Pre-Match: FC Basel v Liverpool Weds 1st Oct 7:45 KO

After a much improved performance against Everton, a game which we unfortunate not to win, we travel to Switzerland to face FC Basel in the second group game of this years Champions League. 

I'm guessing Sturridge is the only injured player which could make the game as we haven't heard anything about Johnson or Allen returning, and we know Flanagan and Can are out for several more weeks.

If Sturridge is fit enough to make the squad I would go with this on Wednesday:

Mignolet

Manquillo
Skrtel
Lovren
Enrique

Henderson
Gerrard (c)

Sterling
Coutinho
Lallana

Balotelli

Subs: Jones; Sakho, Moreno; Lucas; Suso; Sturridge, Lambert.

I feel that side would get the job done and it would be nice to see Suso and Sturridge off the bench at some point.

I can see this being tight but I think we will win 1-0 with Balotelli scoring the goal.

YNWA!
 

I predicted 3-0 when JD placed the games on here and I'm sticking with the score as I think we'll get the 'Derby' out of our system, Balotelli to find top gear at last and Sturridge off the bench if he makes the squad!

Anyone else remember our last match there (I think) when we were 3-0 down at half time and came back to draw 3-3 back in November 2002? Wasn't enough to save us going through to the next round sadly.

Anyone else remember our last match there (I think) when we were 3-0 down at half time and came back to draw 3-3 back in November 2002? Wasn't enough to save us going through to the next round sadly.

We were indeed, think we scored 3 goals in 20 odd minutes or something. Cant believe that game is 12 years ago!!

Think that ex Spurs boss Christian Gross was in charge of them at the time?

Be a test for us this, hopefully Sturridge can make the bench and the defence can build on yesterdays quite solid display.

I'm in London this week so hopefully I'll find a Liverpool friendly boozer near to Holborn.

Not a clue on how we'll do. Hope to see Studge at some point.

Boom Boom!

Must be          Migs

 Manquillo       Skertl      Lovren      Moreno

                       Lucas

             Henderson     Allen

Coutinho                       Sterling

                   Balotelli

Stevie, Sterling and Lallana definitely need a break, so I wouldn't start them. It might be only good for Markovic to start more games as he is back from his ban. Enrique ahead of Moreno at LB

Migs
Manquillo-Skrtel-Lovren-Enrique
Lucas
Henderson-Coutinho
Borini-Mario-Markovic

Subs - Jones, Toure, Moreno, Gerrard, Sterling, Lallana, Sturridge

Would like to see us go with a diamond formation, but we seem to be favouring 4-2-3-1 in Sturridge's absence.

Lucas in for Gerrard?
Sturridge on the bench?

Balotelli up front with Sterling/Coutinho/Lallana in the 3 behind would be my choice.

This will be the game that turns our season around.

Same back 5.

           Lucas
Henderson  Sterling
         Coutinho
      Balotelli Borini

I think we can control that middle with that midfield 4 and with Balotelli playing as a target man.

Anyone else remember our last match there (I think) when we were 3-0 down at half time and came back to draw 3-3 back in November 2002? Wasn't enough to save us going through to the next round sadly.

Didn't Houllier blame Gerrard or something like that for the result?

Sounds like this place 2014. 

On a separate note, our season starts here. 

Didn't Houllier blame Gerrard or something like that for the result?

Sounds like this place 2014. 

On a separate note, our season starts here. 

That was before he was emulating Superman though!!

Didn't Houllier blame Gerrard or something like that for the result?

Sounds like this place 2014. 

To be fair Gerrard has admitted since that he was bloody awful in that game. I think his parents were splitting up at the time?

It will be interesting to see how Brendan sets us up for this game. I think we will put out our strongest team, win this and we should be as good as through?

                              Mignolet

 Manquillo        Skrtel      Lovren       Moreno

                           Gerrard
          Henderson              Lallana

                         Coutinho

                  Sterling    Balotelli

Hopefully Sturridge will get a run out once we have the game won. Would love a clean sheet but going for 3-1 

Lets hope we get another three points .

Lets hope we get another three points .

Yes, just get the 3 points. 


 

Lets hope we get another three points .

Any which way we can.

I'd just swap Markovic with Coutinho for this one. We looked better when Coutinho came on in the derby, in terms of shape. Surely Basel won't sit back against us at home. The pressure is on them to pick up some points for this one. Lets blast them on the counter Euro style.

Not what we want,  but a draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world.  With his European experience, Markovic might be suited to this kind of match than the premier league, so I'd start him in this game.
I'm really hoping Sturridge plays,  if he does, I can see us nicking a win.  2-1 Liverpool.

3 points would be fantastic if we want to progress out of the group as I'm not expecting much from the Madrid games but a draw wouldn't be the end of the world.

Not sure about the team, thankfully that's for the Manager to decide 

Have gone for a 2-1 win for the Reds in the Prediction League. After all Real Madrid battered them 5-1 if I can remember correctly. Think I will be off to the Local to watch the game. Hopeful that Sturridge features at some stage of the game.

Win here puts us in a great position to get through so I'd play our strongest team and leave the 2-3 changes for the weekend game against WBA.

Assuming Sturridge and Allen aren't fit enough to start:

Mignolet; Manquillo, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson, Lallana, Coutinho; Sterling, Balotelli.

I know many think that Gerrard should be rested, but I think his range of passing is still vital for us and he'll be able to rest up during the upcoming international break. Might be worth subbing him off for Lucas at some point though. Sterling on the other hand is someone who could do with a rest here for me. Sturridge has to start if possible as we've looked shocking up front without his movement and finishing, but if he isn't ready then move Coutinho to the centre and play Markovic on the right.

I don't expect us to score loads but I do think we'll be a lot better defensively, so gone for a 1-0. Just hope that we don't revert to standing off them when trying to close the game out!