Pre-match: Reading v Liverpool | 13 Apr 2013 | 15:00 BST

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After a disappointing draw with the Hammers we now find ourselves in a position where any European place seems a distant probability. There is no worse team in the league right now than Reading - having lost their last 8 straight and relegation looming this may be the perfect time to really flex our muscles. Nothing other than a convincing win should be expected for this one.

Team News:
Hope Akpan picked up a knock against Southampton which saw him replaced by Mikele Leigertwood at half-time, with the latter hoping to keep his place in the side. Adam Federici returned to start in goal last time out but was unconvincing for Southampton's opener and Alex McCarthy will hope for a chance to impress. Elsewhere, Pavel Pogrebnyak could return to the starting XI in place of Le Fondre, while McCleary will vie for a starting berth with Robson-Kanu.

For Liverpool, Stewart Downing was replaced early on against West Ham after it was revealed that he had been suffering from an illness, but he should be fit to start. Raheem Sterling is sidelined, however, with Rodgers confirming that he will not be in the squad due to a thigh injury. Daniel Sturridge could come in for Jordan Henderson in what may be the only change from the stalemate last time out.

Prediction: We've scored in each of our last 10 away games and that will continue. 4-0 to the redmen.

One advice BR, there is no point in helping all relegation threatened teams. So lets win it.

Their sh*te and should be put to the sword, we'll probably lose 2-0!!

I think we're in for another 5-0 win. I'll go for a Suarez hattrick, a Gerrard goal, and Carra to take a penalty and score.

This should be a big win for the reds, but seeing how inconsistant the reds are who knows what team will show up. Would like luis to get a hat trick to put the scoring race out of reach for RVP. Still predict 3-1 for the reds as long as we play as a team.

Gone for 3-0 myself and agree with Canon40d, Luis to get an hat trick !

would like to see luis, sturridge and heck everyone on the team to find the back of the net.  but with our inconsistency, i am anxious about this game. 

2-0 for us

please reds... we really need some european ball next year.  increases our chance luis will stay

 If we cannot get a comfortable win at Reading I think I will commit sideways.We should be knocking sh*te out of these clubs languishing at the lower end of the league.

I'd go with the same team that started v West Ham:

Reina

Johnson
Carragher
Agger
Enrique

Gerrard (c)
Lucas
Henderson

Downing
Suarez
Coutinho

Subs; Jones; Skrtel, Coates; Shelvey, Suso, Assaidi; Morgan.

I'd like to see Shelvey, Suso and Morgan come on and show what they can add to the side.

I'm going for a comfortable 0-3 victory with Gerrard, Suarez and Shelvey getting the goals.

 

Got Southampton written all over it this one, not confident at all.

Reina; Wisdom, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Lucas, Gerrard, Suso; Johnson, Suarez, Coutinho.

Subs: Jones; Skrtel, Coates; Henderson, Sturridge, Downing, Morgan.

Yeah that team will never happen but I'd like to see it

A 3 pointer is a must with these also rans, kick on lads to a 0-2 win.

Got Southampton written all over it this one, not confident at all.

Poss.

Depends how pumped Adkins has them.

Dangerous ...... nothing to lose and planning for a promotion fight out of the Championship next year methinks.

Some worries with recent performances and results, but dont think Reading are good enough to get anything from us, maybe with being at home, but still see us winning (hopefully comfortably), a loss here and the only thing we are playing for is to not go below 7th.

Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sturridge, Suarez.


3-1 I think. Suarez, Sturridge, Agger

Reading have conceded more goals than anyone else in the league, so we SHOULD be able to find the back of the night. "Should."

I think I'd go with this lineup, basically the usuals but with Suarez as AM and Sturridge up top.

Reina
Carragher        Agger     
Johnson                           Enrique
Lucas   Gerrard
Suarez
Downing                   Coutinho
Sturridge

Another team that will get in our face. Probably get beat.

Reading have conceded more goals than anyone else in the league, so we SHOULD be able to find the back of the night. "Should."

I think I'd go with this lineup, basically the usuals but with Suarez as AM and Sturridge up top.

Reina
Carragher        Agger     
Johnson                           Enrique
Lucas   Gerrard
Suarez
Downing                   Coutinho
Sturridge

I don't think BR will have courage to go two man mid field against a team playing for their lives. After what happened against Southampton.
But again , from what we have seen this season, BR is not the type of guy who learns from mistakes, so anything is possible.

