23 Sept 2014

LFC vs. 'Boro: Liverpool stutter to laboured penalties victory over Middlesbrough

After 3 defeats in 5 league games, Liverpool desperately need a good result to redress the balance, and restore confidence, and a win tonight will be ideal preparation for the weekend's must-win clash with Everton. Championship side Middlesbrough are no pushovers, though, and with Brendan Rodgers likely to rest several key players, it could be a tough game for the Reds.

On the injury front:

* Henderson (hip) and Coutinho (groin) are doubts for the game.

* Allen, Johnson, Can, Flanagan, and Sturridge all remain out.

Rodgers confirmed last week that Rickie Lambert will definitely start, and on Monday, he also confirmed that young players will be utilised to cover injuries:

"There will be some young players involved in the squad. Obviously there are a number of young boys who have been up at Melwood training and working with us.

"Like we’ve seen with other young players, the kids need the chance, they need the opportunity. If that comes for one of them on Tuesday night then we hope they can take it.”


A few points:

* Markovic and Lallana should definitely start this game as they need to build up match-fitness.

* If players need to be rested, then leave out the likes of Gerrard, Hendo, Sterling etc, not players who are still finding their feet at Anfield.

* Rodgers should also (IMO) play his first choice defensive unit. It's imperative that Lovren et al build up an understanding as quickly as possible, and right now, the defence is one of LFC's biggest issues.

* Normally, I'd advocate 'resting' Mignolet, but right now, he is Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, and he also needs to work on improving the defensive unit.

* With Allen and (probably) Hendo out injured, it's doubtful that Rodgers will leave Gerrard on the bench. Plus, if Rossiter plays, it will be good for him to have the captain alongside him.

* With Lambert already guaranteed a start, Balotelli may start on the bench.

With this in mind, the following team is a possibility:

---------------- Mignolet

Manquillo --- Skrtel - Lovren --- Moreno

------------------ Lucas

---------- Rossiter -- Gerrard

----------------- Lallana

------------------------------ Markovic

---------------- Lambert

My prediction: 3-1

Author:


21 comments:

  1. i personally would give gerrard a rest and give suso a start

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  2. Agreed.


    Gerrard needs to take a breather.


    I think Jones starts in goal. I also think we'll see Kolo and Enrique starting.


    Lallana, Markovic, Lambert near/up top.

    Suso, Rossiter in midfield.


    I think Lucas also gets the start today.

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  3. Surely he'll give Gerrard a rest ? Give Enrique , toure and suso some game time ? Just my opinion

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  4. I would really like balotelli to play get his confidence up there hopefully bang some goals in and then rest him second half

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  5. Agreed. A 4-2-3-1 with Lucas and Rossiter in the holding roles, Lalana, Markovic, and Suso in advanced midfield, with Lambert up top.


    Definitely rest Gerrard, he looked completely knackered against West Ham and can clearly not play more than one game per week (maybe less).

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  6. Gerrard needs more than a rest at the moment :-)

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  7. Brendan has already stated that he will use a formation the suits the players available. I expect to see a 4-2-3-1.

    -------------------------------jones


    manquillo----------skrtel-------------Toure---------- Enrique


    -------------------Lucas-----------Rossiter

    ---Markovic-----------Lallana--------------Borini/ Suso


    ---------------------------Lambert

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  8. Hopefully Suso starts.
    Lucas
    Rossiter. Lallana
    Suso. Markovic
    Lambert

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  9. JK advocating a starting line-up with both Lucas and Gerrard. Say it ain't so :P

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  10. a midfield containing rossiter lucas and gerrard fills me with no confidence if we concede early i cant see us getting a result

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  11. it shows you how badly we have performed on the transfer front in a key position song wanted to come and we sold a very cable player in coady..im old school and think most games are won and lost in midfield and our midfeild has neither pace energy or goals

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  12. Nevergonnacrackthecode5:06 pm, September 23, 2014

    ......................................lambert..................borini
    ....................................................markovic
    ...................................suso..............................lallana
    ......................................................lucas
    .................................enrique.................................manquillo
    ...................................................toure........skrtel
    ..........................................................mignolet


    bench:jones, lovren,moreno,rossiter,gerarrd,sterling, balotelli

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  13. Henderson, Coutinho, Allen and Can are out injured, I don't think it has anything to do with badly performing in the transfer front, rather bad luck.

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  14. Please no Lucas and Gerrard in the same midfield. We have been there many time before...


    The team I would go with


    -----------------Mignolet---------------
    Manquillo- Toure-Sakho-Enrique
    ------------------Lucas-----------------
    -------Rossiter--------Lallana-------
    Borini--------Lambert----Markovic

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  15. I'd start Suso instead of Rossiter, with Jordan coming on later for Gerrard. Another option would be to have Borini instead of Gerrard/Rossiter and have Markovic at the tip of the diamond, pushing Lallana back.


    Might see Enrique or Kolo get time as well.

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  16. My Team

    Mignolet
    Mclaughlin-Lovren-Sakho-Enrique
    Lucas
    Suso-Rossiter
    Wilson
    Lambert-Markovic

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  17. I predicted the Villa AND W Ham losses - THIS WILL BE ANOTHER - Hope to God I am wrong but Boro too strong for kids

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  18. Its a disgrace Borini and Lucas keep being picked - B R weak management

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  19. i think the team rogers has put out is as good as he can ..im glad lambert kolo and jose are in because we are gonna need a bit of steel

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  20. lucas is the only senior dm available so rogers has had his hand forced ..as for borini hes a waste of space he offers nothing no pace no power no threat nothing

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  21. u got it right..just sterling in place of borini which makes it stronger only.lets hope it does not take energy out of him for everton

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