Pre Match Thread: Liverpool vs Blackburn (26/12/11; 15:00)

Now let me see. They are not in form, the fans aren't exactly happy, rock bottom, have only won 2 games all season.

Can we start converting chances on Boxing Day and bring this puzzling first half of the season to a close with a comfortable home win.

V




Monday 26 December 2011 | Anfield | Kick-off 15:00

Liverpool
Last six matches
WON
1 - 2 v Chelsea (A)   20 Nov 2011
DRAWN
1 - 1 v Man City (H)   27 Nov 2011
LOST
1 - 0 v Fulham (A)   05 Dec 2011
WON
1 - 0 v QPR (H)   10 Dec 2011
WON
0 - 2 v Aston Villa (A)   18 Dec 2011
DRAWN
0 - 0 v Wigan (A)   21 Dec 2011


Blackburn

Last six matches
DRAWN
3 - 3 v Wigan (A)   19 Nov 2011
LOST
3 - 1 v Stoke (A)   26 Nov 2011
WON
4 - 2 v Swansea (H)   03 Dec 2011
LOST
2 - 1 v Sunderland (A)   11 Dec 2011
LOST
1 - 2 v West Brom (H)   17 Dec 2011
LOST
1 - 2 v Bolton (H)   20 Dec 2011

For Me, I'd send out.

                                                      Reina

Johnson                       Agger                         Skrtel                     Enrique

                                  Henderson                    Adam/Gerrard


Maxi/Downing                                   Suarez                      Bellamy

                                                       Carroll

Looking forward to this one more than usual, mainly cause I'm going to be there.

We have to take 3 points at home against Blackburn, they are looking very poor and if we want to stay in contention then we need to put Blackburn to the sword.

If we don't beat Blackburn at home, we have serious issues.

Only centre mid pairing I want to see at this point is Gerrard-Henderson (pending fitness). No doubt in my mind Adam will start though.

Very worried about blackburn iv gone for the draw as anytime i go for the win against sh*t teams we draw. We need an early goal, you can see the lads get nervous the longer we go without a goal esp with the crowd getting on their backs

Drop the lads that weren't at the races yesterday, only way they'll start learning.

Reina; Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Spearing, Shelvey; Johnson, Suarez, Bellamy; Carroll.

I just want to win, don't care by how many goals or who scores, just a win.

Spearing is back for this one, get him in and take out Adam. I would stay with Henderson too, although he was far from great last night he also wasn't horrendous. Up front I want to see Suarez and Bellamy, them two are by far the best and most dangerous, plus Suarez needs to get a couple and then hopefully the goals will start flowing.

If we can't be Woejus-burn at home ...
3-0 to the Reds.
Why not start Andy, last night we looked tired up front.
It would be nice to get a few goals...

Reina
Jonno, Skyrtel, Agger, Enrique
Bellamy, Spearing, Adam, Downing
Suarez, Carroll

If this turns out to be the day we start taking our chances, this will be double figures, and I'm not exaggerating.

MOTM Robinson.

Johnson Skrtel  Agger  Enrique
          Shelvey Spearing
                  Maxi
Suarez       Kuyt     Bellamy

May as well give the keeper the MOTM ahead of time

Hopefully Captain Fantastic is on the bench.

If we don't win this game, I have no idea what to say anymore.

Blackburn aren't doing well in the league but they shouldn't be taken lightly. At Anfield, we MUST win and at least get a +5 goal difference.

Anything less than 3 points is totally unacceptable. I think if we can get an early goal this'll be an absolute shillacking.

I think Charlie, Downing, Hendo need a rest.

               Reina
Johnson  Agger Skrtel  Enrique
           Spearing
Kuyt     Shelvey            Bellers
      Suarez Carroll

carroll should start no one else is scoring regular
reina
johnson skirtel agger enrique
henderson adam downing
suarez carroll bellamy

                       Reina

Johnson   Skrtel   Agger   Enrique

                   Spearing

         Henderson   Shelvey

     Suarez   Carroll   Bellamy

Subs: Doni, Kelly, Carragher, Adam, Downing, Maxi, Kuyt

Gerrard on the bench instead of Downing if he is fit.

                                    Reina

             Johnson    Skrtel   Agger    Enrique

                           Spearing Adam

              Maxi            Suarez      Bellamy

                                 Carroll

May as well give the keeper the MOTM ahead of time

Hopefully Captain Fantastic is on the bench.

If it wasn't so true that would be F***ing funny as mate.

 

I'm going 8-0 to us. This is going to be the game where we break the back of the net on more than 1 occasion.

