Liverpool v Arsenal (Premier League) 15.08.10

I think it's a huge risk putting Gerrard and Aquilani in the middle for this one.

                    Reina
Johnson    Carra    Agger   Kelly
              Gerrard  Lucas
    Maxi           Cole         Jova
                     Kuyt

Subs: Cav, Skrtel, Aurelio, Aquilani, Pacheco, Babel, Torres.     

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

Completely agree mate re Cole. He was superb in the hole last night. The vision and ability are there for all to see. And Gerrard was back where he should always have been, calling the tune from the middle of the park.Just wish we still had Alonso to partner him!

If Fabregas and Van Persie dont start for Arsenal, il convert to Budhaism.

                                  Reina

Johnson          Carragher             Agger         Aurelio

                      Gerrard         Aquilani

      Maxi                                              Jovanovic

                         Cole
                                  Torres

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

I hope so. That's the dream team.

                                  Reina

Johnson          Carragher             Agger         Aurelio

                      Gerrard         Aquilani

      Maxi                                              Jovanovic

                         Cole
                                  Torres

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

Thats the exact team I envisage rolling out at Anfield.

What a game to start the new league season.........cant wait. 

Think Nando will only make the bench, Kuyt hasnt got any minutes in pre-season so expect Ngog to start up front.

Again I'll say, dont think we can play Aquilani centre midfield with Stevie, would get overun and far too exposed as both would want to get forward.

                Pepe

Johnson Carra Agger  Aurellio

Maxi   Gerrard  Lucas  Jova

          Cole
                    Ngog

I wonder how sharp Pepe will be?

I wonder how sharp Pepe will be?

He's off to Arsenal according to the Mail

He's off to Arsenal according to the Mail

Ha ha must be a slow day in the press office.

A week till the start of the Premier League season. Who's excited?

I am. Can't wait to see lads back in action and watching them every week. Got a tough opening match but they always are anyway, no matter who the opposition is.

I'm feeling strangely optimistic for this match. The players seem to be in a good mood and full of confidence and i hope they play some of that smooth, flowing football we saw against Rabotnicki.

He's off to Arsenal according to the Mail

My response

Charles Penrose - Laughing Policeman (1926)

People forgetting how Arsenal tore us a new arsehole in midfield in all games last season? Need a holding midfielder, be it Mascherano or Lucas.

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

You opening comment is exactly what i was about to say, people wanting to play him left midfield obviously didn't watch the game the other night. I would go with the same team.

He's off to Arsenal according to the Mail

I got a couple of texts through this morning saying this as well. Wonder if it is true. Don't know what they're doing sniffing round our next captain

Read the b*ll*cks about Pepe this morning. Despite that I'll put him in the team.

Was interesting listening to Joe talk about himself and Stevie swapping position in midfield throughout the game. Overlapping if you will. We also saw Pacheco and Jovanovic interchange throughout the last game.

On the basis of this and the fact that we need at least one holding player against Arsenal I would suggest this line up


                   Reina

Johnson   Carra   Skrtel   Agger/Kelly___ Injuries permitting

                  Lucas

          Gerrard____Cole_________ ______One dropping back when defending
Maxi                            Jovanovic
              Torres/Ngog________________ Fitness permitting

This would leave
Cavelieri, Kuyt, Kelly, Ngog, Aquilani, Pacheco, Spearing

If Torres and Agger dont feature then... Aurelio and Amoo on the bench

Pepe leaving reports are attributed to a very unreliable shithouse newspaper.  I won't say it's name on here, but I'm sure you can see why an article hasn't been posted in the transfer board.

By the way ozgooner  No, not going to happen ever.  He's our Pepe, get your own!!

Ehm, the worst newspaper in the world suggested Pepe was off. So ignoring that one.

If there is any smoke to this story (and I doubt it), it's Arsene trying to play mind games 2 weeks before the two teams meet. 

Ehm, the worst newspaper in the world suggested Pepe was off. So ignoring that one.

If there is any smoke to this story (and I doubt it), it's Arsene trying to play mind games 2 weeks before the two teams meet.  couldn't even blame wenger on that headline. that scum paper need to use ink and always aim it towards us.
pepe is getting as scouce as big Jan Molby

To be honest im delighted with this as a first game, especially looking at other fixtuers (in particular Man City - Tottenham)... You cant win the prem by August, or lose it so a few tough games at the start will do us good.

Arsenal arent looking as good as a few years ago (we have had some torrid times against them in the last few season) and with Fab not 100% committed and their defence still in tatters (even with a signing 1 week to gel is a tough ask!) and no real keeper they are there for the taking in my opinion. Can see us going at them early and getting a goal, if not a few and them competly capulitulating... They will get a few chances, and they play some mighty attractive football - but I will have my money on us...

               Reina

Johnson Agger Skrtel Kelly

              Gerrard

Maxi         Cole         Jovanovic

         Kuyt        Torres     

Would work wondders for me! 2 up top all season please... The work rate of Kuyt dragging the defence all over the shop and Torres punishing them. I know Gerrard looks deep - but its ment to be more of a 442 than anything - if we need cover perhaps Lucas in there and Cole wide with gerrard in the middle and Maxi on the bench.

Arsenal are going into the game without Song, Diaby, Denilson, Ramsey and could not have Cesc who is yet play since the World Cup final. 

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/wengers-woes-at-midfield-put-young-guns-in-line-for-anfield-baptism-of-fire-2290552.html

Van Persie is definitely not starting, either. Big chance for us to show our intent.

Arsenal are going into the game without Song, Diaby, Denilson, Ramsey and could not have Cesc who is yet play since the World Cup final. 

Van Persie is definitely not starting, either. Big chance for us to show our intent.

It don't matter we have "The Scouse Destroyer" himself in Arshavin . i had the pleasure of watchin him bang in 4 last season at Anfield

It don't matter we have "The Scouse Destroyer" himself in Arshavin . i had the pleasure of watchin him bang in 4 last season at Anfield

What makes it even F***ing worse is he's a Liverpool fan FFS.  Give him to us and you can have Plessis, fair trade IMO.