Pre Match: Liverpool v West Brom (Premier League) - Sun 13 December 4pm GMT

Liverpool's recent record at Anfield against West Brom is mixed.  Liverpool have won the last two but lost the two before that.

Coutinho returned for the reds from the bench against FC Sion, whilst Jordan Henderson got over an hour worth of playing time.

The reds have had indifferent results at Anfield, and West Brom have only lost three times in their last 11 away games.

Liverpool are 8th and level on points with Crystal Palace and West Ham.  Depending on other results even a win could see us stay in 8th place.

Spurs are 3 points ahead in 5th but have a goal difference 12 goals better than us.

I'd go for

Mignolet

Clyne - Skrtel - Lovren - Moreno

Henderson - Can - Lucas

Firmino - Benteke - Coutinho

Agree with the majority of that team but would keep Benteke on the bench and bring him if we need a plan B.

I would have Lallana, Firmino and Couts as the front 3.

West Brom are quite a defense team, aren't they? I can see them sitting back and frustrating us. It's gonna be a difficult match imo.

Personally, I think we should go for 2 up front here with Coutinho playing behind Origi and Firmino. Bring Benteke on after 60/65 if we need a plan B but don't think he should start. The reason I've gone for 2 up front is because I think we have to give such a defensive team more than one problem to worry about up top.

Mignolet;
Clyne,
Skrtel,
Lovren,
Moreno;
Lucas,
Henderson,
Can;
Coutinho;
Origi,
Firmino;

A 4-3-1-2 or even a diamond shape if need be. Get the fullbacks forward as well as they can provide the width.

Going for a 2-0 win with Phil and Divock getting the goals.

YNWA

West Brom are quite a defense team, aren't they? I can see them sitting back and frustrating us. It's gonna be a difficult match imo.

Conceded 19 so probably not too bad.  That's only 2 more than we've conceded and I feel like we've not been too bad lately. 

Finding it hard to pick a team for this one, but I'd go with:

Mignolet

Clyne
Skrtel
Lovren
Moreno

Henderson (c)
Lucas
Emre Can

Coutinho
Lallana

Benteke

Subs: Bogdan; Toure, Smith; Milner; Ibe, Firmino; Origi.

2-0 to us!

 Firminho has done nothing to warrant starting been absolutely awful last 4 games

         Mignolet
Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno
       Milner, Can
Lallana, Coutinho, Ibe
           Origi

We've laboured a bit at home recently
Not sure that I expect it to be different on Sunday
So maybe we need to do something else
I've left out Lucas, not because he's been playing poorly, but just for the sake of maximising attacking players, guys with goal threat, who get forward up to the opposition box, which Lucas is not going to do.
Imo Benteke slows our play down, and Hendo is not quite ready to start PL at home, above Milner
Ibe needs to improve final ball (still) but he is a threat, and just hope Cou gets back on form quickly and his leg holds up
Hendo and Benteke to be thrown on toward the end if plan A goes to sh*t.

I have got to take our REDS to win this comfortably and make up for Newcastle. The  lads will want to put on an exhibition and I am sure they will.

For anyone looking for a ticket there are still tickets available for this on the official site ,something to do with christmas perhaps, just think this is going to be another tough one old Tony not known for his attacking flair, and thats where we seem to be struggling, when we have to break a tight team down ,hoping the team will want to right last weekends debacle .

For anyone looking for a ticket there are still tickets available for this on the official site ,something to do with christmas perhaps, just think this is going to be another tough one old Tony not known for his attacking flair, and thats where we seem to be struggling, when we have to break a tight team down ,hoping the team will want to right last weekends debacle .

Not surprised there's the odd couple left over.  I swerved this one because I'm going Boxing Day.  I didn't know when I got them that I'd picked the game against the league leaders!

Should be a cracker on boxing day ,was thinking of doing boxing day but we always have a family get together christmas night, and it would have been too much of a risk driving all that way. Looking forward to sunday as my dad hasn,t been able to go for a while, will be three generations of us there on sun, just hope my nephew brings us luck again, my lucky charm or so my sister say,s.   

Mignolet

Clyne - Skrtel - Lovren - Moreno

Henderson - Can - Lucas

Firmino - Benteke - Coutinho

I think I would go with this team too. Against a West Brom side that I think will come to defend and hit us on set pieces, Benteke's power in the air might be useful at both ends.

Struggled to decide between Lallana and Firmino (as Firmino has been poor last couple of games) but decided with Coutinho back he may up his game again.

My manc mate has been saying that the "new manager effect" is now over and that we are now back where we were with Brendan... hope we prove him wrong in this game.