Reina
     Johnson     Skrtel       Agger     Jose Enrique
  Spearing   Henderson
    Maxi         Suarez         Bellamy
Carroll

I think Adam might need a rest. Bellamy to take the set pieces. Give Carroll 70 minutes to prove himself, and if he's having a bad game, bring on Kuyt to play up top in mobile, interchanging front four.

2-nil to the Reds.

Come on, we need the point.

Go for it, try our very best & leave the rest to our Lord, it x'mas time.

By the way Merry X'mas EVERYBODY.

Midfield: Maxi - Spearing - Adam - Bellamy
Attack: Suarez - Carroll

I want to see Kean sacked immediately, you know what I mean

Think Stevie will be on the bench for this and I'd throw Carroll in too, Blackburn's confidence must be rock bottom and we need good home win. If we get an early goal it could the that thrasing we've been expecting for weeks.                 

                   Pepe

Johnson Skrtel  Agger  Enrique

Maxi   Spearing  Adam  Bellamy

         Suarez     Carroll

All I know is the Kop should be singing for Luis for a full 90 minutes. None of this "stop singing after 15 minutes because we're not 3 goals up" sh*t.

*If we dont score in the first half, we will not win this match.

*The earlier we score, the more we will score .

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Maxi
Spearing
Shelvey
Bellamy

Suarez
Carroll

We are at home to a poor struggling team, lets play 2 strikers and one DM (spearing)

Play 4-3-3, full on attack
       
Hendo   Adam  Downing
 Bellamy Suarez  Maxi

Shelvey must take part in this. His willingness to get on the ball and create is needed.

               Reina
Johno Skrtel Agger Enrique
             Spearing
         Hendo Shelvey
Bellamy                      Maxi
               Suarez

Liverpool    v    Blackburn

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish Kenny Dalglish managed Blackburn from 1991 to 1995

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has returned to training after an ankle infection but this game may come too soon.

Jay Spearing returns from suspension and the Reds have no new injury concerns after the draw with Wigan.

Blackburn's defensive worries have grown with goalkeeper Paul Robinson's tearing a calf muscle although he is hoping to play through the pain.

Scott Dann, Ryan Nelsen, Martin Olsson and Gael Givet are already out.

MATCH PREVIEW

For everyone connected with Blackburn Rovers, I'm sure this fixture evokes memories of one of their greatest-ever days.

Rovers went to Anfield in May 1995 and - despite losing 2-1 - lifted the Premier League title just three years after being promoted to the top flight. It couldn't be further from their present woes.
Continue reading the main story

    You sense that sooner or later, with the chances Liverpool have created and not converted this season, they will hit a team for four or five

Kenny Dalglish was the man who guided them to that title and he admits to being saddened by his former club's current predicament and the treatment of his fellow Scot Steve Kean in Blackburn's defeat to Bolton this week.

Ironically, it was one of Kean's seven Premier League victories in charge back in January that led to Dalglish returning to Anfield. Roy Hodgson was sacked three days after Liverpool were beaten 3-1 at Ewood Park, and if Blackburn lose again on Boxing Day how much longer will the bottom club leave it without making a change themselves?

Kean's record of just 32 points from a possible 114 since taking charge doesn't lie, and their final match of the calendar year is a trip to Old Trafford.

For Liverpool, it's a game they will expect nothing less than three points from, particularly having been frustratingly held at home by both Norwich and Swansea in the past couple of months, and having drawn a blank for the fifth time in the campaign at Wigan, where, incredibly, they missed their fourth penalty from five this season.

Liverpool will end the year in a far better mindset than the way they started it and you sense that sooner or later, with the chances they've created and not converted this season, they will hit a team for four or five. There's certainly no problem at the other end, where they've got the best defence in the entire league.

There appears to be very little light at the end of the Blackburn tunnel. The only team to be bottom at Christmas and still survive did stick with their manager, but for hopes of a repeat of Bryan Robson and West Brom's great escape, there'll need to be a Boxing Day shock at Anfield.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

    * Liverpool have won their last four home matches against Blackburn.
    * Rovers have won just one of their last eight meetings against Liverpool (W1, D2, L5). That was a 3-1 win last January.
    * Blackburn won 1-0 on the last Boxing Day meeting between the teams - that was at Ewood Park in 2006.

Liverpool

    * Liverpool have conceded just 13 goals this season, the lowest tally in the league. They have kept clean sheets in their last three matches.
    * But the Reds have failed to score in five Premier League matches this season.
    * Liverpool have lost just one of their last 12 in the league.

Blackburn

    * Bottom-placed Blackburn have lost four of their last five Premier League games, including the last three. They have never lost four in a row under Steve Kean.
    * In the history of the Premier League, only one team has been bottom at Christmas and avoided relegation - that was West Brom in 2004-2005.
    * Blackburn haven't won away from home this season.

