Liverpool v West Ham (5/3/08 20:00) GAME IN HAND (At Last!)

Nothing much to say other than I fully expect 3 points and to go ahead of Everton.

No room for error.  Let's make sure we've put all the games of dissapointment behind us and continue our good run of form.

2 - 0
Babel, Torres.

I'm unsure about this one meself West Ham are gonna be tough to beat and Rafa aint really hot on picking the teams for must win games.

I'm gonna sit on the fence with this one.

I fully expect 3 points

I totally agree with you there Court - we're slowly but surely getting a good rhythm going and scoring goals at last! I expect this to continue and us to get that 4th place back again. Even if we're still not playing the best football at the moment (in the Premiership matches at least!), we're doing now what we weren't managing for a couple of months: winning games instead of drawing them. I really do feel that we are at the beginning of a long run of victories - with our attacking players such as Kuyt and Babel getting back their goal scoring habits and from this their confidence, and Torres remaining at his high level, I think we should be scoring for fun!

Won't bother trying to pick a line-up as I will undoubtably be wrong, but I do hope that Rafa will continue keeping more or less the same team, though keeping Carra in the centre this time. Let's keep the momentum going and bring home another 3 points.

I reckon 3-1 to us again, Kuyt Babel and Torres on the scoresheet.

I  reckon 3-1 to us again, Kuyt Babel and Torres on the scoresheet.

I reckon 3-1 aswell, Torres and a Babel double. Ill be posting soon as i get home in the pissed off thread if we don't win this one. Got a good feeling about this one, had the same feeling with the Bolton game.

2-0 to liverpool Finges crossed, does anybody know if its being televised anywhere ?

Ahh, I wondered why there wasn't a CL game this week
I think we can beat them; just no silly mistakes.

2-0 to liverpool Finges crossed, does anybody know if its being televised anywhere ?

Dont think it is on TV, because its the CL. games, but if I hear any more will let you know.

This isn't on anywhere due to the champions league games taken place.The Inter game is postponed due to the Fact Ac And Inter would both be at home on the same week.

3-0

Babel 2
Kuyt

Should win this convincingly, and we need to. Keep same team imo except have arbeloa right back instead of finnan. Maybe skrtel and carra in the centre.

West Ham always give me a funny feeling around the sphincter region.

I fully expect a disappointing draw followed by Rafa's traditional post match comments of 'We need to take our chances'.

Sorry for the pessimism.

Anyone think Agger should start this one or should we wait for the newcastle game?

I think we should wait for newcastle match, they are less of a challenge imo.

West Ham always give me a funny feeling around the sphincter region.

I fully expect a disappointing draw followed by Rafa's traditional post match comments of 'We need to take our chances'.

Sorry for the pessimism.

Pessimism, cant even say it, never mind spell it.

I'm saying 2-1, but it going to be a hard game.

Anyone think Agger should start this one or should we wait for the newcastle game?

I think we should wait for newcastle match, they are less of a challenge imo.

yeah id wait for the Newcastle game, we could prob but our reserves out and still beat them. Maybe give Agger a run in the second half of the West game though, see how he gets through.

You tried FSI ?

2-0 to liverpool Finges crossed, does anybody know if its being televised anywhere ?

You tried FSI ?

Excuse my ignorance , FSI , What is it ?

Excuse my ignorance , FSI , What is it ?

Google says its FOOTBALL STREAMING INFO, apparently!

livefooty-doctor have a link.
http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/
half way down the page.

http://www.fsicrew.info/about.html

check this out

http://www.fsicrew.info/about.html

check this out

Is it any good though, ive downloaded certain footy streaming things before and they have been pretty sh*t.
Are you signed up to it.If so whats it like.

Put the same line-up(4-5-1)still put torres lonely in-front
I would swap kuyt with Yossi
Hope this match can win covincingly(4-0)

we deseve a win after poor last minute loss against West Ham last time. Jammy buggers. we win next few games , Bliuenoses don't then we stuff Evertoneless

I have a bad feeling that Torres will now go on a long run without scoring any goals... don't ask
Babel will take the light though, he will score plenty of superb goals until the end of the season, gearing up for next season!

We'll win 2 nil

Vert tough match . West Ham are far better that they were earlier in the season. Depends what team Rafa thinks should be good enough to start. Should be capable of a 2-0 or 3-1 win if the strongest team starts.

I dont know very hard to predict. I suppose that if we keep the same 11 we should win without any major complications, but knowing Rafa he will shuffle a few things around. One thing with West Ham after a 4-0 home drubbing last week they will be very compact and wont give us as much space as Bolton. I dont know I am confident of 3 points and I wont predict the score.

fully expect 3points, dont expect it to be easy though. they'll be delighted with a draw especially after already beating us this season so they'll be hard to break down. i'll call it 2-1, torres and crouch

Ahh, I wondered why there wasn't a CL game this week
I think we can beat them; just no silly mistakes.