Early goal and we can win this comfortably, longer the game goes on and the more the pressure will mount, but I think we will get it and win 3-0

With Pulis going with 4 CB at times I'd want us to go with a fluid front three of Phil, Firmino and Lallana for this one to try and draw them out.

With Pulis going with 4 CB at times I'd want us to go with a fluid front three of Phil, Firmino and Lallana for this one to try and draw them out.

Good Plan.

If the last two results/performances are anything to go by, it would suggest the honeymoon period is over now. Tough fixture, and Klopp needs to get his tactics and team selection right against this lot. He got it wrong at Newcastle by starting Benteke, and i don't think the big Belgian deserves a spot In the team, though I fear Klopp may persist with him. If so, I think it will be another disjointed attacking performance, that will bring out the groans in support and will take a moment of brilliance to make the breakthrough. Benteke is capable of this too, but I don't think he is deserving of wearing the red jersey and starting on Sunday.

I hope my fears are put to rest by the 15th minute and we're 3 to the good already by then but I think this will be a frustrating watch.

Depends which Liverpool turns up TBH, my 11 would be

 ,Mignolet
Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno
       Henderson, Can
Lallana, Coutinho, Ibe
           Origi

My XI for this would be:

              Bogdan
  Clyne Skrtel Lovren Moreno
               Lucas
          Can     Henderson
 Lallana                   Coutinho
              Firmino

We need as much creativity as we can pack into the side, along with players willing to press together. Right now with Sturridge out I think this is our best XI, of course Bogdan wont get the nod but other than that I'd love to see this come out on Sunday.

Think we'll win this and get back on track in the league.

My XI for this would be:

              Bogdan
  Clyne Skrtel Lovren Moreno
               Lucas
          Can     Henderson
 Lallana                   Coutinho
              Firmino

We need as much creativity as we can pack into the side, along with players willing to press together. Right now with Sturridge out I think this is our best XI, of course Bogdan wont get the nod but other than that I'd love to see this come out on Sunday.

Think we'll win this and get back on track in the league.

Set a date yet?

For what it's worth, I agree with the team you've picked. A fluid front 3 who can rotate and keep the defence on their toes is the way to go.

Need an early goal or could be a long afternoon

Set a date yet?

For what it's worth, I agree with the team you've picked. A fluid front 3 who can rotate and keep the defence on their toes is the way to go.

It's more my dislike of Migs than it is my love of Bogdan to be honest, I really think we'd struggle to do any worse. Plus the times we've seen Bogdan he's actually looked better, to Migs credit his distribution looked better the other night so... here's hoping his Mrs has had another little chat with him.

It's more my dislike of Migs than it is my love of Bogdan to be honest, I really think we'd struggle to do any worse. Plus the times we've seen Bogdan he's actually looked better, to Migs credit his distribution looked better the other night so... here's hoping his Mrs has had another little chat with him.

Totally agree Luke.

It's more my dislike of Migs than it is my love of Bogdan to be honest, I really think we'd struggle to do any worse. Plus the times we've seen Bogdan he's actually looked better, to Migs credit his distribution looked better the other night so... here's hoping his Mrs has had another little chat with him.

I feel the exact same.

Bogdan has looked very comfortable whenever I have seen him and he can kick with both feet. Migs almost caused chaos in the first couple of minutes on Thursday....what will it take for him to be dropped or what does Bogdan have to do to get a game?.

Bogdan has looked very comfortable whenever I have seen him and he can kick with both feet. Migs almost caused chaos in the first couple of minutes on Thursday....what will it take for him to be dropped or what does Bogdan have to do to get a game?.

He needs to be better than Migs mate. 

He needs to be better than Migs mate. 

how can he do that sitting on his arse then.

how can he do that sitting on his arse then.

Show Klopp in training.

Show Klopp in training.

he has shown him playing in the League Cup he was good enough to start in that and do very well.

Bogdan has looked very comfortable whenever I have seen him and he can kick with both feet. Migs almost caused chaos in the first couple of minutes on Thursday....what will it take for him to be dropped or what does Bogdan have to do to get a game?.

Or we cut to the chase and solve the problem once and for all in January .

We need this win so badly after a lose and a draw. To gain some confidence for the festive season.

I won't be home for this game, I'm finding it difficult on Sunday's games.

Show Klopp in training.

Didn't Klopp say in one of his press conferences that his information on the goalkeeping situation mainly comes from our GK coach?

Anyway, we still don't know if Bogdan is better than Migs or not, we have rarely seen him play, but when he has, he's looked more assured and commanding imo.

