Pre-Match: Liverpool V Basel Tuesday 9 Dec 7.45pm

Champions League - Liverpool vs. Basel




Mignolet

Johnson
Skrtel
Toure
Moreno

Gerrard (c)
Lucas
Can

Sterling
Coutinho

Lambert

Subs: Jones; Lovren, Enrique; Allen, Henderson; Lallana; Markovic.

Big match! Big Chance!

We "just" have to beat Basel and we will be through to the last 16! A big night like this could give us a real boost for the upcoming fixtures!

Cracking atmosphere will be fundamental for a victory!




YNWA  - We won it 5 times

3rd biggest game of Brendan's career after City and Chelsea last season. One I would expect him to win despite our form of late.

Basel are a good side. I'd like to think that we could beat them though.

2-1

Just can't see u beating this side, they are very good IMO and a world better than we are.

The only way would be to go long ball, if we try and play football they will murder us, like Palace, Villa, West Ham have done.

Hendo needs to be dropped, Can should get a look in. Going for a 4-1-4-1

Mignolet
Johnson-Skrtel-Toure-Moreno
Lucas
Sterling-Stevie-Can-Lallana
Lambert

Subs: Jones, Lovren, Enrique, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic

Gerrard definitely going to start then as Rodgers has already said.

Henderson deserves to be dropped on current form, but then others are still sticking it out in the team so wouldn't assume he would be out.

4 shots on target in the last 180 minutes tells me that we need to play 2 up front.  May as well bin a holding midielder off and replace him with Borini up front.

I'd play as many attackers as we can, Markovic, Lallana, Sterling, Borini, Lambert.  Throw them all in.  Play three at the back.  I don't care.  Just do something a little more adventurous.

Basel are better than Sunderland and Stoke.

Please, let's do it reds.

I wouldn't be very confident playing against anyone in the knockout rounds at this very moment, but since it would only happen in February, we would have more than enough time to sort ourselves.

Just get a win, no matter how ugly it is.

I don't see us winning this without any movement up front. It's never going to happen but I'd start with a false 9, keep the game tight and then look to counter.

Mignolet
Johnson-Skrtel-Toure-Moreno
Lucas
Sterling-Stevie-Can-Lallana
Lambert

I'd use that team and formation except for Lambert. I'd replace him with somebody like Markovic or Gerrard. If the latter then put Coutinho in the middle alongside Can. Lambert needs to learn to stay central for us to have a chance of winning and I don't see that happening by tomorrow night.

Gerrard definitely going to start then as Rodgers has already said.

Henderson deserves to be dropped on current form, but then others are still sticking it out in the team so wouldn't assume he would be out.

4 shots on target in the last 180 minutes tells me that we need to play 2 up front.  May as well bin a holding midielder off and replace him with Borini up front.

I'd play as many attackers as we can, Markovic, Lallana, Sterling, Borini, Lambert.  Throw them all in.  Play three at the back.  I don't care.  Just do something a little more adventurous.

Basel are better than Sunderland and Stoke.

Rodgers won't play Borini despite performing well in the few minutes he has played this season. The lad may as well have leprosy.

Well, this is what we have been waiting for - over the last few years we have all talked about these 'Big European Nights' and what they mean to the club and this is about as big as it gets.  So, 90 mins - best team goes through other goes home... Honestly this has the makings of a classic night at Anfield...

We can beat these guys, at their place the beat us 1-0 and they have no injury worries reported so expect the same team (who are smashing it in their league at the moment). But we had a poor time, were playing worse and IMO carrying a few players that night... But we need to go at them from the off and really smash it, in 2011 they dumped out Utd and they will be looking to do the same again. Establish a quick fire lead and pile the pressure on - the second we come off the gas here is the second they score and we crash out...

