Liverpool v Arsenal Sun 21st Dec 16:00 KO - Pre match talk

We look for another win and 3 points to get us back up towards where we belong, on Sunday, at home to Arsenal.

I'm guessing Mignolet is still being rested, and Balotelli has just been given a 1 game ban for his offensive picture on Twitter.

Sturridge, Flanagan, Suso and Johnson are all still out injured.

News on Lovren's injury should be revealed tomorrow at the Press Conference.

With those players out I'm guessing we will play either a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3 formation.

Option 1:

Jones

Toure
Skrtel
Sakho

Henderson
Gerrard (c)
Lucas
Markovic

Coutinho
Sterling
Lallana

Subs: Mignolet; Manquillo, Moreno; Can, Allen; Borini, Lambert.

Option 2:

Jones

Manquillo
Skrtel
Toure
Moreno

Henderson
Lucas
Gerrard (c)

Markovic
Sterling
Lallana

Subs: Mignolet; Sakho, Enrique; Can, Allen; Coutinho; Borini.

Arsenal are likely to play 4-2-3-1 with this team:

Sczezney

Debuchy
Mertesacker (c)
Koscielny
Gibbs

Oxlade-Chamberlain
Ramsey

Sanchez
Cazorla
Welbeck

Giroud

Subs: Martinez; Chambers, Monreal; Flamini; Podolski, Campbell, Sanogo.

I'm pretty sure Arteta is still out so that weakenes their defensive midfield, with the Ox likely to push on.

That front 4 looks very dangerous, and if we defend well enough we could win this one, In fact I think we will win 2-1, with Hendo and Sterling getting our goals, and Sanchez for them.

YNWA!

Arsenal is a very attacking team but slow on the defence, work on the counter attack to perfection, there are plenty of gaps to exploit and we will take 3 points. Coming up against team that has a very good counter attacks, Arsenal will be destroyed.

Arsenal are nearly as sh*te as ourselves right now , so i'll predict a draw of 2-2 as we won't keep the sheet clean as usual .

Rosciky, Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere are out, hence why Wenger was desperate for Ox to get fit. He'll start the game alongside Flamini with Sanchez, Cazorla, Welbeck & Giroud completing a very formidable attack. At the back, Kosceilny is out but Chambers returns.

So it will be Szczęsny; Debuchy-Chambers-Mertesacker-Gibbs; Ox-Flamini; Sanchez-Cazorla-Welbeck; Giroud

I'm dreading the fact that BR might start Allen ahead of one of Coutinho/Lazar/Lallana. Should we return to a back-4? I'm not sure on that.. might probably start Moreno but in place of who?

Rosciky, Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere are out, hence why Wenger was desperate for Ox to get fit. He'll start the game alongside Flamini with Sanchez, Cazorla, Welbeck & Giroud completing a very formidable attack. At the back, Kosceilny is out but Chambers returns.

So it will be Szczęsny; Debuchy-Chambers-Mertesacker-Gibbs; Ox-Flamini; Sanchez-Cazorla-Welbeck; Giroud

I'm dreading the fact that BR might start Allen ahead of one of Coutinho/Lazar/Lallana. Should we return to a back-4? I'm not sure on that.. might probably start Moreno but in place of who?

Thanks for the info - They have quite a few injuries!

Arse wholloped Newcastle, they are coming into some better form.
Giroud is a much more experienced centre forward than Wellbeck, or Yaya "Borini" Sanogo - he makes them a more effective side.
Sanchez, Ramsey and Cazorla all playing well.
Like us though, they can be got at at the back.
Imo they have more goals in them at the moment, so expecting a tough game.
Whatever about the formation against Bouremouth, it was good to see a higher tempo and some crisper passing mainly in the 1st half.
Could start with the 1-3-7 again!
Though BR, if you persist with Jones, will be no mercy in the criticism if he costs us the game cause he is an accident not just waiting to happen, but has been, and is, happening...

Mignolet
Manquillo-Toure-Sakho-Moreno
Can-Lucas
Lallana-Coutinho-Markovic
Sterling

Will be at this one, hoping for a result but I can see our back line being frail again. Would take a draw from this one to be honest.

4-4 draw written all over it.

