea and score more goals
if they want to be seen as the team that cant do it
fire them up and kill them off in the first half

[RedPuppy]

Unfortunatly I feel the result will depend upon the Chelsea result. I know it shouldn't but its just a feeling.
I hope we don't go for the 4-5-1 at home, but a similar formation to last wednesdays, without the second half performance, of course. I think Keane will play and probally should any way, just hope he gets the run of the ball and cuts out the fancy stuff, Saying that I think Stevie may have a blinder as he seems to be pumped up for the League at the moment, Masser has no sympathy for the Hammers so expect him to be booked at least. 2-0 to us. Kuyt and Stevie. One Early goal, and one at the end of the first half.

[JD]

I think we probably will have to play 4-5-1 with the injuries we have now.

Can't believe we have to wait till Monday night.  It seems a while since we had a Monday night game and I hate em!

At least we will still be second though on Monday night.  Not bad and we can only watch the other games with our fingers crossed. Clearly we know it is a must win game after the last league run out.  All eyes will be on a performance to match.

[Brian78]

A must win with hopefully the teams around us dropping points. West ham will use Fulham to give themselves confidence so for me we need to tear into them from the start. The big debate here I suppose is who plays? For me its 4 4 2 with Masch dropping out and Stevie in there with Xabi. Keane and Babel up top. Id like to see Insua get a chance at left back but an option I would consider would be Agger to left back and Sami in with Carra

my 11

REINA
ARBE CARRA AGGER INSUA
KUYTY STEVIE XABI RIERA
        KEANE  BABEL

Rafas likely 11

REINA
ARBE CARRA AGGER DOSSENA
        MASCH XABI
YOSSI STEVIE RIERA
         KUYT

[zz19a]

Its bad we r havnig the game on Monday. I would prefer we play on Saturday. Its better we get the points as early as possible and have the pressure back on the Blues instead of the other way round.

 

[Adryan]

Have to take our chances and kill the game off early. It's time for Robbie to step it up and show his worth. Stop missing 5 yarders week in week out, Robbie lad. We should not think about how the other teams are doing, we just have to win every game.

I am going to miss this game although I would like to watch it. It's 4 am on a Tuesday morning for me and I have school to go. Sorry Reds

[Ally-LFC]

Last weekend I said : this could be a good weekend with maure away to villa and arsenal away to city and...
I'll say the same again this weekend.
Manure away to city and chelsea play arsenal.
WE HAVE TO WIN THIS ONE!!!!!! Arsenal can put in performances in the big games so we could have a chance to go 2 maybe even 3 points clear.

This would be my XI to start:

                     REINA
ARBELOA   CARRA   AGGER    DOSSENA
                 MASCHERANO
KUYT    GERRARD    ALONSO      RIERA
                      BABEL

But I think Rafa will play that side only replacing babel for keane.
Also is skrtel fit yet? Or any time soon?
Can't wait to see him back in the side
Come on reds let's take top spot and keep hold of it !!

[Magillionare]

I think the starting 11 should be:

                                       Reina

Arby                     Agger             Carra                Insua

                            Xabi              Mash

Kuyt                               Gerrard                   Reira

                                      Babel

No Keane, no Dossena, no more excuses for either they have been given time IMO, now others need a shot

[Adryan]

                                       Reina

Arby                     Agger             Carra                Insua

                            Xabi              Mash

Kuyt                               Gerrard                   Reira

                                      Babel

I'd go with that but I wouldn't mind having Keane instead of Babel even though he misses those 5 yarders.

[redkenny]

I think the starting 11 should be:

                                       Reina

Arby                     Agger             Carra                Insua

                            Xabi              Mash

Kuyt                               Gerrard                   Reira

                                      Babel

No Keane, no Dossena, no more excuses for either they have been given time IMO, now others need a shot

I'd go for that as well Mag, but I'd have Gerrard on the right and stick Kuyt up with Babel. I think we'd kick their arses if we played that 4-4-2.

Reckon Rafa will go with Keane up on his own with Gerrard behind him though. And unfortunately, I think Dossena will be starting.

[adammac]

I think after two very poor performances at home I think Rafa needs to change things up a little bit since we hit a bit of a poor patch.

I would go with something like

- - - - - - - - - - Pepe - - - - - - - - - - -
Arboloa - - Carra - - Agger - - - Insua
El Zhar - - Gerrard - - Alonso - - Babel
- - - - - - - Keane - - - Kuyt - - - - - - -

Javi and Riera would sit this one out after they had poor couple of games and replace them with Babel and El Zhar. Replace Torres with Keane and push Kuyt to support him.

[RedPuppy]

Replace Keane with Torres and push Kuyt to support him.

Are you saying an injured Torres is better than Keane?

Javi will be up for this one, I'd leave him in.

[crouchysrobot]

I'd go with that but I wouldn't mind having Keane instead of Babel even though he misses those 5 yarders.