Regardless of the result this will be a great game, an unreal atmosphere at Anfield and one to try and enjoy for the players. However, if they put out the kind of turgid displays they have been (Stoke first half Sunderland first 70 mins) then I expect a few axes in the media and boardroom to be sharpened - and a fair few more on here! I think the players and Rogers know this so I expect an improvement.

Heart sais we will be ok, head is not so sure...

Borini, Sterling, Lallana, Markovic,

Can, Gerrard

Moreno, Toure, Skrtel, Manquillo.

Migs.

Attacking 4 please

A real Liverpool game this, we thrive in them. And though weve been poor this season I fully expect us to thrive again tomorrow night

Crank it up from the first and make them wilt. Leave Lucas covering the back 4 and tell the rest to attack attack attack

Johnson Toure Skrtel Enrique

            Lucas

Sterling Gerrard Lallana

        Lambert Borini

The game of the season.
It's also crucial to have some extra money to invest in the market in January.
In the last years Basel has accumulated a good European experience: they also won against Chelsea in Stamford Bridge and drew 3-3 against Man United. Xhaka, Schär, Frei and Streller are good players. It's not a team to be underestimated.
Reds are encountering many difficulties in the building of the game and especially in scoring goals.
These are the games where Anfield can make the difference.
It'll be crucial to score early and put pressure on Basel who'll be forced to expose itself.

I want to see something different in attack and would love Gerrard to score a screamer to win us the game

       Lucas
Hendo    Moreno
      Sterling
 Gerrard  Borini

Mignolet
Johnson - Skrtel - Toure - Moreno
Lucas - Can
Lallana - Gerrard - Sterling
Borini

Would be happy with Coutinho instead of Gerrard, swap each of them around the hour mark.

Mignolet
Johnson - Skrtel - Toure - Moreno
Lucas - Can
Lallana - Gerrard - Sterling
Borini

Would be happy with Coutinho instead of Gerrard, swap each of them around the hour mark.

really underwhelmed about this match... but I'd go with this team...

If Brendan doesn't play Gerrard in a forward position from the get go then god knows what he's thinking.

Mignolet
Johnson - Skrtel - Toure - Moreno
Lucas - Can
Lallana - Gerrard - Sterling
Borini

Would be happy with Coutinho instead of Gerrard, swap each of them around the hour mark.

You spelled Lambert wrong, Bren.

I want the win of course, but for fucks sake lads, give us a performance worth remembering too. Especially for the Anfield faithful who will be doing their best as always to spur you on.

If you can't raise your performance in games like this and under the tremendous support, then you don't deserve to play for Liverpool. Tough luck but fair.

I have a really bad feeling about this game.... I should be very confident considering our players are valued at roughly 10x what Basel's are and the fact that we are at "fortress Anfield" but I just have a bad feeling. We struggled to break down Leicester before they went down a man, and we couldn't manage a single goal against a relegation contender that shipped 8 in a single match to Southampton!! I just can't see how we will find the quality to win this must win game at the moment....

Hope Lambert doesn't play in this one, we need some movement up top for a change.

Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Lallana, Gerrard, Coutinho; Sterling.

Not feeling very confident for this one but it's a must win game in Europe at Anfield. Anything can happen.

I'm not that confident we'll win this considering our performances this season, but it would be such a confidence booster if we could somehow scrape through.

              Migs
GJ - Skrtel - Toure - Moreno
           Can - Lucas
   Sterling - Stevie - Couts
             Lambo

Won't be able to watch this one so please get us a win Redmen so that this isn't the last Champion's League game I get to watch you play this season.

Gonna be a win baby!

Can feel it in my bones!

Or maybe that's just arthritis?

Mignolet

Johnson
Skrtel
Toure
Enrique

Henderson
Lucas

Sterling
Gerrard (c)
Lallana

Lambert

Subs: Jones; Lovren, Moreno; Allen, Can; Coutinho; Borini.

3-1 to us - Skrtel, Gerrard and Lambert scoring the goals 

YNWA!!

