Pre-Match: Liverpool v Southampton FA Cup 5th Round Weds 28th Feb 20:00 Kick Off

Kelleher

Bradley
Gomez (c)
Quansah
Tsimikas

Clark
McConnell
Hill

Gordon
Danns
Nyoni

Subs:

Adrian
Mabaya (RB/CM)
Lucky (CB)
Scanlon (LB)
Pilling (CM)
Kone-Doherty (RW/LW)
Gakpo
Koumas (ST)
Figueroa (ST)

Rested:

Van Dijk
Konate
Robertson
Mac Allister
Diaz

Injured:

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold
Matip
Szoboszlai
Thiago
Jones
Endo
Gravenberch
Bajcetic
Salah
Nunez
Jota
Doak


I’ve researched the academy and come up with a potential squad and put positions next to the respective subs to help anyone out who isn’t familiar with where they play.

Our injury list is astonishing and that’s not been helped by both Gravenberch and Endo joining that list.

Southampton come into this one having lost 3 of their last 4 league games and currently sit 4th in the Championship table.

Russell Martin is their manager and they are likely to field a mix of experience and youth.

I have no idea who we will be fielding so cannot predict the result but I’m gonna say an LFC win, because why not.

Russell went with a pretty young side for their replay with Watford, whether he goes with that many changes again only time will tell.

Someone alluded to yesterday the added importance of getting through this game, being the Everton game gets pushed back until after the intl break.

Sure the FA cup comes last in the priority list but it's still a piece of the jigsaw we need to complete a historical quadruple so for these 2 reasons I'm less inclined to go with a full u21 side.

My XI - Kelleher Bradley Gomez Quansah Kostas Mcconnell Nyoni Mac Gordon Gakpo Koumas

If Salah, Nunez, Dom ready for the bench I'd be giving them 25-30 mins each too.

Kelleher

Bradley
Quansah
Gomez
Kostas

Endo
Clark
Elliot

Danns
Gakpo
Gordon

Worst outcome probably being a replay

Kelleher

Bradley
Quansah
Gomez
Kostas

Endo
Clark
Elliot

Danns
Gakpo
Gordon

Agree with that important to have either Endo or Mac in middle I think will.be Mac though and a Gakpo with experience up top. Will be a role reversal from Sunday where the bench will be stronger this time Robbo, Dom, Elliott,Diaz,Mo

Endo left Wembley in one of those boots, mind it wouldn't surprised me if he still appeared.

Worst outcome probably being a replay

Don't think there are replays from now on

I see no point risking Kelleher, so I hope Adrian will start.

Is it still possible to recall our loan out players such as Tyler Morton?

Play the kids

Kelleher

Bradley
Gomez (c)
Quansah
Tsimikas

Clark
McConnell
Hill

Gordon
Danns
Nyoni

Subs:

Adrian
Mabaya (RB/CM)
Lucky (CB)
Scanlon (LB)
Pilling (CM)
Kone-Doherty (RW/LW)
Gakpo
Koumas (ST)
Figueroa (ST)

Rested:

Van Dijk
Konate
Robertson
Mac Allister
Diaz

Injured:

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold
Matip
Szoboszlai
Thiago
Jones
Endo
Gravenberch
Bajcetic
Salah
Nunez
Jota
Doak


I’ve researched the academy and come up with a potential squad and put positions next to the respective subs to help anyone out who isn’t familiar with where they play.

Our injury list is astonishing and that’s not been helped by both Gravenberch and Endo joining that list.

Southampton come into this one having lost 3 of their last 4 league games and currently sit 4th in the Championship table.

Russell Martin is their manager and they are likely to field a mix of experience and youth.

I have no idea who we will be fielding so cannot predict the result but I’m gonna say an LFC win, because why not.

I agree with resting as many people as possible. The league has to be the priority and any more injuries could derail it.

As far as I'm concerned this one is a free hit for the kids. If they win, fantastics. If not, I will not be blaming anybody.

Only real difference I would have with your selection is I would rest Bradley n all. Play Gomez RB n maybe Konate at CB (or maybe another kid at RB, if we have any left!)

