Pre-match Liverpool V FC Gomel 9/8/12 3rd rd qualifying game. 8.05 KO

V

So here we go again, our first home competitive game of the 2012/13 season.

After last week's win in Belarus by a slender 1-0 margin and a lovely taken goal by Stewart Downing, will we bag a hatful of goals at Anfield on Thursday to give Brendan and the boys a convincing victory for the next round or will we struggle at home as we did so much last season?

Will we see Suarez make an appearance? I hope so, even if it's just for the last 15 minutes, he'll be gagging for a game I reckon 

I hope we put on a decent display for the fans, I will be cheering the lads on to victory from the KOP.

Brendan needs to get the lads up and running ready for our game at West Brom the following week, with a friendly sandwiched inbetween on Sunday against Sami's Bayer Leverkusen.

Let's hope whoever plays gives 100% and more, just to show the world, we mean business.

I'm going for a 3-1 victory to the Mighty Red Men 

Think we may struggle to score again in this game, but hoping we get a couple late on when they have to come out a bit more. Borini on his home debut and it's time Gerrard knocked one in again.  Hope Agger plays and puts to bed the rumours, not as sure Carroll will.

                           Reina

Johnson         Skrtel     Agger          Enrique

           Gerrard      Lucas    Adam

       Downing      Borini    Morgan/Stirling   

I think Shelvey may perhaps be being saved for a loan as part of the Allen deal.

2-0 to Liverpool with hopefully a better performance to go with the result this time.

     

Borini to get a brace. 2-0.

I think we'll struggle to score. If we don't bag one in the first half then things could get interesting...

2-0.

Pacheco's GOT to get a look in for me.

Reina*
Johnson  Skrtel  Agger  Enrique
Spearing
   Gerrard   Henderson
Downing   Carroll**   Borini

*Assuming he can go
**If he stays.

Some obvious assumptions on my part

edit: Suarez, Pacheco, Shelvey off the bench

I don't think there will be a bag full of goals. However, we are nearing the end of pre-season and I expect the lads to pick up performances a bit. I reckon Pepe will be thrown in the mix. Agger is a doubt, what with everything about his future being passed around of late. Think Suarez will come on at some point but won't start. Looking forward to being back at Anfield and standing on the Kop again.

I think Lucas will need to get 45 minutes off the bench in this game to get him up to speed before the league season kicks off.  I also agree with RedMosquito in that I would like to see Pacheco given an opportunity in this game.  He looked good in preseason, and I think he could be a good squad player this season.  I'd like to see:

                  Pepe
Johno  Skrtel  Agger  Enrique
        Gerrard   Adam
                Shelvey
Downing   Suarez   Borini

Bring Lucas in at half time.  Give Pacheco a 30 minute run out.  If things are going well with 10 minutes left, then give one of the youngsters like Robinson, Adorjan, Sterling, Morgan, etc a little run out. 

need to be way better than we were the other nite , that was shocking

ynwa

I think that I will go for a 2-0 win, although no idea what the side will be. It would be nice for a few goals to go in but always seem to make it hard for ourselves, especially at home.

Dunno about not scoring in this match as some are a tad apprehensive, i reckon we will SMASH Em ! WE are Liverpool Fc FF's, they will be f***in brickin it i'm sure, i'm so confident i've decided to pick the side, hope you don't mind Brendan  ,.....
                                              Pepe
                            Kelly      Skrtle  Coates  Enrique
                                              Lucas
                                   Gerrard          Shelvey
                               Suarez      Borini   Pacheco

Bench;  Doni, Johnson, Agger/Carra, Hendo, Bellers, Carroll, Downing

              ^^^^^^^ no it's not Don Johnson

Time we put a marker down and show the world we are a serious threat,
i would use the next two games for players to prove they are worth a place V the Baggies, a nice wee incentive for the lads to think about, we have a difficult friendly against Sami's lot,where we will probably have two different sides for each half, out of which Brendan's 1st league 11 will be chosen, i'm hoping by the second half V Dortmund we will see something close to what will be that 1st 11, with most of our big guns getting pitch time.

                       IBWT        YNWA

They should all be at least 75% physically recharged and well up for this match...and if the're not then the MASSIVE welcome Brendan will get for his first home game in charge at KO should boost them another 35%...no excuse for me.....new season , new kit , nice new pitch , new manager , new attitude , new ideas , new faces , new era !!....can't wait !!
2-0 up at half time , then throw Suarez on for a laugh !!...

Just on the Suarez situation. He has been playing and training regularly with the Uraguay squad for the Olympics. He is more match fit than anyone else we have.

I understand that Rodgers isn't used to Luis and it may take time for them to work as well as we hope. Well with the exception of Borini everyone else in that squad knows exactly what to expect from Luis and how to play with him. I don't think it is completely far fetched to think he may start on Thursday?

I'm not saying I expect him to start, just that we have him back, he's fit, surely Brendan will give it considerable thought?

With Luis' return I think there's a player that may have flown under the radar for this week. Sebastian Coates played very well at the Olympics and it was unfortunate so many of his teammates under performed. If the Agger situation is still on going to the point it was last week that he can't/won't play then step up Coates. Like Luis he is fitter than the other lads, he's already got himself back into the competitive mindset. I think we have all accepted that Carragher will take a back seat from here on and most people want to see Kelly and Coates get a few games at centre half this season. He is a quality defender and a game like this could do him the world of good.

Expect Pepe to start and Luis to come on from the bench.

Just hope we look more fluid than the first leg as theres only 90minutes of action after this game before our league season starts.

Would like to see Kelly given a go at centre back alongside Skrtel in case the Agger rumours are true.

I'd love to see Luis start but  coming from the bench seems most likely. I would like to see this line-up:

------------------------Reina---------------------
---Kelly---------Carra-------Agger-----Robbo
---------Spearing-----Lucas-----Gerrard-----
--Suarez/Sterling----Carroll-------Downing-

YNWA. Good luck reds.

JFT96

Can't see Luis starting, but certain he'll be on the bench and he'll be itching to get on, fancy seeing him get 20/30 mins in the second half.

Can't see Luis starting, but certain he'll be on the bench and he'll be itching to get on, fancy seeing him get 20/30 mins in the second half.

Love to see at least 45 

Would like to see Kelly given a go at centre back alongside Skrtel in case the Agger rumours are true.

Was just thinking the same thing. He's a  big strong lad, he's got good pace and is pretty comfortable on the ball. I'd like to see him in the middle again to see how he handles it.

no way, Skrtel and Agger start this one, they are our best defenders. let Kelly play centre against Leverkusen.

After all the stuff in the press and being talked about on the forum, seriously cannot wait for this game. To have the opportunity to forget about all this sh*te for an hour and a half plus watch the Reds again at Anfield. Come on Redmen!

Not long to go now and we can actually talk about what we see on the field.
Can you imagine how Brendan must feel at his first home game as manager.
Personally I cant wait for the 1st Sept so we can get on with Football .Play our strongest possible team and get them a good work out the prem is only days away now.

I really hope we put a strong team out for this with Gerrard, Suarez, Borini, Agger, Lucas and Reina all starting.

what are the rules for posting on here are we allowed to say what we think or will the topic be blocked.