After struggling to beat the bottom club in the Premier League at the weekend, Liverpool now face the prospect of trying to overcome Real Madrid, the reigning Champions of Europe. With the club's defence leaking goals like there's no tomorrow, it doesn't get much tougher than this.
On the injury front, Daniel Sturridge remains on the sidelines, and it remains to be seen whether Alberto Moreno will return to the squad.
The Spaniard missed Liverpool's trip to QPR, but it's unclear whether he is injured, or simply rested by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
On the plus side, Madrid will be without Gareth Bale, and Sergio Ramos, with is great news for LFC. Alas, with the likes of Ronaldo, and James Rodriguez in the squad, Real have more than enough quality to make up for the loss of Bale.
The big question of the day is Mario Balotelli: will LFC's €20m signing start the game, or will Rodgers spring a major surprise and drop the Italian for Rickie Lambert, or Fabio Borini?
In a post yesterday, I argued that it's a mistake to drop Balotelli for such a big, prestigious game, and I maintain that view. The Italian has plenty of big game experience, and that may come in handy against a team like Madrid. I'd like to see the following line-up:
-------------------- Mignolet
Manquillo ----- Skrtel --- Lovren ---- Moreno
-------------------- Allen
------------ Gerrard ---- Hendo
------------------ Coutinho
----------- Sterling ---- Balotelli
* Emre Can didn't make much of an impression at QPR, so I don't see him retaining his place in the starting line-up.
* Coutinho deserves to start after his excellent goal at the weekend. He's been struggling recently, and there's no point curtailing his momentum. Rodgers will probably decide to go with Adam Lallana, though.
* Due to his experience, I suspect Johnson will ultimately get the nod over Manquillo.
There's also the possibility that Rodgers will revert to 4231, and play with two holding midfielders in a bid to counteract the attacking threat of Ronaldo, Rodriguez et al:
-------------------- Mignolet
Manquillo ----- Skrtel --- Lovren ---- Moreno
---------------- Allen -- Gerrard
-------------------- Hendo
------ Sterling ------------- Lallana
------------------ Balotelli
Reds icon Jamie Carragher insists that Rodgers should drop Balotelli for the game, speaking to Sky Sports this week, he suggested the following 4231 line-up:
------------------------ Mignolet
Johnson ---------- Skrtel ----- Lovren ---- Moreno
------------------ Gerrard --- Allen
-------- Henderson ----- Lallana ----- Coutinho
----------------------- Sterling
Carra explained:
"I wouldn’t play Balotelli - I would play Raheem Sterling [as a] centre forward or a false nine. I think it’s important Liverpool have three players [in front of Gerrard] who work and get after Real Madrid and I’d have Coutinho in a wide area".
Ronaldo is obviously going to be a massive threat, but in his Tuesday column for the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool legend John Aldridge dismissed the possibility of Rodgers deploying a man-marker. He argued:
"Brendan Rodgers will not sacrifice a player to man mark Ronaldo or Modric. That is not his style. The Reds will look to play their own game but they know they cannot allow themselves to be exposed in certain areas when they lose the ball".
Surprisingly, Real Madrid have never scored a competitive goal against Liverpool, so here's hoping the Reds can extend that amazing record tonight. It's highly unlikely, but you never know...
My prediction: 3-1 to Madrid (Sorry, but the defence is a shambles, and I can't see that changing tonight)
Author: Jaimie K
On the injury front, Daniel Sturridge remains on the sidelines, and it remains to be seen whether Alberto Moreno will return to the squad.
The Spaniard missed Liverpool's trip to QPR, but it's unclear whether he is injured, or simply rested by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
On the plus side, Madrid will be without Gareth Bale, and Sergio Ramos, with is great news for LFC. Alas, with the likes of Ronaldo, and James Rodriguez in the squad, Real have more than enough quality to make up for the loss of Bale.
The big question of the day is Mario Balotelli: will LFC's €20m signing start the game, or will Rodgers spring a major surprise and drop the Italian for Rickie Lambert, or Fabio Borini?
In a post yesterday, I argued that it's a mistake to drop Balotelli for such a big, prestigious game, and I maintain that view. The Italian has plenty of big game experience, and that may come in handy against a team like Madrid. I'd like to see the following line-up:
-------------------- Mignolet
Manquillo ----- Skrtel --- Lovren ---- Moreno
-------------------- Allen
------------ Gerrard ---- Hendo
------------------ Coutinho
----------- Sterling ---- Balotelli
* Emre Can didn't make much of an impression at QPR, so I don't see him retaining his place in the starting line-up.
