Pre-Match: Liverpool v West Ham Carabao Cup QF Weds 20th Dec 20:00 GMT Kick Off

What an earth do we do here? Do we go full strength as a semi final would await us? Does Ali or Kelleher start? Who do we play in midfield given our mounting injury problems? I’ve done my best to pick a team… we have a massive game against Arsenal at the weekend:

Kelleher

Gomez
Quansah
Van Dijk (c)
Tsimikas

Alexander-Arnold
Jones
Elliott

Salah
Gakpo
Diaz

Subs:

Alisson (GK)
Bradley
Konate
Chambers
Szoboszlai
Endo
McConnell
Nunez
Doak

Injured:

Matip
Robertson
Mac Allister
Gravenberch
Thiago
Bajcetic
Jota

West Ham are coming into this on the back of a 3-0 home win against Wolves on Sunday. They are also through in Europe and are sitting 8th in the league, winning 4 of their last 6 games in all comps.

They are likely to rotate with ex LFC player Danny Ings among those getting some game time.

I think we will win 2-1 in this one. Come on you Red men.

Got to play a strong side this is a good a chance as any of some silverware this season. The squads not been over stretched too badly recently with the last Europa game being a dead rubber altho the busy periods are on the way.

Tricky one but we have to go into Arsenal with some momentum . Quite clearly will.be changes Gomez,Gakpo ,Elliott,Jones all in line to start but this is a great chance to get to Semis when hopefully 3 or 4 players will be back to cover Mo and Endos absence

Think we need to rotate a bit or else we will get burnt out but nunez did come off and gapko didn’t play many minutes so expect both to start. I would throw in Salah for 60 mins

Kelleher

Gomez
Quansah
Van Dijk (c)
Someone else but don’t know who

Someone else but not sure who
Jones
Elliott

Salah
Gakpo
Nunez

Subs:

Alisson (GK)
Bradley
Konate
Chambers
Szoboszlai
Endo
McConnell
Diaz
Doak

Quite a conundrum here, I would play a strongish side against West Ham. It would be nice to reach another semi final,with a chance to go on and pick up some silverware.

I don't think "The Chosen One" has ever managed a win at Anfield, need to keep that record intact.

At least Saturday's game against Arsenal is an evening kick off, rather than the dreaded lunch time spot.

Haven't a clue what we should do.

Need rhythm but again can't risk injury before Arsenal as even with our patchy form the best chance at a title run in a while.

Mixture of the above I'd imagine.

Strongest side possible. Get it won then make changes to manage the game and see it out.
Same again for the arse.

Hammers will likely have a go, so no 10 man wall to break through 🤷‍♂️

He will rotate same as he has already in cups.

Hopefully we go pretty strong as we’re much more likely to win this competition than the league.

                             Alisson

Bradley       Gomez              Virg           Tsimikas

                               Endo

              Trent                          Jones

  Salah                  Nunez                     Gakpo

Taking Dom and Diaz out the firing line. Rest konate as well. Assuming Grav is injured. Another chance for Jones. Was tempted to give Harvey a start .... but bringing him on from the bench again.

Kelleher will play but apart from that I'm expecting to see our best available team.
West ham are a good team and after last season's success will have a taste for silverware.
So do we, we know how a trophy in February can help push us on for the end of season run in.

                             Alisson

Bradley       Gomez              Virg           Tsimikas

                               Endo

              Trent                          Jones

  Salah                  Nunez                     Gakpo

Taking Dom and Diaz out the firing line. Rest konate as well. Assuming Grav is injured. Another chance for Jones. Was tempted to give Harvey a start .... but bringing him on from the bench again.

I think we have to start Elliott for this one.

His form has been great from the bench and to stay in the bench for the cup game would be a bit of a kick in the teeth.

Not even gonna guess at the team. could be anything.

West Ham will play a strong team. Carabao Cup is one of their realistic targets. Not so much for us so we might not play our strongest team.We have bigger fish to fry.

Moyes has done well, found his level. Have a few topish players. Haven't missed Rice and JWP was a good  signing.

1-0

West Ham will play a strong team. Carabao Cup is one of their realistic targets. Not so much for us so we might not play our strongest team.We have bigger fish to fry.

Moyes has done well, found his level. Have a few topish players. Haven't missed Rice and JWP was a good  signing.

1-0

Gone for a 2  1 win over the Hammers. I cannot see us not scoring. A close game, with the Reds coming out on top to reach the semi finals of the competition.

Doak out with a knee injury and needs surgery


Gravenburch ok and trained today

Beat T'Hammers and we could end up playing Port vale in the semi or even in the final...failing that one of the minnows left in - Everton.

Could go Jomez at left back, throw Trent into mid full time. Trent, Elliott and Jones in mid. Mo, Nunez and Cody upstairs.

Tonight's game..Chelsea V Newcastle. I mean no disrespect but Pochettino* must be the most over promoted, over rated manager in the Premier League history. He did very little at Spurs. PSG took him on Jan '21 by July '22 they'd shown him the door.

He has guided a promising Chelsea squad into 10th position. A chancer given one to many chances.

* Probably batter Newcastle now

NB: Team no longer available

I would rest some players.

Come on Reds.

Tonight's game..Chelsea V Newcastle. I mean no disrespect but Pochettino* must be the most over promoted, over rated manager in the Premier League history. He did very little at Spurs. PSG took him on Jan '21 by July '22 they'd shown him the door.

He has guided a promising Chelsea squad into 10th position. A chancer given one to many chances.

* Probably batter Newcastle now

Didn’t he take Spurs into CL , then into 2nd place and also a 3rd whilst also taking them to a CL final - they fell apart when he left

And many managers have been fired from PSG even if they win the title

Is it pens after 90 ?