4-4 draw written all over it.

Are Arsenal going to score 4 own goals mate?

Another tough encounter with the Arse on Sunday, the diff between us right now is , we wish we had their attack , their glad they don't have our defence, result , victory to Arse, or so it seems, however,
We play to OUR strengths and that means hitting them on the break,
Keep it tight-ish at the back , swamp the midfield and counter attack at will, they WILL score for sure, so we need to score more, I'd be inclined to play this....
                 Mignolet
         Toure  Skrtle Sakho
Hendo.                         Moreno
                   Lucas
  Markovic.  Gerrard.  Lallana

                  Sterling

Bench; Jones, Manquillo, Lovren,Allen, Coutinho, Can, Lambert

We need to battle for midfield supremacy, controlling this area is key, their attack will create havoc so we need to stop the suppliers, do that it's game on, our pacier players can cause their defenders all sorts of worries , if we can pass it around like against B'mouth we can put these KUNTS to the sword,

Coutinho to come on on the hour, I'd throw Can in there to, for probably Gerrard & Hendo , I'll leave super sub Lambert as a last chance saloon and hope we won't need him,

2-1 Redmen


YNWA


Happy f***in Xmas   

If we're really aggressive and play Balotelli with Markovich and Sterling supporting him, I think we'll beat them. Arsenal are mentally and physically weak away from home.

Don't think this is going to be anything like last seasons match. Hard to see us keeping a clean sheet, so we'll have to score a couple in order to win.

First time up to Anfield this season and cannot bloody wait..!

Same result as last year would be amazing, but cant see it. Need to be on our game here, but I have a very good feeling about this one. We need to play to our strengths - too much time on the ball and Arsenal will decimate our defence. My biggest concern is the space we give teams at the back - this will be exploited.

Hoping for a 3 - 1  win here, but will take any win that is offered...

If we're really aggressive and play Balotelli with Markovich and Sterling supporting him, I think we'll beat them. Arsenal are mentally and physically weak away from home.

Ballo is suspended... So will no doubt be Sterling up top.?

Ballo is suspended... So will no doubt be Sterling up top.?

Yep. I think Mertesacker would like to see Lambert start up front, not Sterling.

Bit risky but I'd go with the same team as Wednesday with Sakho coming in for Lovren. Yes we might be vulnerable defensively but for the first time in months this system and the players in it have got us looking a threat again and I think we've got a much better chance of 3 points if we go for it against an Arsenal team that have hardly been brilliant this year.

I think Raheem will bag at least one goal on Sunday. We can win this if we can keep it tight at the back (big IF). Arsenals defence and midfield is shaky there should be plenty of space in the final third to exploit. We should definitely go with the same 3-4-3 formation of the last two games but Hendo and Lazar will need to be very disciplined in their defensive duties and not allow Arsenal any space on the flanks.

I think Raheem will bag at least one goal on Sunday. We can win this if we can keep it tight at the back (big IF). Arsenals defence and midfield is shaky there should be plenty of space in the final third to exploit. We should definitely go with the same 3-4-3 formation of the last two games but Hendo and Lazar will need to be very disciplined in their defensive duties and not allow Arsenal any space on the flanks.

Debuchy/Sanchez against Lazar and Welbeck/Gibbs against Hendo... we have reasons to be concerned. Toure and Lucas should literally have Giroud and Cazorla in their pockets if we are to stick to that line up

Brendan's said Jones will keep his place for Sunday.

Brendan's said Jones will keep his place for Sunday.

Good he deserves to. He doesn't have huge presence but still way more than Mignolet.

The more I think about it, the more confident I am that BR will line us up in the 3-4-3 we have played recently. BR doesn't seem to trust Manquillo anymore, and with Johnson and Flano both out injured we don't have any natural RB's.

If we do line up with a 3-4-3, then I hope BR drops Hendo for Moreno and switches Markovic over to the RM spot. I'd also bring Migs back in at GK. Other than that, I'd play the same 11 that started against Bournemouth:

Migs
Toure-Skrtel-Lovren
Markovic-Gerrard-Lucas-Moreno
Lallana-Sterling-Coutinho

Migs
Toure-Skrtel-Lovren
Markovic-Gerrard-Lucas-Moreno
Lallana-Sterling-Coutinho

I'd pretty much go with this, but I think I'd actually start Henderson over Gerrard. Stevie and Lucas seemed to get in the way of each other Wednesday, plus I think Hendo's workrate will balance the pairing out a bit more. (Granted, I wish we had a better option than an out-of-form Jordan.)