* Coutinho deserves to start after his excellent goal at the weekend. He's been struggling recently, and there's no point curtailing his momentum. Rodgers will probably decide to go with Adam Lallana, though.
* Due to his experience, I suspect Johnson will ultimately get the nod over Manquillo.
There's also the possibility that Rodgers will revert to 4231, and play with two holding midfielders in a bid to counteract the attacking threat of Ronaldo, Rodriguez et al:
-------------------- Mignolet
Manquillo ----- Skrtel --- Lovren ---- Moreno
---------------- Allen -- Gerrard
-------------------- Hendo
------ Sterling ------------- Lallana
------------------ Balotelli
Reds icon Jamie Carragher insists that Rodgers should drop Balotelli for the game, speaking to Sky Sports this week, he suggested the following 4231 line-up:
------------------------ Mignolet
Johnson ---------- Skrtel ----- Lovren ---- Moreno
------------------ Gerrard --- Allen
-------- Henderson ----- Lallana ----- Coutinho
----------------------- Sterling
Carra explained:
"I wouldn’t play Balotelli - I would play Raheem Sterling [as a] centre forward or a false nine. I think it’s important Liverpool have three players [in front of Gerrard] who work and get after Real Madrid and I’d have Coutinho in a wide area".
Ronaldo is obviously going to be a massive threat, but in his Tuesday column for the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool legend John Aldridge dismissed the possibility of Rodgers deploying a man-marker. He argued:
"Brendan Rodgers will not sacrifice a player to man mark Ronaldo or Modric. That is not his style. The Reds will look to play their own game but they know they cannot allow themselves to be exposed in certain areas when they lose the ball".
Surprisingly, Real Madrid have never scored a competitive goal against Liverpool, so here's hoping the Reds can extend that amazing record tonight. It's highly unlikely, but you never know...
My prediction: 3-1 to Madrid (Sorry, but the defence is a shambles, and I can't see that changing tonight)
Author: Jaimie K
Watch the boys come good tonight - GO ON SUPER MARIO -Make em eat their words. Also play Markovic - this is European football and will suit him more
ReplyDeleteThe first 25mins will decide this game, can we live with them or not.
ReplyDeleteI was at the QPR game and Enrique is ions behind his best form, hope Moreno plays, Ballo unless he changes his style and commitment, will be a gonner also.
Manquillo is not good enough offers zero attacking threat when he gets the ball he puts crosses in but we dont have a peter crouch up front so his crosses are pointless
ReplyDeleteMoreover , his first touch is awful he often loses the ball high up the pitch as well see west brom goal
and a team of reals quality and pace they will destroy us if he does this
so play johnson he might not be great at defending but offers infinitely more in attack
I can't logically disagree with your prediction, but my gut says 2-2 which could easily be a 3-2 either way. I think it will be far closer than people are expecting. Madrid were shipping goals early in the La Liga season and although they've improved their domestic opponents haven't been that great. Awful defence aside, Liverpool still know how to score and I fancy Balotelli rising to the occasion. If this doesn't motivate him then nothing will.
ReplyDeleteRodgers finally has plenty of good options in midfield and despite Coutinho doing so well I'm not sure he'll start. I think we'll see a 4-3-3 with Lallana, Sterling and Balotelli in the forward line and Allen in midfield. This will be all about the pressing and Liverpool will come after Madrid from the opening whistle at a really high tempo. I thought Can did OK against QPR once he shifted out of the holding role which just stifled him because he doesn't yet have Gerrard's conviction in pushing the play forward or playing long balls. But he won't start against Madrid unless Allen hasn't been training well. Allen, Sterling and Lallana are ideal to lead a strong high press and although you could say that means we're playing Henderson and Gerrard in "holding" roles I think it's a meaningless distinction. Midfield is a big space to fill and just because they are not in the attacking third doesn't make them defensive.
Coutinho and Can will therefore be bench options along with Lambert who I expect to see late in the game. Markovic is another option if Rodgers thinks he can do a specific job.
