Pre-match: Wigan Athletic vs Liverpool

          

19:45 Kick-off at the JJB stadium
Wednesday 28th January

The corresponding fixture last season resulted in a 1-0 victory for the Reds and a vital three points.

Let's hope we can do the same again - but need I remind you all that Wigan are a very strong side, who in the reverse fixture at Anfield managed to lead twice in the 90 minutes.

Not a team to be taken for granted.

Possible XI:
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Riera, Gerrard, Torres.

If we play like we did against Everton, but with a cutting edge in front of goal, we can win this.
Their defense isn't as stong as Evertons, and if we keep putting balls into dangerous areas and someone can get on the end of them, we can win this comfortably.

It's a big if, though.

I would like to see something like;

- - - - - - - - - Pepe - - - - - - - - - - -
Arboloa - - Carra - - Skrtel - - Aurelio
- - - - - - - Alonso - - Javi - - - - - - -
Yossi - - - - - Gerrard - - - - - Riera
- - - - - - - - - Torres - - - - - - - - -

Give Yossi and Riera a try to see if they can make something happen, though Dossena was okay I feel much better with Aurelio in the squad. The rest speaks for it's self.

I would like to see something like;

- - - - - - - - - Pepe - - - - - - - - - - -
Arboloa - - Carra - - Skrtel - - Aurelio
- - - - - - - Alonso - - Javi - - - - - - -
Yossi - - - - - Gerrard - - - - - Riera
- - - - - - - - - Torres - - - - - - - - -

Give Yossi and Riera a try to see if they can make something happen, though Dossena was okay I feel much better with Aurelio in the squad. The rest speaks for it's self.

Keane has to start beside Torres.

Wish the Manager will try out a 3-5-2 formation

                  Reina
          Carra-Skrtel-Hyypia
     Benny-Alonso-Masch-Riera
               Gerrard
           Keane-Torres

3 points.

Vital.

3 points.

Vital.

An absolute must be 3 points

With Heskey gone now and funny enough i think they might struggle without him. I think we will respond to the critics out there and win comfortably.                                         
                                                          Reina
                                    Arbeloa       Carra       Skrtel      Aurelio

                                       Kuyt      Masch      Alonso      Reira
                                                       
                                                         Gerrard

                                                         Torres

I know Rafa wont go with this team but he should.

Keane has to start beside Torres.

Wish the Manager will try out a 3-5-2 formation

                  Reina
          Carra-Skrtel-Hyypia
     Benny-Alonso-Masch-Riera
               Gerrard
           Keane-Torres

I do think we need a change after our front players were too isolated yesterday. Perhaps a 4-4-2?

                  Reina
Arbeloa Carra       Skrtel Doss
Benayoun Gerr Alonso   Riera
            Keane Torres

I'd be perhaps in favour of giving Masch a rest to favour a more attacking threat, Wigan might be a decent side, but our back four should be strong enough to hold them off.

I just don't think the 4-4-2 worked in the league game against Everton so I don't think Rafa will opt for it, but at the end of the day it's Rafa so anything can happen!

Yossi should play and Kuyt given a rest. We need a bit more creativity and I think Yossi will offer it. Hopefull Torres getting back into his stride means we'll get our cutting edge back very soon.

Wigan are a good team and they are in good form so they will go for this game so there will be space to exploit and well I don't think there's anyone Gerrard and Torres to punish them, so I say we play them both over Keane (who should be brought to the bench in my view).

A must win game and I can't stress it enough. I don't care how it comes but as long as we win the game I'm not fussed. Torres getting back to his best with a goal and a game without conceding a set-piece would be great but as long we grab three points I'm not bothered if those things don't happen.

Hopefully the Liverpool that turned up at St James' Park will be back on Wednesday.

this is a must win game we need a confidence boost for the chelsea game at the weekend, we've being awful so far this year, hope we are not going to see another draw tom night

I am truly confused.

When is this game?

Loads of people are saying tomorrow but the official Liverpool site says Wednesday... http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/

I am truly confused.

When is this game?

Loads of people are saying tomorrow but the official Liverpool site says Wednesday... http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/match/season/

It's on Wednesday.

Cheers. Is it on Setanta?

Cheers. Is it on Setanta?

Unfortunately not 

Streams will be posted on the relevant thread before the game, I'm sure.

This is good for matches. just install the software provided on the site.

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=28601&part=sports

sopcast and tvu are good links

Two key players in Heskey and Palacios have now left the club, lessening the threat of their attack. Not a bad side but the area I expect us to dominate completely is midfield, whoever is playing left back will need to keep an eye on Valencia too.

Their defence is nothing special and we should win this game, we need the 3 points.

A must win game. 3 points, no excuses just get the 3 points. PLEASE.

Who reckons Benayoun will play because he scored there last season?

Tricky game this. We have to win.

I feel we're going to be relying on Gerrard and Torres to do the business.

dont think wigan will play defensive whats happened to zaki gone missing for a month. we should get 3 points here. if they play defensive could be another draw. we must have two goals this time

Dont play Keane, he simply doesnt deserve it. Try Yossi for Kuyt and keep the 4-2-3-1.

Reckon Kuyt in need of a rest. Though Babel was poor on the left wing I think he is marginally better on the right wing. 

Toss up between him and Yossi.

Like I just posted on the site - two worrying stats for us - we've won all 4 games played at Wigan and they haven't even scored a goal.  Now if that doesn't jinx it nothing will.

I feel we're going to be relying on Gerrard and Torres to do the business.

Probably. Not the worst pair in the world to be relying on though eh!

We really need to get back on track and to winning ways if we are serious about the title we have to keep pace with the scum .. uiz i don't see them screwing up at the hawthornes!  Come ON Redmen ! YNWA !