Unfortunately, I will on a flight so will miss this vital game.

I would go for two up. We need to get at them and score early. I know Borini is useless but he may provide something for Lambert. This would be me team:

Mignolet
Johnson-Skrtel-Toure-Moreno
Lucas/Can
Stevie(Cou sub)-Lallana/Can
Sterling
Lambert-Borini

I hope Brendan pulls this one off. His team & particularly substitutions have been cr@p recently. Henderson needs to sit this one out but I am sure he will play him for 90 minutes.

Biggest game of the season so far...let's do this lad.

Brendan please play Stevie forwaard and I'm sure he'll get us the win we crave.

Time to stand and deliver lads.

The game of the season.
It's also crucial to have some extra money to invest in the market in January.
In the last years Basel has accumulated a good European experience: they also won against Chelsea in Stamford Bridge and drew 3-3 against Man United. Xhaka, Schär, Frei and Streller are good players. It's not a team to be underestimated.
Reds are encountering many difficulties in the building of the game and especially in scoring goals.
These are the games where Anfield can make the difference.
It'll be crucial to score early and put pressure on Basel who'll be forced to expose itself.

Agreed...
These are the games where Anfield can make a difference mate.. and tomorrow night we're gonna need that 12th man again..big time..
If we don't get our sh*t together it could get embarrassing..
BR said we need to calm down against Basel.. WTF.. the crowd will fall asleep if we calm it down anymore then we did in that diabolical performance on Saturday.

This is it though.. the ultimate pivotal game of our season..
Get this one right and we're in the bag for next February, move on to Old Toilet at the weekend with our tails high....
Get it wrong and the depression grows heavier around the club which unnerves everyone going into the weekend..

gotta just get at them...I'd throw Markovic in for Horrendouson and play Moreno from the start..Lambert up front but Lallana and Couthino, and Markovic need to be quicker when he knocks them down.. He's winning the ball and heading it down in to some useful areas but there's no one who is sharp enough to have the nowse and react....Lallana's goal against Leicester is a good example of what we need to be doing more.

Mignolet needs to pick the f**kin thing up and kick it central up the f**kin pitch !! That way Lambert might be able to win a few more headers..

Sad how I still won't be happy in my soul even if we're 3-0 up with 20 minutes to go...

As yer man said... The Game of the Season..

Let's have a result poll

Mignolet
Manquillo    Skrtel      Toure       Enrique
Lucas
Allen       Can
Gerrard
Lambert     Sterling

^ it will look nothing like this

                    Mignolet
Johnson    Skrtel      Toure    Enrique
                 Allen Lucas
          Coutinho Gerrard Sterling
                    Lambert

Don't think it's make or break, but would give us something to look forward to come Feb. Maybe by then we'd be playing better (could we be playing any more scrappily?)   Would give big boost before heading to oldtoilet too.

Not sure who'll start. Probably Sterling/SG/Lambert. I'd prob go Coutinho too as we need to win, so have to create. But with Coutinho, would prob need Lucas in behind.
Or maybe go
                 Allen Can Hendo
                 Gerrard Sterling
                    Lambert
but not sure BR will start Can for whatever reason. Hendo hasn't been great, but he can get on the end of things, more of a thread than Allen/Lucas.

Would love to win this. But would not put a lot of money on it. Reckon most will have a slightly diff starting XI, and hard to put a finger on one that'd be most likely.  I just hope for BR/players/fans we can somehow win this one - after the years of waiting to get back in, would be a bit of a damp squib to go out at home to poxy Basel.

Guardian are saying that Jerome Sinclair and Sheyi Ojo have been called up to the team, both are vying for one place on the bench, so you may assume that Borini doesn't get a look in again (is he dead?)
I'm expecting/hoping:
                                 Mignolet
            Johnson    Skrtel     Toure    Moreno
                                  Lucas
                        Henderson   Gerrard
                                 Coutinho
                         Lambert    Sterling

Jones; Manquillo, Lovren; Can, Allen, Lallana; Sinclair

Win at all costs.

