Liverpool v Sunderland - Pre Match Thread

Liverpool v Sunderland
Tue 3rd March 2009 @ 8pm
Anfield Stadium

Torres will still be out injured, as will Arbeloa. Although Gerrard received a knock against Boro he is rated 50/50 to return on Tuesday night.  Agger is also still out with a back injury.

I'm hoping for a big performance from both the players AND the supporters.  The reds have thrown too many points away from home this season and the fans performance hasn't helped in my opinion. I'd say a mid-week night game should improve things in that respect, but even in European nights the support has been fairly abysmal.

Riera and Babel - both playing as poorly as each other.  But I'd give the nod to Riera, reluctantly - unless Aurelio is given the option.  Even Dossena on the wing and well away from the defence may be preferable and I never thought I would say that.

I'd like to see Benayoun back in the side as well - El Zhar failed to take advantage of his opportunity on Saturday and doesn't deserve a start.

We're a bit of a walking wounded side at the moment but the team I would like to see play is.

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Reina

Darby - Carragher - Hyypia - Insua

Benayoun - Alonso - Mascherano - Riera/Aurelio
Gerrard
Kuyt

If you're in Block 226 in the Upper Anny I expect you to open your mouths and sing.

Agree, wouldn't mind seing the side you've picked go out. It's strong enough i think. We definitely need to win on tues, at least to give all the supporters and the players themselves a bit of a boost. Think we all need it after yesterday.

One disagreement Agger for Hyypia and keep Riera on the left and Aurelio in reserve.

I didn't know Agger was still injured (thats whet comes of not wearing me reading glasses) so yes a good time for Derby and insua to come back as I think we have missed the little Argentinian...

2 players i've noticed, when they're on the pitch, seem to increase our attacking threat by alot
Benayoun and Hyypia.
Hear me out.
Benayoun has been brilliant this year and i don't think anyone can argue with that. He looks dangerous whenever he runs at goal.
I don't get excited about corners anymore because we never score from them. When hyypia is in the box we hav a much better chance of scoring. Even if all he does is take 2 defenders out of the game to make a chance for someone else. Its the same for free kicks and most crosses.
Same team as what JD said please with Aurelio on the left. Think he's been putting some good balls into the box from playing in midfield.
Come on redmen let's turn things around

gd team picked but if gerrard isnt fully fit i could see kuyt getting stranded up front the to players out wide need to get up and support if gerrard isnt fully fit still a win before a the we break wouldbuld cofidencand let the lkes of torres and gerrard get a rest nd help them towards there fittness

heard that gerrad picked up a hamstring but that might be  a rumour.. but we need some better play from the big guns. i think they should have some youngsters on the bench pacheo,ammo give them roles as subs try ngog again and definately yossi

Gerrard had a cramp. He should be ok.


This wont be a easy game.... Jones and Cisse can be very dangerous on the break.

4-4-2 should be the formation at Anfield but with Torres missing and Gerrard not fully fit, I think 4-2-3-1 will be employed.

............Reina....... ......

Darby Carra Skrtel Insua

.........Masch..Alonso.. ...

Benny.....Gerrard....Rie ra

..............Kuyt...... .......


Pacheco to be on the bench

Going to miss this - but the last game I missed we won 3-2.

As always, it's a must-win. If we lose or draw this, that's it.

I would happily see Pacheco get ahead of Kuyt tbh. He needs to be punished for being worse than Steve Wonder up front

I would just be happy to see Darby get a run out this game but you know Rafa will more than likely move someone like Aurelio out of position and play him to the right and have Dossena to the left.

If they were hanging by a thread earlier,now we are clutching only to the straws.Come on Redmen!!!We want to see our team play like it can.

Can any of you Scouse Guru's tell me if Steven Gerrard is playing on Tuesday or not. I want to pick him for my fantasy team but he's bloody expensive so I thought I'd ask like! 

Defo like to see that starting 11 although I'll believe seeing darby on the pitch when I see it.

Can any of you Scouse Guru's tell me if Steven Gerrard is playing on Tuesday or not. I want to pick him for my fantasy team but he's bloody expensive so I thought I'd ask like! 

I've got a nagging feeling he may start on the bench.  But if they say it was just cramp on Saturday then surely he should start?

                                  Reina

      Darby - Carragher - Hyypia - Insua

            Kuyt -  Mascherano - Aurelio
                 
                Benayoun - Gerrard
                             
                             Babel

- May sound crazy but what I pick won't effect Rafa's decision. Stability in the middle of the park but also provides variety to our attack.

Is agger still out injured ? This is a must win if we win all of our games in hand we can see how things turn out ..I still belive . YNWA ! Keep the faith people !

i think Rafa will play Lucas

            Reina
Carra  Skrtel  Hyypia Aurelio
        Lucas  Mascherano
Benny     Gerrard    Reira
            Kuyt

or something like that!!!
Hopefully we can win and gain back second place
so we dont have to qualify next season for the champions league!!

We need to win this game simple as that

we just need to win it. full stop. guess its more a lot about pride now after a string of bad results since january (barring chelsea & madrid games).
just hope rafa doesn't start a bad team in name of tiredness. have a strong feeling that he is going to play lucas. and more than often that's a bad feeling to have 

when was the last time we scored at home in the first half and looked convincing? was it west brom at home when keane got 2? when was that?... fancy sunderland to park the bus and us to really struggle again. no torres again, gerrard not 100%, cant see past a 0-0 and it pains me to say that

when was the last time we scored at home in the first half and looked convincing? was it west brom at home when keane got 2? when was that?... fancy sunderland to park the bus and us to really struggle again. no torres again, gerrard not 100%, cant see past a 0-0 and it pains me to say that

Pains me to see that. C'mon be a bit more positive.

3 points would be nice please...