Pre-Match Thread: Liverpool V Aston Villa

Skrtel back in training only Sunday
Allen has got a dodgy knee cos of the plastic pitch at Andorra
Johnson and Flano still some way to go
Sturridge out 3 weeks
Emre Can out 6+ weeks

Manquillo  Lovren  Sakho  Moreno
                   Gerrard
              Hendo    Coutinho (Suso)
         Sterling   Balo   Markovic (Lallana)

Wouldn't have wanted us to play with 2 defensive minded box-box players, so Allen and Can not being available should see us with 4 offensive players!

Personally, I prefer Coutinho centrally than Sterling, I feel we're able to control the middle better. Also, would love to see Suso play in the Coutinho position and Lallana to get 30 mins on the left side of attack.

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.

Well from what I saw he was clearly marked as the danger man by France as every time he received the ball he was swarmed by 3 French players. He was much better in the second half when he found a little more space, assisted Serbia's goal and almost set up a second. He definitely didn't look rubbish given the pressure France put him under. Can't wait to see him play more often for us.

Hopefully Henderson will start ahead of Lucas in the central role - really worry about us with Lucas in there I'm afraid.

I think the fact that Lucas fails to get a mention in many posts shows that he is well off what is needed these days.

I don't think Lucas will start an epl at home with Gerrarda again for a while, not after our performance in the opener at home to Saints. Gutting to see the injuries we have but comforting to know that we now have the squad to cope with them.

I reckon Villa will be tough, they have started the season very well and it wouldn't surprise me to see a tough 1-0 win where the lads have to dig really deep.

Is weird that from 65 photos, Balotelli is not in one of them: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/170575-villa-preparations-65-melwood-photos

Is weird that from 65 photos, Balotelli is not in one of them: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/170575-villa-preparations-65-melwood-photos

Hes camera shy Clint!

Hes camera shy Clint!

He is

He is

Maybe he's planning to wear a pair of kacks with writing on them vs. Villa (Y.N.W.A.) and is practicing his pull-down action. Or a strategy to distract Vlaar (not sure though if he's that way inclined).
Would be great to see him score in front of the cop on Saturday. C'mon Mario lad!!!!

He is

I agree to tight marking, but that looks like he's just been rogered by one of the centre backs.

Just think he he needs a pair that fits him

That is one sweaty ass. No chance i'd wear cotton undies when training! That must feel very yucky after an hour.

Um...i mean, 3-0 Liverpool.

Bib theory:

Mignolet

Manquillo
Sakho
Kolo
Moreno

Gerrard
Henderson
Lallana
Coutinho
Markovic

Lambert

Interesting!

It was mentioned on this weeks TAW podcast (brilliant by the way). Think Graham Kelly said it and he is a very good source.

Right.

You made it sound like you spend all your days at Melwood, emplyed by the club in some capacity.

Been hearing some really negative feedback from his training and fitness levels. Apparently hes not near up to expected work rate. Did look like he was running through mud when he came on against City or Saints.

Well he best get his F***ing finger out his arse when he returns from injury. This isn't the Bundesliga for god's sake.

given all the injuries, the picks itself:

Mignolet
Manquillo Sakho Lovren Moreno
Gerrard Henderson
Coutinho
Sterling Markovic
Balotelli

Bib theory suggests this will be the line up

Mignolet
Manquillo Toure Sakho Moreno
Henderson Gerrard Lallana
Coutinho Lambert Markovic

I think it could be a 4-2-3-1 with Cou behind Lambert & Lallana right, Markovic left, both cutting in & all the 3 swapping positions during the course of the game. A bit worried about the lack of pace in our CBs, otherwise pretty happy that we have good options this season. If that's the lineup, we'll have a pretty strong bench - Mario, Sterling, Borini, Lovren, Enrique, Lucas, Jones.

Oops, seems Crouchie has already posted it! 

Is weird that from 65 photos, Balotelli is not in one of them: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/170575-villa-preparations-65-melwood-photos

The 30th pic I think, the one with Moreno & Suso is simply brilliant. Hope the latter signs a contract and stays with us..

Eeek!

sh*t a brick at the thought of a Kolo and Sakho parntership.

Why would Lovern not play?

Right.

You made it sound like you spend all your days at Melwood, emplyed by the club in some capacity.

I wish. No im just an avid listener to all things liva.

Eeek!

sh*t a brick at the thought of a Kolo and Sakho parntership.

Why would Lovern not play?

Is Dejan injured too?