Take no prisoners and rise to the occasion once more.

                                   Migs
Johnson           Skertl               Toure                  Moreno

                                  Lucas

                         Can               Lallana
                                 Gerrard

                             Sterling Lambert


                                 

Take no prisoners and rise to the occasion once more.

We Go Again.

Be proud of the Red shirt you wear lads.

What has happened to Borini?

Is he injured?

Big game tonight, against a poor team, at home. A win should see us through to meet a bigger name. Have to be positive with this Redmen.

Guardian are saying that Jerome Sinclair and Sheyi Ojo have been called up to the team

To "experience" the atmos as some sort of reward, I assume. Chuffed for the lads.

What has happened to Borini?

Is he injured?

I think BR is terrified to give him any minutes because it will give hope for Borini and will stick around again. We will get at least 5m for him this January. Pay that to bring Origi here.

Some reports about a possibility of debut for Ojo and Sinclair. Hope its true. We badly need some mobile attackers.
Baptism by fire

“It’s an opportunity for the players to qualify and write themselves into folklore.”

.

Hope the young lads get a chance and show some of the "seniors" how it's done.
My heart is saying LFC win,but,with how we are playing at the moment along with the fact this is a very good Basle team u fear the worst.
Btw I know it goes against the grain but if you like a flutter Basle are available at 4/1!!!!!thats massive in my book.

Big game tonight, against a poor team, at home.

FFS, a solid jinx right there. Way to go.

Very unsure, like all other supporters about the outcome of this game tonight, head says score draw which will eliminate us, heart says a win, so going for a 3-2 win for the lads in the prediction league. I think this is a very tricky game to predict the way things have gone lately.

Our players needs no reminding how Basel embarassed us in the last few years. Attack them from the first minute and go for a 3-0 not after 1-0 we retreat back to our shell.

What has happened to Borini?

Is he injured?

Leprosy.

Some reports about a possibility of debut for Ojo and Sinclair. Hope its true. We badly need some mobile attackers.
Baptism by fire

 .

I'd bet my house this isn't true. They might be in the travelling squad but no way are they playing tonight.

We need men with balls tomorrow.

Big balls.

No excuses here from anyone including the players, manager and those fortunate enough to be at  Anfield.

We need men with balls tomorrow.

Tomorrow is a bit late, mate

Tomorrow is a bit late, mate

Still tomorrow from where I post mate.

Kick off 6:45am down under time.

Btw I know it goes against the grain but if you like a flutter Basle are available at 4/1!!!!!thats massive in my book.

Dirt!

Never bet against your own team!!

Dirt!

Never bet against your own team!!

Hear Hear. I would rather lose a bet for my own team than win betting against!

I think BR is terrified to give him any minutes because it will give hope for Borini and will stick around again. We will get at least 5m for him this January. Pay that to bring Origi here.

Makes me laugh. Brendan won't play a player HE bought in to the club, whilst telling everyone how good he is, for a sizeable fee (12-15 million). Once BR has a bee in his bonnet, that's it.

Sorry Fabio, I think you deserve a chance to start up front. After all, everyone else had a go.

Back onto topic, fast paced, pressing game. 3-1 red men.

Biggest game in the CL for how long?

Wow, I'm nervous and bricking it.  But I think we will rise to the occasion and do them 4-0

Biggest game in the CL for how long?

Pivotal game not just in our season but probably in terms of our manager and the future of our club over the next couple of years.

Hope it goes the right way for us all!

I have a very horrible feeling about tonight's game.

Please lord, let's us progress,Amen.

Not sure how our game will go tonight or what I'm expecting results wise.  I've missed some of our recent games so can't comment on performances either team or individual so I'm going into it with an open mind and no real expectation.

Does Harry Wilson's suspension from the UEFA Youth League count for the Champions League as well?