Good he deserves to. He doesn't have huge presence but still way more than Mignolet.

Fair.
Also, Mignolet has never been a world beater, but he has been playing much worse than when he first joined the club. Sometimes players need to stay out of the spotlight a bit to regain their mojo. Worked for Joe Hart last season.

Another tough encounter with the Arse on Sunday

Been twitching every game since August.

Would be a dangerous game to play offensive vs Arsenal, they would kill us on the counter.

Manquillo, Toure, Sakho, Enrique
              Hendo  Lucas
                   Sterling
     Markovic   Borini    Moreno

Would play a defensive game and with a front 4 of Sterling, Markovic, Borini and Moreno that has pace and movement, I can see us killing them on the counter many times.

Would be a dangerous game to play offensive vs Arsenal, they would kill us on the counter.

Manquillo, Toure, Sakho, Enrique
              Hendo  Lucas
                   Sterling
     Markovic   Borini    Moreno

Would play a defensive game and with a front 4 of Sterling, Markovic, Borini and Moreno that has pace and movement, I can see us killing them on the counter many times.

How can you drop Lallana in place of Moreno? Makes zero sense.

How can you drop Lallana in place of Moreno? Makes zero sense.

Because I totally forgot about him Switch him for Borini and play Sterling #9 !

Would play a defensive game and with a front 4 of Sterling, Markovic, Borini and Moreno that has pace and movement, I can see us killing them on the counter many times.

I disagree, whenever we have tried to play defensive game, we've invited trouble and have almost always got punished this season. Plus, with our recent performancs, we're looking far more dangerous going forward again, so I wouldn't bother playing defensive tactics, hoping to counter, I'd play our usual attacking game. Plus, the more we keep the ball, the less they have it and that's good for us as they're pretty useful at passing it around themselves. As for our defence, I really hope we play Lucas and Sakho, a bit of steel and organisation is needed. Hoping for...

                    Mig

   Toure       Skrtl        Sakho

           Can        Lucas

Hendo      Llalana        Markovic

              Sterling

Though deep down, I know Stevie will start ahead of Can...

I disagree, whenever we have tried to play defensive game, we've invited trouble and have almost always got punished this season. Plus, with our recent performancs, we're looking far more dangerous going forward again, so I wouldn't bother playing defensive tactics, hoping to counter, I'd play our usual attacking game. Plus, the more we keep the ball, the less they have it and that's good for us as they're pretty useful at passing it around themselves. As for our defence, I really hope we play Lucas and Sakho, a bit of steel and organisation is needed. Hoping for...

I agree, attacking and pressing would be another good option too, let's face it, we're gonna concede no matter what, so maybe we should just attack and try to get a couple of goals or so before they score?

Would still prefer a defensive game and hit them on the counter, but I can see where you are coming from. As for Lucas, I think he'll play, not sure about Sakho, think he'll go for a Skrtel and Toure combo.

Time to get festive

Christmas tree formation.

Jones

Manquillo
Skrtel
Toure
Enrique

Henderson
Lucas
Lallana

Sterling
Coutinho

Borini

A pretty experienced back four (minus Manquillo) with a battling midfield and a creative force behind a striker with something to prove.

Think this game will be won or lost in midfield so i went for the lads who can make a fight of it.

                                    Jones
                        Toure    Skrtel   Sakho
             Henderson   Gerrard  Lucas  Markovic
                           Coutinho    Lallana
                                    Sterling

Mignolet; Manquillo, Enrique; Can, Allen; Borini, Lambert.

can actually see us winning this one, for the first time in weeks i have a small bit of confidence in our boys 

                                       Jones
                        Toure    Skrtel   Sakho
             Henderson   Gerrard  Lucas  Markovic
                           Coutinho    Lallana
                                    Sterling

Mignolet; Manquillo, Enrique; Can, Allen; Borini, Lambert.

