Southampton FC v Liverpool FC 22nd Feb 4.15pm

A must win game for us to show our credentials to achieve the holy grail of Top 4.
This in effect is a 6 pointer as we need to make sure one of our competitors does not pick up any points.

Brendan usually sticks with the same team so the back 3 pick themselves unless Future Captain has done enough to earn a recall and push Can further up into midfield, but I think we would miss his passing out from the back.
Ibe and Moreno as wing backs unless Marko is preferred then for the front 3 I would pick Coutinho, Raheem and Sturridge with Balotelli coming on in the second half.

1-2 to the mighty Red Men

I actually think this would be a good game to rotate a couple of players and get in some fresh legs myself as we are at that stage of the season where the squad will have to be used. I would put Sterling back in there for Lallana and controversial as it might be, i'd throw Markovic in for young Jordan Ibe. It will be a tough game and i'd be happy enough with a draw to be honest, the big one I think will be at home to the mancs in terms of one we have to win.

Markovic and Sterling in for Ibe and Lallana.
Maybe start Balotelli and switch to a 3-4-1-2.

I actually think this would be a good game to rotate a couple of players and get in some fresh legs myself as we are at that stage of the season where the squad will have to be used. I would put Sterling back in there for Lallana and controversial as it might be, i'd throw Markovic in for young Jordan Ibe. It will be a tough game and i'd be happy enough with a draw to be honest, the big one I think will be at home to the mancs in terms of one we have to win.

would have sterling back but it will be a cold day in hell when i will be happy with a draw, the game is there for us to win as Southampton recent performances haven't been great

Markovic and Sterling in for Ibe and Lallana.
Maybe start Balotelli and switch to a 3-4-1-2.

YEah, been thinking about the 3412 formation. I would start Balo with Sturridge as I feel Southampton will be defensive and sit deep. Not sure which #10 to go for, Sterling, Coutinho or Lallana? As for the wing backs, I would like to see Markovic on for Ibe with Hendo and Allen in midfield.

Mignolet
      Skrtel
  Can---------Sakho
 
   Henderson---Allen
Ibe-------------------Moreno
             Markovic
Balotell-------------------Sturridge

I think a rest will do Coutinho good and I don't think Sterling is ready.

YEah, been thinking about the 3412 formation. I would start Balo with Sturridge as I feel Southampton will be defensive and sit deep. Not sure which #10 to go for, Sterling, Coutinho or Lallana? As for the wing backs, I would like to see Markovic on for Ibe with Hendo and Allen in midfield.

Start Sterling, give Coutinho a break.

I would start Balo for this - I think if he takes this chance, it could prove to be a decisive moment in his career for us. I was screaming for him to take that pen and whether or not it has created friction in the dressing room, the right person took it and scored. He is starting to show some of that x-factor and experience our team has needed for some time.

--------------Mignolet---------------
-----Can------Skrtel-----Sakho-----
-Ibe-Henderson-Allen-Moreno-
--------Markovic---Sterling--------
--------------Sturridge---------------

Subs: Ward, Manquillo, Lovren, Coutinho, Lallana, Balotelli, Lambert.

Give Coutinho a break, bench Lallana if his 'head' is not right, bring Balo on at hour mark as 2nd striker if circumstances dictate like recent games.

I challenge anyone to provide a good argument as to why this is not the biggest game of our season so far.

I challenge anyone to provide a good argument as to why this is not the biggest game of our season so far.

6 pointer. Massive.

6 pointer. Massive.

Just some thoughts on the phrase "six pointer". In terms of the general meaning of the term it is accurate and useful - we get 3 points and deny the other team 3 points, but on a more precise level it isn't quite numerically accurate.
3 points for us yes, and then the denial of what would be the expected points for a team in the area of the league you are competing in; Ie Approximately 1.8 points per game against top 4 teams (as that is there expected ppg return from any game as it takes you to 70) or 1.05 points for teams in a relegation fight (teams that are getting relegated lose more often than not, so the denial of points is less relevant), or even 2.3 points for title chasing team.
So six pointers can vary in actual value, and indeed those values vary from year to year as the number of points required to achieve an objective does.

  musings

4    Southampton   25   14   4   7   38   17   +21   46   1.84   48%   28%
5    Arsenal           25   13   6   6   47   28   +19   45   1.80   32%   8%
6    Tottenham   25   13   4   8   39   34   +5   43   1.72   24%   20%
7    Liverpool           25   12   6   7   36   29   +7   42   1.68   36%   24%

When we beat them, we will get 45 pts and narrow it down to 1 pts behind them, they are on 46 pts now.

Lets go reds, up we come. 

