Portsmouth v Liverpool (Sat 15th Sep - 12.45pm)

Time to start looking ahead to our weekend game.

We will be looking for revenge for that penalty defeat that took the Asia Trophy away from us
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,3542.0.html

Portsmouth had a good season last year, and are always a tricky place to go to.  They have put in good performances against the big teams in a difficult start to the season for them, but unfortunately haven't got a big points haul yet.

Let's hope it DOESNT start on Saturday for them.

I believe we have the quality to turn them over this season and hopefully Cara will be fit to start, think it is our hardest test to date and will be a close game and the first goal will be all important

Difficult game this one I have said a draw. I don't think we will get beat and could possibly sneek it 1-2! Here's hoping!

The plan will be to consolidate the start of our season and stay at the top of the league. Portsmouth is a good test but I can still see us getting the three points in a professional manner. We will need to do what we have done so far which is keeping the ball and be patient. Gerrard will be happy to be back in the squad, as Carra, Crouch and Torres to start.

Unless a magic performance from James, Liverpool to win 2-1.

I can't watch the game  :'( . I will be on the beach

I believe we now have the quality to turn over anyone in the Premiership.

The question is do we start withe team that kicked off against Derby or given that we have a Tuesday European fixture will Rafa ring the changes?

I don't think it matters as we can now field two extremely strong sides.  I do however feel the defence always looks more solid with Cara at the core.

Mmm, a sticky one. Looking at Portsmouth, they are sure to give any number of the the top sides an uncomfortable time BUT, I'm going to say that we'll buck the trend, confound the experts and bar the odd attempt on goal from Harry's men, we'll run out 2-0 winners.

We just have better players and more class.

How's that for 3-points-in-the-bag-optimism...

looking at pompey against arsenal they were very slow to get to the ball  arsenal played around us .ya they beat us 2-1 last season  only because rafa rung the changes cause of the champs league and two mistakes by dudek

I hope I'm wrong, but I think this game will be a draw, 2-2, it will be quite difficult down there especially after the break we've had.

Torres and Gerrard to score

The caution shown by everyone in their predictions is not without justification, but i feel that with the return to fitness of key players and the quality we have, we should be good enough to beat Pompey...especially if we want to consider ourselves title contenders.

I agree with Oldred on us having the quality to turn anyone over in the Premiership lately. But I do feel it'll be a really tough test to get the three points. Pompey are a very dogged and determined team, so we're gonna have to be very careful in possession. I think patience will be the key. I'm hoping we can create a couple of decent chances and to take at least one of them.

Tight game, but the mighty reds come out one nil winners!

I'm not so sure that Rafa will start with Gerrard.He has just recovered from an injury and in all probability will play the full 90 minutes again against Russia.I think he will be on the bench.

Most Portsmouth players will be fresh having not played in midweek.I think it will be a 1-1 draw although i hope that im wrong and we can get all 3 points

we'll win it 2-0 i think we are too hot to handle at the moment they will be tricky but i think it will take a better team to stop us
 

I think Sol Cambell is out again for the weekend and without him they do tend to struggle a bit in defence. When Cambell and Primus were in defence for them last season they looked a bloody good outfit but without those two they will be ripe for the taking. We just have watch for that freak Taylor who can do a Xabi from inside his own half. But with not such a good start to the season this time round I think we can win this one 2-0 or maybe 2-1 but we have to treat them with a lot more caution than Derby or Scumberland, I say just get the ball to my new best friend Torres and let him run rings round em.

I expect Stevie will play as I think Masch has had a long flight to represent Argentina and we would not risk Leiva or Yossi.

Two nill to us i reckon and Torres to consider his scoring form.

This could be quite a tight game,Games after international matches are always a little more challenging.Pompey will be well up for upsetting one of the 2top four"i hope i am wrong ,but i can see this being a draw.

The way Liverpool have played this season, and the way the players have settled in there positions, I believe a win is on the cards.
Look at the way Portsmouth played us in Hong Kong. The had 1 goalkeeper and 10 men behind the ball.
Yes they will attack more when they play us at home - they have to, but now we have the players to open up there defence and convert the chances.

In Hong Kong we battered them off the park, but we failed to create / convert our chances. This was down to new players settling in and probably under confidence.
Look at us now, we have goals in us from all over the place, confidence is sky high and players who are not only playing for there position - but for the club also.

I'm going for a 2 - 0 win.
Crouch and Pennant.

I would be surprised if Gerrard plays.  I think England will have over-exerted him - damn MacClaren!

Even though I had questioned Alonso at the start of the season he made me eat my words in the last game and I would like to see him and the excellent Mascherano start.

Portsmouth have come on leaps and bounds under Redknapp to the point that they're serious contenders for a UEFA Cup spot this season. However there is one department in which they are lacking, pace. With this in mind I would opt for a line up of:

                  Reina

Finnan     Carra   Agger   Arbeloa

Pennant  Masch  Sissoko   Babel

           Voronin   Torres

I would leave Gerrard out for this one if he plays for England as expected, I feel Masch can do a good enough job defensively, Sissoko will provide a lot of energy in the midfield, and we will have enough attacking threat from the wings & upfront to do without him for this one. I would still name him on the bench just in case. Carra to me is a little more important for this one, and unless his recovery hits a setback I feel he needs to be in the team, we haven't looked the same defensively without him there.