I don't think there's any doubt this will be the team he puts out because it's just about the strongest team we can field (with the obvious exception of Jones) given the players available for selection. Just add Moreno to the bench unless he's injured? We need to be true to ourselves, even if we get beat. That means attacking when we have the ball, pressing high and counter attacking when we don't. Oh and someone should give Sanchez a proper welcome

                                    Jones
                        Toure    Skrtel   Sakho
             Henderson   Gerrard  Lucas  Markovic
                           Coutinho    Lallana
                                    Sterling

Mignolet; Manquillo, Enrique; Can, Allen; Borini, Lambert.

If I see this on Sunday, I'm gonna lose it.

If I see this on Sunday, I'm gonna lose it.

Why is that?

Just looking at Arsenal's possible list of injuries... Monreal, Koscielny, Ramsey, Ozil, Wilshere, Walcott, Chamberlain, Arteta, Gnabry, Rosicky and Chamberlain. We can have no excuses what so ever for not winning the battle in midfield, they have one fit centre mid ffs and that's Flamini.

Not been hugely confident of late, for some reason, but just got this sneaking feeling we're going to do them.

I know Migs has been crap this season but Jones is even more hopeless. Atleast Migs is still a good shot-stopper so let's get him back in the team until we sign a decent GK. The same formation which served us well against the last 2 games with better personnel and maybe we can get a result against them.

Wenger will play 2 up top against a 3-5-2. Problem is we look weak when switching back to 4 at the back.

We have to go for goals, its our only hope.

Wenger will play 2 up top against a 3-5-2. Problem is we look weak when switching back to 4 at the back.

We have to go for goals, its our only hope.

We can play a back 5 against a false 9 and will still look weak defensively.

Arsenal  then Burnley and Swansea.   

Half way point of the season.

10 points off fourth place.


Always had important games against the Arse ...no more so than this one.
May define many things depending on the result.

Time to get festive

Christmas tree formation.

Jones

Manquillo
Skrtel
Toure
Enrique

Henderson
Lucas
Lallana

Sterling
Coutinho

Borini

A pretty experienced back four (minus Manquillo) with a battling midfield and a creative force behind a striker with something to prove.

Think this game will be won or lost in midfield so i went for the lads who can make a fight of it.

Zero chance of this team squire and probably with good reason

Sick of saying must win....Just win.

Sorry lads but I have a bad feeling about this one.

I think we'll get beaten comfortably.

Sorry lads but I have a bad feeling about this one.

I think we'll get beaten comfortably.

Well aren't you a bundle of joy . Guess you haven't seen Arsenal's injury list?

Sorry lads, but I have a great feeling about this! We're gonna batter them. 3-0. Come on you Reds!

Sorry lads, but I have a great feeling about this! We're gonna batter them. 3-0. Come on you Reds!

Same here, I think we'll annihilate them

Going for 2-1 to the Redmen today, hoping to SEE a victory courtesy of a couple of tickets from my good mate El Batez ! We had a great night at the Echo Arena last night watching John Bishop (with guest appearance from Carra!) and a victory today will cap a great weekend off!

We have to win this!

If BR practices the counter-attack to perfection Arsenal will struggle. As long as we keep the ball in their half we should be ok.

If BR practices the counter-attack to perfection Arsenal will struggle. As long as we keep the ball in their half we should be ok.

Don't those two things contradict each other?

hope to see Can starting at DM today.

any chance?

Don't those two things contradict each other?

Arsenal has to attack in the game. We can't be having possession for 90 mins. When they attack spring to action when we regain possession and when we have possession keep the ball in their half as long as possible.

If BR practices the counter-attack to perfection Arsenal will struggle. As long as we keep the ball in their half we should be ok.

Arsenal has to attack in the game. We can't be having possession for 90 mins. When they attack spring to action when we regain possession and when we have possession keep the ball in their half as long as possible.

The nature of counter attacking football though is you bring them on to you, and then exploit the gaps in behind

So to play counter and pin them in their own half is in terns a contradiction of styles

Anyway

Doesn't matter

I have gone for a 2  1 win, in the Prediction League, although not over confident. All the players need to step up for this game after the encouraging win at Bournemouth.