That will be because AC Milan and Inter Milan sharing the pitch isn't?, also, they RE concerns  that  two sets of English fans (therefore massive numbers of support) been in town at the same time. They fear that will be cause problems....Now I might be wrong, is that fixture against West Ham was scheduled already at that date?? i can't imagine the FA scheduling a Premier league game when it's champions league day??

I'll go for an other 4-1 victory for the reds, although I would love a clean sheet....

Yep! I think its gonna be a tough one!!  As Cy says I would love a clean sheet, cause we need to build up our goal diff. because I think the fourth spot is going to be extremely tight this year. The bitter are ridin their luck ATM
Would be f***in chuffed with 2-0

3 points lads...in whatever shape or form, that's what I'm after. Sure goal difference might play a part later on, but you can't argue with 3 points. They (them bluenoses) still have to come to Anfield remember, albeit sandwiched between the Manure and Arse fixtures!

Torres and Babel to secure the win...

COME ON YOU REDS!!!!!!!!!

2-1 for me.

                           Reina

Arbeloa   Carragher   Skrtel   Aurellio

Gerrard  Lucas   MAscherano  Babel

               Kuyt
                    Torres

Liking the line up, bring Crouch on late to change it up. West Ham and their tough defence, going to be tough.

2-1 for me.

                           Reina

Arbeloa   Carragher   Skrtel   Aurellio

Gerrard  Lucas   MAscherano  Babel

               Kuyt
                    Torres

Liking the line up, bring Crouch on late to change it up. West Ham and their tough defence, going to be tough.

The back four look quite strong but the midfielder doesnt.Im still love Rafa-Valencia line-up(4-5-1)
                     
                   Reina
Arbeloa    Carra          Skrtel            Aurelio

                     Mascherano

Yossi        Alonso       gerrard          Babel
                     
                        Torres
3-1 for me

The back four look quite strong but the midfielder doesnt.Im still love Rafa-Valencia line-up(4-5-1)
                     
                   Reina
Arbeloa    Carra          Skrtel            Aurelio

                     Mascherano

Yossi        Alonso       gerrard          Babel
                    
                        Torres
3-1 for me

I prefer this one, as it allows us to play more of our quality midfielders. I see it more in the 4-2-3-1 style though, with Alonso next to Mascha behind the other three, controlling the play.

I just kept the one that saw us play to perfection against Inter, works against Inter than it must against a less attack minded West Ham

I prefer this one, as it allows us to play more of our quality midfielders. I see it more in the 4-2-3-1 style though, with Alonso next to Mascha behind the other three, controlling the play.

yeah i'd call it 4-2-3-1 more than anything, the good thing about is its different than what any other prem team plays so teams wont be too wise to defending against it,and its much more attacking and free-flowing. turned out to be a bit of a tonic for the team to get back to winning ways after the disaster against barnesly

Im sorry Croucinho is there any reason why you would drop Hyppia?? He was our star defender agains Bolton, I dont see why we would need to drop him againsgt the Hammers. They dont have any fast men up front and Hyppia can quite handle what they have in attack.

My team for tomorrow would be:

              Pepe

Arbeloa Carra Skrtel Aurelio

Gerrard Masch Xabi  Babel
 
          Crouch Torres

Subs Charlie, Lucas, Finnan, Pennant, Yossi

Must win this IMO. Got to get back above the bitters. A win tomorrow and a win against Newcastle at the weekend would set us up splendidly for the Inter clash next week!

GERRARD WARY AFTER HAMMER BLOW

Jimmy Rice 04 March 2008 

  Steven Gerrard has warned his teammates they'll be facing a wounded animal when West Ham arrive at Anfield on Wednesday night. 

 
The Hammers come to Merseyside on the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
 
Gerrard is keen to ensure the Reds guard against a backlash, especially with Alan Curbishley's side still gunning for a UEFA Cup spot next season.
 
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "As footballers, when you are on the end of a battering you hurt and you want to put it right straight away.
 
"They'll come to Anfield hoping to get a good result, and a good result for them would be a draw. That's what they'll come here to get, but a draw is no good for us."
 
Liverpool have waited the entire season for their game in hand to arrive – and Gerrard for one is desperate to now make it count.
 
He knows three points would elevate the Reds to fourth spot once more, ahead of Everton on goal difference.
 
"West Ham have bought some good players after a disappointing season for them last year," said the skipper. "They've got good players and a good manager, so we have a lot of respect.
 
"We're desperate for the points though, and we're at Anfield. We've been waiting for this game for a long time, now we've got to make it count."
 
Sunday's 3-1 victory at the Reebok made it three wins on the bounce for Rafa Benitez's side, a welcome run after a season blighted by draws.
 