Just some thoughts on the phrase "six pointer". In terms of the general meaning of the term it is accurate and useful - we get 3 points and deny the other team 3 points, but on a more precise level it isn't quite numerically accurate.
3 points for us yes, and then the denial of what would be the expected points for a team in the area of the league you are competing in; Ie Approximately 1.8 points per game against top 4 teams (as that is there expected ppg return from any game as it takes you to 70) or 1.05 points for teams in a relegation fight (teams that are getting relegated lose more often than not, so the denial of points is less relevant), or even 2.3 points for title chasing team.
So six pointers can vary in actual value, and indeed those values vary from year to year as the number of points required to achieve an objective does.

  musings

Wow, you do know that you would absolutely kill a conversation down the boozer coming out with that. But thank you for some nice stats and facts.

I think we'll need a Benayoun style last minute winner.

Fingers crossed we can do it.

I won't be able to create the Live thread

I won't play Lallana for this game if his head is not right.

I won't be able to create the Live thread

I won't play Lallana for this game if his head is not right.

Heard a short interview with him earlier, his head seems like it's in the right place. Quietly confident for this one. Shhh.

Heard a short interview with him earlier, his head seems like it's in the right place. Quietly confident for this one. Shhh.

Then he is a good asset to have in the team.

I'd start Mario, reckon he showed enough form to get a chance / maybe deserves a bit of backing based on penogate where he made the right decision / is fresher than some of the others. Would leave Lallana on the bench after his gushfest on how he much he loves Southampton. Then bring Markovic back for Ibe, who did well against Besiktas but his final ball was generally poor, though there's not much between the two.

           Migs
   Can Skrtel Sakho
Markovic Hendo Allen Moreno
Sturridge Balotelli Sterling

Would rest Cou, but think BR probably won't start Mario though after his latest comments on how he needs to work harder so Cou might start
http://www.espnfc.co.uk/liverpool/story/2308951/mario-balotelli-must-increase-his-work-ratesays-liverpools-brendan-rodgers

Expecting tough game but we are the form team, but we should go in confident. Will the Thurs night game catchup with us? Hope not. CMON BOYS!!!

Wouldn't surprise me to see Markovic come in considering his European ban but I wouldn't go for that personally. Also think Balotelli will miss out despite his recent performances which would be a shame. Team for me:

Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Ibe, Hendo, Allen, Moreno; Sterling, Balotelli, Sturridge.

I won't be able to create the Live thread

I won't play Lallana for this game if his head is not right.

Tut tut Clint, very disappointed, how dare you take a day off, some might question your commitment   


YNWA

Coutinho definitely needs a rest and Lallana has been a bit off of late so would perhaps be tempted to start with Sterling, Sturridge + Balotelli. Or if not Markovic over Balotelli, depends how B-Rod sees it.

                         Mignolet
                  Can   Skrtel  Sakho
           Ibe  Henderson Allen  Moreno
                          Sterling
                  Sturridge  Balotelli

Ward; Lovren, Johnson; Markovic, Coutinho, Lallana; Borini

Le Tissier is a right dick, on Soccer Saturday now saying that Balotelli would have taken the ball off Gerrard if he was on the pitch. Obviously he wouldn't.

I won't be able to create the Live thread

I won't play Lallana for this game if his head is not right.

You do know that if we lose ,your heads on the block for the Wum's!

Tut tut Clint, very disappointed, how dare you take a day off, some might question your commitment   


YNWA

You do know that if we lose ,your heads on the block for the Wum's!

I might have arrange the meeting with my friends to later. I will be able to watch the first half. My girlfriend is going to kill me

I might have arrange the meeting with my friends to later. I will be able to watch the first half. My girlfriend is going to kill me

Are you implying that you're running scared of the WUM'S now Clint!

Are you implying that you're running scared of the WUM'S now Clint!

I don't want to be one 

This will be a test for Brendans tactical nous, up against a recovering Saints side. Think they have a couple of 1st choice players returning following injury. This is a massive game for us to make inroads into their lead over us.
 We beat them earlier, when they were at full strength, and we had players missing, but gonna be a tough one as they will be full of confidence with players returning.
 I'll go for a slim, hard fought 2 -1 win to us.
 Just hope the shenanigans of Thursday night, doesn't effect our team spirit. I see Sturridge as being desperate to score, and will pass up opportunities to feed others in, and go for the more difficult option himself. Saw a couple if incidents on Thursday, so hope BR gets that sorted.

I won't be able to create the Live thread

Of course you can, make one now and have one of the admins lock it until we kick off

te
Of course you can, make one now and have one of the admins lock it until we kick off

No, I won't take that route. If I succeed in doing it, great if not :/

No, I won't take that route. If I succeed in doing it, great if not :/

It's going to be a dark day on this forum haha

It's going to be a dark day on this forum haha

I will try to do it

Biggest game of the season and a real test. 3 points and we will make top 4 a draw is not the end if the world

I think we have to get 3 points out of this one with the way the other results went today. I don't even think a draw works for us, have to make up ground on Arsenal not to mention Soton.