Didn't Klopp say in one of his press conferences that his information on the goalkeeping situation mainly comes from our GK coach?

Anyway, we still don't know if Bogdan is better than Migs or not, we have rarely seen him play, but when he has, he's looked more assured and commanding imo.

Fair enough. But at the end of the day it comes down to the man picking who plays between the sticks.

The way people go on about Mignolet, you'd think he's about as much use as a pair of braces hanging from the crossbar. Although, judging by his playing time, Klopp doesn't think so - and I'd be more inclined to go with him than some of the entrenched views, and hate on here for Mignolet.

Its tight mid-table but seeing Watford above us, Palace, Everton, West Ham...We need to win and by a few goals for the goal difference.

We really need to step on the gas. Looks as though the mid-table teams have already started doing that.

seems every week now we get a chance to make a step up this is another one. The crowd need to play their part

3 points far more important then the performance for this game.

They haven't done too badly this season, West Brom. Disciplined, well-organised, tough to beat, and they concede very few goals away from home.

Pulis has stifled us in the past on more than one occasion so we should know what to expect this time.

I'd like to see Coutinho, Can, Lallana and Firmino playing, hopefully providing the guile to unlock the West Brom defence.

3 points please Red men!  After ManUre dropped points and the Bitters scraped a draw, we desperately need to claw some ground back.  However, I feel Pulis will park the bus again and we will end up 0-0 or 1-1.

Games against West Brom are never easy and usually ugly..
They have a midfield that can get nasty with the likes of Morrison and Fletcher and that tw*t Olsson has always
been a dirty b***ard.

So Can, Lucas, Allen infact whoever Jürgen picks in midfield will need their gum shields in.

The big question is do we play with Benteke up on his own (again) or will it be Firmino, Couts and Lallana doing the biz?

West Brom under Pulis have ground out a few decent results in the last few weeks and his tradition of arriving at Anfield with a fleet of Buses probably won't change..

An early goal to get the crowd going would be nice and keep Ricky Lambert out of the Kop end goal please !!

Valuable points and a bit of leap frogging up the table up for grabs.. Lets not blow it !!

I'm going for a hard fought sneaky 2-1 win...

Come the F**k on!

Need an early goal or could be a long afternoon

explains everything !

- and I'd be more inclined to go with him than some of the entrenched views, and hate on here for Mignolet.

I wonder why you feel the need to write such inflammatory stuff show us all where anyone has posted anything hateful about Mignolet.

Its tight mid-table but seeing Watford above us, Palace, Everton, West Ham...We need to win and by a few goals for the goal difference.

Traction.

3 points and we get up into the mix .

We need a determined team to play for their life against the buses. We need to show character and belief. Klopp do your magic with the selection, an audience has no merit to speak about his master's decision

I wonder why you feel the need to write such inflammatory stuff show us all where anyone has posted anything hateful about Mignolet.

My post wasn't aimed at you. Don't take it personally.

Back to topic, a frustrating 1-0 win to the reds, I predict.

My post wasn't aimed at you. Don't take it personally.

Back to topic, a frustrating 1-0 win to the reds, I predict.

Mate, a win is always a win. I would love 38 frustrating wins.

Mate, a win is always a win. I would love 38 frustrating wins.

True.

Im sure we will get a win here,and i mostly like the team that you have posted but i am just not sure should Coutinho be a starter straight away.

Have a good day all just leaving for the game .coyr .

Have a good day all just leaving for the game .coyr .

Enjoy the match Andy then come back and tell us how good it was watching us thrash West Brom.

I hope that it will not be a theatre like atmosphere today at Anfield.

I hate Pulis's teams f**king awful games, it really doesn't qualify as entertainment. As usual being at home will mean we should win but probably won't.

0-0

I hate when we play a Tony pulis team,
he mainly park the bus at every away(and sometimes even home ones) game , its simply his type of plan for games
so we need an early goal so they  open up a little more,which normally is not done immediately
 we MUST grab this opportunity with a home game to get closer to the top places ,we simply cannot go in the holiday games sitting in 10th place

SO COME ON REDS

YNWA

I hate when we play a Tony pulis team,
he mainly park the bus at every away(and sometimes even home ones) game , its simply his type of plan for games
so we need an early goal so they  open up a little more,which normally is not done immediately
 we MUST grab this opportunity with a home game to get closer to the top places ,we simply cannot go in the xmas in 10th place

SO COME ON REDS

YNWA

Its time to park it out

Suffering with a horrid bout of flu so a win would be very welcome. 

Come on the Reds!!

Suffering with a horrid bout of flu so a win would be very welcome. 

Come on the Reds!!