Johnson and Moreno at the back for me. It's an easy hobby to slate Johnson but after seeing the Enrique horror show against QPR I have a new appreciation for what Johnson brings to the team. He doesn't lose the ball, he doesn't make rash passes, he beats defenders and he does actually win a good number of defensive contests. He's just lacking a bit of intensity and good decision making in the final third.
also agree with carragher that balotelli should not play
ReplyDeletehe is too slow we want to play on the counter vs real Madrid we need as carra states energy playing sterling up front will help
...............................................sterling
ReplyDeletelallana......................................coutinho....................henderson
.........................................allen...............gerrard
moreno............................lovren..............skrtel.............johnson
..................................................mignolet
if moreno aint fit enrique
Play with tempo and pin them back, go for it...........................YNWA!!
ReplyDeleteSterling as an out & out striker is a waste! We have no one who can carry the ball the way he does in such an authoritative way!
ReplyDeleteI honestly do not care about the outcome of this game. As seen yesterday, teams like Munich and Barca are a class apart. If we win today, I will be overjoyed but if we lose, at least we played against some of the best players in the world. If we go in like that, we could get something. No pressure, just go out and do your best.
ReplyDeletepeople thougt the same about messi when he started playing as a striker, i think he could do quite well as a second striker
ReplyDeletetry partner Borini with Balo..who know mayb it will work
ReplyDeleteClearly the team id struggling to adapt to Mario and him to them. But how long does it take to realise there is no point lumping balls up to someone who "doesn't know where to stand" ?
ReplyDeleteRonaldo 1 goal for every 3 shots
ReplyDeleteBalotelli 1 goal in 30 shots
Meh....Oh no Johnson plz cauz half the time he will be in opposition half.....I would rather have Manquillo man mark Ronaldo....
I have been having this dilemma for the past few days. But, I remembered, Manquillo has experience of man marking Ronaldo when playing for Atleti. That experience might help his cause to get selected.
ReplyDeleteunfortunately you're right.
ReplyDeletewho of lambert balotelli and borini would you start?
definitively a selection headache for rodgers
Sturridge come back soon!!
im sure manquillo wont be relishing that. the only time he came up against ronaldo he gave away a penalty by fouling him and also ended up injuring his neck after going up for the ball. manquillo was out for a month because of that.
ReplyDeletemario has all the attributes to become a top top top striker, but he clearly lacs a brain or two
ReplyDeleteI'm not hopeful at all tonight but I agree with Carragher that Balotelli should be dropped and in fact we should not play with a conventional striker.
ReplyDeleteIt would serve to further drive home the point to Balotelli that he's droppable.
Lambert is not the answer.
have to start balotelli. its not like we have more appealing options at the moment. starting borini or lambert against one of the best club sides in the world is just fodder for internet memes. the trolls will have a filed day with that :)
ReplyDeleteSo who is at the moment then ..... Borini ?
ReplyDeleteto be honest i'd be happy to see lambert starting, we all know he can score goals, hes working his socks off (pressing well) and his link up play is much better than balotelli's.
ReplyDeleteEither lambert as a single striker or sterling and balo up front in the diamond formation i'd say
I don't care if we do lose this evening but if we do , which everyone is predicting , I want us to a least show spirit and go down fighting . We have waited a long time for this and if the players cannot perform on an occasion like this they never will ........ 2 - 2 draw !
ReplyDeleteif we draw real madrid and win against basel at home (what i highly expect us to do) we will be 2nd
ReplyDeleteBring it on !
ReplyDeleteMessi had iniesta & Xavi around, LFC don't!
ReplyDeletehe certainly puts in more effort that balo any given day. he has decent hold up play as well. but he is too slow. i feel kinda sorry for him and the team when i see him foaming at the mouth when chasing a through ball that is slightly over hit. his lack of pace could seriously impair us against madrid especially if our game plan is to hit them on the counter attack.
ReplyDeleteThey've been saying that since he was 17! In fact, he was a much better player at 17 than he is now.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for being positive but I'm finding it hard to see us coming out with a win.
ReplyDeleteOur defense is a shambles and they have arguably one the of the best attacks in world football. They are a threat in the air ( Pepe and Ronaldo), a threat at free kicks (James, Ronaldo, Modric, Kroos)..things that we struggle to defend against.
Then again Liverpool seem to always turn up for big games. I'm still in 2 places whether we should play Balotelli or not. But I definitely don't want to see Lambert playing, he has been awful. But so has Balo.