Even bigger game now. Win this one and it's 3 points from 3rd spot.

Hope the boys bring their best.

Even more important game now. If we win it, and i think we will from a Balo strike, we'll get 3rd easily.

Even more important game now. If we win it, and i think we will from a Balo strike, we'll get 3rd easily.

It's only February, we'll get nothing 'easily' based on the next game alone. We have City the game after, we need to not lose that.

The lads will be full of confidence and we will get only better if we win at Saints, you'll see.

Even bigger game now after Man Utd's loss. We need to capitalize. Southampton are there to be beaten; they're well organized and well drilled but aren't as good as Spurs so I think we'll win it.

Sturridge, Sterling, Balotelli on the field together will open them up.

I think we have to get 3 points out of this one with the way the other results went today. I don't even think a draw works for us, have to make up ground on Arsenal not to mention Soton.

Anything less than 3 points will be a disaster, this is a big opportunity for the REDS, don't let us down.

Anything less than 3 points will be a disaster, this is a big opportunity for the REDS, don't let us down.

Yup, let's hope so Billy lad.

Hope we can buck the usual trend of the 'bigger' teams losing or drawing en masse over the same weekend.

Toure back at the right of defence and Can in midfield?

Thoughts?

Toure back at the right of defence and Can in midfield?

Thoughts?

Sounds good to me. Toure should be sharp after being at the AFCON.

Very, difficult game following Thursday night's Europa league game. Obviously a win needed to make ground on a top 4 position.

I'd eat gone-off pilchards off Joe Allens manky toes for a scrappy 0-1 win on Sunday

Massive game!!!

Toure back at the right of defence and Can in midfield?

Thoughts?

I'd go for that.

This is not going to be easy. It's just as big of a game for Southampton as it is for us. With United dropping points and Arsenal winning, they'll want to climb the table as well. Tough ground to go to as well, but hopefully we've built up some confidence with our recent upturn in form. A win in here would be massive, but I'm thinking this will be a draw though, 1-1.

This will be a piece of piss, 4 nil win.

This will be a piece of piss, 4 nil win.

So its decided then 4 nil it is.

So its decided then 4 nil it is.

It's done my friend.

I just have got a feeling we will win this easily. I will go with the below team

                Migs
     Lovren  Skrtel  Sakho
Markovic  Can  Hendo  Moreno
   Sturridge  Balo  Sterling

Massive, massive game.

Will have a small kip and be up in time for 3:15 am KO.

Can't F***ing wait. COYR

A win today, would be a great result, a real chance to make ground on the Mancs.

I just have got a feeling we will win this easily. I will go with the below team

                Migs
     Lovren  Skrtel  Sakho
Markovic  Can  Hendo  Moreno
   Sturridge  Balo  Sterling

What no Ibe, the lads on fire and should start against Southampton.

With so many games coming up I think we need to manage the squad a bit. We will be playing 2 games per week right through March and those positions where we can afford to rotate should be prioritised. Ibe should be starting next week against both Besiktas and City so I guess he can be afforded a little breather in this one.

This is our first final of the season. If we lose we are out of Champions league. If we win I think we can go up to third easily.

This is our first final of the season. If we lose we are out of Champions league. If we win I think we can go up to third easily.

First off - we won't lose.

But if we do, we just need to win the Europa League to qualify for the CL - simples.

Koeman trying to play mind games (he's pretty poor at it mind) by saying some players move for money, hinting at Lallana, Chambers, Lovren and Lambert. They all moved to bigger clubs so... unlucky Ronald!

According to a pundit the other day (can't remember who it was but he was a household name), we need to watch our for Pelle because he is in good form. That form would be 2 goals in the past 18 matches stemming back to the middle of October. Let's make sure we keep his sh*t form going!

There is no reason why we can't win this game and make it comfortable for ourselves. We're not going to do that though by passing it around everywhere for 90 minutes, we have to be clinical in front of goal. They will no doubt be playing Yoshida at left back and Elia has had to track back to cover his arse for the past couple of games so that is their weak side. Ibe should have a bloody field day! Going for a 1-0 victory to the red men.

First off - we won't lose.

But if we do, we just need to win the Europa League to qualify for the CL - simples.

To be honest with you mate, I feeling a draw (even in my prediction league I did a draw). I hope that they prove me completely wrong.

The Europa League is difficult but we have a good chance, yes.

Toure back at the right of defence and Can in midfield?

Thoughts?

Good idea.

Toure back at the right of defence and Can in midfield?

Thoughts?

I'd go for that.

Good idea.

I prefer Lovren for this one.

Another MASSIVE game!

Let's get the win and drive into that top 4.