Another team that will get in our face. Probably get beat.

I got moaned at like F**k for being 'negative' when we played Southampton and yet before we play Reading who are bottom of the league and are absolute utter sh*te you're saying we will get beat.

Reading have lost their last 8 league games in a row so they'll give us a fight I reckon, yes they're sh*t but they're playing for their lives, and when it comes to a fight this season we haven't really turned up. However I hope our quality see's us through, I'm going for a scrappy 2-1 win.

I don't think BR will have courage to go two man mid field against a team playing for their lives. After what happened against Southampton.
But again , from what we have seen this season, BR is not the type of guy who learns from mistakes, so anything is possible.

Aye but we started Allen instead of Lucas at Southampton. Big difference that.

Reading have lost their last 8 league games in a row so they'll give us a fight I reckon, yes they're sh*t but they're playing for their lives, and when it comes to a fight this season we haven't really turned up. However I hope our quality see's us through, I'm going for a scrappy 2-1 win.

Just because a team is "fighting for their lives" even though recently they certainly haven't looked like they are, doesn't mean we might get beat. That should be a pointless factor. We are by far the superior side and no excuses can be given for us dropping any points whether it is a draw or a loss.

People will use that shocking excuse now for us possibly dropping points but if we were to slip up then that excuse will be discarded and those same people will be saying how we should have battered them and blame individual players and the manager.

We should beat this lot and I'd like to think we will no matter what team is put out.

Reina

Johnson  Carra  Agger  Enrique

Lucas  Gerrard

Downing  Suarez  Coutinho

Sturridge

Just get the frigging 3 points please.

Good luck to the lads tomorrow, I'll be flying high in the sky and won't know the score till I land  hope for any win of any kind and that'll do me !!

We should beat this lot and I'd like to think we will no matter what team is put out.

Reina

Johnson  Carra  Agger  Enrique

Lucas  Gerrard

Downing  Suarez  Coutinho

Sturridge

This line-up should absolutely destroy Reading, would like to see Sturridge get back amongst the goals to shake some of the doubters already on his back. Luis to fill his boots too so he extends his lead as top scorer.

Nothing but a convincing win would I be 'happy' with but I'd take a win of any kind at this moment.

It's always a bit weird when we play these games before the 15th April. It's like a massive deep breath has happened in the city, for me.

The players will go out and play their best, no doubt. All I want them to do is give their best. Win, lose or draw.

Don't let us down.

It's always a bit weird when we play these games before the 15th April. It's like a massive deep breath has happened in the city, for me.

The players will go out and play their best, no doubt. All I want them to do is give their best. Win, lose or draw.

Don't let us down.

If they ALL give their best then we will win this one easily without doubt. Think it will be 3 or 4-0 to us.

On paper we should win this match but there were so many dissapointing performances from the lads in the last few weeks where games we should have won but we didn't. Don't think we will win by 3, 4, or 5 goals most probably a narrow 2-1 win. BR stilll struggles to overcome teams that presses us high up the pitch simply because we spent way way too much time dallying in our own half and it's a perfect situation for opposition teams to do just that while our movement in the 3rd quarter needs some serious thinking and re-working, it cannot be a Luis Suarez show for every match.

I won't underestimate Reading, they're an average side but if they decide to turn up and we don't then it's Southampton all over again.

Would it be too much to ask for a good team performance with flashes of individual brilliance?

On paper we should win this match but there were so many dissapointing performances from the lads in the last few weeks where games we should have won but we didn't. Don't think we will win by 3, 4, or 5 goals most probably a narrow 2-1 win. BR stilll struggles to overcome teams that presses us high up the pitch simply because we spent way way too much time dallying in our own half and it's a perfect situation for opposition teams to do just that while our movement in the 3rd quarter needs some serious thinking and re-working, it cannot be a Luis Suarez show for every match.

I won't underestimate Reading, they're an average side but if they decide to turn up and we don't then it's Southampton all over again.

Whilst I understand the point you are trying to make, Southampton and Reading are two different cups of tea. We need Sturridge on the pitch, whilst Downing has had solid performances he is nowhere near as creative as Sturridge even though Sturridge has looked a little off in the past couple of games.

