Newcastle v Liverpool: Match Thread

Kick off in just over 30 mins.

Newcastle: Given, Edgar, Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Duff, Owen. Subs: Harper, Xisco, Geremi, Ameobi, Kadar, LuaLua, Carroll.

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Keane, Riera, Alonso, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.

Insua keeps his place.  Still no Torres as expected. And.....

Keane on the bench!

Skrtel on the bench!

Personally I think it's foolish to drop Keane and Alonso.  But what do I know.

Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Benayoun, Mascherano, Leiva Lucas, Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt

I'm guessing the team will look a bit like this....

              Reina

Carra    Hyypia    Agger    Insua

Bena   Lucas      Masch     Babel

                Gerrard

                 Kuyt


Interesting... I would prefer Keane up front and Kuyt instead of Benayoun though

FFS,how can he put the 2 best players from the Bolton game Keane and Alonso on the bench?
Just hope it does not backfire on us.

FFS,how can he put the 2 best players from the Bolton game Keane and Alonso on the bench?
Just hope it does not backfire on us.

He's playing to their weaknesses - not our strengths. Don't worry.

little risky there but i have faith in Rafa

Pls dont tell me Rafa left Keane on the Bench today. But Why?

drop Keane?

Interesting... I would prefer Keane up front and Kuyt instead of Benayoun though

No matter what Benayoun does, no matter how many opportunities and assists he create, He still gets no respect.

IRWT, but Keane on the bench?

Glad Skrtel is back, though!

No matter what Benayoun does, no matter how many opportunities and assists he create, He still gets no respect.

Hat-trick vs Besiktas, mazy run for assist vs Chelsea in CL Semi, goal vs Blackburn, incredible performance vs Bolton.

He is good, there's no denying it, but he's a bit inconsistent. That's my only quarrel with him.

Pls dont tell me Rafa left Keane on the Bench today. But Why?

who are we to even query,think they'll be in action though sooner rather than later.
             

I think that Babel is going uptop for this match, their defence is slow but powerful. Keane wouldnt be as effective as he isnt that quick, and not that strong, but clever. Babel is big strong and very fast, but stupid

I'm pleased Yossi is playing.

Disappointed to see Keane on the bench.

Obviously Alonso is tired otherwise he would have played.

My only really worry is Kuyt on his own upfront....

I think that Babel is going uptop for this match, their defence is slow but powerful. Keane wouldnt be as effective as he isnt that quick, and not that strong, but clever. Babel is big strong and very fast, but stupid

It's funny 'cus it's true!

It's funny 'cus it's true!

I no. But knowing Rafa he willmould something different out of these 11players, like a new formation never seen before

We only have 1 of their players to worry about - Owen,the rest are poor!! We should get 3 points no problem.

We better win today.

Rafa's taken a gamble in my view, hopefully it pays off.

I no. But knowing Rafa he willmould something different out of these 11players, like a new formation never seen before

1-4-1-4 anyone? :

We better win today.

Rafa's taken a gamble in my view, hopefully it pays off.

Your avatar is ready fella!

Sorry, I just noticed no full backs on the bench?

Sorry, I just noticed no full backs on the bench?

Is right - there's only a weakened CB in Skrtel ... the rest are very attacking options.

Hrmmm.