My preferred line up for today:
i prefer slow sprinters that run their socks off over fast runners that do only jog dismissive around the pitch
ReplyDeleteSG at clearly in the same level
ReplyDeletei want to see him in combination with sturridge a few times in the future before i write him off, but im getting more and more sceptical
ReplyDeleteArguably one of the best attacks in the world? It definitely is one of the best attacks in the world!
ReplyDeleteWould like LFC to *TRY* tp play both Balo/Lambert and get long balls to see how strong is opponent's defense.Try something new. Mario alone would not suffice, he needs someone up there with him.
ReplyDeleteCan we not play lallana and coutinho? Personally, I'd play them both. not only will it give the fans a big boost before the game to ramp up the atmosphere, but if we play lallana with gerrard and allen, he can be the one who breaks from midfield, and he also has the energy to close down well when not in possession. coutinho can then play as part of a front 3 with sterling and whoever (undecided atm who we should go for, BR gets paid for it so i'll let him decide!). Madrid will likely go for nacho at CB (going off their last la liga game) and although I think he looks quite good, he is still untested at this level with only 5 games in the CL to date, and none I can remember against any of the top sides. He won't be used to playing v the likes of sterling and coutinho, so I think that might work well, whereas balo is, I feel, the sort of striker he will be used to facing (not in terms of ability, but the sort who doesn't move around too much, on current form has nothing special going for him, doesn't look like beating his man anymore than his man will beat him, the prototype of a typical striker who he will be trained to deal with etc).
ReplyDeleteWhatever, we need to start quick. Up and at 'em. I genuinely believe we will keep the record of being undefeated to Madrid up, certainly in the anfield fixture.
YNWA
You must be kidding! To be fair to SG he's a different sort of player. In his prime driving the team forward with aggression & a cracking right foot yes. But ball control, pass selection, dictating tempo in midfield. He's not on their level. Besides SG on his own compared to the two maestros is no where near an equal comparison!
ReplyDeleteXavi & Iniesta gave Messi the freedom to play the striking role knowing that their tempo would crush most midfields & that he would have endless supply to score. SG in his pomp couldn't control a midfield but he could drive a team forward!
I agree with the partnership with Sturridge ...but furthermore I believe the problem with Mario is similar to that of Mignolet , no completion for their position. Oh Mario, you have so much potential, I wish you would rise to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteyeah i dont see balotelli pumping his fists and getting down to it either (no pun intended)
ReplyDeleteDid Carragher not see what QPR did to us in the first half? 4-2-3-1 should not be an option. It has been well documented this season that 4-2-3-1 does nothing for us. QPR were all over us like a rash in the 1st half and so have other teams been playing this formation. As soon as Rodgers switched to a 4-3-3 vs QPR we started playing football.
ReplyDeleteWe have to go with either 3 or 2 upfront. Our defence is a complete joke so the only way we will win matches is by scoring goals and we ain't going to do so by playing one upfront or Hodgson type football.
Agree with you but BR won't change his style he will play Balo up front and he will be isolated yet again- then in second half when we have to chase the game bring on Borini who will run around a lot and not much else- if he plays Sterling up top with Balo he could get us penalties against Pepe- he must play 2 up- our defence and midfield won't be able to contain Madrid- interested to see how Isco plays after all the interest we appeared to have in him
ReplyDeleteI agree with almost everything you've said but I think Rodgers will still pick Coutinho over Allen. This game will be all about outscoring the opposition and staying in their half as much as possible and Coutinho would be more suited for that. In my IMO there's no use trying to contain Real Madrid, it simply won't work.
ReplyDeleteBalotelli has had many goal opportunities lately, it shows he isn't as isolated as people say. If anything it is his movement that isn't good. Look properly at the balls that come in the box and you will see that he often reacts late. He really needs to sharpen his awareness, he even switched off for a moment on Dunne's own goal, while Sterling and Johnson were live and alert.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think of Sterling as a false nine with COutinho and Lallana on either side with Hendo and Allen to provide cover? It is the safest option and provides us with the most protection and allows us to maintain width and speed.
ReplyDeleteThe other night you said we should "rest" Sterling for the Hull game. You've soon changed your mind. We've got to play at least one of our strikers, we need someone to hold the ball up. If we don't it'll just crank up the pressure on our shocking defence.