With the form we're currently in I expect Redknapp to take quite a cautious approach to this game, not quite as cautious as in Hong Kong but I feel they will keep it pretty tight. In Pennant, Babel, Torres & Voronin we have the players to break them down, but I'm not expecting goals galore like we've had recently. I'm going to go for 1-0 in this one.

Portsmouth have come on leaps and bounds under Redknapp to the point that they're serious contenders for a UEFA Cup spot this season. However there is one department in which they are lacking, pace. With this in mind I would opt for a line up of:

                  Reina

Finnan     Carra   Agger   Arbeloa

Pennant  Masch  Sissoko   Babel

           Voronin   Torres

I'd pick this team also - but wouldn't be surprised if you see Ging playing LM and Kuyt up top with Torres.

Even though I had questioned Alonso at the start of the season he made me eat my words in the last game and I would like to see him and the excellent Mascherano start.

I've got a feeling Alonso's appearance in the reserves means he'll be sitting this one out.

I've got a feeling Alonso's appearance in the reserves means he'll be sitting this one out.

Maybe he played that as he will not be playing a midweek international like Stevie? And I think Mascherano arrives back from Australia on friday so that would make him doubtful?

Actually is this game at 3pm or is it at 12:45? Anybody confirm?

Actually is this game at 3pm or is it at 12:45? Anybody confirm?

12:45 on Setanta.

12:45 on Setanta.

Umm I think not chuck. Its on sky sprots at 12.45 ya dumb redneck. Oh and btw did I happen to mention

SKY SPORT IS F***ing FREE THIS WEEKEND FOR EVERYONE SO GET THE F***ing BEERS YEAH!!!!!!!!

Masch jet lagged, Gerard tired, Has finnan recovered from his injury with Ireland?  Under normal cicumstances I would say we would win this 2-0 at least following our impresive start. Now I think it will be a bit of a closer game. James hasn't hit top form yet this season so I will still go for a narrow win for us. 1-0 or 2-1

I will be watching in thailand... enjoy the south coast boys

Umm I think not chuck. Its on sky sprots at 12.45 ya dumb redneck. Oh and btw did I happen to mention

SKY SPORT IS f***ing FREE THIS WEEKEND FOR EVERYONE SO GET THE f***ing BEERS YEAH!!!!!!!!

Really? I could have sworn they were advertising it on Setanta!

sh*t your right! Just checked! Its on Sky Sports 1.

I think the score will be 2-1 to us. As great as we are doing at the moment, we can't forget how very good James is too!

I think as long as we don't get beat down there it's a good result

Although manure kick off against everton 45 minutes before us and a win will take them top of the league, bad times

Come on Redmen, lets continue the excellent start

I think as long as we don't get beat down there it's a good result

Personally I think anything less than a win is a bad result. I won't accept us losing against anyone, but the only teams I can understand us dropping points against are Utd, Chelsea & Arsenal.

I understand what your saying, we should be beating pompey away if we want to challenge for the title, i'd take one point instead of a defeat

I understand what your saying, we should be beating pompey away if we want to challenge for the title, I'd take one point instead of a defeat

Absolutely, one point is better than none. I think the main thing is our approach to the game, which TBH I don't think should be a problem. I can accept a draw if we were playing like we were trying to win, but if we appear to be holding on for the point then that is unacceptable for me.

I'm actually really worried about this match, Gerrard was too tired, McLaren work him out and then comfort us, the fan with this kind of thing:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156954070912-0836.htm

He sure know how furious boss Rafa Benitez and LiverpoolFC's fan about the fact that he push Gerrard out just after his injury recoved. Mascherano too, he must be tired, returning from Australia, most all of our pillars have to play to thiers nationnals teams, so I guess Portsmouth is a real deal now.

I think the lineup will be:

                                        Reina

      Finnan                Hyypia                        Agger          Riise/Arbeloa

     Pennant       Gerrard/Sissoko       Mascherano/Alonso          Babel

                               Kuyt              Torres/Voronin

About the score, I hope LiverpoolFC will win, 2-1 will do.

I didn't see the Derby game as i was in T'gypt so i dont know if the score flattered us or we are in red hot form, going on previous games and increasing confidence that we will actually make a fight of the title this year i am going for a 2-1 win with Torres and a JAR rocket to take the points.
Granted i have never liked going down to Pompey as they are never easy games, but if we can keep building on the good start we have made then self belief will continue to grow especially if we nick 3 points from tricky games like this one.

Good to have you back Glenbuck.

Will we be able to look forward to more of your excellent comments on the site, you have been truly missed.

Welcome back

Welcome back Glenbuck

Just in time to set a couple of quiz questions for Friday

Good to have you back Glenbuck.

Will we be able to look forward to more of your excellent comments on the site, you have been truly missed.

Welcome back

Im touched, yes i know you new that already but many thanks anyway love

Welcome back Glenbuck

Just in time to set a couple of quiz questions for Friday

You swine Venners and here's me only just out the Priory due to the last Quiz! youve got more chance of Amy Winehouse doing a quiz mate

Glad to read you again Glenbuck.

