Liverpool v Stoke pre-match thread Sat 17/8/13 12.45 ko

If this was usual Stoke, i would say the season isn't going to start to well. Luckily they now have Hughes at the helm who is going to get them trying to play football, which works in our favour as they will be completely outplayed.

Id go with this;

                          Mignolet
Johnson    Toure                 Agger     Enrique
                          Lucas
                 Gerrard        Alberto
Aspas                                            Coutinho
                          Sturridge

Think we'll see Allen instead of Alberto though, and will probably switch the triangle (which makes no sense, as stoke don't play possession football, and we're at home).

Can't wait for this, finally!

3-0

What I'd like:

Mignolet

Johnson
Toure
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Allen

Aspas
Gerrard
Coutinho

Sturridge

I think we'll see no Allen, Gerrard in his place, and either Alberto or Ibe out wide left, which would still be good enough to beat these IMO.

Early goal needed for confidence. If we can force Stoke to try to bring the game to us, we'll cut them apart.

Mignolet,Johnson,Agger,Toure,Enrique,Lucas,Gerrard,Coutinho,Aspas,Sterling,Sturridge

Subs: Jones,Kelly,Skrtel,Allen,Henderson,Ibe,Borini

Good enough team to beat Stoke and one or two players on that bench who can come on and make a difference to the tempo of the game if we need some fresh impetus late on.

Its finally here! Cant wait! Think Sturridge played a full 90 in the friendly against Toon today, Agger + Enrique also getting some game time so expect them all to start.

                       Mignolet
   Johnson    Toure     Agger   Enrique
                Gerrard   Lucas
                        Allen
          Aspas             Coutinho
                    Sturridge
 
SUBS - Jones, Kelly, Siqueira (if signed, if not Skrtel), Henderson, Alberto, Borini, Sterling


Not expecting a comfortable win by any means, never is against Stoke, but with Mark Hughes new manager and no real improvements to their team think we should get the business done! Hopefully less of the agressive stuff from them too, come on reds! YNWA

Imperative we get the early goal, the floodgates could easily open if we do  Wouldnt it send out a message if we won about 4-0 

Going to this game, got a very early 7am start - I hate the early kick offs !!!!

Can't wait for Saturday.... my first team of the season...

                          Mignolet

Kelly           Toure              Agger        Enrique

                  Lucas          Henderson

        Gerrard        Coutinho          Ibe

                         Sturridge

Jones, Johnson, Aspas, Allen, Sterling, Coates, Alberto

Tried to avoid 4 debutants in the starting line-up so have Alberto and Aspas on the bench. Hoping for a good win and a positive start to the season.

It's been too long I cannot wait any longer mhurrrraarrr!! *cough*
This is the beginning of the future, I am a realist.. however I will fully enjoy every game we go into this season and will not worry about Stoke? WTF since when do we worry about this for months on end, I know our recent history has seen us lose to more middle of the road teams, but we didn't do well against the upper echelons last season.
My opinion is, is that this year we will all see the fruits of labor- there in all its glory for us to enjoy on the pitch. The team will gel, this team is starting to smell like a team or 'group' (Suarez being the spoilt brat of the family) of champions now and with added technical and driven individuals then our chances increase even more.
BR has made L.F.C a band of brothers, a unit, a force with the momentum of a snowball rolling down mount everest.
Our shits in order almost, couple of loose ends to tie up with ongoing business for players n all that. whereas three of the teams that finished above us will be in a shambles because of all the new staff/managers etc.
Even if we lose to Stoke, lesson will be learned and it'll spur us on even more.
Liverpool 4 Stoke 2

Are we on our own team/groups side here? Never

Are we on our own team/groups side here?
I was going to write more but didn't, my bad.

Swear I heard earlier that the Liverpool first team beat Newcastles first team in a game behind closed doors, ending 3-0. That's certainly a good sign but need to do it on the main stage now. I'll be at the game on Saturday, after Cas sorted me with a ticket, and personally, I can't wait. But I remember what it was like this time last year, and then we went down to West Brom. Lads need to be up for it from the beginning, no piss-taking, and that goes for the full season.

Swear I heard earlier that the Liverpool first team beat Newcastles first team in a game behind closed doors, ending 3-0. That's certainly a good sign but need to do it on the main stage now. I'll be at the game on Saturday, after Cas sorted me with a ticket, and personally, I can't wait. But I remember what it was like this time last year, and then we went down to West Brom. Lads need to be up for it from the beginning, no piss-taking, and that goes for the full season.

ooo interesting, thanks for that bit of info there, I forgot about the closed doors game.
I agree! No half measures, all the talk must be made into actions and all I want to see is that desire from the start then I'll know we are serious about things, want us playing like a tight unit this season. From what we were playing like towards the end of last season that should be the trend this one, if scientific logic is correct.