Does Harry Wilson's suspension from the UEFA Youth League count for the Champions League as well?

Not sure but probably seeing as it's a UEFA competition.

Hendo should not see the field imo tonight . Has looked lost the past couple matches . I have said it the past couple weeks, would love to see Borini thrown into the fire a bit . But like a lot of us we don't know if he is alive or dead ... Would like to see BR give Can a shot to make something happen . I look back to beginning of the Chelsea game , when he looked like a man on a mission . Interested to see what BR will do with Stevie ... Will he play the full 90 ? Will he come on early/late ? And most importanly what will be his role . He's shown that he is a factor when playing up front . His IQ and passing can really push the likes of Sterling, Lambert, Lallana, and Cout to the next level .

Anyway here is my 11 ...

Migs
Johnson - Skertl - Toure - Moreno
Lucas
Lallana - Stevie - Cout
Sterling - Lambert

It comes down to Just Win . There is no other place we'd rather be than at Anfield with a must win game . The place will be rocking and I am getting the chills just thinking about kickoff . Fans need to sing the players on and the Kop needs to suck in a couple tonight  .

YNWA

Guardian are saying that Jerome Sinclair and Sheyi Ojo have been called up to the team, both are vying for one place on the bench, so you may assume that Borini doesn't get a look in again (is he dead?)
I'm expecting/hoping:
                                 Mignolet
            Johnson    Skrtel     Toure    Moreno
                                  Lucas
                        Henderson   Gerrard
                                 Coutinho
                         Lambert    Sterling

Jones; Manquillo, Lovren; Can, Allen, Lallana; Sinclair

Win at all costs.

As far as Liverpool is concerned yes, Borini is dead. Quite obvious what Brendan is trying to do - constructively force players he doesn't want/like out of the club. He did that with Reina and Agger, two players who did little wrong here.

As far as Liverpool is concerned yes, Borini is dead. Quite obvious what Brendan is trying to do - constructively force players he doesn't want/like out of the club. He did that with Reina and Agger, two players who did little wrong here.

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

That's shocking mate, there's really no need for professional sportsmen to let themselves go like that, especially whilst they're still playing.

That's shocking mate, there's really no need for professional sportsmen to let themselves go like that, especially whilst they're still playing.

It is shocking, and some people need to realise that Pepe isn't what he was in his early years at LFC.

It is shocking, and some people need to realise that Pepe isn't what he was in his early years at LFC.

He wasn't like his early days for the last couple of seasons he was here mate but as with most things in life we always look back to what we remember as better times.

I have no confidence in the team winning because we've been embarrassingly impotent all season against any side that could defend with any level of organization.

But the atmosphere and crowd might inspire the players tonight to win the game 1-0. Basel are hardly world beaters so it's possible if we really work our arses off for 90 mins, not 45 mins, as has tended to happen in the last few home games.

Dirt!

Never bet against your own team!!

Just saying that's a massive price considering how sh*t we are.

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

F***ing hell he could just stand there and nothing could get past.the fat Jaffa .

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

What's wrong with him, he's only the same size as Can now!!

As for the game tonight, the fans need to bring their voices, F**k the flags and all that sh*t, we just need to bring the noise.

24,000 at Anfield (half full) once made Auxerre sh*t themselves, a full house tonight should do the same.

No crying cu*ts or moaning tw*ts needed.

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

A Sunday league goalkeeper would solve our issues in that department (when you consider how sh*te Migs has been). Let's hope Migs has a decent game. No fucks ups from him tonight please.

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

He could balloon to the size of a ford Mondeo for all I care, I couldn’t give a monkeys toss about him... he aint here any more

Im having enough trouble worrying about players playing in the red shirts at the moment, let alone past ones!

Back to tonight –I’m petrified to be honest... if it doesn’t go well this will lead in to Sundays game and our confidence will be fu**ed.. Utd is a must win league game now.. .