Brutal Debs - been floored for 2 weeks only made it out the door for first time on Thursday for an hour - that nearly killed me!. Had forgotten what "real flu" was like (not the "man" variant!).

Still feel pretty skittish but deffo on mend.

Take care and don't rush it.

Brutal Debs - been floored for 2 weeks only made it out the door for first time on Thursday for an hour - that nearly killed me!. Had forgotten what "real flu" was like (not the "man" variant!).

Still feel pretty skittish but deffo on mend.

Take care and don't rush it.

A doctor friend of the family once told me one of the best tests for real flu is put £10 on the floor and see if they pick it up, if they can they haven't got flu.

Only had it once in my life and it really does knock you for 6. Best thing I ever had though it actually made me quit smoking for a week and then when I tried one after it I didn't like the taste so a real blessing for me in the end, was a 20 a day smoker before that (about 20 year old at the time).

Bacon never tasted so good though, the salt really cuts through.

A doctor friend of the family once told me one of the best tests for real flu is put £10 on the floor and see if they pick it up, if they can they haven't got flu.

Only had it once in my life and it really does knock you for 6. Best thing I ever had though it actually made me quit smoking for a week and then when I tried one after it I didn't like the taste so a real blessing for me in the end, was a 20 a day smoker before that (about 20 year old at the time).

Bacon never tasted so good though, the salt really cuts through.

Funny Luke - I've done the same thing with the sauce.

Probably temporary but good opportunity to re-boot that particular relationship.

Working over time so won't be able to watch so we should destroy them 7-1....

Don't think Milner and Firmino have earned a place in the starting XI today. I'd go

             Mignolet
Clyne Skrtel Lovren Moreno
           Can Lucas
Lallana  Coutinho  Ibe
             Benteke

Don't think Milner and Firmino have earned a place in the starting XI today. I'd go

             Mignolet
Clyne Skrtel Lovren Moreno
           Can Lucas
Lallana  Coutinho  Ibe
             Benteke

I'd rather Firmino than Benteke. I'm absolutely fed up of him missing sitters that 95% of fans would score themselves. It seems to be a sitter a game. He does score goals, probably 1 for every 2 he should score.

Brutal Debs - been floored for 2 weeks only made it out the door for first time on Thursday for an hour - that nearly killed me!. Had forgotten what "real flu" was like (not the "man" variant!).

Still feel pretty skittish but deffo on mend.

Take care and don't rush it.

Cheers mate.

Suffering with a horrid bout of flu so a win would be very welcome. 

Come on the Reds!!

that would be the horrid Woman flu Debs so much worse than man flu......I am sure a good win will make you feel a lot better

Think most of us would take a 1-0 win with just 1 shot on target against Pulis.

I understand why people employ him but he really does anger every football loving fan with his style. Really hope we stuff 'em good and proper, as has been said above they've got some horrible players who don't mind being dirty which we must match.

Very interested how Jürgen sets up against them and looking forward to the starting XI being announced.

Don't think Milner and Firmino have earned a place in the starting XI today. I'd go

             Mignolet
Clyne Skrtel Lovren Moreno
           Can Lucas
Lallana  Coutinho  Ibe
             Benteke

Swap Milner with Ibe (has been out with a flu lately) and thats the team. Think we need Benteke rather than Firmino agaist packed defence of thugs. I sense big Liverpool win in this one. coyr

These 4pm Sunday games are a pain in the arse, feels like I've been waiting forever for this game.

Gone for a 2  1 win for the Reds, although could be difficult the way Pulis sets out his side.

Lallana has to play in imo, along with Coutinho and Firmino.  Get among those big lads, pull em all over the shop and turn em inside out.

I'd leave big Ben out til late. 

Three points here are vital if we're serious about top 4.

Tony Pulis will potentially kill this game today, having said that, if we attack from the first whistle and get an early goal it'll drag them out and could make for an entertaining match win.

COYR! 

Really looking forward to this one. Coutinho back, home game, Christamassy feel...all we need is the tea lady to slip Pulis a tab of acid before kick off and his tactical approach will surely loosen up!

Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Henderson, Can, Milner; Lallana, Benteke, Coutinho

Confirmed, like the team to be honest. Can't argue too much with Firmino getting dropped, Lucas has looked a little leggy too so there's logic there. Think it'll be an energy full team but we need Benteke to move his arse up top. If he presses too then we can dominate them early on.

that would be the horrid Woman flu Debs so much worse than man flu......I am sure a good win will make you feel a lot better

True on both parts Walt. 

Teams are in. Pre Match Topic Locked.

In game thread is here http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,48334.0.html