Pre-Match Thread: Liverpool V Aston Villa

A win this time for sure, with Mario scoring on his home debut, 3 1 for the Reds.

Attack from the start, and be 4 up at half time.

Bang on! What a line-up...

Reason for not playing Sterling = hes 19 lets not burn him out

Respectfully disagree sir. You're right, we should treat the young lad with care, but  there's no need to drop him when he's playing well, full of energy and on form.The time to rest him would be if he looks a bit jaded and a few passes start to go astray. Then he'll need a rest.

I think we have to be careful as usual with Villa. BR got the tactics wrong in January (bold claim, I know). We played a very high defensive line with limited defensive midfield cover. Against the pace of Agbonlahor, Benteke and Delph, we suffered on the counter attack time and time again. I'd love to see something like

                                            Mignolet
                           Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno

                                   Can/Hendo      Gerrard

                                              Llalana
                           Markovic                     Sterling           
                                            Balotelli

Those two points dropped in Jan still hurt, time to make up for it. Fat Cole might make an appearance against a team he so "lit up". I'm going for 3-0...simples.

Who voted for a Villa win FFS?

Who voted for a Villa win FFS?

Some muppet who only voted on the off chance we have a bad day and Villa win so he can come riding in on his high horse gloating how he was the one that voted a Villa win cus he knew we would lose because of his expert knowledge and blah blah f***in blah. F***ing dope whoever it is.

This is a hard game for us. We need to dominate the game from the first second and put them on the back foot for the 1st chance! We will win the hard way, I feel.

They are due a good hiding from us. I think we will tw*t them this time. Super Mario in with a double.

Who voted for a Villa win FFS?

Why do we even have voting as it is expected from every supporter to expect a win in every game.

Why do we even have voting as it is expected from every supporter to expect a win in every game.

Yep, I don't see the issue. Villa win at home? It's farcical and ill-conceived. This is where China have it right, you have to tell some people what to think and vote at all times because they cannot be trusted with their right to vote.

Why do we even have voting as it is expected from every supporter to expect a win in every game.

Exactly mate. The poll should be:

A. Liverpool win
B. Liverpool win
C. Liverpool win

Exactly mate. The poll should be:

A. Liverpool win
B. Liverpool win
C. Liverpool win

clearly you are wrong good sir


A. Liverpool win 3-0
B. Liverpool win 4-0
C. Liverpool win 4-3

Personally I wouldn't go with Markovic. Saw him for Serbia against France and he looked rubbish. I would stick with a more proven team for the time being:

Mig
Manquillo
Sakho
Lovren
Moreno
Gerrard
Hendo
Allen
Raheem
Lallana
Balotelli

Taking into account that Coutinho may be shagged from his two games including flight time and jet lag etc. Markovic on he bench.

Respectfully disagree sir.

Thats a great way to start a post after quoting someone. Fair play. Then followed it up with good points of your own. I like your style

What is the status on Henderson?

Personally I wouldn't go with Markovic. Saw him for Serbia against France and he looked rubbish. I would stick with a more proven team for the time being:

Mig
Manquillo
Sakho
Lovren
Moreno
Gerrard
Hendo
Allen
Raheem
Lallana
Balotelli

Taking into account that Coutinho may be shagged from his two games including flight time and jet lag etc. Markovic on he bench.

Why did he look sh*t mate?

What is the status on Henderson?

He trained yesterday, was on the pitch. Good news

He trained yesterday, was on the pitch. Good news

thanks clint, I think Henderson will be in the starting eleven

Skrtel, Johnson, Flanagan, Sturridge and Can out on Saturday. Allen is also likely to miss out with a knee injury.

Skrtel, Johnson and Flanagan wouldn't have made it to the starting formation anyways, since Manquillo-Lovren-Sakho-Moreno so that doesn't affect us much.

Hopefully Sturridge gets back before the derby; don't think we'll miss him much for the games before that.

Hopefully Allen will be fit for Champions League, would rest him even if he is ready for Villa.

2 of Lallana, Coutinho and Markovic will probably start.

Damn it, Can out for 6+ weeks 

Damn it, Can out for 6+ weeks

ah ffs...what's happening with our injury curse

We are entering a very winnable stretch of games coming up:  Villa, Ludogorets, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Everton, Basel, West Brom, & QPR.  Looking at that list I expect us to win at least 6, and only lose 1 (at most).  We have a great opportunity to build on the win at Spurs and generate some momentum and confidence over the next few weeks.    Let's start that off with a win at home against Villa!! 

It will be interesting to see how we line up for this one.  I think the back 6 is a pretty easy prediction with all of Migs, Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, and Gerrard seemingly nailed on to start.  Three of the front 5 are also nailed on with Hendo, Sterling, and Balotelli all certain to hold down their starting places.  That leaves 2 spots left for the likes of Allen, Coutinho, Lallana, and Markovic to contend for.  I would have put Can in the mix for a starting spot, but his injury removes his chance.  Also, one of Borini or Lambert could potentially get a chance in this game if BR opts to stick with a 4-4-2 diamond.  My guess is that BR will opt for a 4-3-3 with Balo as the lone CF, Allen and Coutinho starting, and Lallana and Markovic coming off the bench.  I think it will look like this:

Mig
Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno
Gerrard
Hendo    Allen
Sterling   Balo   Coutinho

Gonna predict a 3-1 win for the Reds with Balo scoring his first goal for the club and Moreno getting an assist!! 

Skrtel, Johnson, Flanagan, Sturridge and Can out on Saturday. Allen is also likely to miss out with a knee injury.

Just saw this.  Well, my guess is that Lallana will step in for Allen then.

Mig
Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno
Gerrard
Hendo    Lallana
Sterling   Balo   Coutinho

Mig
Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno
Gerrard
Hendo    Lallana
Sterling   Balo   Coutinho

I would swap Lallana and Coutinho, and move him to the center. Something like this

Migs
Manquillo Lovren Sakho Moreno
Henderson Stevie
Coutinho
Sterling Lallana
Mario

In a way, Borini's stance will now benefit us as we'll have some decent options from the bench. Jones, Lambert, Borini, Markovic, Lucas, Toure, Enrique will make the bench I guess. Injuries - Studge, Allen, Can, Flano, Johnson, Skrtel

Skrtel, Johnson, Flanagan, Sturridge and Can out on Saturday. Allen is also likely to miss out with a knee injury.

Ah FFS stupid F***ing internationals