28 Oct 2014

LFC XI vs. SC: 'Wonderful' star to replace Gerrard? Another double-surprise from BR?

After winning two games in a row (albeit with the help of two own goals), Liverpool failed over the weekend to build on that momentum, and with another important league game on Saturday, a good performance against Swansea City will be good preparation for (hopefully) getting back on track in the league.

Swansea boss Gary Monk will almost certainly name his strongest available team, but it's likely that Brendan Rodgers will shake the team up a bit.

After playing three games in six days, Gerrard will hopefully be rested, along with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Dejan Lovren, and possibly even Jordan Henderson.

That said, Sterling started the last Capital One Cup game against Middlesbrough, so it's possible he may feature again tonight, along with several up-and-coming youngsters, specifically 'wonderful' midfielder Jordan Rossiter, who scored in the last round.

My preferred team for tonight:

------------------ Jones

Manquillo ---- Skrtel - Lovren ------ Moreno

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

---------- Rossiter -- Hendo

------ Lallana ---------- Markovic

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

* Give Brad Jones a run out already! Does Mignolet really have to play this game? What is the point of having a back-up goalkeeper if he never plays?

* With LFC's ongoing defensive woes, it's imperative (IMO) that the first choice defensive unit plays together as much as possible, in a bid to build up rhythm and understanding. I doubt both Skrtel and Lovren will play, though, which opens a possibility for Toure to come in and stake a claim.

* Henderson was 'rested' on Saturday, so no need to keep him on the bench again, especially with Gerrard almost certain to be missing.

* Suso is (presumably) still injured, but if he wasn't, I'd like to see him in the starting line-up.

* In the last round, Rodgers sprung a surprise by including Rossiter in the starting line-up, and Williams on the bench, so maybe he'll do the same for tonight's game, and include another couple of young players in the squad?

* This is the ideal competition for Lambert to get starts, but perhaps it's a good idea to play Balotelli? He needs a goal, and if he scores tonight, it will be a big confidence boost ahead of the Newcastle game this weekend.

On the subject of Balotelli - Reds legend Jamie Carragher argues that the Italian should start alongside Lambert. Speaking to Sky Sports on Monday night, he explained:

“I would [start Lambert], it doesn’t necessarily mean you take Balotelli out of the team. I think they’ve linked up together [against Hull] and it’s an extra goal threat and you’re getting two strikers on the pitch.”

With Balotelli:

------------------ Jones

Manquillo ---- Skrtel - Lovren ---- Moreno

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

---------- Rossiter -- Hendo

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

---------- Lambert -- Balotelli

Swansea are no pushovers, and even though their form at the moment is not the greatest, Monk's team is playing well, and it will be a strong test for the Reds.

I have to admit, I don't feel confident about the game. My prediction: 2-2

Author:


38 comments:

  1. How will Coates stake a claim if he's playing for Sunderland? :S

    ReplyDelete
  2. And injured as well...

    ReplyDelete
  3. How about lambert, balo and borini up front. Borini just sitting behind the other two?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think your second line up is quite likely. Balotelli needs a partner, but at the same time I'm not sure if Lambert is the right man for that. A big target man partnering a half target man, I don't really know what Balotelli is. I reckon that partnership is a bit too static and slow.


    Can't realistically see Lucas in there either, even on the bench. He's seemingly been shown the door by Rodgers. Same with Borini, unfortunately.


    I actually feel that Borini could kick start our season if played centrally. He suits the team dynamic, and he always makes runs in behind. Balotelli hasn't had support up front, Lambert can't make those runs, but if Borini is there the likes of Lallana, Coutinho, Hendo et al can pick him out. It's worth a shot and the only reason holding Borini (and Lucas) back right now is BR's ego.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Long balls for Mario and Lambert...try something new.....We need to attack with their physique and stature...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Would have liked to see Suso in the side with Balotelli and Markovic up front, also it would be good to see a few kids coming off the bench.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My Lineup:
    Mignolet
    Johnson......Toure.......Sakho......Can
    .......................Rossister..................
    .........Hendo.........................Allen.........
    ......................Markovic........................
    ...........Balotelli............Lambert..............

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'd like to see Balotelli partner Lambert up front for this one. We need to find more ways to set up our attack. Could be a good opportunity to test it now, rather than just for a few minutes towards the end of a game. Both players badly need goals too. The sooner they get off the mark, the better!