But Win tonight and Sunday is marginally easier….

Every confidence we will do it tonight, let's have a little positivity lads ffs. We go with no fear, we are Liverpool 

theres positivity and then theres being realistic...

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

He's been out injured with a torn muscle for 2 months, that pic is from his first day back in training.

Have you seen the size of Reina?
Him staying would not have solved our Goalkeeper issues.

Oh I'm not sure, turning sideways would've negated the need for diving.

He's been out injured with a torn muscle for 2 months, that pic is from his first day back in training.

Yeah, but some players keep themselves in better shape than others when they're injured.

Looking forward to the game tonight. Hope the lads show up tonight and put on a great display and I hope the crowd are heard tonight too.

Yeah, but some players keep themselves in better shape than others when they're injured.

Don't think it's that bad. Look at this interview with him from just before he started training again. He looks alright for someone who hasn't trained for 2 months.

Reina "can't wait to come back"

I'm a dunce so forgive me but we just need a win to advance or win by a certain score?

I'm a dunce so forgive me but we just need a win to advance or win by a certain score?

Just a win would do.. oh the word 'just'

Sobering thought, tonight may be our last CL game for a while!

Right I'm ready for this now.  Watched a beauty of a Youth League game this afternoon, been shopping for the beers (bacardi), all packed ready for 4 days away at work from tomorrow, dog walked and the house to myself.  What more could a girl ask for - oh yeah a mighty Reds win to see us through to the knock outs of the Champions League.

I remember clearly nobody giving us a hope in hell of beating Olympiacos 10 years ago, time to once again make the no hopers eat their words.

Come on you F***ing Redmen, all 45,000 of you at Anfield, make us proud and show the rest of Europe what Liverpool Football Club is all about   

Sobering thought, tonight may be our last CL game for a while!

Why?, unless Rodgers totally fucks the league up yes, but we are still in with a shout to claim the holy grail 4th spot.

Why?, unless Rodgers totally fucks the league up yes, but we are still in with a shout to claim the holy grail 4th spot.

I said may, not is.

...Why only 3 pages before a big game ?!!

This is the game of the season, isn´t it?

So : COME ON, FANS !! WE MUST BELIEVE!!

I have a good feeling about this game : Am I alone  

COME ON REDS !!

Basel is no special team, they are as ordinary as us at the moment. It'a a matter of whether we want it more or them. I don't want to see us playing ping-pong in defence and midfield just thrust through their bloody midfield and defence as if we 're a wounded beast, that'll do for me and murder them. There's no reason for them to survive in fortress Anfield, no reason. And we need more players inside Basel box and no running sideways for Lambert, give their defence hell for 90 mins. This is certainly a winnable game but an overly cautious BR will see our exit from the tournament, seeing enough games under him this season I'm afraid that's exactly what he'll do.

I sort of understand the lack of positivity on here but I'm pretty sure the whole group are aware just how pivotal tonight's game is, and I believe we will win and go thru,

I would have started Lallana but I can understand why Brendan has held him back, for me Brendan wants the game done by the hour but if not he has players to come on to bolster things,

Two up front would have been ploy however what do I know,

IF we can play at a decent tempo and control the midfield we'll be fine, I'm more than happy Can is in there with Gerrard in front and Lucas behind,

I'm buzzin and looking forward to watching the mighty reds in Europe, the only thing I'm not looking forward to is listening to that f***in boring kunt Townsend commentating ,
w**ker !!!!


3-1 Redmen


C'mon Redmen

YNWA

Basel is no special team, they are as ordinary as us at the moment.

Say what you like about the Swiss league but they've scored 12 in their last four league games including 4 in the last one, they're in the confident, scoring groove whereas we ain't.

Too nervous for this. Can't even contemplate losing but i have a sick bad feeling. God look down on us today, please.

Live thread here http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,47070.msg1707724/boardseen.html#new

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