Pre-match Stoke V Liverpool League Cup semi-final 1st leg, 5th Jan 20.00

Like to see Smith get a start tonight, though not in place of Moreno. Want 4 4 2 with Smith and Moreno interchangeable on the left.

Might switch off if I see Lallana Coutinho and Firmino all start with Benteke upfront on his own. It doesn't do anything for us except make us look poo

I like the idea of Smith and Moreno both playing, mentioned it after our last game.

If Benteke is to start then we may as well play Smith as he can cross the ball at least

Like to see Smith get a start tonight, though not in place of Moreno. Want 4 4 2 with Smith and Moreno interchangeable on the left.

Might switch off if I see Lallana Coutinho and Firmino all start with Benteke upfront on his own. It doesn't do anything for us except make us look poo

Good shout Bri.

Ibe Can Allen Moreno

Firmino Benteke

Liverpool FC have identified the problem in our current play, and shared photos on the facebook page!

Skills... fancy flicks... and then we lose possession.

(if any mod can shrink these photos?)

Could do with a bit of this tonight.

https://twitter.com/lfc/status/684359460567920640

Man, can be hard now watching the Luis clips   

Good man to have had when facing Stoke.

What I wouldn't give for a 3-5 mauling tonight...

Drop Benteke, 2 for Firmino, 2 for Cou, one for Ibe !!!!

Fancy us putting Stoke to the sword tonight as Klopp has publicly challenged the players to prove that they ain't sh*t as we say they are

Going yo be intense that's for sure.

We are signing a new goalkeeper Kamil Grabara next week mate. Klopp said he's only signed him to stop you moaning

He's only 16 but if Mignolet's as bad as you think, it shouldn't take Kamil long to break into the first team.

 

As bad as I think? Hands up who thinks Mignolet is good enough to be our number one keeper.....

As bad as I think? Hands up who thinks Mignolet is good enough to be our number one keeper.....

Don't think he want to at times mate.

Read my post in the Sturridge thread where I paraphrased an excerpt from Stevie's last book.

Had to be begged by Stevie to play against the Mancs at Anfield despite doctors giving him the ok.

looks like the brick wall at Melwood was probably demolished by Luis and didn't get rebuilt. Shameful attitude and if Stevie put it in his book then it must have some truth.

I fear a 4-4-2 is an invitation for getting run over, esp with a static Benteke. Their attack is very versatile, Bojan drops deep to help his midfield win possession, spray quick passes to Shaqiri, Afellay/Joselu and Arnautovic, and start a quick counter. Our best bet to win this game would be to press high up and ensure Can-Lucas/Allen shield our defence against those counters.

Coutinho from the left has really been ineffective these past couple of weeks. I would play Ibe and Lallana as the 'wingers' in a 4-2-3-1, and Coutinho behind Firmino. So the front-6 would be like

Can-Allen
Lallana-Coutinho-Ibe
Firmino

-vs-

Bojan
Arnautovic-Afellay-Shaqiri
Whelan-van Ginkel

I am not as concerned about Simon and our defence as I am about our lack of goals recently. Its going to probably go one of two ways tonight lets pray its a good night for the Reds.

Teams announced

Teams announced

In around 3 hours time.

Brendan liked him too

In around 3 hours time.

Damn it...gotta find a way to kill three hours...

I think we are looking for changes after the West Ham match but how many changes can he make with the players available to him.

I think we are looking for changes after the West Ham match but how many changes can he make with the players available to him.

Tonight is not the time mate as bad as WH was.  It's our first opportunity to make a final, we need our strongest 11 out there even if they've failed miserably recently.

We have Exeter on Friday where we can see a few changes and give some of the lads a rest before Arsenal and the manc scum next week.

Two legs this isn't it?

Come on Reds, stay solid and take a scrappy 1 0 back to Anfield.

Time for the players to step up, they talk too much for my liking about how much they want to win, but fail to back it up, now is their opportunity to prove they truly want it.

Tonight is not the time mate as bad as WH was.  It's our first opportunity to make a final, we need our strongest 11 out there even if they've failed miserably recently.

We have Exeter on Friday where we can see a few changes and give some of the lads a rest before Arsenal and the manc scum next week.

we cant drop many if any because he hasn't got replacements however Flanno might be available Friday having played today and came through well. 3 games in 6 days jurgens head must be spinning

Sinclair and Kent both in yesterdays training pics and neither featured in the u21s friendly earlier so maybe 2 new faces on the bench tonight.  Sinclair is a particularly interesting one as he's not been up at Melwood since his contract problems in the summer so at least Jürgen is looking at every option he has available.

I'd absolutely love to see Kent unleashed on this lot though, his pace will terrify them.

I'd absolutely love to see Kent unleashed on this lot though, his pace will terrify them.

One of the standouts in pre-season the past couple years.

Probably more likely to feature against Exeter though, i'd guess.

Sinclair and Kent both in yesterdays training pics and neither featured in the u21s friendly earlier so maybe 2 new faces on the bench tonight.  Sinclair is a particularly interesting one as he's not been up at Melwood since his contract problems in the summer so at least Jürgen is looking at every option he has available.

I'd absolutely love to see Kent unleashed on this lot though, his pace will terrify them.

Kent was watching the U21 game so I don't think he'll be in the squad tonight. Hopefully he'll get a chance against Exeter on Friday.

Which team will turn up today   The team that put City and Southampton to the sword, or the team that rolled over and died against Watford and West Ham?

Stoke will come ready to go to war.... will our lads??

We should be winning this, but it won't be easy by any means.  I just hope the lads show up with the right attitude and approach.  Show some F***ing pride boys!!! 

I'd drop Benteke and hope that a fluid front 3 can click.  Not that Firmino, Coutinho, or Lallana really deserve to keep their places, but what other options do we have???