    ReplyDelete
  9. The problem is BR plays Lucas further forward. Rossiter was playing as DM against Boro while Lucas was playing as CM. Even when Lucas and Stevie G starts together, BR plays Lucas more forward. That's playing out of position IMO. BR must be too thick to realize that Lucas is only good as DM, actually he is very good as DM.

    ReplyDelete
  10. If Lucas plays as DM in most of our matches, it will allow Gerrard to flourish. Gerrard, Hendo and Coutinho can form excellent diamond formation in front of Lucas. But I am 100% sure BR will again play Lucas as CM.

    ReplyDelete
  11. There is no point in playing Jones. He is not the future and Mignolet don't deserve any rest. Its good for the team that Mignolet plays as much as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  12. However, we will need to rest key players. My starting line up will be:-
    Mignolet
    Mclaughlin-Toure-Lovren-Enrique
    Lucas
    Rossiter-Allen
    Coutinho
    Lambert-Balotelli

    ReplyDelete
  13. JK, come on mate!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anyone seen the FIFA coach of the year shortlist.. How does Jurgen Klinsmann get in but not BR. On another note, I would like Moreno to rest this one. My team


    Jones
    Mclaughlin-Kolo-Skrtel-Smith
    Lucas
    Rossiter-Hendo
    Coutinho
    Lambert-Balotelli

    ReplyDelete
  15. Suarez is not even nominated for Ballon D'or. Can you believe it!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Well yeah.. remember he did bite somebody at the World Cup in front of 100's of millions of viewers.

    ReplyDelete
  17. So? Its Ballon D'or, not Mr. Gentleman award.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What does that have to do with him being excluded of a shortlist of the best players in the world.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I don't think Balotelli's confidence is low. He probably still believes he's Gods gift to this club.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'd wager that Gerrard plays every game because Gerrard is one of very few players who actually tries to win a game. Most others who play up front couldn't be bothered

    ReplyDelete
  21. Really.. oh dear lord.

    Please remember football is now all about money.

    It wouldn't look very good to the all sponsors involved in football if FIFA considered giving the most prestigious award a footballer can be given, to somebody who was given a 4 month World Wide ban from all competitions after biting somebody in front of 100's of millions of viewers in its most famous event.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Could, 4-3-1-2 with Lallana--Lucas--Hendo, bringing on some youngsters at around the half-time mark.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Agreed, Borini really wants a place at the club and Rodgers isn't giving it to him - and with him making runs alongside Balotelli they could both benefit.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Could give Mignolet a kick up the backside though, and Jones can't just sit on the bench for the rest of his career, can he?

    ReplyDelete
  25. This conversation made my day.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Nevergonnacrackthecode2:21 pm, October 28, 2014

    No resting apart from stevie g and hendo we need to find our best team:


    ......................................mignolet
    manquillo...............skrtel...............lovren...........moreno
    ..........................................can
    ...................................lallana...........coutinho
    sterling.................................................................markovic
    ..............................................balotelli


    this way all our new signings (apart from lambert) can play

    ReplyDelete
  27. The second team named looks closer to what I'd go with but surely Can should play instead of Lucas ? If Gerrard is to be rested more often then we need a confident replacement i.e. Can, not somebody waiting to be shipped out i.e. Lucas.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Mr. Point Of View3:08 pm, October 28, 2014

    Borini? Injured? Get him with Balo and leave lambert till Newcastle game..

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mr. Point Of View3:12 pm, October 28, 2014

    Hahahahaa agreed ! I wonder till when we can see his back flip miss again hahaha like he did alot when he at MC

    ReplyDelete
  30. Yup. Agreed with all that.


    About Balotelli, he sees himself as a second striker/floating forward kind of thing that feeds off another forward, either a proper 9 or someone like Suarez or Sturridge. That's what I read he says, at least.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I think he is much more insecure than he seems.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Sterling is the one player in desperate need of a rest.


    Team I would go with


    ---------------Mignolet------------
    Manquillo-Toure-Lovren-Smith
    ---Rossiter----Can----Lallana---
    -------------Coutinho--------------
    ------Borini-----------Balotelli---

    ReplyDelete
  33. Delusional nonsense as usual. No wonder he gets so much grief.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Can't believe that you had to explain... Sigh

    ReplyDelete
  35. Jaimie u have written some good stuff in the past - this isn't one of those times. Agree BR is overplaying him and may even feel he can't drop him because of his status/influence - how many times has messi been benched when not injured? But to insinuate he dosent is beyond even silly.

    We have a great sports science team and I am sure they are on top of his energy level/ intensity stats I suspect has

    ReplyDelete