Pre-match Thread: Liverpool v Arsenal (13/12/09 - 16:00)

The anticipation is killing me.

Still 2 F***ing hours more!!

I'm quite liking the idea of.

                           Reina

Johnson          Carra     Agger          Aurelio
                    
                     Masch  
Gerrard                       Lucas          Benayoun
                     Aquilani
                                 Torres

I think I could really live with that.

I'm quite liking the idea of.

                           Reina

Johnson          Carra     Agger          Aurelio
                    
                     Masch  
Gerrard                       Lucas          Benayoun
                     Aquilani
                                 Torres

I think I could really live with that.

Same. But who's Aquilnai?

At the moment Kuyt deserves a dropping because despite how hard he's working, he ain't producing the goods. No player is bigger than the club and he isn't undroppable either. If he isn't playing well, then so be it, leave him on the bench.

My primary concern about this formation though, is, is it breaking the Gerrard-Torres axis up? We're so used to seeing Gerrard as a second striker, feeding balls off to Torres. Now if we put in a player who hasn't even have had a proper taste of EPL football, would he live up to the hype and perform well as a second striker, feeding the balls off to Torres? Bearing in mind that he hasn't properly established a clockwork understanding with Nando yet.

On paper, this formation looks really good, with all our star names in it. But on form, fitness and tactics, I might just question it.

I'm quite liking the idea of.

               Lucas       

 

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL: STARTING LINE UP AND PREDICTION

http://arsenal-opinion.com/2009/12/12/liverpool-v-arsenal-starting-line-up-and-predictionrp/

Before I start, let me just say, I’m not too confident going into this game. I don’t know why, maybe because we rarely get any change out of Liverpool in past outings, but mainly just because I’m just not feeling it.

Some people may argue that I’m a little negative and I need to get behind the team, but let me tell you right now, I’m totally behind the team (bar Diaby) but I just don’t fancy the game. I’d be happy to nick a draw at Anfield to be fair.

I’m predicting the following starting line-up tomorrow:

                      Almunia

Sagna     Gallas     Vermaelan     Traore

                Song     Denilson

                   Fabregas

                Walcott     Nasri

                       Arshavin

I’m going to go for a match prediction of 1-1 with a Fabregas opener for Arsenal.

I can see Torres causing a lot of problems for us tomorrow, and it should be up to Vermaelen or Gallas to crack him early doors. Once that happens, his arsehole goes. You’ll get the usual play-acting from Torres and Gerrard, it’s what you come to expect when you face Liverpool.

I wonder why Gerrard didn’t get too much publicity on MOTD last week for his blatant dive against Blackburn? Oh of course, he’s English and he doesn’t play for Arsenal.

Theres an Arsenal opinion and prediction for you lads, not too confident & happy with a draw.

My main concern is Arshavin who does well against us and Walcott, who probably has a point to prove in the Arsenal side.

Their defence is ropey though IMO.

Haven't really seen any Liverpool player mentioning revenge from the Carling Cup game, but that should weigh on the players minds as well.

C'mon JD, I don't slate the lad I'm honest about it him both about his abilities and lack of them in some cases, which is a lot more honest than blind support and declaring him as something he is not.

I hope Aquilani starts, and I really expect us to win this one. It's one of those games, when you KNOw we're going to bounce back. HOPE Aurelio starts, and not Insua.

The anticipation is killing me.

Still 2 F***ing hours more!!

  I know!! I'm the same. Less than two hours now.

If Aquilani doesn't start, Kuyt will. I cannot see anything other than Lucas and Masch in the middle given Rafa's history this season (not slating him, he just picks them two in all the big games and rightfully so).

But, i wouldn't mind a 4-4-2 either.

   Gerrard        Mascherano        Lucas         Benayoun

                      Ngog
                                    Torres

And Kuyt/Aquilani to come on and change things up. The only problem would be penetration through the middle of the park but Gerrard and Benny won't be getting their boots white for most of the game.

Or Benayoun in front of Gerrard, Lucas and Masch with Ngog and Torres up front.

Also lets Aurelio play left back. Insua v Walcott could leave us with nightmares the way he's going this season but i suppose same could be said of Walcott.

I'd agree with having Aurelio back.  Insua starting would send a shudder through my soul.

Going from the last big game Arsenal played (v Chelsea, 2 games ago in the league) it could potentially be:

  Arshavin                              Nasri

                     Eduardo

Meaning Insua v Arshavin, also.

Finally i get to watch my first Reds game in well over a month and a half.

Since we're almost back at full strength i'd like to see a confident performance, it'll probably be tight but i reckon we'll nick it.

Come on you Redmen.

Going to head out to the pub now in 5 minutes. Looking forward to this big time. The way things have been going, a win would be amazing but what I'm looking for this evening is a passionate, determined and confident display.

i predict we'll win by 2 goals, it'll be fantastic!

i predict we'll win by 2 goals, it'll be fantastic!

Your on the boards before a game? Wow.

Expecting a 3-2 victory today. Think we'll have just too much for Arsenal. Expecting Rafa to start Lucas instead of Aquilani, which is how i'd expect him to set up against a big four side. Then expect to see Aquilani in the 67th minute. If Aurelio is starting, then i expect to see Insua dropped. Don't want to see Aurelio on the left wing, not today anyway. Will he drop Kuyt? That's the big question i await the answer to. Really does need a kick up the arse.

One thing for sure, Arsenal will not come here and sit back, going to be one hell of a game. And with the results yesterday, this game takes on an even greater significance. Whether Rafa starts Aquilani or not will be key to the result. Come on you Reds, do us proud again!  

Be off down my mams in a bit feeling good about this today  been waiting for our season to start and i believe today will be that day ,a win today and things will seem a whole lot better,
                                                  come on redmen .

Bitta pre-match nerves kicking in now.

Anticipating the starting line-up - hope to see Nando in there.

Hope Torres and Aqualani both start

Got Radio City on to hear the team news.

Won't be long now!!

Kuyt plays.

Hope Torres and Aqualani both start

I don't know of any Aqualani's that play for Liverpool FC.