(Maybe Gakpo could start if we think Darwin n Mo will be back for the weekend. Or maybe Darwin can start instead based on the way he galloped down the stands yesterday! But that's it!)

Mo, Nunez and Dom could well be on the bench. They need a run out and if they're fit then they need minutes before Forrest away.

Kelleher..Brad..Quansah. .Gomez..Kosta.....McConn ell..Macca..Clark.....El liott..Cody..Danns.

The energy these young players bring will tip the balance. 2-0.

Mo, Nunez and Dom could well be on the bench. They need a run out and if they're fit then they need minutes before Forrest away.

Kelleher..Brad..Quansah. .Gomez..Kosta.....McConn ell..Macca..Clark.....El liott..Cody..Danns.

The energy these young players bring will tip the balance. 2-0.

Not sure about that front line, looks incredibly slow. Be surprised if Harvey plays despite playing 210mins in the last 2 games, defo could do with being on the bench.....wanna see what Koumas and Gordon are all about.

NB: Team no longer available

I would rest almost everyone with Forest around the corner.

I would insert the big guns around the 70th minute.

Play the kids

I was gobsmacked to read Chavs average age was younger than you lot.

Whoever is picked, regarding availability, the Reds seem to come out on top. They should be full of confidence, in front of the kop, to blow the saints away.

I was gobsmacked to read Chavs average age was younger than you lot.

Something doesn’t make sense. But football is not played on paper.

And why are we playing again this soon?

Something doesn’t make sense. But football is not played on paper.

And why are we playing again this soon?

Because the F.A. Will do us over any way they can

Something doesn’t make sense. But football is not played on paper.

And why are we playing again this soon?

Because for the last couple of seasons the 5th Rnd has been played as a midweek fixture, so rather than be played next weekend, they're played over the next couple of nights

Something doesn’t make sense. But football is not played on paper.

And why are we playing again this soon?

Because the F.A. Will do us over any way they can

Chavs are also playing on Wednesday?? You guys have to get this paranoia out of your heads. 😂

The only people who are guilty of anything are the corporations who want loads of games for financial revenue. Sky sports probably the biggest benefactors. Think most of us know the football calendar is littered with games nearly every day now.

 Another reason for so many injuries  but some of you think that the training methods are wrong, well it isnt. The body can only take so much. I think ( not sure ) even Klopp said the same thing a week or two ago. Is the Messiah wrong?

https://www.90min.com/posts/why-is-fa-cup-fifth-round-played-in-midweek-2022-23#:~:text=Hectic%20scheduling%20is%20a%20feature,to%20scrap%20fifth%2Dround%20replays.

Endo left Wembley in one of those boots, mind it wouldn't surprised me if he still appeared.

Would out play Caicedo while wearing that boot

Chavs are also playing on Wednesday?? You guys have to get this paranoia out of your heads. 😂

The only people who are guilty of anything are the corporations who want loads of games for financial revenue. Sky sports probably the biggest benefactors. Think most of us know the football calendar is littered with games nearly every day now.

 Another reason for so many injuries  but some of you think that the training methods are wrong, well it isnt. The body can only take so much. I think ( not sure ) even Klopp said the same thing a week or two ago. Is the Messiah wrong?

But the Chavs didn’t play midweek last week as we had to. Look at Arsenal played midweek in Europe but their next game was due to be played Saturday early kick off…..
But what happens..8 o’clock kick off

But the Chavs didn’t play midweek last week as we had to. Look at Arsenal played midweek in Europe but their next game was due to be played Saturday early kick off…..
But what happens..8 o’clock kick off

It swings in roundabouts Tez, sometimes it works for you and sometimes against. Like I keep saying overall English football has far far too many games, that’s the problem.  It’s a headache for organisers to fit them which is their own fault anyway.

I was gobsmacked to read Chavs average age was younger than you lot.

It was at the begining of the game but not at the end. Once the 3 teenagers came on I think that flipped it. Endo, VVD and Robbo are all in their 30s now.

