Liverpool v Arsenal (Premier League) 15.08.10

Maybe the first bit of good news for this game

Arsène Wenger has suggested that Cesc Fábregas and Robin van Persie will struggle to be fit for Arsenal's opening game of the Premier League season, against Liverpool at Anfield two weeks on Sunday. The manager has also effectively confirmed that he is in negotiations with Werder Bremen over the transfer of the Germany centre-half Per Mertesacker.

Fábregas and Van Persie played in the World Cup final on 11 July, for Spain and Holland respectively, and Wenger has granted them extended summer leave in light of their exertions. They are not due to report back to the training ground until next Thursday, meaning they will miss this weekend's Emirates Cup, when Arsenal play Milan and Celtic, and, almost certainly, the club's final pre-season fixture, at Legia Warsaw on Saturday week.

The Guardian

It seems like a tactic that old Fergie uses! Claim that a player may not be fit for the game until a day or so just before and then say they could possibly start and then we see them running out of the tunnel for the game...

I do fancy beating them first game considering our competitive season is up and running

I would love to see our strongest team, would nando be back?

Reina
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger

     Masch/Lucas

Maxi   Gerrard  Jovo
       
         Cole
                 Torres

I would love to see our strongest team, would nando be back?

Reina
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger

     Masch/Lucas

Maxi   Gerrard  Jovo
       
         Cole
                 Torres

I'd go

             Reina

Johnson Agger Carragher *NEW LB*
Cole      Lucas  Gerrard     Babel
            Aquilani
                       Ngog

This is purley on the assumption Torres will not be fit - not on the assumption that he is leaving - because he is not.

Not actually sure if I'll be back in time from my holiday for this!

I'd go

             Reina

Johnson Agger Carragher *NEW LB*
Cole      Lucas  Gerrard     Babel
            Aquilani
                       Ngog

This is purley on the assumption Torres will not be fit - not on the assumption that he is leaving - because he is not.

So you would use Jovoc as an impact sub? Ngog up front seems more likely. We could see a 442 though as Woy has stated he likes.
So two up front and we could see babel or kuyt up there. ( Yes im aware there both not strikers)

So you would use Jovoc as an impact sub? Ngog up front seems more likely. We could see a 442 though as Woy has stated he likes.
So two up front and we could see babel or kuyt up there. ( Yes im aware there both not strikers)

I think Jovanovic is a bit off the pace at the moment , and may take 3-4 games to adapt to the league.

I guess only time will tell though, usually we are quite rusty first 2-3 games.

I would love to see our strongest team, would nando be back?

Reina
Johnson Carra Skrtel Agger

     Masch/Lucas

Maxi   Gerrard  Jovo
       
         Cole
                 Torres

i'd go with


           Reina
Johnson  Carra   Skrtel   Agger

Maxi   Lucas   Gerrard   Cole
       
         Aquilani
                 Torres

                 Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger New LB
    Maxi Lucas Gerrard Cole
           Aquilani
                  Jova

I stuck Milan in there as Nando might not be ready. Dunno who the new LB will end up being.

I'm not keen on Aqua starting.

I'd go with (Assuming Torres is injured)

-------------Reina-------------

Johnson--Wilson--Agger---New LB

Maxi----Gerrard---Cole----Eccleston

                    --Pacheco--

------Jovanovic------


This would be a huge opportunity for the likes of NE and DP but I think these two are the future of our club. If we make one or two good signings before the game then I'd put someone ahead of NE - someone with more experience.

I'm not keen on Aqua starting.

I'd go with (Assuming Torres is injured)

-------------Reina-------------

Johnson--Wilson--Agger---New LB

Maxi----Gerrard---Cole----Eccleston

                    --Pacheco--

------Jovanovic------


This would be a huge opportunity for the likes of NE and DP but I think these two are the future of our club. If we make one or two good signings before the game then I'd put someone ahead of NE - someone with more experience.

I think playing Eccleston and Pacheco from the start for the first game of the season against Arsenal would be too big an occasion for them tbh, maybe too soon. I think we should avoid playing any of the young lads from the start and go all out with out best squad regardless of pre-season performances. It's really important that we get off to a good start so we can signal our intentions for the coming season (not that we need to).

I'd go for this

           Reina
GJ    Carra   Skrtel    Agger
        Stevie    Lucas
Kuyt        Cole      Jovanovic
             Torres

If Torres isn't fit then I'd put Kuyt up front and Maxi on the wing

Well we have a very tough run of games at the start of the season with Arsenal (h), Trabzonspor (h), Citeh (a), Trabzonspor (a) and West Brom (a) in a run of 13 days so it would be nice to see us start off with a big win. Looking at what Roy has played in the Europa League games I have a feeling we will be see something similar to what we did in the second leg. I can't see Torres fit enough to start this game and with the run of games he will get the starts to gain his fitness and form.