But Keane would never get the ball so he could miss 5 yarders, he'd miss the ball altogether

[GERNS]

If Keane plays, he needs to be the support striker to get the best out of him. Babel up front, Keane in the hole. Midfield of Kuyt, Mash, Alonso, Gerrard. Back 4 Arboloa, Carra, Agger and Insua. Reina  in the onion bag.
I think with this we should be safe for 3 - 1 As long as we keep a high tempo to the game. If Chelski and  The Mancs fail to get a win, I fear we will not be as adventurous as we should be, because the win won't be as necessary. We need to play every game now like it's a final. C.O.Y.M.R.

[bartman49]

Here's the chance to put Wednesdays second half to bed,I have an awful feeling Rafa will give Dosena another run out to try to restore some of his confidence but whoever plays I want to see some fire in the belly and a lot more determination than we have been showing lately. I agree with what GERNS says for the most part, one thing though I hope Rafa brings Stevie G back to the midfeild and like what a lot of you think maybe it's time to give Babel a spot along side Keane for a game or two......

[dunlop liddell shankly]

Midfield of Kuyt, Mash, Alonso, Gerrard.

On paper looks great, on the field looks a shambles because there's no one on the left. I'd be disappointed to see that midfield if I'm being honest.

[Adryan]

"Midfield of Kuyt, Mash, Alonso, Gerrard. "
On paper looks great, on the field looks a shambles because there's no one on the left. I'd be disappointed to see that midfield if I'm being honest.

Same here. I really don't fancy those type. I think Riera - Xabi - Masch - Kuyt with Stevie in front of them is the best for me even if it means playing 4-5-1.

the danger playing Stevie at the centre in a 4-4-2 formation is if we are still 0-0 with 10 minutes left, he'd push more to try to be a match winner and it'll leave a hole at the centre. With Xabi and Masch behind him, Stevie can do whatever he wants, .

[crouchinho]

                               Reina

Arbeloa       Carragher          Agger          Insua

 
 Kuyt            Alonso            Masch          Riera

                             
                              Gerrard

                               Babel

Keane, Aurellio and Dossena dont deserve a spot so give those guys who are desperate for a spot a go. Its West Ham at home, perfect time to show us what they got.

I'm going to stick with my big predictions and say 5-0.

[KOPMKD]

                               Reina

Arbeloa       Carragher          Agger          Insua

 
 Kuyt            Alonso            Masch          Riera

                            
                              Gerrard

                               Babel

Keane, Aurellio and Dossena dont deserve a spot so give those guys who are desperate for a spot a go. Its West Ham at home, perfect time to show us what they got.

I'm going to stick with my big predictions and say 5-0.

I agree with you for 10 starters,but Babel in front?I don't think so man,I'd rather see Gerrard-Keane pairing upfront,Babel is a kind of player that need more space,wont have it in front of West ham box dont you think?He will get his chance replacing Riera on the wing for last 30 min.Monday is Robie night to find the back of the net I hope,he'll get his chances with Xabi's and Steavie's passes,lets pray he scores this time.
I have a felling that Chelski will be held by Gunners,lets go on top alone please!!!Well,its eather felling or my f**king desire

[redkenny]

It really does speak volumes to see how many people are selecting Insua.

Not going to happen though is it.

[Adryan]

Insua deserves a start. Everyone basically wants to see whether he can do better than Dossena and Aurelio. If he can, he'll have that spot for the next few weeks.

[scouseuk]

never say never
insua will get a shot if and when rafa thinks  so
but rafa being rafa he might stick dosenna there
and that will be stupid but he the manager

[ian92]

Must win game this and will be interesting to see how West Ham approach the game - they hadn't been able to keep a clean sheet for ages and now they have two on the bounce. I doubt they will come and defend as that doesn't really play to their strength so I would expect them to come and have a right go at us.

As for us, it goes without saying that Torres is a big miss but this is a match we should win with or without him. I can see us lining up 4-4-2 and I have a feeling that Rafa will play Kuyt and Keane up top with Benayoun coming into the side. I think the line-up will be:

Reina

Arbeloa
Carragher
Agger
Dossena

Benayoun
Gerrard
Alonso
Riera

Keane
Kuyt

That side should beat West Ham and hopefully we can get our goal difference up a fair bit.

[lizzieroz]

We need to get a big win here, especially is the Arse can do us a favour today.  West Ham never play for the full 90, they concede most goals after 80 mins, so we have a great opportunity to take 3 points.

I'm going 3-0 on this one, Stevie, Dirk and Robbie

 

[When]

We are in the top table ,but we are not top form....so we have not Torres ,its could be 4-4-2 or 4-4-1 formation.I think Keane and Kuyt is up front.or Keane only.I think its could be 2-0 Keane and Xabi Score.

[CRK]

its could be 4-4-2 or 4-4-1 formation.

I'd go for 4-4-2 out of them two if I'm going to be honest mate! Rather have a full allocation on the pitch!