It was at the begining of the game but not at the end. Once the 3 teenagers came on I think that flipped it. Endo, VVD and Robbo are all in their 30s now.

It didn’t flip it according to the news, not that it really matters though.

It didn’t flip it according to the news, not that it really matters though.

Their young players who cost £30, £40, £50m etc. ours who are fresh out of the academy. Not the same thing and it was a bad attempt by Pochettino at deflecting from their failure.

Their young players who cost £30, £40, £50m etc. ours who are fresh out of the academy. Not the same thing and it was a bad attempt by Pochettino at deflecting from their failure.

Surprised Poch could speak at the end of that game. He looked like he was about to throw up.

Southampton aren't a bad team, a bit hit and miss of late but they also have competing priorities in the league so I would expect them to make changes too.But we just have far too many injuries to risk the Forest game so to be totally honest I wouldn't mind how extreme we go for this game. All the more reason to have faith in the kids after Sunday. They'll all be feeling buoyed by it. Maybe we have Tsimikas in there, Quansah, Gomez just for stability. No way I'd risk Endo or Mac. Id like to see Gordon involved if he's fit.

Endo is becoming as important as Fabinho in his prime we need him for the league games.
What a performance yesterday

Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, McConnell, Clark; Gordon, Gakpo, Danns.

Hopefully get some of the injured lads back on the bench as well.

Endo is becoming as important as Fabinho in his prime we need him for the league games.
What a performance yesterday

One of the first names on the team sheet. We don't have anyone else in the squad who can do what he does.

Their young players who cost £30, £40, £50m etc. ours who are fresh out of the academy. Not the same thing and it was a bad attempt by Pochettino at deflecting from their failure.

Totally agree with that 👍

                                Kellerher

Bradley       Quansah         Gomez       Tsimikas

                              McConnell

              Macca                         Clark

    Gordon                Danns                Gakpo

Adrian
Robbo
Chambers
Koumas
Hill
Nyoni

Help 🤣

Diaz and Gakpo need to step up and show that they can be relied upon. We have no other choice now, we need these two to take responsibility and score.
Their stats are decent but if we want to win again this season, we need them to be close to the level of Mane and Firmino, otherwise we'll end up with the Carabao Cup only. Mane and Firmino not only had insane stats but were always influential in the game and played a lot. That's what we need right now.

Hopefully Nunez and Salah will be back soon, together with Szobo, Jones and Gravenberch, and everyone else.

Diaz and Gakpo need to step up and show that they can be relied upon. We have no other choice now, we need these two to take responsibility and score.
Their stats are decent but if we want to win again this season, we need them to be close to the level of Mane and Firmino, otherwise we'll end up with the Carabao Cup only. Mane and Firmino not only had insane stats but were always influential in the game and played a lot. That's what we need right now.

Hopefully Nunez and Salah will be back soon, together with Szobo, Jones and Gravenberch, and everyone else.

I'll be shocked if Diaz starts tmrw. Actually anyone that played over 90mins probably won't start.

Kone Doherty is something a bit different on the wings. Wouldn't mind seeing him get some minutes.

I was gobsmacked to read Chavs average age was younger than you lot.

Why? That's what they've done to their squad. Sold most of their experience in Kovacic and Jorginho and placed 20-22 year olds in and stuck them on 8 year deals to amortise the way the net spend looks on FFP balance sheets. And they've done that with nearly the whole squad of 23.

Absolutely genius except it doesn't work. You need a blend of experience and youth, and sticking young lads on 8 year contracts means there's no incentive to perform.

                                Kellerher

Bradley       Quansah         Gomez       Tsimikas

                              McConnell

              Macca                         Clark

    Gordon                Danns                Gakpo

Adrian
Robbo
Chambers
Koumas
Hill
Nyoni

Help 🤣

Don't think starting line up to far off but bench will be a lot stronger

I’m not so sure there will be as many changes as some may think, at this juncture in the season I don’t think there is as much training to do as there would in the early months, so maybe a day or two off and back in for tactical training and warm up and downs,
Also allows more time for recovery with regards to Mo, Nunez & Szlobo, so where those three are unlikely to start Vs Saints I would imagine they’ll all get minutes at some point, of course not one of has a scooby who will start but I don’t think Jürgen would go full on kids ??…..possible we’ll see something like this…….