Didn’t he take Spurs into CL , then into 2nd place and also a 3rd whilst also taking them to a CL final - they fell apart when he left

And many managers have been fired from PSG even if they win the title

Well yes, but still don't like him. Spurs, to be fair, fall apart on a regular basis.

Fullest team possible for me, including the big guns, if you want silverware this season this is the first opportunity, Moyes boys are no push overs and they won’t come with a depleted squad, their coming to win, so i say we go full on and knock these bubble blowers tae F**k oot, the next match is the most important so F**k Arsenal until the weekend,

F**k knows how Jürgen sees it but I’m chucking my penny’s worth in and going for this ……..


                                      Alisson
                        Gomez Quansah Virgil Kostas
                                       Trent         
                               Elliot         Macca
                           Salah   Gakpo   Diaz


Dropped Szlobos to the bench, he’s went off the boil of late, we can’t afford hangers on and that’s what he’s been of late, Endo has done F**k all wrong, however I want to give Trent another go as DM, not because I think he should be there permanent but he’s a very handy stand in and will need game time there when we can, and Endo needs a rest,

Elliot, Macca & Gakpo get starts for me and all three should have started Vs Munts imo, Elliot for his energy, Gakpo poses a bigger threat than Darwin (arguably) and Macca brings some finesse which we missed on Sunday, Mo & Diaz complete the top shelf, if the sh*t hits the fan we can resort to type and swap Trent with Joe, with Endo on last 15-20,

This is a Q final so it’s within our grasp and we should be totally committed to winning it now, so please Jürgen, no half measures from now on !!


YNWA

Tonight's game..Chelsea V Newcastle. I mean no disrespect but Pochettino* must be the most over promoted, over rated manager in the Premier League history. He did very little at Spurs. PSG took him on Jan '21 by July '22 they'd shown him the door.

He has guided a promising Chelsea squad into 10th position. A chancer given one to many chances.

* Probably batter Newcastle now

Half decent game tho..0-1..can see it going to pens.

Middlesbrough, Fulham and Chelsea* through...

*Still don't like Potty or his crappy bunch of poseurs..

Fulham, Boro and Chelsea waiting in the semi's.

Get a win tomorrow night and we should fancy ourselves to win the cup again.

Fulham, Boro and Chelsea waiting in the semi's.

Get a win tomorrow night and we should fancy ourselves to win the cup again.

Be nice to stick it to the plastics in the final. Deal with West Ham tomorrow.

Everton out...that's what happens when yer pay Bond Street prices for a bunch of 'jumble sale' players. Sean Dyche is a professional manager and he'll do a job there..but 3 years is the max, patience wise. Then he'll say 'sod this I'm off'.

I'd prioritise the league and try and rest players for this. Who to rest is trick though - ideally Trent, Mo, Diaz, Kostas n Endo. Finding somebody else to play instead of Endo could be hard though. And Doak being out  means no obvious back up for Salah.

I'd play Dom cos I'd be inclined to start Harvey ahead of him against the Arse. Would probably play either Harvey or Dom in Mo's position.

So -

Kelleher, Bradley, Qansah, Virgil, Gomez, Endo, Jones, Dom, Harvey, Darwin n Gakpo.

Bonus if Grav is fit - maybe put him on for Endo at half time.

Really worried about this one.

Let's hope they rest Kudos, Bowen, Paqueta and Souchez the tall fella whatever his name is.

Be gutted if we go out to this mob! F***ing hate them.


EDIT: OMG  For some reason, this whole time I thought the game was in London...F**k delete all that above...bring these cu*ts on!!!!

As always, my opinion, if you wanna win silverware if any value, strongest side to start. Amend as per circumstances of match.
If you’re gonna lose, lose with intent.
Just don’t lose to west F***ing ham 😱

I love the Milk Cup too.  Paisley love it more but but BUT Saturday is a huge game especially after what happen last week.  We need a positive result.  3 days between the fixtures.   Quansah is a no brainer in defence for me.   Kelleher or Allison is a key decision.   I'd rest Kosta and Gravenberch. 

Cant see any player coming back from injury or niggles being risked.

It will be all about who is 100% fit.

Any update on Jota…will he be on the bench sat evening ?

Not ideal but start Trent at No6 let’s see how he fairs, Harvey for Szobo and Cody for Darwin.

Really worried about this one.

Let's hope they rest Kudos, Bowen, Paqueta and Souchez the tall fella whatever his name is.

Be gutted if we go out to this mob! F***ing hate them.


EDIT: OMG  For some reason, this whole time I thought the game was in London...F**k delete all that above...bring these cu*ts on!!!!

Fck your cells took a bashing in Mexico bud😉😉😁 , two London clubs at home in a week need to dispatch the both of them .

Hope for a decent end to end game. None of this 'parking the bus' nonsense. Bout time managers realised it's supposed to be entertainment.

Is it pens after 90 ?

Yeah straight to pens after 90 if it's a draw

Double header V London mobs. To be fair London is a great footballing city. 13 league clubs, 7 in the Prem. Also 4 I think in the national league.

West Ham tonight, then first of a triple header V Arsenal. Sat 23rd at home, then Cup away on 7th Jan. Then another pop away on 3rd Feb. Bit of interest if nothing else.

Hope for a decent end to end game. None of this 'parking the bus' nonsense. Bout time managers realised it's supposed to be entertainment.

I don't think that West Ham will come to "park the bus" both sides will be pl,aying for a result. Hopefully there will be a few goals. Mind you in the right direction in the back of the "Hammers" net.

At this stage of a knockout tournament We've got to go big and get it won....having said that, if we come unstuck tonight it's just the Mickey Mouse Cup and we've got bigger fish to fry.