Pre-match Liverpool V FC Gomel 9/8/12 3rd rd qualifying game. 8.05 KO

Heard an interesting point today; would it be better to have Lucas start and get about 60 mins in or take it easy with him and go for another 25-30 min sub appearance?

Personally I'd go for the 60 mins from the start. It was evident last week how he makes our midfield tick over. I think the lads were a bit nervous last week and that got worse as Gomel improved. Lucas keeps it calm and collected in the middle and is great at controlling the tempo. Let him start keep in control, get a goal or two in the first half and then when the lads are calm and playing their stuff take him off.

Heard an interesting point today; would it be better to have Lucas start and get about 60 mins in or take it easy with him and go for another 25-30 min sub appearance?

Personally I'd go for the 60 mins from the start. It was evident last week how he makes our midfield tick over. I think the lads were a bit nervous last week and that got worse as Gomel improved. Lucas keeps it calm and collected in the middle and is great at controlling the tempo. Let him start keep in control, get a goal or two in the first half and then when the lads are calm and playing their stuff take him off.

Decent shout that.

I think football has been too influenced by Sports science.the decision should by firsty the players and then the managers.If the player says he is fit and the manager agrees then its upto the manager.

Heard an interesting point today; would it be better to have Lucas start and get about 60 mins in or take it easy with him and go for another 25-30 min sub appearance?

Personally I'd go for the 60 mins from the start. It was evident last week how he makes our midfield tick over. I think the lads were a bit nervous last week and that got worse as Gomel improved. Lucas keeps it calm and collected in the middle and is great at controlling the tempo. Let him start keep in control, get a goal or two in the first half and then when the lads are calm and playing their stuff take him off.

Maybe even start him for the first half, Jay or Henderson in the second.

Heard an interesting point today; would it be better to have Lucas start and get about 60 mins in or take it easy with him and go for another 25-30 min sub appearance?

Personally I'd go for the 60 mins from the start. It was evident last week how he makes our midfield tick over. I think the lads were a bit nervous last week and that got worse as Gomel improved. Lucas keeps it calm and collected in the middle and is great at controlling the tempo. Let him start keep in control, get a goal or two in the first half and then when the lads are calm and playing their stuff take him off.

I see exactly where you're coming from Kopite but I wouldn't risk him at all. His recovery is way ahead of the schedule they set him when it first happened so for the Europa League qualifier if we can't handle Gomel at home with an away goal lead we really are screwed something special and not for a minute do I think we will struggle.

I'd play him for 30mins and just go really easy on him, we have a seriously difficult start to the season and I just fear there could be too much pressure and expectation on Lucas already for these games.

Not going to lie, I can't wait to get back to Anfield.

I see exactly where you're coming from Kopite but I wouldn't risk him at all. His recovery is way ahead of the schedule they set him when it first happened so for the Europa League qualifier if we can't handle Gomel at home with an away goal lead we really are screwed something special and not for a minute do I think we will struggle.

I'd play him for 30mins and just go really easy on him, we have a seriously difficult start to the season and I just fear there could be too much pressure and expectation on Lucas already for these games.

I completely get where you're coming from mate. But I just see Gomel going all out for this. They were unlucky not to win last week and they know it. They were the better team for the majority of the game and if they get us on the back foot early it's all up in the air.

Maybe not even 60 mins, as TheRedMosquito said above maybe just play the first 45 mins. Or if the plan is for him to just play 25 or 30 mins I'd rather him play the first 25-30 mins and set up our tempo and play, and settle everyone. It's Brendan's first game at Anfield, wether it's Gomel or Barcelona, there is going to be nerves. I just think Lucas can settle the early nerves, help us get an early goal or two and then take him off.

Team for tomorrow?

Reina needs a game so Id start him. After that if I was teh gaffer Id play hard ball with the owners and start Agger, Carroll and Skrtel to tie them up in Europe so thos sniffing around would cool there interest.

After that Shelvey and Pacheco deserve a chance and Downing to see if he can build on last week so

             Reina

Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson

            Lucas Spearing
Downing   Shelvey   PAcheco
 
                   Carroll   

Any idea if it's on TV?