……Kelleher, Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Robbo(c), Endo, Macca, Gakpo, Clark, Gordon, Danns……

…..Bench; Adrian, Kostas, Virgil, Konate, Szlobos, McConnell Nyoni, Mo, Nunez, Diaz, Stubbins ….

Saints themselves are in a title race and might similarly ring the changes, so we might not need so many big guns off the bench ??


YNWA

Kone Doherty is something a bit different on the wings. Wouldn't mind seeing him get some minutes.
Why? That's what they've done to their squad. Sold most of their experience in Kovacic and Jorginho and placed 20-22 year olds in and stuck them on 8 year deals to amortise the way the net spend looks on FFP balance sheets. And they've done that with nearly the whole squad of 23.

Absolutely genius except it doesn't work. You need a blend of experience and youth, and sticking young lads on 8 year contracts means there's no incentive to perform.

Did you know before kick  off?  I don’t follow Chavs and was just surprised, nothing else.

Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, McConnell, Clark; Gordon, Gakpo, Danns.

Hopefully get some of the injured lads back on the bench as well.

I'd go with this team or something similar with a mix of experience and youth on the bench. The young lads will be on a high after Sunday but we want to beat Southampton to continue the momentum. They will need a few experienced players to help them.
Ideal scenario we are 2 or 3 up after 60 mins and can bring on more young players. But we need the option to bring on Diaz, Elliot or experienced players.

Their young players who cost £30, £40, £50m etc. ours who are fresh out of the academy. Not the same thing and it was a bad attempt by Pochettino at deflecting from their failure.

Absolutely this.
So much "narrative" already been spun about the average age of the two teams since Pochettino deflected Neville's comment,
but the reality and the story that matters is the Academy players coming on during the game, the biggest game of their lives so far,
and looking hungrier than the players that cost Chelsea €1bn in three transfer windows. Make no mistake Chelsea were trying to see it to pens.

Anyone that chooses to ignore that and flog the average age alternative that Sky have tried to run with
isn't worth wasting time or energy on because it's an obvious bad faith argument. Average age argument with a 37yo Adrian on the bench FFS.

The young new signings for Chelsea:

Fernández (23) - 121M
Caicedo (22) - 116M
Mudryk (23) - 70M
Nkunku (26) - 60M
Palmer (21) - 47M
Disasi (25) - 45M

The Academy Players for Liverpool:

Kelleher (25)
Bradley (20)
Quansah (21)
Clark (19)
McConnell (19)
Danns (18)


And then Elliott (20) and Gravenberch (21. Mentioned here because people forget he's young
even if he's not an Academy player) started.

Big difference in spending 50 - 100M on young players, essentially 1/2 Billion, and
actually bringing in Academy players in a Cup Final.

COYR

Absolutely this.
So much "narrative" already been spun about the average age of the two teams since Pochettino deflected Neville's comment,
but the reality and the story that matters is the Academy players coming on during the game, the biggest game of their lives so far,
and looking hungrier than the players that cost Chelsea €1bn in three transfer windows. Make no mistake Chelsea were trying to see it to pens.

Anyone that chooses to ignore that and flog the average age alternative that Sky have tried to run with
isn't worth wasting time or energy on because it's an obvious bad faith argument.

The average age gets a little bit lopsided when we had 2 31 year olds that increased it


Its prob better to look at the appearances

Quansah - 8
Bradley - 8
Clark - 7
McConnell - 7
Danns - 1

The average age gets a little bit lopsided when we had 2 31 year olds that increased it


Its prob better to look at the appearances

Quansah - 8
Bradley - 8
Clark - 7
McConnell - 7
Danns - 1

I've updated my original post for better context.

Not great news on the injury front then.