The Reds have had to settle for a point 11 times this season – six at Anfield.
 
Gerrard added: "I am confident we can now go on a winning run. Some of the draws have been very disappointing because we've been really good at home in the last few seasons. Normally we struggle away from home but it's vice versa this season.
 
"I'm sure we'll get both right in time and improve on our league position."
 
Liverpool go into Wednesday night's game looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat at Upton Park just over a month ago, a game which was decided by a last-minute penalty.
 
Gerrard said: "It was disappointing to lose that game. We didn't really feel under any pressure during the 90 minutes and we didn't feel like we were going to lose the game. I think we deserved more."

**********************************************************************************************************

We need revenge tomorrow night, so very important to get three points to keep the pressure on the blue sh*te, can't afford any slip ups.

I like that team that you suggested DonRafael, but I honestly think that Kuyt deserves to keep his place, he's been playing well recently and after all the stick he's had this season, he is finally getting a bit of confidence back and I think he should at least be in the team up front with Torres or at the very least on the bench.

Mind you I can't help but feel sorry for Crouchie, hasn't done anything wrong, yet hardly gets a look in, wouldn't surprise me if he goes in the summer

Going for 2-0 to the lads tomorrow night, keep the confidence up nice and high for the game against Newcastle at the weekend and then it's the big match against Inter..........need to be in buoyant mood for that.

Go Go the Mighty Liverpool

If we don't beat this lot (WHU) we'll need shooting, our team are beginning to show some form again I just hope all the distraction of the take over don't affect the players.A good win...

Their danger man is Etherington apart from him I cant see many others that can trouble us to much in attack.

ljnberg who got them the win when we played them last time, Ashton if he plays and Carlton cole are all dangerous players. Not a team to be taken lightly but we can definately beat them if we play like we all know we can.

I know I'm clutching at straws here ,but has anyone noticed since the chelsea game our goals for has matched or beaten the previous game !

My gut feeling says 3-1 to us. I hate even contemplating us conceding a goal but it seems to happen a lot lately especially at home from set pieces. I hope I'm totally wrong and we batter them 5-0 but I'm going to predict 3-1. Gerrard and a Torres brace.

Im sorry Croucinho is there any reason why you would drop Hyppia?? He was our star defender agains Bolton, I dont see why we would need to drop him againsgt the Hammers. They dont have any fast men up front and Hyppia can quite handle what they have in attack.

Sami is 34, cant play every match now can he, especially when we want him to play next season. Plus Carra and Skrtel are very suitable if you ask me...

My team for tomorrow would be:

              Pepe

Arbeloa Carra Skrtel Aurelio

Gerrard Masch Xabi  Babel
 
          Crouch Torres

Subs Charlie, Lucas, Finnan, Pennant, Yossi

Don thats not a bad line up and I do like Arbeloa at right back,I am of the opinion that Finnan is injured So Danny Agger or Hypia should replace him on the benchOR HOW ABOUT INSUA.

Can anyone tell me a website that shows this live match???The channels in my state didnt show it due to the UEFA match.

Don thats not a bad line up and I do like Arbeloa at right back,I am of the opinion that Finnan is injured So Danny Agger or Hypia should replace him on the benchOR HOW ABOUT INSUA.

Yes, Billy, Steve Finnan is injured and both Insua and Agger played last night in the reserves.

3 points is a must i dont care if its the worst game ever as long as we win.

liverpool echo saying that Torres may miss game with a bug!  we still should be good enough to win with or without him.

Yes Croucinho but why change something that works very well. Rafa has noticed that he has played well enough to force Carra into the RB position.

Fernando Torres hit by bug
Mar 5 2008 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

FERNANDO TORRES is a major doubt for Liverpool's meeting with West Ham at Anfield tonight, having picked up a bug.

The Reds' top scorer was absent from training yesterday and unless he makes a dramatic recovery is unlikely to be involved against the Hammers.

If, as expected, Torres is unavailable, manager Rafa Benitez is likely to offer a first team recall to Peter Crouch, who has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks.

Should Liverpool win tonight they will go above Everton into fourth place in the Premier League and Benitez today called on his players to take advantage of their game in hand on their Merseyside rivals.

He said: "We have been waiting a long time to play this game and now it is here we must take advantage of it.

"We need to take the confidence from Sunday's win against Bolton into tonight's game.

"But we also have to be careful because West Ham are a good team with good players and we know it will be difficult against them."

Benitez is still smarting from a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Alan Curbishley's side just over a month ago.

On that occasion, Liverpool lost despite having dominated long spells of the game when Mark Noble slotted home an injury time penalty.

"I was disappointed that night," admitted the Reds boss. "We dominated most of the second half and had chances but could not score.

"But that is in the past and tonight we must be positive because we are playing well and creating chances."