Not that sh*te Premier Sports again, I hope.

Any idea if it's on TV?

Not that sh*te Premier Sports again, I hope.

ESPN tomorrow.

ESPN tomorrow.

Cheers HR.

Don't have that either, but the pub does

I'd like to see a near full strength team. Can't see Sunday being overly competitive.

Team for tomorrow?

Reina needs a game so Id start him. After that if I was teh gaffer Id play hard ball with the owners and start Agger, Carroll and Skrtel to tie them up in Europe so thos sniffing around would cool there interest.

There are no indications that it is the owners who want to sell those players, or even if they are to be sold, all we have is newspaper speculation.
Regardless of that, playing them in a qualifying round means nothing. They can still play for another team in the competition proper or the champions league, so it's a bit of a moot point.

I'd start Lucas and Gerrard in midfield, with Henderson if we play 433, and also play suarez.

Team for tomorrow?

Reina needs a game so Id start him. After that if I was teh gaffer Id play hard ball with the owners and start Agger, Carroll and Skrtel to tie them up in Europe so thos sniffing around would cool there interest.

After that Shelvey and Pacheco deserve a chance and Downing to see if he can build on last week so

             Reina

Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson

            Lucas Spearing
Downing   Shelvey   PAcheco
 
                   Carroll   

If Agger doesn't start, pound to a penny, he's defo getting sold!!

Been sent a text from a mate who used to get Hodgsons team spot on and got last weeks spot on bar one player

Pepe

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Gerrard
Shelvey

Downing
Borini
Suarez

Been sent a text from a mate who used to get Hodgsons team spot on and got last weeks spot on bar one player

Pepe

Johnson
Skrtel
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Gerrard
Shelvey

Downing
Borini
Suarez

This sh*t started up again?

Pissed me off big time last time, whoever it is sending these texts needs his mobile shoved up his arse sharpish!!

Noticed there was hardly anything regarding the team being leaked under Kenny!

This sh*t started up again?

Pissed me off big time last time, whoever it is sending these texts needs his mobile shoved up his arse sharpish!!

Noticed there was hardly anything regarding the team being leaked under Kenny!

I know mate - rumours that it was coming from a mate of Carras when it was with Hodgson.

If anyone believes the "bib theory" from the training photos, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Shelvey, Gerrard, Downing, Borini, and Suarez were wearing green. Carroll, Pacheco, Carragher, Sterling, Spearing, Robinson, Kelly were wearing orange.

We'll see if the so-called "bib theory" has any credence


EDIT: I just saw the posts above about a text message with the same players.

This will be my first time in Anfield or even Liverpool for that matter. Brendan's first home game. Landing in John Lennon Airport at 18:05.... excited I am.

If anyone believes the "bib theory" from the training photos, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Shelvey, Gerrard, Downing, Borini, and Suarez were wearing green. Carroll, Pacheco, Carragher, Sterling, Spearing, Robinson, Kelly were wearing orange.

We'll see if the so-called "bib theory" has any credence


EDIT: I just saw the posts above about a text message with the same players.

Maybe thats how the mysterious texters works it out

This will be my first time in Anfield or even Liverpool for that matter. Brendan's first home game. Landing in John Lennon Airport at 18:05.... excited I am.

Have a good time chap, you never forget the first time and each time going back is even better than the last.

haha that 'bib-theory' is gas.

Wonder if that works for transfers too?

Scott Slater ‏@scottslater_
Told this is tomorrows team. Reina. Johnson. Skrtel. Agger. Enrique. Lucas. Gerrard. Shelvey. Downing. Suarez. Borini #lfc

Would f**king love that.

If anyone believes the "bib theory" from the training photos, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Shelvey, Gerrard, Downing, Borini, and Suarez were wearing green. Carroll, Pacheco, Carragher, Sterling, Spearing, Robinson, Kelly were wearing orange.

We'll see if the so-called "bib theory" has any credence

We shall see tommorrow! Twitter rumours seem to suggest theres something in it!