West Bromwich Albion vs Liverpool - Pre-match thread

On Fox Sports 2 Viewers Choice at 11.53pm here in Oz.

Can't really believe the season is here already.  Must win game to show intent early on - games like this are where we really need to improve our points tally this season.  Two new managers, but we must surely have too much for them on Saturday - 2-0. 

The managers bring a nice bit of added spice to this encounter. Clarke will, no doubt, have been working with the baggies defence and Brendan will have been working on his "penetration". (Oo... er... missus)

I fancy we'll have too much, by way of an in form Suarez and Gerrard, not to come away with a victory. We'll be too strong at the back, have too much quality in midfield and with a front three, buzzing like wasps on speed, West Brom won't know what hit them.

Clarke said in his presser that our squad last season was a top four squad.  Carroll, Downing, Henderson, Adam.  Oh dear.

Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Lucas
Gerrard Sahin
Suarez Borini Assaidi

yes, please.

West Brom coach Steve Clarke insists Brendan Rodgers needs to deliver Liverpool a Champions League finish

By John Percy 10:00PM BST 16 Aug 2012

Clarke, Kenny Dalglish’s No 2 at Liverpool last season, was sacked shortly after the manager in June and will face his former employers in his first match in charge of West Brom on Saturday.

Clarke claims the pair were confident of delivering a top-four finish this season had they not been punished for finishing eighth in the Premier League. Liverpool did reach two cup finals, lifting the Carling Cup.

“Kenny and I did well,” Clarke said. “We came in at a difficult time. We stabilised the club and got them into a good position. We reached two cup finals and put together a decent squad. I know for a fact, because I spoke to Kenny at the end of last season, that we didn’t envisage not being at Liverpool because we talked about our prospects for the coming season.

“We both agreed that top four this time was a realistic target for this squad. I accept that the ultimate benchmark is the Premier League and we did come a little bit short.

“But when you look at the team we were starting to assemble – to reach two domestic cup finals is not an easy achievement. Not too many teams do it. Kenny and I were sure, with the group we had, that Liverpool would be in the top four this season. And now the owners have said that top four is not imperative for the current campaign – I don’t believe that.

“A club like Liverpool have to be challenging for the top four. I don’t think the club or the fans can expect anything less.”

Clarke, a former colleague of Rodgers’ at Stamford Bridge, said he was looking forward to his first match in charge of West Brom.

“It’s my first chance to be in charge of a team in the Premier League and that’s extra exciting for me,” he said.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9481473/West-Brom-coach-Steve-Clarke-insists-Brendan-Rodgers-needs-to-deliver-Liverpool-a-Champions-League-finish.html

^^^ I wish people wouldn't put all this pressure on Rodgers, before a ball has even been kicked in the Premiership.

The more I see/hear what Rodgers has to say the more I like him, he's under a huge amount of pressure and I, for one, is backing him all the way.

He'll be under no illusion as to what he needs to do, I hope people are patient with him and let him get on with the job in hand. Starting with a very precious 3 points at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon. But I certainly won't be calling for his head if we don't get them.

                  Reina

         Skrtel         Agger
Johnson                    Enrique

           Lucas      Allen
                Gerrard

   Suarez    Borini     Assaidi

Sub: Doni, Carra, Kelly, Shelvey, Downing, Caroll

                  Reina

         Skrtel         Agger
Johnson                    Enrique

           Lucas      Allen
                Gerrard

   Suarez    Borini     Assaidi

Sub: Doni, Carra, Kelly, Shelvey, Downing, Caroll

Sorry but i'm assuming you have never even seen Assaidi play and you think he should start already? Wow!

^^^ I wish people wouldn't put all this pressure on Rodgers, before a ball has even been kicked in the Premiership.

The more I see/hear what Rodgers has to say the more I like him, he's under a huge amount of pressure and I, for one, is backing him all the way.

He'll be under no illusion as to what he needs to do, I hope people are patient with him and let him get on with the job in hand. Starting with a very precious 3 points at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon. But I certainly won't be calling for his head if we don't get them.

Well said, Cas.

The owners have said that fourth place is not a necessity this season, so I'm not sure where Steve Clarke is coming from.

Well said, Cas.

The owners have said that fourth place is not a necessity this season, so I'm not sure where Steve Clarke is coming from.

Well I'd love to think that Rodgers is aiming for that 4th spot, although any improvement on last season's league position will be a positive move.
Maybe Steve Clarke feels a bit miffed, and I suppose who could blame him 

I still hope we batter them though 

                                       Reina

       Kelly            Skertl            Coates             Johnson
                                      Lucas

                         Gerrard           Henderson

      Suarez                                                 Sterling

                                    Borini

8 - 0
Save Agger for the skilled matches and let Coates play and deal with the long balls
           

                   

Steve Clark is coming from being sacked unfairly along with Kenny.

oussama could play this game ?

reina

johnson
skrtel
agger
enrique

allen
lucas
gerrard

downing
borini
suarez

do

oussama could play this game ?

reina

johnson
skrtel
agger
enrique

allen
lucas
gerrard

downing
borini
suarez

I'm going to fully agree with you on this line up. I think it'll be most people's choices too.

oussama could play this game ?

reina

johnson
skrtel
agger
enrique

allen
lucas
gerrard

downing
borini
suarez

do

If he completes his signing and his registration is submitted by Noon on Friday then he can play.

oussama could play this game ?

reina

johnson
skrtel
agger
enrique

allen
lucas
gerrard

downing
borini
suarez

do

Would agree with this.  Think Assaidi will be on the bench.

I think new players had to be registered at noon right? So here's my starting XI:

Reina

Johnson       Skrtel         Agger       Enrique

Lucas
                     Allen
Gerrard                     

Suarez               Borini             Downing 

Bench: Jones; Carragher, Kelly; Spearing, Henderson, Shelvey; Carroll

Will be glad when the football starts and the transfer window closes

Fed up with the transfer window, time to focus on what really matters, the football!

I think new players had to be registered at noon right? So here's my starting XI:

Reina

Johnson       Skrtel         Agger       Enrique

Lucas
                     Allen
Gerrard                     

Suarez               Borini             Downing 

Bench: Jones; Carragher, Kelly; Spearing, Henderson, Shelvey; Carroll

Put Sterling on the bench in place of Spearing for me.

24 hours and counting.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock...

24 hours and counting.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock...

PMT kicking in yet?

Allen and Oussama can play this game ?