Endo with a proper knock that hasn't improved since Sunday. Dom, Nunez and Mo will be late calls. Gravenberch missing at least tomorrow and Saturday. Thiago long term and Bajcetic still not back in team training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXqQDb9M87A&ab_channel=ThisIsAnfield

on now

Might see starts for Danns, Clark, McConell. Koumas and Nyomi less likely. The first 3 played the full extra time at Wembley obviously, great experience etc.

But you can't fully call out anything as it's very early days and a lot can go wrong. Nyomi looks a great prospects and they all have great potential and at this stage, that's all we can ask.

We’re at home and should be winning! Need some big guns just to make sure

We’re at home and should be winning! Need some big guns just to make sure

I would be happy with a draw if we play the youngest guns. We can't expect anything, just enjoy the match as they themselves will.

They will be full of confidence.

I wonder if we go that leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetul beat stronger if we see Newcastle and Shitty crash out tonight......

Ryan Fraser injured on the weekend is out as is David Brooks who is cup tied. 2 players that have given us a torrid time in the past so I'm happy with that.

I think the youngsters will really give it a go tomorrow night, they should be full of confidence, against a weakened Southampton side.

I would be happy with a draw if we play the youngest guns. We can't expect anything, just enjoy the match as they themselves will.

They will be full of confidence.

A draw 😳 there’s no replays. It’s extra time and pens. Has to be decided on the night.
Why on earth would you be happy with a draw.
As many senior players as possible. Get it won then put the kids on if need be.
The 1/4 final draw takes place tomorrow about 7:00 pm before tomorrows games are played. We’ll know before ko who we will possibly have 🤷‍♂️

A draw 😳 there’s no replays. It’s extra time and pens. Has to be decided on the night.
Why on earth would you be happy with a draw.
As many senior players as possible. Get it won then put the kids on if need be.
The 1/4 final draw takes place tomorrow about 7:00 pm before tomorrows games are played. We’ll know before ko who we will possibly have 🤷‍♂️

Because maybe we are not fully fit.

We will have enough to beat them.

I think the youngsters will really give it a go tomorrow night, they should be full of confidence, against a weakened Southampton side.

They're in a dip of form atm. We get em 1-0

Jeez, we’re gonna miss this fella even more than we expect to, there isn’t a miniscule amount of negativity in his body or his mind, even when we are down to the bare bones he finds a way to be upbeat and positive, he oozes confidence, it pours out of his pores and that transmits to the players and anyone else who listens to him, or indeed works with him,

Answering a journalist who asked about who we will likely to be missing; ‘ We have to ignore that, we have to ignore they won’t be there, we will have 11 players to choose and we will find a way’ or words to that effect,

his positivity is endless, he spoke of how he hates hearing the crowd sighing in disappointment, how he as a player it affected him from his head to his toes, he has again called upon Anfield to create a atmosphere to help whoever takes the field tonight, i just hope it’s not full of the day trippers  who wouldn’t know the “Fields of Anfield Rd” if it bit them on the arse ?


Anyhoo, we’ll see won’t we, but I think we’ll have a rampant Anfield, and I’d love it if the League Cup was paraded around Anfield just minutes before KO, just to stir up the atmosphere further and allow the young lads playing to come out with a crescendo of noise !!!

C’MON REDMEN!! And a few Kids 🤪🤪


YNWA

They're doing well enough, 4th place, some 15 points ahead of Norwich in 7th. So play offs at least. Tough game, decent passing team. Will definitely give it a go.

We'll have to wing it, throw together a team, no big risks, trust the kids and get the crowd up for it and see where it takes us.

So yes, the youngsters have done well, but we don’t want to over do this. Too many of them together could cause us problems. A nice mix of mainly seniors with one or two youngsters would be fine.
We rely on to many of them we could go out tonight. That would also set back their confidence.
We need to get it won first and foremost.
I’m worried now that we will start with too many kids and it’ll all go tuts up 🤷‍♂️

Kelleher
Bradley
Quansah
VVD
Tsimikas
McConnell
Clark
Koumas
Elliott
Gakpo
Danns

Given our situation I probably would make Soton slight favourites to go through, completely fine with it so long as the kids give everything.