Well aren't you a bundle of joy . Guess you haven't seen Arsenal's injury list?

We have a Championship-standard goalkeeper, a back 3/4 which has made basic defensive errors on a regular basis all season, an immobile midfield which lacks creativity and is hugely suspect defensively and no actual recognised strikers. Our AM's did perform well against Bournemouth, but it remains to be seen if they can replicate that at a far higher level.

If the team step up and perform similarly to the Bournemouth game then of course we can still get a result, I just don't get the feeling it will happen to be perfectly honest. I can see us creating some decent chances, not taking them then getting killed by our inability to defend (a bit like in the Man U game). I'd be very happy to be proven wrong though!

If we play with three centre backs, we will need a lot of pace and energy in midfield to counter arsenals mid field running/passing through us.
They will need that protection which we have been short on giving them so far this season. Lucas and Can sound ok, Lucas a bit slow, but reads the game well and snaps the tackles in on a god day, and Can, can provide the energy. Markovic is also a starter for me, he's looked much sharper and causes problems when he runs at players. Not a great record against the arse apart from recently, and was worried about this one. Starting to believe we could win it now as they are sh*te as well most of the time, although they've done a bit better lately.
Suppose it all comes down to what strange formation, selection and tactic Brendan chooses to use today.
Will it be 3 CBs, back 4, false No 9 or Skrtel up top ?
On edge and can't wait. Got a mate gone to the game, Arsenal fan, they rarely win when he goes, and he's only seen them score 1 goal this season, so the omens are good.
C.O.Y.M.
REDMEN !

We have a Championship-standard goalkeeper, a back 3/4 which has made basic defensive errors on a regular basis all season, an immobile midfield which lacks creativity and is hugely suspect defensively and no actual recognised strikers. Our AM's did perform well against Bournemouth, but it remains to be seen if they can replicate that at a far higher level.

If the team step up and perform similarly to the Bournemouth game then of course we can still get a result, I just don't get the feeling it will happen to be perfectly honest. I can see us creating some decent chances, not taking them then getting killed by our inability to defend (a bit like in the Man U game). I'd be very happy to be proven wrong though!

You will be happy at the end of the game.

4-4 draw written all over it.

Arshavins gone .....



In his Press Conference Wenger highlighted that last year we scored over 100 goals.
So far we have scored only 19 ... just on half way through the season.
Didn't need him to point out the obvious but its a fact.

F**k, I can't see the match I won't be here too

Goodluck Reds!!!

If we can create the same number of chances we did against the mancs, and just score half of them, we'll win comfortably.
Has Raheem got his shooting boots on today ?

I'll go for a 2-1 win, Sterling and Skrtel.

Have to record this one as will miss the first hour. Not very confident. Either we pinch it by a goal in a 4-3 thriller or we'll get whitewashed in my opinion. We still look a bit toothless and can't currently get a result with a standard 4-4-2. Wenger won't be daft enough to leave 1 up top if we go for a 3-5-1 and would expect both Giroud and Welbeck to start.

I don't know why but I think we'll win this comfortably. 3-0, with the 3-4-3 really beginning to bed down. MOM Sterling for ripping Mertersacker a new one.

F**k, I can't see the match I won't be here too

Goodluck Reds!!!

We're doomed i tell 'ee doomed 

Anfield getting ready.



When did the advertising appear on the roof of the Kop?

Like the idea of 2 goals, some of our wayward shots may get lucky.

Come on you Reds. Let's do this.

Must win really, 3 points in any fashion would do.

  me the whole game

Let's be honest, we are going to concede at least 2, so hopefully we can find a way to score 3. COYR

Let's be honest, we are going to concede at least 2, so hopefully we can find a way to score 3. COYR

That's what I'm thinking. We have to score at least 2 goals because we will 100% concede at least one

I don't know why but I think we'll win this comfortably. 3-0, with the 3-4-3 really beginning to bed down. MOM Sterling for ripping Mertersacker a new one.

Wish I shared your optimism mate!

Let's be honest, we are going to concede at least 2, so hopefully we can find a way to score 3. COYR

Unfortunately this. Hopefully we can score more than the opposition today.

Not long now, come on you reds!