ReplyDeleteSomething in my waters tells me Mario is going to score 2 goals tonight and put Madrid to the sword (maybe I have kidney stones...)
ReplyDeleteMario seems to have lost his 'Swag/Arrogance' when in front of goal, he's over thinking what he wants to do. Maybe a big performance against a European Giant tonight will help him turn the corner. It like he's trying not to rock the apple cart,and reigned his shoulder goals and flick shots.
In all honesty he should be on at least 6 goals with the chances he's missed. The sooner he hits a hat-trick, the better (will do his confidence the world of good..but he might become more selfish).
I actually wouldn't play with a striker I'd have the following
ReplyDeleteMingolet
Manquillo Skertel Lovern Moreno
Henderson Gerrard Allen
Lallana Couthino Sterling
Eh, the word you were looking for is 'competition'.No?
ReplyDeleteIt would take guts to experiment against such a side as Madrid but i cannot see us winning without doing such i think its a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI think majority of that (well documented) was done in this Blog by you. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI would tweak the formation
ReplyDeleteMignolet
Manquillo-Sakho-Lovren-Moreno
Gerrard
Hendo-Allen
Coutinho-Sterling-Lallana
we could really try that.....
ReplyDeletePlay with the exact team and formation as we did vs. Spurs. Except Balo and Studge, play Lambert and Borini upfront.
ReplyDeleteDisaster waiting to happen...
ReplyDeleteWhy? That was the only game of the season we looked nearly as good as last season.
ReplyDeleteThanks *competition
ReplyDeleteYes, I think so too. Suarez return will Barca stronger too and Bayern Munich is strong too. But Real Madrid is just class apart atm. C. Ronaldo is out of this world.
ReplyDeleteYeah I know but there's absolutely no space for average, untested at this level, players against Real Madrid. Certainly not to form a partnership in attack.
ReplyDeleteLambert because he won't waste the possession like Balo and he will be more willing to pass than shoot shoot shoot. We will need two strikers so Borini makes the cut as Balo and Lambert together on the field will paralyse our team with their static nature of play.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure we need 2 strikers upfront and we don't have the necessary players for that at the moment. This is also the wrong time to drop Balotelli, just imagine what a goal tonight would do to his confidence. And he might be in bad form right now but we know he's got the quality to deliver at this level, something we can't say about Lambert and Borini.
ReplyDeletei disagree based on bayern's game last night. they can certainly give this madrid team a run for their money. exceptional in both attack and defense for most of the game. and i have a feeling barca can show madrid up in the classico this weekend.
ReplyDeleteBayern had almost the same team as yesterday's when they played RM last year. And they were raped.
ReplyDeleteWhy must Sterling be played up front? If Chelsea had no strikers would they play Hazard up front? Utterly ridiculous. He is not a striker. Second striker at a push but he is an attacking mid / winger. We have 3 fit first team strikers and if they are not deemed good enough to play in their rightful position then they should be put on the transfer list and Rodgers should resign.
ReplyDeleteExactly
ReplyDeletePut those drugs away man.
ReplyDeleteI think the time has come for Borini to be given a chance. He must be sick - one of BR's first signings and he isn't getting a chance. I'm beginning to fear for team spirit as Rogers is making odd choices.
ReplyDeleteyes but they looked a lot different from the one that got beat last time. as guardiola himself revealed a few days ago that trashing was down to tactical blunders on his part. doubt he will make the same mistake again if they meet.
ReplyDeleteIt gives us no width. Lallana and Coutinho like to come in side. Sterling is the only one that can go outside his full back at pace.
ReplyDeleteis anyone else's dread slowly turning to a new found optimism about tonight's game for no apparent reason ? or is it just me ?
ReplyDeleteLambert hat-trick tonight! I can feel it in my bones... or something.
ReplyDeleteI hope your optimism rubs off on to the players- I just don't want us to get badly beaten cos that could set us back even further- we got 3 winnable PL games coming up- 3 games in a week for SG as well
ReplyDeleteWe need to bring Roy Hodgson back as manager
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in reincarnation. He wasnt a manager before and he wont be one now. More likely to be a bitter lemon
ReplyDeleteGerrard scores the first. We win. See you..
ReplyDeleteKonchesky to Poulsen GOOOAL- against us
ReplyDeletewe have hull next which is 50-50 IMO. will be over the moon if we get all three there. then i thin swansea in the cup which is again a doubt. i can see us beating newcastle though.
