Pre-Match Topic: Liverpool V Chelsea Sunday 27 April 2014 at 14:05

Jose probably knows that BR would build his tactics around his line up. I will now be scratching my head with how to set ourselves up, because I can't get a handle on their starting 11. So it's a guess all you want till near kickoff time. Brilliant from Jose.

Don't think it'll make that much difference mate. Think we'll set up how we usually do and try win the midfield. Mourinho has a set 4-5-1 regardless of personnel.

Hate the way all the talk is about Jose & his team. Maybe it's a good thing tho, all the pressure being taken away from us.

Anyways, just have to smash them, no matter what team they put out. I've a feeling it'll be a strong enough team too.

Jose probably knows that BR would build our tactics around his line up. That leaves the coaching team scratching their heads with how to set ourselves up, since we can't get a handle on their starting 11. So it's a guess all you want till near kickoff time. Brilliant from Jose.

We wont build our tactics around Chelsea's line up.
Our tactics will depend on whether or not Sturridge is fit enough to start.
The rest of the team picks itself at the moment, with Henderson suspended.

We have largely used the same 13 players for the 11 game winning streak.

Coutinho & Sterling being the two who rotated in and out of the starting 11.
Lucas coming off the bench.

With Henderson suspended our only real decision is to start the same 11
as against Norwich or start Sturridge and maybe drop Lucas to the bench.

Jose and his mind games already back firing as all the attention is on them and we can quietly get on with our business and closing out another win on Sunday 

@Liddellpool: Sturridge"I would like to show respect to my former club, but if I were to come on and score in the last minute I'm going to be on a mad one

Their 'weakened' team could well yet be;

Schwarzer (0)
Ivanovic (11) Cahill (7) Kalas (5.2) Cole (6.5)
Matic (22) Lampard (14) Mikel (20)
Schurrle (19.5) Ba (7) Salah (11.5)

123.7m total

Our probable team

Mignolet (9)
Johnson (18) Srktel (7) Sahko (17) Flanagan (0)
Allen (15) Gerrard (0) Coutinho (8.5)
Sturridge (12.5) Suarez (22. Sterling (1)

119.8m total

We're not sitting top of the table because we pay attention to what Chelsea are doing, we're there because we're focused on our own sh*t and working hard to achieve it.  Not going to be easy, can't afford to be complacent but I can see us doing the business here.

Heard that Mourinho could get a ban for comments on referee. Is it possible that he could miss our game as well? 

No because he has till next monday to reply to the charge

YNWA

Sturridge's little interview kinda implies he is gonna start from the bench. We'll probably play the same team AND formation (4-3-2-1) esp if Maureen chooses to play this so-called 'weakened' yet more expensive team

Mikel-Matic vs Coutinho-Sterling should be an interesting physical battle. Wings are my concern unless Allen and Lucas press enough and keep their full backs in their half

Chelsea's board have approved Jose Mourinho's controversial plans to field a weakened team in Sunday's Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield.

Full story: the Times (subscription required)

Right, so the board have discussed the matter and determined that if Chelsea play their main line-up, they will not beat us, and are not good enough to have a shot at winning the title.

Consequently, they have decided they had better focus on the Champions League instead and hope they do better there.

 

As for Mourinho 'deciding' to field a weakened team.. well, no Cech, Terry, Ramires, Hazard... what other option does he have any way? He decided nothing. He has not come out with a genius tactic. His hand is forced. He knows he can't play his intended line-up.

To cover that, he's moaning about playing a "weakened" side, and claiming he will focus on the Champions League. 

Weakened side indeed, he will be playing for sure Salah and Matic, two signings who cost £35M - more than what we spent all of last year!!!! Wingeing sh*t bag.

I've noticed something about the lead up to this game, usually a match thread of this importance would surely be more fast moving, people wouldn't concentrate on the media sound bites from the opposing team. We'd usually just focus on our set up and all that.
Is moaningho affecting our pre match warm up here with his drivel?
Guys and Lasses we must have all expected something to be said by them before they played us and any full or semi full strength team they field isn't the point. For tactical reasons it will be obviously who is playing for them/what position etc. I mean that the job is the same- WE GO AGAIN!

He used to be amusing but now he is just descended into an egotistical arrogant little prat.
He is boring to watch, to listen to and is a joke of a man.


He obviously wants both titles    CL and EPL .
He has had to decide what chance he has with what.
Plus the money for Roman.

Nothing to lose doing what he has done.
We cant now beat his best can we ?


Lets just F***ing roll em over and smash them so he can say whatever sh*t he wants to.

Then there will be two.


We go again.

Whatever team he fields we will beat them, end of. We are a better side, we can score more goals than they can.

He'll probably field a strong different side. He's just trying to make us underestimate them. Can't wait to stuff them and then see athletico stuff them too.

This is the very same sh*t head that would not allow the Board or Abromovich to interfere with team affairs & selection but Jose knows he is going to fail to add any Silverware like the previous two seasons he decides to get the board on board and become a collective all of a sudden?.

Grade 'A' w**ker.

Full of sh*t.

 

 

 

Yes, come on reds, one more game,

Lets play!

YNWA

I hope Maureen's antics haven't worked as well at Melwood like the have here.

I hope Maureen's antics haven't worked as well at Melwood like the have here.

Don't think Rodgers will give two shits what Maureen is up to. The players will be focused on the game, and not who their starting XI might be.

He'll pick the strongest XI he has available and will still complain when we batter them.

For us it's a decision on whether or not to go with Lucas or someone more attacking. If Sturridge isn't fully fit I expect to see the same team that lined up v Norwich. If Studge is ready to go perhaps Lucas will drop out and Coutinho slot back into midfield. The only other selection issue I can see is at centre back, where the decision is between Sakho and Agger.

Brendan will let the lads do the talking on the pitch, rather than get involved with the ramblings of Chelsea's outspoken manager, who knows he could be on a hiding to nothing come Sunday.

Why need to waste time with maureen? He has nothing to loose and he will just rambles on to unsettle us. We must remain focussed and make sure we are 100% ready for them.

This will be the final of all finals for the last 24 years. Win this game and we'll have one hand on the trophy.

Who cares what he says, I am more concerned about Sturridge.

If we have Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, Stevie, Skrtel on the pitch they can put out who they want.

Who cares what he says, I am more concerned about Sturridge.

Was poor against City.  I don't think he'll play.  I don't think Rodgers fancies him to play against sides with whom he has 'history'.