Pre Match: Liverpool v Middlesbrough League Cup 23/9/2014 7.45pm

is Suso still in the squad? If he doesn't get any football with all these injuries in midfield then I'm really upset about that, he needs a chance to show us what he's made of.

If he does not get a game tonight then the rumours of him having agreed to move Inter might be about right.

If he does not get a game tonight then the rumours of him having agreed to move Inter might be about right.

Milan wasn't it?

If he does not get a game tonight then the rumours of him having agreed to move Inter might be about right.

Ac wasn't it?

He travelled with the last couple of squads so he isn't frozen out

I would think he plays tonight

its very important that we win this game, to build some confidence. I'd play Balotelli and Lallana, they both still needs more match sharpness, if we are comfortable then they can be subbed off. I'd also play our regular defence, they also need more understanding between them and only more matches will give them that. Midfield I think we can try some of the youngsters who are eager to prove themselves as long as we have some experience on the bench just in case.

If he does not get a game tonight then the rumours of him having agreed to move Inter might be about right.

He might be off then, we'll see, he doesn't make the bench either.
Can't help but think; we may live to regret it.

Jones; Manquillo, Toure, Sahko, Enrique; Rossiter, Lucas; Suso, Markovic, Lallana; Lambert. 4-2-3-1

That's what I think it'll be. Not 1st choice at all, but some with a point to prove.

Anybody who is "given a game" tonight will never have a better opportunity to force themselves into first choice reckoning. Let's face it they haven't exactly got to uproot any trees to be better than who ever it is they're replacing.

Is Coutinho injured? He does not seem to appear in anyone's team. I would have him in my team as he needs to up his confidence and right now we need a player like him to get back to his old self. He is very vital for us to score goals.

Rossiter, Stewart, Williams and Ojo all in the squad tonight according to The Bib Theorists.

Seems like Rossiter will start but not sure if it'll be as a DM or in Hendo's spot.

Is Coutinho injured? He does not seem to appear in anyone's team. I would have him in my team as he needs to up his confidence and right now we need a player like him to get back to his old self. He is very vital for us to score goals.

Yeah he's injured mate, groin against Villa.

Is Coutinho injured? He does not seem to appear in anyone's team. I would have him in my team as he needs to up his confidence and right now we need a player like him to get back to his old self. He is very vital for us to score goals.

Groin injury apparently.

Yeah he's injured mate, groin against Villa.

Thanks, somehow missed that.Thanks to Luis and Brendan, we have a big squad to cope this time around.

Thanks, somehow missed that.Thanks to Luis and Brendan, we have a big squad to cope this time around.

You've probably missed that Hendo's injured too mate.

You've probably missed that Hendo's injured too mate.

Yeah. Saw that on the player thread. That's Emre, Studge, Hendo, Glen, Cou out then( I am sure I am missing someone else too). Just 5 PL games into the season. This is getting worse now.

EDIT - Just recollected. Add Skrtel to the injures list.

Yeah. Saw that on the player thread. That's Emre, Studge, Hendo, Glen, Cou out then( I am sure I am missing someone else too). Just 5 PL games into the season. This is getting worse now.

EDIT - Just recollected. Add Skrtel to the injures list.

And Joe Allen.

And Joe Allen.

Bloody hell, 7 injuries to first teamers, I think that puts some of our recent performances into a bit of persepctive

Bloody hell, 7 injuries to first teamers, I think that puts some of our recent performances into a bit of persepctive

Sure does mate.

We will get over this tough moment, but we need Brendan to keep his head, to stop changing the formation and let them build some chemistry between them.

People looking for a full strenght team despite our injuries and the fact we play Everton Saturday then Basel in the champions league Wednesday after most of the lads had 2 international games last week, leave it out!

As I've said before, I don't expect a full strength team but I do hope we make sensible changes, changes which will teach us something and possibly help us to improve. I'd very much like to see Markovic play for instance, and if he does I hope we play him left side where he's clearly more effective. I'd like to see us play Coutinho deeper if he plays in the ten, almost as a central midfielder and lets see him get on the ball in all areas, hold it and dictate the pace of the game. He doesn't need to split the defence every time he gets it. I'd like to see Borini get very close to Lambert if they do play together, less of the tearing about like a silly c*nt and more work with the noddle, work in tandem with your partner. I don't think it'll happen but I'd like to see Jordan Henderson as the holder. I'm convinced we'll look a far better team when he and Gerrard switch, so while there's no need to test Gerrard out at right mid having Jordan as the holder would give him a stab at that before Saturday.

Obviously I want to win, but I'd like it to be a bit of a kickstart rather than just a run out.

First time I've had tickets for a home cup game and at the moment not sure I'll make it,  breakdowns,  train delays and I've been ill in the last hour. 

Balotelli doesnt need a rest. He needs goals. I'd play him.

As I've said before, I don't expect a full strength team but I do hope we make sensible changes, changes which will teach us something and possibly help us to improve. I'd very much like to see Markovic play for instance, and if he does I hope we play him left side where he's clearly more effective. I'd like to see us play Coutinho deeper if he plays in the ten, almost as a central midfielder and lets see him get on the ball in all areas, hold it and dictate the pace of the game. He doesn't need to split the defence every time he gets it. I'd like to see Borini get very close to Lambert if they do play together, less of the tearing about like a silly c*nt and more work with the noddle, work in tandem with your partner. I don't think it'll happen but I'd like to see Jordan Henderson as the holder. I'm convinced we'll look a far better team when he and Gerrard switch, so while there's no need to test Gerrard out at right mid having Jordan as the holder would give him a stab at that before Saturday.

Obviously I want to win, but I'd like it to be a bit of a kickstart rather than just a run out.

Coutinho and Hendo are both injured Mick so neither will feature, I doubt Stevie will either given we've got the bitters on Saturday and Basel away next Wednesday when he's already played 3 games in 8 days.