ReplyDeleteBone?
ReplyDeleteNo me too. weird isn't it?
ReplyDeletei could rip my face off in excitement :D
ReplyDeleteOops 3rd PL game is against Ski
ReplyDeletei side stepped that on purpose :) dont not wanna go there now
ReplyDeletei appreciate what i perceive as the guy's drive to succeed at liverpool (i could be wrong about his "motives") but the fact of the matter remains he is very average and wont be able step his game up big time just like that. nothing he has done so far has led me to think twice about his potential or lack thereof.
ReplyDeleteFootball is now a game played in the present moment, but I just wanted to emphasize how far we've come since the days of Benitez. From missing out on the champions league in his last season to losing to blackpool at home in stop start seasons when every game was difficult for us. I've stuck by the team regardless of managers and players and seen us through these painful 5 years and whether we win or lose tonight, its a significant moment and one which we've been building towards for a long time. Tonight is such a significant game and its going to be special!
ReplyDeletewe are leading 2-0 against madrid now after 35 mis played. in the UEFA youth league that is..
ReplyDeleteI am not sure people want him as an out an out striker. More a false nine for the lack of a better phrase.
ReplyDeleteSakho is still injured. I would swap Hendo and Coutinho but may well play Balo for Balotelli.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure Cara had the shape that way. Sure it was a 433.
ReplyDeleteLets hope we have built some momentum by then.
ReplyDeleteBy the way - we will finish above manu this season ;-)
ReplyDeleteEverybody is!
ReplyDeleteNoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ReplyDeleteohhhh it was just a dream. we didnt really pay a combined fee of £8million for this 'talent'...... hold on.... Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ReplyDeletecling to that tightly and never let go
ReplyDeleteDamn it.. Skrtel and Lovren just does not work. They are never on the same page. Balo is a huge gamble. He might be amazing and go beast mode or might just seem disinterested. That would leave us with virtually ten men on the pitch and then we get screwed.
ReplyDeleteSurely a change of formation is required tonight. If we MUST play Balotelli I'd play either Sterling or Borini up front. One thing about Borini is he doesn't mind chasing and I've a feeling we'll need a fair bit of that tonight
ReplyDelete1-3? Id take that anyday. Im afraid it will be way more like five six. Mine is 1-5. Hope I dont see any of my friends this week.
ReplyDeleteone of Skrtel or Lovren has to be dropped for me. I was thinking about Skrtels game today and asked myself, is he:
ReplyDeletegreat in the air...no...
quick.....no....
commanding...sporadically.....
an organiser....no
good man marker.... no
good on the ball.... average
Sktrel doesn't particularly excel at anything. Lovren I believe could be a complete defender once he gets over his teething problems but needs someone cajoling and encouraging him the same way Gary Neville moved to center back and guided Stam through after his record £10.6 mill move OR the same way Woodgate and Matteo helped Rio Ferdinand bed in after his £18mill move to leeds. Skrtel is not that character. Skrtel is relying on Lovren to organise when HE is our senior central defender and should be helping Lovren to settle. Wouldn't it be better to play Kolo? He is a leader and organiser and is quick. His one fault is that he is a little uncomfortable in possession at the back but lets be honest so are Sktrtel and Lovren at present.
There is a pattern emerging. Teams are beating us to the punch and shutting down our back four, not allowing us a second on the ball at the back. This forces us to play long and concede possession straight away as Mario is no Bobby Zamora up there. The more time our back four spends defending it is only a matter of time before we concede because no one is taking control. If this is to be the pattern we need real defenders because with Mario playing out of position the ball will inevitably be turned over again and again.
Which leads me to your original point. Yes If Mario plays he must be used out wide or with a strike partner, he should be discouraged from playing up top on is own again.
BR said in his pre match press conference something which equates to " We wll let them worry about our many world class players" Any takers? because I'm brain bashing here
ReplyDeleteI dont think Mario is Slow, the same way Heskey wasnt slow. He like Heskey is being asked to do a job completely alien to him. Neither had or have a clue how to be use their physical attributes effectively playing predominantly back to goal.
ReplyDeleteMore like stupid shit mario
ReplyDeleteTrue Emre can didn't do much nor much tackles but him positioning sense is perfect and that of a true defensive midfielder. With him on the pitch liverpool will leave little space
ReplyDeleteIt will be Skrtel lining up alongside Lovren tonight. Get ready for another massacre. I myself too would go with Toure and Lovren. If Sakho was fit then it should be he and Lovren.