They will park the bus ,if we dont get a goal fast in the first 30 mniutes then it could be a draw.

They will park the bus ,if we dont get a goal fast in the first 30 mniutes then it could be a draw.

I don't think Reading have the players to park the bus.

I could only get a ticket for this match in the reading stand, right next to the away end. What are people's thoughts on this? Is it commitment or am I bad fan?

I see it as being willing to do anything to see my beloved team haha...

If Pool can't beat Reading today I'm only watching the Champions League and Europa this season.  Come On Pool we need Europe. 0-5 for me.

Want to see:

Reina
Johnson
Carra
Agger
Enrique
Lucas
Gerrard
Henderson
Downing
Suarez
Sturidge

Want a 4-0 but reckon a 2-1.

Want to see:

Reina
Johnson
Carra
Agger
Enrique
Lucas
Gerrard
Henderson
Downing
Suarez
Sturidge

Want a 4-0 but reckon a 2-1.

You'd drop Coutinho?

2 words.

PLEASE WIN

2 words.

PLEASE WIN

2 words.

MUST  WIN

Today is Nepaliean New Year Eve 2070 pls Pool win. Must Win game.

Today is Nepaliean New Year Eve 2070 pls Pool win. Must Win game.

 

If it's 2070 there, shouldn't they be able to tell us the result, as they're in the future!

If it's 2070 there, shouldn't they be able to tell us the result, as they're in the future!

Reminds me of my Girlfriend asking me to text my mate in Thailand to find out the score of the England/Sweden game in the 2002 World Cup because he was hours ahead over there.

She was serious and all.

I guess Reading will set out to frustrate us today and park the bus, so hopefully we can nick an early goal and open the floodgates. If Reading to try and do a "Westham" on us, it might take a moment of genius or luck to break the deadlock.
I expect a comfortable win today, nothing else will be good enough.

Reminds me of my Girlfriend asking me to text my mate in Thailand to find out the score of the England/Sweden game in the 2002 World Cup because he was hours ahead over there.

She was serious and all.

nearly spat my coffee out, quality.

Reminds me of my Girlfriend asking me to text my mate in Thailand to find out the score of the England/Sweden game in the 2002 World Cup because he was hours ahead over there.

She was serious and all.

deserves a +1 that mate all day haha!

This bib theory is worrying me. Just seen pictures that shows a possible defence of:

Wisdom Sama Agger Enrique

I have Carragher in my fantasy team so I won't be too impressed if that is the case plus we can't be afford to be messing about with our team selection, we're not that much ahead of 8th!

Bib theory is rarely right these days, plus there was another one I saw yesterday that had Carra in defence.

If Shelvey starts then he better perform.

We should and will tank this sh*t. That is all.

We need to attack and get two quick goals, then reading will throw the towel in.Hope luis can terrorize there defence.

Reminds me of my Girlfriend asking me to text my mate in Thailand to find out the score of the England/Sweden game in the 2002 World Cup because he was hours ahead over there.

She was serious and all.

Silly girl indeed Dave, if you phoned someone in Tokyo they get to know earlier cos they're even further ahead.

As usual, not confident, reading haven't won a game for months, lost 8 in a row. We turn up and you never know what your going to get, we may win, but it is quite likely we wont. We have been 7th for about 2 seasons now, so we can't expect to win every game.

As usual, not confident, reading haven't won a game for months, lost 8 in a row. We turn up and you never know what your going to get, we may win, but it is quite likely we wont. We have been 7th for about 2 seasons now, so we can't expect to win every game.

No but we can expect to beat bottom of the league who have by far the worst defence in the league. If we can't expect to beat them then there is no F***ing point playing any more!

Silly girl indeed Dave, if you phoned someone in Tokyo they get to know earlier cos they're even further ahead.

and if she was Down Under in Oz all you need is a half second delay Stu to turn the phone the right way up.

No slip up today, going for a 0-5 win, come on you Red Men.

maybe im in the minorty but its good to see assaidi on the bench again.

2 words.

Will WIN

Fixed that for you Ian 

and if she was Down Under in Oz all you need is a half second delay Stu to turn the phone the right way up.

Haha no flies on you Skip.

Us vs team with 0 pts in last 7 games = have a bad feeling,hope i am wrong ofc but ...

no live thread?

Live thread:
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,44649.0.html