Liverpool VS Manchester City pre-match thread 25 Jan 2012 19:45

                                          Reina

Johnson                Skrtel                   Agger                  Enrique

                                       Spearing           
                     Henderson                  Gerrard

Downing                                                                     Bellamy
                                         Carroll

That would probably be my starting XI.

I think that's the line-up we will see for this one. Interesting to see so many posters putting Stevie at inside right in their line-ups. I would also like to see it but I don't think it's gonna happen.

Reina

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Maxi
Gerrard
Spearing
Aurelio

Kuyt
Bellamy

And please no Carroll unless we're 2-0 ahead. When we are in need of a goal and we have to press teams the introduction of Carroll is always fruitless, unless the opposition are a man down! I think him, Downing, Adam, and Henderson should be used more as substitutes than starters. I don't care about their price-tag, Bellamy cost nothing and he's by far our best finisher; Suarez included.
And to think we're not going to concede is a dream that won't come true, but I still expect a Wembley final for us: I'll go for a 1-1 draw.

Look at Masch.Alonso and Stevie then think of Stevie ,Henderson and Adam and ask the question have we moved forward?.
So we need the crowd to be as good as it was against Chelsea in 2005 surely anyone could perform with that backing.
I dont care if we get beat as long as we have given everything we could. I have been at Anfield and applauded the team off after a defeat because the team gave everything it could.We dont need new players we just need ones who play without fear and play with passion.

Balotelli should be missing for this one, leaving them with Dzeko and Aguero... small comfort really!

I really really hope we have Spearing back for this one.  We need him at DM, without him they rout the midfield and will be scoring for fun.  Or we'll be camped in our own 18 yd box, playing an 811 formation for the entire 90 mins.

Look at Masch.Alonso and Stevie then think of Stevie ,Henderson and Adam and ask the question have we moved forward?.
So we need the crowd to be as good as it was against Chelsea in 2005 surely anyone could perform with that backing.
I dont care if we get beat as long as we have given everything we could. I have been at Anfield and applauded the team off after a defeat because the team gave everything it could.We dont need new players we just need ones who play without fear and play with passion.

To be fair, our full strength midfield would have Lucas in it.  It is still weaker, but not by such a massive margin.

Trying to compare our current squad to our squad at it's peak is always going to be unfair, we are 1 year on from the lowest point in possibly our club's entire history, on the brink of financial collapse! Perspective guys, some of these players were bought in to develop into top players, the likes of Henderson, Coates were not bought as the finished article. Even the people you're comparing them too were allowed to develop into the side, it's just a biased argument used to stress a point that isn't there.

                             Reina

Kelly          Skrtel            Coates           Enrique

                             Agger

                Gerrard           Henderson
Johnson                                                Maxi

                            Bellamy

Okay, I only came up with this out of frustration.

I wish he could but dont see Bellers starting. I'd go with:

                                     Reina

               Kelly      Skrtel     Coates    Enrique

                                  Spearing
                            Gerrard    Shelvey

                    Kuyt         Carroll      Downing

Oh, I'll have Spearing at Dagger's place and Dagger back at CB if Spearo is available.

So you want Spearing center back?

                             Reina

Kelly          Skrtel            Coates           Enrique

                             Agger

                Gerrard           Henderson
Johnson                                                Maxi

                            Bellamy

Okay, I only came up with this out of frustration.

This is my team too Ad mate, always this until Lucas come back or Spearo fit.

I hope Kenny makes a statement with his team selection. It seemed some cu*ts thought they would breaze through the Bolton game to stay fit for this one. Well F**k them off, don't let them play.

                  Reina

Kelly  Skrtel         Agger   Enrique

               Spearing
Henderson                 Gerrard


  Toni Silva               Downing
                  Kuyt

I'd like to see Kelly back as our right back.  And vital we play either Spearing or even Coates instead of Charlie Adam to allow Gerrard a bit of space and confidence in front.  Some people would suggest Carragher - but against City I fear he would be as clumsy as Adam is.

Wingers are difficult - a real problem area for us.  Bellamy will no doubt be knackered after the weekend - Rodriguez didn't turn up and Downing's been playing garbage for the last 3 months.

I really don't envy Kenny having to pick the front four.  Let's stick Shelvey in - he's got a bit of tempo about him.

If we try to defend for 90 minutes here we are in trouble.  Let's go out there hell for leather in the first 20 and try and get a goal.  If we do, 2-0 is a far better score to try and defend and counter on.

Most of all - let's see players racing forward when the opportunity presents and not having one man in the opposition box.

We need defenders who can defend - we need everyone to know their position and we need Bellamy to play two games in a week,

                Reina
Kelly   Agger   Skrtel  Enrique
           
Kuyt    Shelvey  Henderson  Maxi
                Gerrard
           Bellamy
If Spearing is fit swap him for Henderson

Let's have the same formation as against Stoke. Adam can really cost us this game(if he hasn't already enough) with his silly fouls so it would be best to leave him out.Kelly needs to play at RB as we need a solid defender in that position for this game.


                        Reina
       
       Agger        Carra        Skrtel
Kelly                                          Enrique
             Hendo         Gerrard
Johnson                                    Kuyt
                   
                       Carroll 

I am bothered  about the away goal ruling, if Citeh somehow manage to go 2-1 up. I believe the away goal counts as double if scores are level after extra time. Correct me if I am wrong.  Still the side will need a massive improvement after the shambles of a display at Bolton, to go through to a Wembley final fingers crossed.

I believe the away goal counts as double if scores are level after extra time. Correct me if I am wrong.

You're right.  Away goals count after extra time.

Stick Carra up top

And I am serious!

Stick Carra up top

And I am serious!

   
Agger would be a better shout mate !

Reina

Kelly
Carragher
Sktrel
Enrique

Henderson
Spearing

Maxi
Gerrard
Johnson

Carroll

Target Savic at every oppurtunity. A disaster waiting to happen.

Target Savic at every oppurtunity. A disaster waiting to happen.

Great point, someone with Pace up front - maybe Bellamy with Shelvey behind.

Great point, someone with Pace up front - maybe Bellamy with Shelvey behind.

I'd put Carroll on him and tell Carroll F**k drifting wide or dropping deep, play on his shoulder and bully the F**k out of him, make him feel like he's back at school, call him names, grab his bollocks what ever it takes !!!