Preview: Liverpool v Southampton - Dec. 1, 2012 1500 BST

3-1 win. Suarez needs to find some form back again

A bit harsh considering the form he's in.

A bit harsh considering the form he's in.

He's been really ineffective the past few games.

Really need a win here, to keep us from slipping down towards the dreaded relegation zone. Must try and play strongest possible side and gain maximum points. I think Southampton will prove no pushovers, as they themselves are near the bottom. I will try and be optomistic and go for a 3 1 win for the Reds.

According go the bib theory:

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Allen
Shelvey

Gerrard
Sterling
Suarez

According go the bib theory:

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Allen
Shelvey

Gerrard
Sterling
Suarez

now that looks a better side......! Allen for Suso and I would be excited

Here's what I would go with:

Reina
Skrtel     Coates     Agger
Johnson                             Enrique
  Sahin     Shelvey
Suso
Suarez     Sterling

Bench: Jones; Wisdom; Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Assaidi; Yesil

No Gerrard, no Allen. Gerrard needs to improve his game because he's the captain and you expect a bit more out the captain of Liverpool Football Club. Plus, a bit of a rest could benefit him. Allen simply needs to be rested.

I don't think Lucas should start. I'd much prefer him to be eased back into the side. I'd let Lucas get a half though, so in the second half regardless of the scoreline, take off Coates for Lucas and then move Suso up and play 4-3-3.

We desperately need 3 points. Against Southampton. At Anfield. Feels weird saying that, but I do still have faith in what Brendan's doing. A solid win in which we play for the full 90 minutes can hopefully give us some confidence. This team is better than the results indicate.

Here's what I would go with:

Reina
Skrtel     Coates     Agger
Johnson                             Enrique
  Sahin     Shelvey
Suso
Suarez     Sterling

Bench: Jones; Wisdom; Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Assaidi; Yesil

I'd be happy with that as well and it's something similar to what I posted but I just hadn't thought too much about the 3 at the back.

Personally think that Gerrard and Allen need a rest.  Both have looked a bit jaded in our last couple of games and could use a break.  Also think Sterling would do well with a day off.  The team I'd play is:

                    Pepe
      Wisdom   Skrtel  Agger
Johno   Shelvey   Sahin   Enrique
         Suso    Suarez  Assaidi

Bring Lucas on for Wisdom with 30 minutes to go and convert to a 4-3-3 so the lad can start getting back to full fitness. 

3-0 to the Reds!!

3-0. Suarez, Sterling and Shelvey. Their keeper is sh*t.

This is a must win game if ever there was one.Hopefully we can go on a little run after this.

According go the bib theory:

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Allen
Shelvey

Gerrard
Sterling
Suarez

Will be surprised if its that - Lucas starting ? Gerrard wide ?

Maybe Shelvey wide.

Pepe
      Wisdom   Skrtel  Agger
Johno   Shelvey   Sahin   Enrique
         Suso    Suarez  Assaidi

I like the idea (my formation isn't much different) but I'm unsure about Wisdom there... I think playing with an attacking trio and attacking fullbacks would leave Wisdom a bit too exposed, and I don't think he's ready for that, actually I think he's been a bit of a weak spot in our defense in his latest performances. Coates is less versatile but a better defender IMO, I would prefer him if we're going with 3 at the back vs the Saints

According go the bib theory:

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Allen
Shelvey

Gerrard
Sterling
Suarez

Suso for Shelvey and I'll be thrilled.

Very surprised if Lucas does start this, not sure if that reflects how well he's doing in recovery (and the lad is extremely disciplined by all accounts) or more an indicator of how desperate we are in centre mid. While I can't wait for him to be back, surely we wouldn't rush him, that would be extremely foolish and I'll assume it's his excellent recovery. (All if's and but's but bib theory has been spot on so far).

Maybe the Bib Theory is a diamond?

Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique
Lucas
Allen Gerrard
Shelvey
Sterling Suarez

Asks a lot from Lucas on his first game back as Skrtel and Agger will be isolated with the full backs pushing forward to provide some width in the attack.

According go the bib theory:

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Allen
Shelvey

Gerrard
Sterling
Suarez

That'll do nicely, although it's a shame Suso isn't in there, as others have pointed out.

At home this is a team we should see off comfortably. An early goal and press, press, press. And goals from different please.

And goals from different please

No No No we want all goals from suarez we dont want RVP catching him

At home this is a team we should see off comfortably. An early goal and press, press, press. And goals from different please.

Agree on an early goal being key.

If we get one it may just lift the pressure and the lads can play more freely. If we don't or they score first then it could be a long afternoon.

Nothing but the win will please us 

Liverpool need to be careful in defense, Suarez has to score, and a lead before half-time will definitely increase our chances of winning! It will be a tough challenge, but the Reds need to overcome it!

They have scored just as many on the road as we have at home ............and over all scored 3 more in the league , could be good

Days of the 3-0 and 5-0 is gone when we have a non-functioning midfield trio and the lack of creativity in the final third, hope BR proves me wrong. Passing game is taking us no where at the moment except ending up at at cul-de-sacs. There's a chance if BR deploys Shelvey, Sahin and Allen in midfield, otherwise, we can expect a drab 1-1. I'll be more than happy if we can come away with a 1-0. I wouldn't rush Lucas back as he may not have fully recovered yet.

Have Suarez as captain in my FF team. Uber confident we'll be evil to the Saints.