Swear I heard earlier that the Liverpool first team beat Newcastles first team in a game behind closed doors, ending 3-0. That's certainly a good sign but need to do it on the main stage now. I'll be at the game on Saturday, after Cas sorted me with a ticket, and personally, I can't wait. But I remember what it was like this time last year, and then we went down to West Brom. Lads need to be up for it from the beginning, no piss-taking, and that goes for the full season.

I heard it was 3-1? not sure but Sturridge got 2 and Alberto got the other, all good signs. Glad to help you out with a ticket Paul, hopefully might be able to for united as well (no promises though  )
See you on Sat hun 

I heard it was 3-1? not sure but Sturridge got 2 and Alberto got the other, all good signs. Glad to help you out with a ticket Paul, hopefully might be able to for united as well (no promises though  )
See you on Sat hun 

Thanks Semple and MsGerrard about the closed doors match. Where was that contested?

Thanks Semple and MsGerrard about the closed doors match. Where was that contested?

Saw on twitter that it was at Melwood.

Michael Sweeting @M_Sweeting
Liverpool beat Newcastle 3-1 in a friendly at Melwood today. Sturridge (2) and Alberto with the goals. Sama, McLaughlin & Teixeira featured.

Saw on twitter that it was at Melwood.

Michael Sweeting @M_Sweeting
Liverpool beat Newcastle 3-1 in a friendly at Melwood today. Sturridge (2) and Alberto with the goals. Sama, McLaughlin & Teixeira featured.

Ta for that Diego! And well done on passing 11k posts!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2391884/Daniel-Sturridge-scored-twice-closed-doors-friendly-bids-fit-season-opener.html

Is anyone as happy as I am just to see a new "Pre-Match Thread".

Previous seasons we have had sh*t starts and the losses and draws which set the tone for the whole season. In order for us to contend and fight in March/April we need points from all of our August/September matches. At minimum our first 10 matches, we need 25+ points.

At last! Damn I'm excited! Let's hope we hammer them. Sturridge hattrick!

Is anyone as happy as I am just to see a new "Pre-Match Thread".

Previous seasons we have had sh*t starts and the losses and draws which set the tone for the whole season. In order for us to contend and fight in March/April we need points from all of our August/September matches. At minimum our first 10 matches, we need 25+ points.

Delighted to see the 'pre match thread' back for the Premier League. As pleasing as a sibling or friend coming back home! All those hopes and expectations! And even if those hopes and expectations aren't met you can always comfort and console yourself in the pleasure and honour of supporting this wonderful football club.

                Mignolet
Johnson - Touré - Agger - Enrique
              Lucas - Gerrard
                   Coutinho
           Ibe                   Sterling
                   Sturridge

I know full well Ibe and sterling wont both start but id love to see it.

Aspas of to bench to net a brace

Positively buzzing for the start of the new season, although I don't really feel we've stregthened enough to make a signifcant charge on the top four places yet. Anyway, I'd go with:

Mignolet

Johnson
Toure
Agger
Enrique

Lucas
Gerrard

Allen

Sterling
Coutinho

Sturridge (if unfit, Aspas).

Bench of: Jones, Kelly, Wisdom, Henderson, Alberto, Ibe, Aspas.

Think we'll win 2-0, with goals from Coutinho & Toure.

Have a feeling we will see Ibe.

               Mignolet

Johnson Toure  Agger Enrique

         Gerrard   Lucas

     Ibe     Coutinho   Aspas

              Sturridge

                Mignolet
Johnson - Touré - Agger - Enrique
              Lucas - Gerrard
                   Coutinho
           Ibe                   Sterling
                   Sturridge

I know full well Ibe and sterling wont both start but id love to see it.

Aspas of to bench to net a brace

Aspas instead of Ibe and that's a solid team.

The tonic for this game will be an early goal in front of an expectant crowd, just to settle the nerves and help the players find their groove.

I do have concerns for midfield though so I will air on the side of caution, personally I don't think Allen, Lucas, Henderson or an off form Gerrard, as he was against Celtic are good enough to help the side sustain a challenge for the top 4. Against a physical side like Stoke this midfield was found wanting many times last season and I do have my reservations about them.

Anyway, looking forward to this and have an extra spring in my step hearing the possible news that Suarez might be staying, I was getting a bit down by the lack of transfer activity but this has buoyed me somewhat (hope it's true).