Live Match - Liverpool v Newcastle

[redsonfire]

GERRARD RETURNS BUT NO TORRES V MAGPIES
Paul Hassall at Anfield 03 May 2009 

Steven Gerrard returns to the starting line-up as Liverpool bid to close the gap at the top with victory over Newcastle this afternoon. Listen live from 1pm BST. 
The Reds skipper has missed the last four matches through injury but has been passed fit for the visit of the Magpies and replaces Lucas Leiva as Rafael Benitez makes four changes from the side that beat Hull City.
 
Fabio Aurelio also returns in place of Emiliano Insua with Daniel Agger, who last night agreed a contract extension, coming in for Martin Skrtel.
 
Albert Riera is the other change, replacing Fernando Torres who does not make the bench.
 
The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera. Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Ngog, Dossena, Babel, Lucas, El Zhar. 

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164241090503-1240.htm
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Bad news, Torres
Still looks like a team capable of beating Toon any day. Torres out, pre-match prediction, 4-0 to us

[crouchinho]

About time Agger gets a game. That side is easily good enough.

7-0. Gerrard - 3, Benny - 2, Alonso - 1 and Dirk with 1.

[ayrton77]

About time Agger gets a game. That side is easily good enough.

Agreed on both points!

Come on Reds, let's get into them from the off and pound them into submission!

[chats]

Disappointed to see no Nemeth on the bench.

[danny8t4]

Who will play as the leading striker? Will they try Gerrard Up top?

[Adryan]

I was hoping Fernando will score 5 but looks like none! .

[crouchinho]

Uh, Kuyt?

[Ross]

Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Agger Aurelio
         Alonso Mascherano
Benayoun                       Riera
              Gerrard
              Kuyt

I guess...

[crouchinho]

Anyone be kind enough to inform me how long in minutes until kick off? Would be much appreciated.

[Ross]

Anyone be kind enough to inform me how long in minutes until kick off? Would be much appreciated.

Around 35 mins mate

[redsonfire]

Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Agger Aurelio
         Alonso Mascherano
Benayoun                       Riera
              Gerrard
              Kuyt

I guess...

Spot on. Also reckon that Gerrard and Kuyt roles are interchangable because of Gerrard's shooting ability. So when Kuyt drops deep, we'll see Gerrard in a 'Torres' role up front. Good to see Benni getting sucessive games, never doubted his ability since he signed for us from West Ham.
All in all, good team, look to see Agger pushing up and providing the attack with support.

[danny8t4]

                   REINA
ARBY    CARRA   AGGER   AURELIO

           ALONSO  MASCH
KUYT                              RIERA
                 YOSSI
                    GERRARD

My variation of what I think Rafa could do.

[samylfc]

 Shame about Torres but nothing to worry about, that is a good enough side to beat anybody, never mind the magpies. Good to see Agger back in the first 11, we could see an other cracker from him.
 Let's start full blast and finish that game by half-time. Newcastle will not go for it as shearer expect us to beleive, I mean I'm happy for him to do so but that would be just suicidal.
Let's hope we can score an other 4 at least to make sure goal differences stays in our favor. A clean sheet would be welcome, been a while now.

Disappointed to see no Nemeth on the bench.

I can understand your disappointment, but with us still in the title race Babel, Ngog and El Zhar are a safer choice.

Come on Reds! Make us proud!

[Ross]

Personally I don't think Gerrard is suited to the out and out striker role. He could play there, and I have no doubt he would do a decent job of it but I think he'll always be better just behind where he makes decisions and more influence on the ball.

[redsonfire]

Going to be flexible I guess and if Newcastle were to mark man to man, they'll be in for sh*te. Notice carefully that the attacking quarlet is flexible in adapting to different positions, so I believe we'll see them confusing the defence by dragging the team around. Especially on the our right, Enrique's missing out, so we'll see Kuyt, Yossi and Gerrard all flocking there from time to time, So if Kuyt goes to the right, we'll be seeing Benayoun pushing to the centre and Gerrard up front.

As I said, interchangable and flexible formation. If they switch positions effectively and if Newcastle do man to man, they're in deep sh*te. Would only exploit spaces for others like Agger to come on and push up and attack. Riera would be probably instructed to drift in to the centre rather than down the left at times, with Aurelio pushing up because it is centre where there is Gerrard and that is where it would be vital for the game to be won.

Yea, just like what danny said on the variations. There are lots of variations, so theres more flexibility instead of a rigid system and I think this is where the game would be won.

Just my couple of pennies worth.

[Ross]

Anybody got the Newcastle line-up? I want to see how sh*t it is .

[danny8t4]

Personally I don't think Gerrard is suited to the out and out striker role. He could play there, and I have no doubt he would do a decent job of it but I think he'll always be better just behind where he makes decisions and more influence on the ball.

I agree mate. I think he can do the Striker role to a high standard though. He has proven over 10 years his finishing is 2nd to none.

I would like to see him trying to play there for the 2nd half after we go in at half-time 4-0 up.

[danny8t4]

Anybody got the Newcastle line-up? I want to see how sh*t it is .

I know Barton is starting, rumours that Butt and Smith starting too.

[crouchinho]

Have to say, some people are adamant Kuyt will not play up top. Isnt that who played last time up top without Fernando? I've no doubt he'll be the official striker up top but probably a roving role also.

[zz19a]

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Babel, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Duff, Smith, Butt, Martins, Barton, Lovenkrands, Viduka. Subs: Krul, Nolan, Guthrie, Owen, Gutierrez, Edgar, Carroll.

[redsonfire]

NUFC: Steven Harper, Habib Beye, Damien Duff, Sebastian Bassong, Fabricio Coloccini, Nicky Butt (c), Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Peter Lovenkrands, Oba Martins, Mark Viduka.
Subs: Tim Krul, Kevin Nolan, Michael Owen, Danny Guthrie, Andy Carroll , David Edgar, Jonas Gutierrez.

Good to see a couple of our players coming back but they're not playing

Anybody got the Newcastle line-up? I want to see how sh*t it is .

[Billo]

babel shud have been in the starting line up instead of riera.

[redsonfire]

babel shud have been in the starting line up instead of riera.

Why? Me thinks he isnt a good team player.

[crouchinho]

NUFC: Steven Harper, Habib Beye, Damien Duff, Sebastian Bassong, Fabricio Coloccini, Nicky Butt (c), Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Peter Lovenkrands, Oba Martins, Mark Viduka.
Subs: Tim Krul, Kevin Nolan, Michael Owen, Danny Guthrie, Andy Carroll , David Edgar, Jonas Gutierrez.

Good to see a couple of our players coming back but they're not playing

If we dont destroy that side, my name is Earl.

[danny8t4]

Is that team showing Duff as a LB then?

[Adryan]

I wonder if Stevie is gonna go celebrating if we win... MsGerrard better keep him at home!

[redsonfire]

I wonder if Stevie is gonna go celebrating if we win... MsGerrard better keep him at home!

Was thinking what was it all about at first.. But then had a great laugh afterwards!

[crouchinho]

I wonder if Stevie is gonna go celebrating if we win... MsGerrard better keep him at home!

Lets hope we sneak one then eh?

[Semple]

Gutted not to see Torres play- its slightly frustrating that we haven't been able to pair him and Stevie G for a while. I hope the lads don't go into the game thinking this is an easy win. They have to keep a level head and make sure they get the win.

[KingTorres-9]

glad to see agger playing I think he will score today

shame about torres but we will still hammer them