ReplyDeleteI can also see Johnson making a meal of everything tonight too. Hopefully Manquillo and Moreno are back in the starting eleven tonight.
I would go with
---------------Mignolet---------------
Manquillo Toure Lovren Moreno
---------------Gerrard---------------
-------Hendo----------Allen---------
----------------Sterling---------------
---------Borini---------Balotelli-----
We cannot sit back and take blow after blow. Madrid will destroy us. We need to take the game to them.
I agree on both points. My thinking about Balo is he will just give their defence the possibility of the player he could be and the physicality. He could hold it up for the runs of Sterling and Hendo though, He would have to go against his nature and pass though.
ReplyDeletei wont :)
ReplyDeleteThis leads to the question as to why Tiago Illori was loaned out. IMO, he is better than Toure so if Toure is touted for the team, Illori must have had a chance. In the characteristics Theycallmemrburt set up, Illori fits two of them( quick and good on the ball). A partnership of him and Lovren or him and Sakho would not be half bad. Also, I do not know why but I have this nasty feeling Rodgers is going for Lucas today..
ReplyDeleteI cannot see Lucas starting and I think it has been drilled into BR's head now that starting with both Gerrard and Lucas is totally out of the question.
ReplyDeleteNever I'm amazed by that!............You've got friends? :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually like Carra's 11, simply because it offers a far more potent attack and greater chance of ball retention.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the more we attack, the less we have to defend. Simples..
I'd actually go with Johnson. He got another assist on Saturday too..........
ReplyDeleteUp top I'd go with Sterling and Balotelli with Lalana in at no.10. BUT I fear we will go like for like and play 4-2-3-1. (if thats what Real Play because I dont know) But we'll definitely set up to contain IMO.
If lucas plays he will be the only reader of the game in the entire team, the rest are reactors..... He wont play.
ReplyDeleteI'd have liked us to give Coates a run...... He might be (because I dont know) commanding in the air and he's definitely good on the deck with the ball without being very quick on the turn. I can only think that a lad who can score a volley like he did for us has some interesting technical quality to his game.
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeleteWaited for this kind of night,I don't know for how many years. Sterling should play as false nine AND Mario should come in as an impact sub if needed. We should bomb them for first 20 mins like we did against Arsenal. 4-2 Liverpool,no f**ing doubt. YNWA
ReplyDeleteAgree with all that mate
ReplyDeleteI thought people got over that famous talk, soon as you see someone online, or a comment you say " oh do you even have friends, do you go out sometimes, internet nerd etc. Really thought this was over, but I see it wasnt. Mate this is lame talk, suggest you to be way more mature, even tho dont know how old are you.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe this criticism of Manquillo... he's probably the best defender of the back 4 despite his lack of experience...rarely commits mistakes and hardly ever lets a cross in... all our mistakes and goals are coming through the soft centre when moreno and manquillo play... the attacking bit will only come from more experience... please check assist stats of johnson before you comment on his attacking potency. wait.. don't bother...its a very glamorous two in 31 appearances...for last 18 months... when we've scored 100 goals...despite probably having the two best strikers in front of him last season...! Manquillo is the only chance we have of keeping ronaldo quite today...
ReplyDeleteSounds like someone's touchy about not having any friends.
ReplyDeleteMignolet, Johnson, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Balotelli
ReplyDeleteSubs: Jones, Toure, Manquillo, Can, Lallana, Markovic, Lambert
balotelli is playin wow did not see that coming
ReplyDeletehow can you drop lallana ?
omg we are doomed
lallana not playing is a massive blow
ReplyDeletehe has been our best player this season
cant see any logic in it
if balotelli aint scoring or making assist put someone that will cause them headaches up front like sterling
I've never been so glad to see Allen's name on the team sheet :-o
ReplyDeleteI think we can lose the game in 25mins, but we can;t win it. Even if we went 3-0, would you be so sure our defence would hold out for 70 mins against the best attack in world football?
ReplyDeleteyou never know he could be playing Coutinho behind Sterling and Balotelli........naaaaaaaaaaa. We will definately go with two wide players today to track Ronaldo and whoever is on the right for them.