If we don't beat Blackburn at home, we have serious issues.

JUST OVER 10% OF US DONT THINK WE'LL WIN?

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!

JUST OVER 10% OF US DONT THINK WE'LL WIN?

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!

They're not 'us', 'they' are just jealous sh*te from down the lancs with nothing better to do than hang around where they wish they belonged.

I am shocked 6% of the voters cant see us beaten Blackburn at home,Think we will get a few Goals here on Monday night..

Would like to see Downing and Carroll grab a goal if they get a run out.

Steve Keans final game this. After we hammer them 5-0.

JUST OVER 10% OF US DONT THINK WE'LL WIN?

SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!

I wonder if it would be possible to see a list of who voted for and against,all I can say is the 10% who have voted against us winning cannot have much faith in Kenny and the lads in RED.I have had a feeling for a while that we will give some team a hiding,sorry Blackburn but I think that team is going to be you.

Just went on a Blackburn forum, they all seem to have given us the 3 points already. Came across some gems on there though!

by behind enemy lines » Thu Dec 22, 2011 8:24 pm

Next Game: Barclays Premier League Mon 26th Dec
next game -
Liverpool 15:00 Blackburn

Crikey at first i thought this was a prediction of the score until i realized it was kick off time.

and

Gibbon wrote:

I'd actually rather start Bunn than Robinson at the moment. Robbo's looked less than convincing in recent weeks and let some soft goals in. Still seems to suffer from strange disease that means he can make spectacular saves, but lets the easier ones in...

Red Rover wrote:
It was only three years ago that he was England's No 1 goalie.... if it wasn't for Robinson we'd be bottom of the league by now.

18   Wigan   17   -15   14
19   Bolton   17   -17   12
20   Blackburn   17   -14   10

Has to be 3points..many matches tthis season we just seem to take our eye off these game but  think a bellamy---carroll----Suarez partnership up front would work a treat and im going for a 2-0 win

Wasn't Hodgson's last game in charge against Blackburn?

Would be ironic if the roles reversed and Kean is booted after we spank them.

Hope this is the start that the ball start missing the goal bar (vertical & horizontal). Its not easy to miss them, we hit it something like 17 times?

Its X'mas, let the poor bar have a peaceful christmas.

                   Reina
Johnno  Agger  Skrtel  Jose
Bellamy  Spearo  Adam  Maxi
           Suarez  Kuyt

Would love to see Stevie come on in 70th min or so.

                   Reina
Johnno  Agger  Skrtel  Jose
Bellamy  Spearo  Adam  Maxi
           Suarez  Kuyt

Would love to see Stevie come on in 70th min or so.

This but take away kuyt as he has been rubbish for us and put inn andy

Reina
Johnson-Skrtel-Agger-Enrique
Spearing
Kuyt----------------Downing
Maxi
Suarez-Carroll

Blackburn=Problematic, in torrid situation, relegation battle team and no coordination.

But then again, we do face problem with this sort of team. The only way to stay in touch is by beating them and by beating them I mean a more than 3 goal margin.

Instead of just turning up tomorrow to be entertained try getting stuck in and get behind the team from the kick off and dont get bored after 10 mins if we are not
 3-0 up.
If you dont come away from Anfield knowing you have given it everything dont expect the team do anything else but the same.
Its time for total support nothing else will do the atmosphere at the last few home games has been embarrassing we need to create the siege mentality that makes Anfield a fortress again and the Luis incident should galvanise our support it could even be a turning point in our fortunes.

I wonder if it would be possible to see a list of who voted for and against,all I can say is the 10% who have voted against us winning cannot have much faith in Kenny and the lads in RED.I have had a feeling for a while that we will give some team a hiding,sorry Blackburn but I think that team is going to be you.

I always vote draw lately, just to see the votes.

Only a win, 3 points will suffice, and I can't see it going the other way or,

If we don't beat Blackburn at home, we have serious issues.

Congrats Paul Robinson and getting the MoTM award!!

We'll walk this game 

Come on Redmen 

Paul Robinson is injured as well wonder if he'll play though...

I live in the USA so I have to get up early to watch the match.  I hope the TV camera gets a shot of Luis during YNWA!  I just want to see the glimmer in his eyes.

I always vote draw lately, just to see the votes.

Fair enough Rodders how could I doubt your allegiance to the RED cause,Here is to a good win at home to Blackburn.

I always vote draw lately, just to see the votes.

Out of interest, why choose a draw over a win?