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger came through his second reserve team appearance in less than a week unscathed.

The Danish defender played an hour of last night's 1-0 win over Bolton and suffered no ill effects.

Having stepped up his rehabilitation from a metatarsal injury, Agger will now be looking to win his place back in the team.

Fernando Torres hit by bug
Mar 5 2008 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

FERNANDO TORRES is a major doubt for Liverpool's meeting with West Ham at Anfield tonight, having picked up a bug.

The Reds' top scorer was absent from training yesterday and unless he makes a dramatic recovery is unlikely to be involved against the Hammers.

If, as expected, Torres is unavailable, manager Rafa Benitez is likely to offer a first team recall to Peter Crouch, who has had to settle for a place on the bench in recent weeks.

Should Liverpool win tonight they will go above Everton into fourth place in the Premier League and Benitez today called on his players to take advantage of their game in hand on their Merseyside rivals.

He said: "We have been waiting a long time to play this game and now it is here we must take advantage of it.

"We need to take the confidence from Sunday's win against Bolton into tonight's game.

"But we also have to be careful because West Ham are a good team with good players and we know it will be difficult against them."

Benitez is still smarting from a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Alan Curbishley's side just over a month ago.

On that occasion, Liverpool lost despite having dominated long spells of the game when Mark Noble slotted home an injury time penalty.

"I was disappointed that night," admitted the Reds boss. "We dominated most of the second half and had chances but could not score.

"But that is in the past and tonight we must be positive because we are playing well and creating chances."

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger came through his second reserve team appearance in less than a week unscathed.

The Danish defender played an hour of last night's 1-0 win over Bolton and suffered no ill effects.

Having stepped up his rehabilitation from a metatarsal injury, Agger will now be looking to win his place back in the team.

Aren't bugs only in your system for 24 hours? Or does it depend? Or am I thinking of something else? Could see Crouchy and Babel starting up top tonight if theres no Torres.

We need revenge tomorrow night, so very important to get three points to keep the pressure on the blue sh*te, can't afford any slip ups.

You damn right! No slip ups and no sloppy play. Got to keep head strong like we were on Sunday and play with the belief we are going to win.

These three points tonight are a must and we are capable of getting them - with or without Torres. Although it will be a blow if he's ruled out.

I can't see West Ham going at us hammer and tong but we've got to be sharp at the back. When we've come up against set pieces lately we've looked really vulnerable. Hopefully that's been worked on.
I'm hoping for an early goal for us and if that happens I think we could go on to get a few more. West Ham will be smarting after getting beat 4-0 by the chavs, so they'll be playing not to get beat - as most teams usually do at Anfield. If we show a fighting spirit and determination we can break them open. It's time for us to think about the on pitch action. So let's see if our players are up for the challenge and not let the 'game in hand' shadow their mentality, or the ridiculous off pitch actions of late.

Come on you red men!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Torres has got the shits

Torres has got the shits

Upson and Ferdinand just got rid of them when they read the Echo this morning.

Is the game on T.V or am i going to have to watch it on sopcast or something?

I'd like to see pennant back in the team tonight and Babel and Kuyt upfront if Torres is too ill to play.

                              Reina

Arbeloa       Carragher        Hyypia      Aurelio

Pennant      Gerrard           Masch       Babel (kewell)

                  Kuyt              Torres (babel)

Subs:  Martin, Skrtel, Lucas, Alonso, Crouch

Is the game on T.V or am I going to have to watch it on sopcast or something?

I'd like to see pennant back in the team tonight and Babel and Kuyt upfront if Torres is too ill to play.

                              Reina

Arbeloa       Carragher        Hyypia      Aurelio

Pennant      Gerrard           Masch       Babel (kewell)

                  Kuyt              Torres (babel)

Subs:  Martin, Skrtel, Lucas, Alonso, Crouch

Don't think it is Kenny, with the CL on sky sports and that.

What about setanta?

What about setanta?

Just checked their website, not on there either

Now is the time to begin to put a distance between LFC and all these other clones. Much as I expect a 1st - 3rd position at the end of the day, I really dont think any of these other teams striving fot the fourth place can actually clinch that 4th position. Liverpool (2) West Ham (0).

well say mate and  LFC 3-0 at FT with torres in the scoresheet.

Dont think Torres is playing he's got some sort of bug, good job its not next week    Was reported on Setanta news at about 4.45pm 

Torres has got the shits

If Hicks and Gillett were your bosses you would have the shits as well.I am expecting to come out flying and grab an early goal for the mighty REDS.

We will win this tonight, just needs to pick a strong squad and not under estimate west ham, there is no room for a draw or a loss, points behind this 3 points is a Must!

For the streams go to www.live-footy.org and scroll down to the game and click on stream 1 which is normally sopcast this is normally good