ReplyDeleteyep me too BUT BR couldnt give a flying one :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is fair to say that Borini's days are over but at least we have proper options on our bench.
ReplyDeleteHeeeeeeey..you made an account :D
ReplyDeletebalotelli is not the answer
ReplyDeletehe looks so unmotivated
plus why cant ,markovic play uprfont
Exactly the type of player we need tonight. He will frustrating Madrid from start to finish.
ReplyDeletedoes that Mu stand for Manchester United?
ReplyDeleteRight, got everything I need for this; a large pillow for the eyes and a bottle of 46% proof gin, also for the eyes.
ReplyDeleteMost people are talking about Mario when it is clear that Skrtel is going to have a massive say in whether we get anything out of this game.
ReplyDeleteOpiates, scotch, and a cat to kick here.
ReplyDeleteI really do not see our defence holding up tonight so hopefully we are going to make up for it in goals.
ReplyDeleteI have much more faith in our defence that our attack 8-0
ReplyDeleteFor that to happen, Balotelli will have to show up and not be a wasteful lunatic. Fingers x-ed he's a beast tonight.
ReplyDeleteRight I've got everything too. A tv remote with my thumb hovering over the standby button
ReplyDeleteAs long as he is not asked to play on his own upfront. Rodgers just does not seem to understand that.
ReplyDeletei would have benched balo and played lallana and try to keep possesion
ReplyDeleteAhhh, opiates. Is there any problem they can't solve?
ReplyDeleteBut 4-1-2-1-2 wont get him a job with Barcelona. Their philosophy is clearly 4-2-3-1.
ReplyDeletelovren and skirtal or as i like to call them the chuckle brothers will be key to this game ,law of averages says they have to play well sooner or later hopefully it will be tonight
ReplyDeletei have no faith in either
ReplyDeletein a nut shell hes crap
ReplyDeleteHe can play that system for them in 20 years
ReplyDeleteAs a coach a manager is judged on four
ReplyDeletetraining
man management
team selection
signings
BR is one out of four at the moment. But it WILL change?????? I mean it will change.
like henderson was like allen was
ReplyDeletemarkovic will be a good player he just needs some time in the gym
balotelli and manquillo are the two who clearly have no right being here
we should do a Lukaku tonight and switch Mario and Sterling. I can almost guarantee more fluency in the event of this occurrence. Raheem gets in behind defences so naturally and Ballo is powerful running with the ball in straight lines. We have a reasonable squad here at the moment but BR is wearing blinkers.
ReplyDeletemanquillo not playing backs up everything i have said so far
ReplyDeleteit was so weird when athletico let us loan a 20yr right back for two seasons with an option to buy now we know why
balotelli and manquillo were the only unwanted players at their old clubs and that is why their flops
sturridge an coutinho were a lucky dip
unwanted players their is a reason why their unwanted
Did Manquillo steal your lunch or something? Give the boy a break, he's barely 20 and hasn't been bad for us, at all.
ReplyDeleteI am dying to say 'they're' but this isnt grammar with Theycallmemrburt, so I wont (but I have lol)
ReplyDeleteManquillo is not a flop. You can keep saying it, but you have absolutely no evidence to back up that point. Explain why he's a flop; highlight his mistakes and/or how he's negatively impacted the team. If you can't, then it's just hot air.
ReplyDelete1-5 and you think I am being childish - Nah nah nah nah nah.
ReplyDeleteIf Ludogrets can beat Basel then that leaves us on 3 pts each(except Madrid) is it too much to expect a draw cos they weren't that hot when they played Ludogrets- I'm off to hide in a cave
ReplyDeleteokay then
ReplyDeletethe penalty that berahino won vs us
whose fault was it who lost the ball when we were attacking with a sloppy first touch
why was he substituted vs west ham after 30 mins ?
And there I was about to offer to be his (virtual) friend
ReplyDeleteHe won the pen for us against Ludogrets
ReplyDeletenope :)
ReplyDeleteI have serious doubts for management which spend money on Lovren and Balottelli.
ReplyDeleteWith these two players locked for years, future is not bright. Also policy of buying hobbits of 150 cm paying dividends this evening.
Constipation. Fact.
ReplyDeleteSorry you were right and I thought you were being unduly pessimistic but you were only being pessimistic.
ReplyDeleteThey could have had 5 or 6 or even more if they wanted. :-(