We seemed to be suffering from a bit of a 'hangover', from recent events, against Wigan. The lads looked drained and gave a pretty lethargic display. I expect Kenny will have addressed that and may even shake things up in the middle and up front.

I fully expect us to finally take our frustrations out on another team - Blackburn will bear the brunt today. 'Mon the Reds.

Hoping to give them a thorough battering.

Will settle for a win.

We need to find a way to shake off our hoodoo of struggling against weaker sides.

Lets shake off the problem we have with lower placed teams with a Boxing Day Goal fest against Blackburn, going for 4-0 come on the reds 

Paul Robinson is injured as well wonder if he'll play though...

According to the BBC sport website he is likely to play and just put up with the pain not that it is a real problem for us either way

We will win this. I am confident, I would love to see Suarez, Andy, Bellers score get the whole front line firing ready for Newcastle\Andy....then onto Manc City.....We can still have a very good season!

Hope that we can chalk up 3 points, having said that, seem to make things difficult for ourselves, particularly at Anfield. Here's hoping a win for the Reds by at least 2 clear goals.

Come on reds lett's put a few away today and get the confidance back in front of goal

Only two pages of pre match chat ?

Astonishing 

Edit - well I spoke to soon didn't I 

                                  Pepe
Johnson        Skrtel               Agger       Enrique
 
                              Spearing

                    Shelvey          Adam

        Downing                             Bellamy
                              Suarez

Is the game on t.v?

No only on foriegn T.V.

Working again.

3rd game i miss in the past 4 games.

Please win.

Only two pages of pre match chat ?

Probably something to do with xmas MSG, been a bit quiet in here he past two days.

Wonder if Gerrard makes the bench today, if so would be nice to see him get 20 minutes or so under his belt.

A win today at all cost 3 points needed big time onwards and upwards redmen im hoping for 3-0 !!

Probably something to do with xmas MSG, been a bit quiet in here he past two days.

Wonder if Gerrard makes the bench today, if so would be nice to see him get 20 minutes or so under his belt.

Be nice to see SG suppose its up to how well the starting 11 get on !

Probably something to do with xmas MSG, been a bit quiet in here he past two days.

Wonder if Gerrard makes the bench today, if so would be nice to see him get 20 minutes or so under his belt.

Very true, although I thought there might be a few more around today.

I think Stevie will be on the bench and I think Kenny will give him a little run out towards the end of the game.

Very true, although I thought there might be a few more around today.

Probably pick up between 12 and 1 when people wake up from their hang overs and remember we have a match today.

Hope so, can't wait to see Stevie back in the first team

                              Reina
Johnson        Skrtel        Agger        Enrique
              Henderson        Adam
 Downing                                    Bellamy
                     Kuyt      Suarez 

Looking forward to this, still stand by what I said though, the players who struggled need to be dropped or they won't learn.

Hope Gerrard makes the bench, he's been training for around a week so he must be getting close.

An early goal is crucial, get it and I think we'll easily win 3-0 or 4-0 but if we don't, then I can see another tense 1-0 like QPR.

Lets see Anfield respond to Luis and inspire the whole team by making Anfield a fortress again. Go for the jugular and keep going until the final whistle NO MERCY.

Well I keep assuming, by our recent first half performances, we are gonna absolutely thrash someone soon. Will it be today ? or will it be another goal drout draw.? I'm hoping for the former but I guess a 1 - 0 will do just to secure the points. I just can't get my head round the lack of goals from such dominant play. Just hope if things aren't going to plan, Kenny makes the changes with enough time for the incoming players to make an impact. Realistically I am expecting something like 2 - 0 and upwards but I won't hold my breath. Have to go out now, just hope i'm back in time for the K.O.

I'd be very surprised if Captain Fantastic was on the bench tonight.

First time in my life I won't be home to watch boxing day football because of work... depressed. But come on Reds, Blackburn at home is a must win.

Lets Oust Kean!

Lets Oust Kean!

Thats got to a dead sert when they lose this afternoon

Is it televised?

Is it televised?

only on the internet i think

Gerrard on the bench Suarez-Carroll up front.

Any ideas if Stevie G will make the bench today? Would be a nice boost for the club!

I'm out today do going to miss this one and for once not due to work but expecting a win and a decent one at that.

Reina and the same back four with Shelvey Adam and Spearing in midfield and Suarez Bellamy and Nazi as the forwards.

Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Agger, Henderson, Adam, Downing, Maxi, Carroll, Suarez. Subs: Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher, Doni, Shelvey, Kelly, Bellamy.

3 point thank you very much
Have a good feeling about this one. Gonna miss the first 30 minutes cause of work, but feel free to stuff them Reds 

Topic Locked

Match thread here.... http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,41754.0/topicseen.html