Pre Match: Manchester City V Liverpool (25th Aug 2014 - 8pm)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2733092/Liverpool-prepare-Premier-League-showdown-Manchester-City-await-arrival-Mario-Balotelli.html

According to bib theory:

Mignolet

Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno
                Gerrard

       Allen          Henderson
Sterling                       Coutinho
               Sturridge

Lallana isn't available, Rodgers has already ruled him out.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2733092/Liverpool-prepare-Premier-League-showdown-Manchester-City-await-arrival-Mario-Balotelli.html

According to bib theory:

Mignolet

Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno
                Gerrard

       Allen          Henderson
Sterling                       Coutinho
               Sturridge

Kin'el, we need the beast in midfield not the midget for this one.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2733092/Liverpool-prepare-Premier-League-showdown-Manchester-City-await-arrival-Mario-Balotelli.html

According to bib theory:

Mignolet

Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno
                Gerrard

       Allen          Henderson
Sterling                       Coutinho
               Sturridge

F**k sake.

I hope that first photo is just bad timing and Glen is taking it off because Brendan told him he's not playing.

What c**t gave Chelsea  their fixtures and gave us the hardest first 6 games we could have had.
Its a great test of how far we have come but our improvement dates back to Jan 2013 so its no flash in the pan .Winning at city would not be a surprise result but its a huge ask all the same.

hat c**t gave Chelsea  their fixtures and gave us the hardest first 6 games we could have had.

Chelsea don't have it that easy. They may have had a walk in the park first two games but coming up they have Everton and City away and Arsenal at home.

Anyway, doesn't matter so long as we just keep winning all our games

Voted for a reds win as always, now the lads will raise their game as week, knowing Super Mario is waiting in the wings...

Hope the bib theory is incorrect.

To drop Manquillo is not right, especially when it means a place in the team for Johnson. Hope this isn't a re-occurring thing because it will continue to piss me off (seeing Johnson start) until he gets his sh*t together which is as likely as united winning the F***ing league. Rodgers don't do this to me or the zillion other fans who can see his a pile of w*nk.

Allen and Henderson makes sense imo, need to press, press, press against City, we want to make sure their midfield doesn't settle and control the game and them two are the best two for the job. Hope Coutinho gets to drift im and out of poisitions where as Allen and Hendo will be sitatuted on right and left with Sterling and Cou more narrow in behind Sturridge.

See Markovic being used as an impact sub to help us reach another gear if needed, Allen off and Markovic on with Coutinho playing in a deeper role maybe.

Really confident about this game, think Suarez leaving actually gives us an element of surprise which we used to our advantage last season, think we can do it again this season and make the teams suffer.

No Can and no Manquillo and no Sakho?

Leaves me scratching my head. Why did we pay so much for Sakho if we aren't going to play him?

No Can and no Manquillo and no Sakho?

Leaves me scratching my head. Why did we pay so much for Sakho if we aren't going to play him?

Thinking about it again, i said to my mate, i reckon we are going to see different regular sides in accordance to what competition we play. I just have a feeling Can may get more CL games than Pl, same with Sakho.

We needed the depth, we all knew that, we've now combated the issue imo that would be the best way to be as effective as possible with our signings.

Thinking about it again, i said to my mate, i reckon we are going to see different regular sides in accordance to what competition we play. I just have a feeling Can may get more CL games than Pl, same with Sakho.

We needed the depth, we all knew that, we've now combated the issue imo that would be the best way to be as effective as possible with our signings.

To me Can looks custom carved from a block of solid lead to play in the Premier League...why he would be out of this game, against one of the better midfields we'll face is puzzling to me. I like Joe Allen, probably moreso than most, but I worry about him having to help contain Toure.

To me Can looks custom carved from a block of solid lead to play in the Premier League...why he would be out of this game, against one of the better midfields we'll face is puzzling to me. I like Joe Allen, probably moreso than most, but I worry about him having to help contain Toure.

Hmm, yeah i think Allen and Hendersons pressing game should be enough to contain their midfield, whereas Can i am not sure, not seen enough of him to develop an opinion on his pressing game, but yes man for man Can looks ideal over Allen to contain a player not sure it'd help our midfield as a unit though.

I think Allen has more in him energy wise like Henderson than Can so that might be why. But again not seen enough of Can i am sure if he was given the chance he wouldn't disappoint but i am going with we want to press them as often and as high as possible and Rodgers thinks a duo of Henderson and Allen is more effective in doing that.

IF THE BIB THEORY IS TRUE.

No Can and no Manquillo and no Sakho?

Leaves me scratching my head. Why did we pay so much for Sakho if we aren't going to play him?

Probably because BR is trying to ease the new signings into the team gradually so as not to disrupt the dynamic of the team too much.

I suspect Balotelli, Moreno, Lovren, Lallana and possibly Manquillo will be regular starters for us a couple of months down the line, but for the moment it's important that the team stays fairly settled so everyone knows what they're doing.

To me Can would be the perfect option to break them up tomorrow

Pre match press conference.

http://www.anfieldhq.com/brendan-rodgers-pre-man-city-press-conference/

No Can and no Manquillo and no Sakho?

Leaves me scratching my head. Why did we pay so much for Sakho if we aren't going to play him?

On Sakho Brendan showed last season that he won't change at CB unless injury or drastic drop if form forces his hand.

I expect Skrtel and Lovren to play now until one is injured save for the League Cup where changes will inevitabley be made.

Regarding bib theory, some photos show Glen with orange and some show yellow. Same with Javi, Can, Ibe and a few others.

Cant see Brendan dropping Johnson and think he will shift him to right back with Moreno coming in for his debut. Also expect Allen to come in for Lucas.

Massive game and we should have taken 3 points there last season. If Skrtel and Lovren are on top of their game no reason we cant beat the champions and put down a real marker again.

Come on you Mighty Reds!!!

To me Can would be the perfect option to break them up tomorrow

I agree, to me Can looks calmer when pressing a player and when breaking up play. I like Joe Allen he has lots of energy but he is frustrating when pressing a player when he fails to get possession of the ball he jumps straight in on the man and gives away a foul.

I originally went for a draw but I have changed my prediction to win for us the MIGHTY REDS.I just have a feeling we can do it and get some payback  from City.

Will be a very tight match,Johnson should be dropped,but will probably start,and we need Allens energy from the start,so Lucas has to make way for him,was really impressed with Allen when he came on against saints,if we can keep a grip on Silva,keep it tight and press the F**k out of them,we have a chance with our forward line to get a result at what is probably the toughest away fixture of the season.COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS

No reason why we can't go there and get a win.  We will score.  I think it'll be a really good entertaining game of football.

No Can and no Manquillo and no Sakho?

Leaves me scratching my head. Why did we pay so much for Sakho if we aren't going to play him?

Players are not getting in the side merely on the transfer fee they commanded, and quite rightly too.

He will get his turn no doubt, and that is why he was bought. Because when it comes there will be no drop in quality.

2 good players in every position!