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

Bogdan

Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Smith

Can
Allen
Coutinho

Ibe
Lallana

Firmino

Call me crazy.

You're crazy!

But I wouldn't argue too much with the line-up mate. It's sad when I think so many of those aren't good enough but yet are our best options.

I'd gladly see Benteke dropped, I think our brand of football is so much better when he isn't in the side.

We need to get through this game relatively close with Stoke, a goal in it we could take with the fact we 'might' have Sturridge, Henderson, etc back for the 2nd leg. Having said that I think we can do these, as poorly as we have played we aren't as far away as the doom-mongers will have you believe. We're still creating chances, Lucas had one of the line and Can one of the bar in the previous game, Benteke numerous chances which he put out of the stadium and that was with us playing as poorly as that.

Jürgen will have properly read them the riot act, no doubting that so it will be up them to show what they have to respond with. The likes of Can and Lallana need to be much more aggressive, not be pushed around like little rag dolls, it's more embarrassing for Can given his stature but it's no less excusable for Lallana. If he wants the shirt fight for it like you mean it not like it might put your precious hair out of place. Benteke also falls into this category, if he plays he needs to show some damn aggression, give him a testosterone patch or something because a man of his size should dominate players, they should be frightened to come into contact with him.

I wish I could say I was optimistic about this one, but in all honesty, I can't. This will be tough, Stoke will take the fight to us, I have no idea if we'll fight or flight!
I hope we get a reaction from the players after Jürgen tore into them after West Ham, if they don't react the right way then we are indeed in serious trouble!

I hope the players wear masks so I don't have to know it's the same spineless bunch who lost few days ago.

A 4-4-1-1 option of Couts and Sturridge upfront should do. I hope to be pleasantly surprised with a comfortable win and a clean sheet with a winning consistency in subsequent games. Enough of the erratic performance.

I'd play Sturridge in this one and then wrap him in cotton wool for the second leg. Two biggest games of the month for me.

Any news on Hendo or Milner? Could do with both of them here as well.

0-0 would be a result....

Mignolet

Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Smith

Can
Allen
Coutinho

Ibe
Lallana

Kent

Kent, Lallana and Coutinho to rotate

just thinking if we get to the final will Sturridge suddenly gain fitness a bit like Kewell

just thinking if we get to the final will Sturridge suddenly gain fitness a bit like Kewell

Sturridge is apparently fit but Jürgen wants him to have a pre season so lessen the chance of breaking down again.
Good luck with that boss!

So more likely he will be available for Arsenal and Utd.

Sturridge is apparently fit but Jürgen wants him to have a pre season so lessen the chance of breaking down again.
Good luck with that boss!

So more likely he will be available for Arsenal and Utd.

I don't think he trust him regarding his fitness and seeing him training is a good idea but pressures might be influential especially if Benteke remains in a semi conscious state

Well I thought I'd never see the day thinking the un thinkable that these fckers could smash us over two legs , if our players turn up with their recent attitude then thats what will happen .

I just hope the fckers have taken a long look in the mirror and recognise that badge on their chest and the stature of the club they are playing for .

I'm worried about this one.

Badly want to win this cup but I have a bad feeling about Stoke away given recent away performances.

Total 50/50 this tie for me.

Don't think it would be over if we got walloped or handed out a walloping in the first leg.

Sturridge is apparently fit but Jürgen wants him to have a pre season so lessen the chance of breaking down again.
Good luck with that boss!

Yeah. He'll have figured him out by the summer.

Total 50/50 this tie for me.

Don't think it would be over if we got walloped or handed out a walloping in the first leg.

Yeah. He'll have figured him out by the summer.

Sturridge not available.

Was hoping we had some players back for this one, but looks like it will be the same squad available as against West Ham.

I'd go with:

Bogdan

Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Smith

Allen
Lucas
Emre Can

Lallana
Firmino
Coutinho

Subs: Mignolet; Randall, Toure, Moreno; Brannagan; Ibe; Benteke.

Not to confident about getting a win here, so hoping for a draw as Stoke are on form.

I'm going for 1-1.

Bogdan

Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Smith

Can
Allen
Coutinho

Ibe
Lallana

Firmino

Call me crazy.

I'm liking that team very much but bloody well leave Bogdan out will ya, he's a damn liability.

Mignolet
Clyne Lovren Sakho Smith
Allen Can
Lallana Coutinho Ibe
Firmino

Would bench Benteke, and put Firmino up. And wouldn't even have Firmino if there was anyone else available.
Give Smith a run, and Allen. Can for energy. And Ibe another chance.
Maybe, just maybe, try to replicate even some semblance of the away performances that blew us away some weeks back.

We cannot allow then to score more than one goal tomorrow night.. if they do, we have to score one back..

Like I said earlier a 0-0 to me, takes the game back to Anfield as an open tie with everything to play for..and would be a result.

I'd even take a 0-1..

Going back to Anfield 0-2 down and an 11 man Stoke defence to break down would be a real tough one in our current form at trying to break teams down at Anfield..

Yes, like many i'd love us to turn them over but something tells me the Southampton performance was a one off and this lot won't lie down..

C'mon Jürgen, wind em up !!

just thinking if we get to the final will Sturridge suddenly gain fitness a bit like Kewell

On reflection I think it is a little bit unfair to compare Kewell to Sturrdge,both have earned good money for none performance.
                  Back to Stoke we need to get a win and that will leave gaps in the Stoke defence at Anfield.

Stoke do like to actually play some football under Hughes, so I'd be for a front three of Ibe, Lallana and Firmino to press the backline.

F**k me the BBC are reporting Sturidge is injured again....

F**k me the BBC are reporting Sturidge is injured again....

It's beyond a joke

"Daniel Sturridge will miss Liverpool's League Cup semi-final first leg at Stoke on Tuesday after suffering a minor setback in training as he recovers from a hamstring injury."

It's beyond a joke

"Daniel Sturridge will miss Liverpool's League Cup semi-final first leg at Stoke on Tuesday after suffering a minor setback in training as he recovers from a hamstring injury."

apparently bent over to pick his wallet up and put his back out. He should have known you bend from the knees when picking up heavy objects.
Its getting a bit embarrassing now isn't it

apparently bent over to pick his wallet up and put his back out. He should have known you bend from the knees when picking up heavy objects.
Its getting a bit embarrassing now isn't it

Tis. Klopp's doing the right thing though imo, keep him in training until he can sustain some level of fitness. Before putting him back in. Even still, he's got so bad, not sure he'll ever be up to playing in a Klopp side.

Tis. Klopp's doing the right thing though imo, keep him in training until he can sustain some level of fitness. Before putting him back in. Even still, he's got so bad, not sure he'll ever be up to playing in a Klopp side.

think Jürgen has told him straight prove to me your fit enough and he hasn't has he. With all the highly paid medical staff we have and access to the the best Doctors in the world this lad still cannot get himself free from injury.