--------------Pepe-------------
Johnson---Skrtel---Carra---Agger
----------Lucas---Gerrard-------
Kuyt---------Cole--------Jovanovic
------------Ngog-----------------

Subs: Diego, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Aquilani, Maxi, Pacheco, Torres

Personally, I'd like to see:

REINA
JOHNSON SKRTEL AGGER AURELIO
AQUILANI GERRARD
MAXI COLE JOVANOVIC
KUYT

SUBS: CAVALIERI, INSUA, CARRAGHER, LUCAS, BABEL, PACHECO, N'GOG

If Torres is fit, he'll play up front with Kuyt shifting into Maxi's spot and Maxi to replace either Pacheco or N'Gog on the bench =]

I'd go with


           Reina
Johnson  Carra   Skrtel   Agger

Maxi   Lucas   Aquilani   Cole
       
         Gerrard
                 Torres

Personally, I'd like to see:

REINA
JOHNSON SKRTEL AGGER AURELIO
AQUILANI GERRARD
MAXI COLE JOVANOVIC
KUYT

SUBS: CAVALIERI, INSUA, CARRAGHER, LUCAS, BABEL, PACHECO, N'GOG

If Torres is fit, he'll play up front with Kuyt shifting into Maxi's spot and Maxi to replace either Pacheco or N'Gog on the bench =]

Spot on mate, hope he goes with this team.

                                  Reina

Johnson          Carragher             Agger         Aurelio

                      Gerrard         Aquilani

      Maxi                                              Jovanovic

                         Cole
                                  Torres

Subs: Cav, Skertl, Kelly, Shelvey, Babel, Pacheco, Kuyt

                Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Kelly
   Maxi Gerrard Lucas Jova
            Cole
                Torres

I'd go with


           Reina
Johnson  Carra   Skrtel   Agger

Maxi   Lucas   Aquilani   Cole
       
         Gerrard
                 Torres

Cole will play more centrally. Gerrards best position is midfield as it has always been. His passing last night was superb and he ran the game from the middle of the park!

                Reina
Johnson Skrtel Agger Kelly
   Maxi Gerrard Lucas Jova
            Cole
                Torres

Good team that, although I would not pick Lucas. Interesting you have Skertl in ahead of carra. I was thinking this myself as Carragher gets caught out for pace far too often now. But I think Roy will go with Carra and I reakon I would go with that as well at this stage. But with Skertl, Wilson, and Ayala as well as Soto we have plenty of back-up in the centre back position this season.

Good team that, although I would not pick Lucas. Interesting you have Skertl in ahead of carra. I was thinking this myself as Carragher gets caught out for pace far too often now. But I think Roy will go with Carra and I reakon I would go with that as well at this stage. But with Skertl, Wilson, and Ayala as well as Soto we have plenty of back-up in the centre back position this season.

I get what you mean about Carra, I was going to put Skrtel/Carra, it's just that I think he would struggle with the quickness of play that comes with Arsenal. In regards to Lucas, he was solid yesterday, I think he has it in him to start these big games personally.

I get what you mean about Carra, I was going to put Skrtel/Carra, it's just that I think he would struggle with the quickness of play that comes with Arsenal. In regards to Lucas, he was solid yesterday, I think he has it in him to start these big games personally.

I'd always have Agger in my team. Good defender and a good footballer as well. I like skertl's no nonsense attitude, abit like Carra. We have plenty to choose from. Fair play with Lucas mate. he has been debated to death hasn't he . He is just not my cup of tea and I do not think he is good enough for us. But thats just my opinion. The lad is certainly a trier and he gives 100% every week, so if he plays he will get my backing. Really looking forward to the new season. Its a tough start that we have got but the boys seem to be buzzing. There seems to be a really positive vibe around the squad. Im sure Roy is a manager who they will all enjoy playing for and will respond to. I feel they will play with alot more freedom this season and be encouraged to express themselves and show what they can do. The thought of Gerrard, Cole and Torres linking up is very exciting.

How can anyone suggest not playing Cole off the striker after seeing him play yesterday? Shocking.

Anyways:

                       Reina
Johnson     Carra       Skrtel     Agger

                          Lucas
Maxi         Gerrard             Jovanovic

                         Cole
                 Torres