F**K it gone for a 4  1 win for the young Reds, could well run riot against Southampton.

I'm in two minds here, I'm usually dead against teams not taking the FA Cup seriously BUT we've just won a domestic cup under extremely difficult circumstances with a huge injury list, I'd be tempted to rest as many first teamers as possible. We have two other huge trophies I desperately want us to win for Jürgen.
I'm not suggesting this as the blanket approach for the FA Cup, just this round or until this injury crisis eases a touch.
Kelleher is hugely important to us at the moment without Ali, I'd give Adrian a game tonight....I'll still back our kids to win tonight.

Rest as many as possible for this. Have to prioritise the league.

Rest as many as possible for this. Have to prioritise the league.

Make it a cushy 2-0 win, give the fans a rest as well.

We’re at home and should be winning! Need some big guns just to make sure

I can't see many big guns starting at all.

Guys that played 130mins Sunday, bench at best.
Guys that played 90mins Sunday, start maybe bench.

Anyone that played less than 70mins probably starting. Unless injured.

Guys like sobo, Salah and nunez, bench if we're lucky.

I'm in two minds here, I'm usually dead against teams not taking the FA Cup seriously BUT we've just won a domestic cup under extremely difficult circumstances with a huge injury list, I'd be tempted to rest as many first teamers as possible. We have two other huge trophies I desperately want us to win for Jürgen.
I'm not suggesting this as the blanket approach for the FA Cup, just this round or until this injury crisis eases a touch.
Kelleher is hugely important to us at the moment without Ali, I'd give Adrian a game tonight....I'll still back our kids to win tonight.

Not many first team guys left that are not injured. L o l

I get that we're wanting to keep as many as possible from getting injuries but I sincerely hope Kelleher starts tonight.
Adrian seems a great bloke and he's obviously well though of off the field but I don't want to see him between the sticks!
 

Feeling optimistic for this game after Sunday's attitude and performance from all our players ,2-0 result would do me , When does Bacjetic return from injury ? be great to relieve Endo or Mac for the last 20 minutes , bring the youngsters on and let them do the business !

Liverpool & Academy FC

https://twitter.com/LewisBower2021/status/1762877970442539341?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1762878556827263177%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&ref_url=

Being said that no Macca seen either along with Mo, Darwin, Endo and Sexy Dom?

Being said that no Macca seen either along with Mo, Darwin, Endo and Sexy Dom?

Should be a fun night then 

Make it a cushy 2-0 win, give the fans a rest as well.

No chance. This is gonna be 5-4 .

I'll settle for no extra time.

Strongest side to start, from whoever is available. Get it won, then rest and rotate. Winning is why we actually turn up to play aint it ?

2-0 for me, as I suspect we'll see a few kids out there. Not to take anything away from them, but it'll be tough against hardened pros who will give it that bit more if they see a load of kids starting.

Isn't the quarter final draw taking place at 7:00 so we'll know the next possible opponents before we kick off. Or did I dream that 

Strongest side to start, from whoever is available. Get it won, then rest and rotate. Winning is why we actually turn up to play aint it ?

2-0 for me, as I suspect we'll see a few kids out there. Not to take anything away from them, but it'll be tough against hardened pros who will give it that bit more if they see a load of kids starting.

Isn't the quarter final draw taking place at 7:00 so we'll know the next possible opponents before we kick off. Or did I dream that 

This all day long....Can't be worrying about what might be in the future...put a balanced side out and as you rightly say...get it won....it's Southampton, not prime R.Madrid.

Strongest side to start, from whoever is available. Get it won, then rest and rotate. Winning is why we actually turn up to play aint it ?

2-0 for me, as I suspect we'll see a few kids out there. Not to take anything away from them, but it'll be tough against hardened pros who will give it that bit more if they see a load of kids starting.

Isn't the quarter final draw taking place at 7:00 so we'll know the next possible opponents before we kick off. Or did I dream that 

With you on that strongest team tonight who knows what will happen in the future