I also would leave Gerrard out of this one, as a few of you mentioned Mascherano can cope defensively although I would prefer Alonso to MOMO in the middle just for the pass quality. we will have to play with a hight tempo straight on and with an early goal it should be okay.

From .tv our last 5 results away to Pompey

Portsmouth 2-1 Liverpool
Premiership – April 2007
 
With a top four spot already in the bag and a Champions League semi-final against Chelsea just days away, Rafa Benitez opted to leave Messrs Gerrard, Carragher and Reina on Merseyside. In came Emiliano Insua for his Reds debut, as well as departing legends Jerzy Dudek and Robbie Fowler. The latter hit the back of the net on 11 minutes, only to be denied by the linesman, and it was Pompey who led at the break thanks to goals from Mwaruwari Benjani and Niko Kranjcar. A Sami Hyypia header narrowed the deficit on 58 minutes but a couple of fine saves from David James late on meant Liverpool headed back up the M3 empty handed.
 
Portsmouth 1-3 Liverpool
Premiership – May 2006
 
Liverpool's 10th win on the bounce meant they'd achieved their highest ever points total in the Premiership. The result was secured thanks to goals from Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse, though the game was marred by the sight of Xabi Alonso being carried from the pitch after falling awkwardly. The Spaniard was now a doubt for the following week's FA Cup final in Cardiff.
 
Portsmouth 1-2 Liverpool
FA Cup – January 2006
 
Rafa's Reds ensured their name would be in the fifth round draw with first-half strikes from skipper Steven Gerrard and John Arne Riise. The opener came when Pompey captain Dejan Stefanovic handled in the box on 36 minutes. His Liverpool counterpart made no mistake from the spot. Minutes later Riise beat Dean Kiely with a terrific left-foot strike from the edge of the area. A second-half effort from Sean Davis roused the Fratton Park faithful, and though Stefanovic then came a little too close with a curling free-kick, the visitors proved too resilient. Next up on the road to Cardiff were Manchester United.
 
Portsmouth 1-2 Liverpool
Premiership – April 2005
 
Liverpool made sure they stayed within touching distance of fourth-placed Everton following goals from Fernando Morientes and Luis Garcia. The visitors were in front after just four minutes when John Arne Riise caused havoc with a right-wing cross. Morientes was in the right place at the right time to make it the worst possible start for new Pompey boss Alain Perrin. His side did manage a slight reprieve before half-time through Diomansy Kamara, though a fine header from five-foot-seven of football heaven (his 12th goal of the season) ensured the points were going to Merseyside.

I always thought our away form at pompey wasnt that good 4 out of 5 isnt bad. confident 1-0 crouch the scorer

i think finnan's still out injured, anyone got updates?

probable line up, considering fresher legs...

reina
arbeloa hyypia agger riise
pennant alonso sissoko babel
kuyt crouch

predict 1-1 draw...hoping for 2-0 win...

Anything less than a win will really be a bad result.if we want to be challenging for the titles then we shouldn't expect to draw these games these are the ones we have to win in order to win the title. Draw just isn't good enough yes they a good team but we are better with more quality in every position so we should win this.If this is our season no excuses will accepted on games like these.

I heard on the news this morning that Rafa was again complaining about having to play Pompey in the early kick off tomorrow after a week of internationals.

I understand where he is coming from.  There is no time to train the team in preparation for the game and properly assess the knocks, strains and fitness of the returning players.  But I do wonder if there is also a little bit of psychology going on here.  Could it be that the message to Pompey is that they can relax as we will not be at our best?

Just a thought.    

Latest news for the match.

REFEREE
Mike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire)


Portsmouth centre-back Sol Campbell, who had groin and hamstring problems, and striker Benjani Mwaruwari (neck) are back.

Recent midfield signing Papa Bouba Diop is also in line to make his debut.

Liverpool expect to have centre-back Jamie Carragher available after a broken rib, while defender Steve Finnan is battling to overcome a knee injury.

Steven Gerrard's broken toe will be assessed after his two outings for England but he should be available.


Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin, Hreidarsson, Utaka, Muntari, Davis, Taylor, Kanu, Benjani, Lauren, Kranjcar, Mendes, Diop, Nugent, Pamarot, Traore, Hughes, Ashdown.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Sissoko, Babel, Kuyt, Crouch, Torres, Voronin, Finnan, Itandje.


Victory tomorrow would give us 13 points after the first five matches, and make it our best ever start in this league.

We have yet to concede a league goal in open play so far this season. The goals we have let in away to Aston Villa and home to Chelsea were both scored from the penalty spot. Not conceded in 208 minutes (three hours 28 minutes) of Premier League football, since Frank Lampard's spot-kick equaliser on 19 August.


 

I'm looking forard to this game actually think it's another 3 points with Torres getting both.

I'd say we should rest Gerrard but I bet he starts anyway.

Looks like Finnan will be sidelined due to his recent injury so that could prove tricky at the back, but at least Carra is back!

I hope we have not lost the momentum with the international games.