                                 Migs
 
                  Lovren      Skrtel     Sahko

   Ibe              Henderson          Can          Moreno

                 Coutinho  Sturridge  Sterling

Ward Toure Markovic Allen Lallana Balotelli Lambert

Good morning all.

Travelling to the game today.  Can I please ask where visiting fans can enjoy a few pints in Southampton before kick off.

Many Thanks

YNWA

Jim

We need to take this opportunity and seize it. We'll be within touching distance of even 3rd spot with a win here today.

Why's it such a late kickoff for a sunday?

Why's it such a late kickoff for a sunday?

Three televised matches.

I prefer Lovren for this one.

Based on?

We need to take this opportunity and seize it. We'll be within touching distance of even 3rd spot with a win here today.

Why's it such a late kickoff for a sunday?

Yes, yes, yes,......


come on reds, YNWA.

Three televised matches.

Oooh fancy.

Might give the Spurs game a goo then now.

Based on?

Based on his appearances as sub. I think he will be fine with three at the back.

Anyone else like to see a front three of Sturridge, Balotelli with Sterling in behind?

I think Phil needs a wee break so this is how I'd go but I doubt the boss will.

Have a feeling this will end as a draw.

Very difficult ground to go to for a must win game against a very well organised and dangerous outfit, their league position should indicate that they are not just making up the numbers,
Koeman has Saints playing a very attractive style and history has shown this season that they can be a match for anyone, however,
This is the key point in a season where your intentions have to galvanise and for your players to push on,

For me Saints are already at the peak of their capabilities and will find it very difficult to find that extra gear, we on the other hand have yet to reach our zenith after a slow start but from now I feel we will get better and better,
Despite missing one or two through injury I still feel we will prove too much for them, had we met a couple of months ago admittedly I'd be worried, but we are on a roll and although we have been far from convincing we still pull out favourable results, that is the mark of a progressing side,

This is our pivotal time now where our schedule could dictate which side BR opts for, but the league matches should take priority over anything else so I'm expecting the strongest possible X1 today,

I don't think he will change much from Thursday if at all so I'd be happy if he starts thus...
                                  Mignolet
                         Can    Skirtle    Sakho
                       Ibe   Hendo  Allen  Moreno
                              Lallana Coutinho
                                   Sturridge

            Bench; Ward, Lovren, Manquillo, Sterling,Ballotelli,Lambert,Toure


This will be as tight as a newts ring piece, I seriously doubt we will keep a clean sheet so we need to score at least two, I fancy Studge to bag at least one, and I'd love to see super Mario to bag also,

1-2 Might Reds


YNWA

Anyone else like to see a front three of Sturridge, Balotelli with Sterling in behind?

I think Phil needs a wee break so this is how I'd go but I doubt the boss will.

Yep I'd like id like to see that front line Si but I doubt we will, after Mario's antics on Thursday I think he will still be used off the bench which is no bad thing if I'm honest, but it's certainly food for thought and like you said it allows a wee rest for Cou.

YNWA

If we want top for we have to beat the teams around us, so 3 points today is a must. Especially with the mancs and spuds both losing points

We need to take this opportunity and seize it. We'll be within touching distance of even 3rd spot with a win here today.

Why's it such a late kickoff for a sunday?

It's only 15 minutes later than the usual late game on a Sunday.

No idea how this one will pan out, but a win would be bloody fantastic.

I hope the Southampton boys don't have any jitters and remember who they are  playing for today.

Spuds just got a poxy draw but a win for us and we leapfrog them into 6th.

Come on Red Men!

Another week of Harry Kane hype

Draw was better than i expected for West Ham. They bottled but i'll take the draw there.

More results going our way this weekend. Not a "must win" but a very important three points on offer.

Team could go either way. Could see Balo and Sturridge up top with Sterling in behind (doubt it), could see Can in midfield and Lovren or Kolo at the back, either of Sterling, Lallana and Coutinho could start or not. Interesting to see how it ends up.

Another week of Harry Kane hype

Almost missed a penalty.Bit strange that Sturridge is far better than him but people bigging him up like some sort of  extra ordinary player.

3 points is a must, proper nervous about this, Southampton win and they go 3rd, 7 points ahead of us and Arsenal drop to 4th, 6 points ahead of us, we can't let that happen.

Huge game today! Come on boys!

I hope we dont leave them much space to operate in front of our goall. We need to be patient and take our chances.
I would rest Coutinho first half and would start Ibe, Sturridge and Sterling.
Allen, Henderson, Moreno and Markovic in the middle and same winning three at the back.

Bring in Coutinho and Balloteli in second hallf and take out Allen and Markovich. Switch Ibe on Lazars place.
.

CMO'N YOU REDS

YNWA

Live game topic here: http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,47430.msg1742861/boardseen.html#new

Locked.