8 Nov 2014

LFC 1-2 CFC: LFC blow it after BR dumps £52m trio & makes a mockery of Madrid strategy

Liverpool's midweek defeat to Real Madrid is hardly the ideal preparation for this weekend's crunch clash with Chelsea, but some fans insist that the marginally improved performance will give the players the confidence to get a much-needed result out of the game. For me, Rodgers got it horribly wrong against Madrid, but he has the chance to rectify things tomorrow, and as usual, everything hinges on his team selection and chosen formation. Will the manager get it right?

The best thing that can be said about the Madrid line-up is that the chosen players conceded two goals less than the Anfield XI. Outside that, there were very few positives to take from the game.

Indeed, in an attacking sense, Liverpool were a non-entity, and barely created any real chances during the game, which (IMO) is disappointing, rather than something to laud.

The question is, who should Rodgers play a similar team against Chelsea, or will he dump the Madrid line-up and bring back all the underachievers who've collectively conspired to derail Liverpool's season?

The answer, of course, is as obvious as it is predictable: Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling, Lovren, Johnson, Balotelli, and Coutinho will almost certainly come back into the starting line-up.

The only player with an outside chance of retaining his place is (arguably) Kolo Toure, but I can't see Rodgers benching the club's most expensive ever defender for two massive games in a row. Ditto Balotelli.

That said, it's possible that Skrtel may drop to the bench, and many fans will support that move, I'm sure. As such, Rodgers may go with the following line-up:

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

Johnson ------- Toure -- Lovren ------ Moreno

------------- Gerrard -- Allen

--- Hendo -------- Sterling ------ Coutinho

------------------ Balotelli

On paper, there is enough quality in this team to get a result against Chelsea. In practice, though, these players have struggled to score/create goals, and collectively, Henderson, Balotelli, Coutinho, Gerrard, and Allen have contributed a measly four goals (from open play) all season.

The problem is, there alternative is equally goal-shy - no one in LFC's squad is consistently scoring/creating goals at the moment, and it'll be even more difficult to get back on track against the league's best defence.

I'd personally like to see the following line-up:

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

Manquillo ----- Toure -- Lovren ---- Moreno

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

----------- Hendo -------- Lallana

------------------ Coutinho

------------ Sterling -- Balotelli

Rumours swirling around that Daniel Sturridge may be a surprise inclusion on the bench, but given Rodgers comments this week, that seems unlikely.

Does Rodgers have the cojones to bench Gerrard for two big games in a row? No chance, but in the above formation, Henderson is more than capable of filling the captain's playmaker role, and there's more than enough attacking quality there to cause Chelsea problems.

Predicting a 1-1 draw, Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson claimed that tomorrow's game is now the 'biggest of Brendan Rodgers' managerial career', but insisted that a win for the Reds will be difficult. He told the BBC:

"You can only think that the team he sent out at the Bernabeu - and the players he left out - was picked with a view to this game, and beating Chelsea. I don't see that happening, especially with Daniel Sturridge still unavailable up front for the Reds".

My prediction: 3-1 to Chelsea.

Author:


206 comments:

  1. taking the bite out of the occaision to stop the madrid players overperforming for a hyped occasion, and to beat them in the dressing room was the real reason for picking this team, after madrid overperformed and rose to the wonderful anfield atmosphere.

    Brendan is smarter than people think

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  2. Balotelli NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHH

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  3. The way the team is playing at the moment no i don't think they can make top 4.

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  4. I agree, fair analysis, it was an astute tactic which worked - he shouldn't need to defend himself over this.

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  5. I heard an interesting thought today about why Brendan did not play regulars against Madrid. It said that he rested them so that he could have had excuses if the team had gotten thrashed. I know one thing. I saw more hunger and desire in this bunch of players than our first teamers and based on form, they deserve to play. But, it is never going to happen and I am starting to believe it will never ever happen. It is is probably going to be the same rubbish team and the same rubbish performance.

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  6. Also BR said that his main focus is EPL so he will rest key players against Madrid. Later, when reserve team performed well against Madrid, he said he wasn't resting anyone as such but putting a team out there which is capable of getting results. Very hypocritical tbh.

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  7. Ok, so he put out a team to get something out of the game. Lets agree to that. The team also performed better than the preferred starting XI. Now, if BR was serious about it then he will start with more or less the same team again vs. Chelsea right? Lets see today.

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  8. I reckon Rodgers will go with


    -------------Mignolet
    Johnson Skrtel Lovren Moreno
    ---------Gerrard Hendo
    Sterling Coutinho Lallana
    ------------Balotelli


    One up front as usual. Mourinho will outsmart Rodgers again but this time he does not have to park the bus and Balotelli will again be left hanging out to dry.

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  9. The Real Madrid game wasn't a show piece game it was just another group game in the Champions League, I could understand the criticism if it was a one off winner takes all, but it wasn't.
    Priority is to finish top four, Rodgers knows that, FSG are banking on that and the players are all too aware as they collect their huge pay packets because of it. Merson and all the other so called experts don't have the guts or the knowledge to manage any club let alone one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

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  10. The Madrid game was paper over the cracks. Fact is Rodgers did not go there to win and by putting out a side to try contain Madrid shows how desperate our manager is.


    If you had to put out that same team we saw vs Madrid in the match today then how will we score goals with Borini up on his own? Easy pickings for Chelsea.

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  11. You bought flops so you must play with flops..

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  12. Afraid of Johnson beaten with the pace of Hazard, William, Oscar and Fabregas..... When/if they take him on.... Hopeful of some LFC victory...

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  13. i had a feeling we will play 5212


    2-4-37-6-18
    23-8
    20/14
    31 - ?

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  14. Lawreson is, for once, much more positive than I am. We'll either get beat by three or Rodgers is going to make us look like cowards again like he did against Real and we may get away conceding only one.

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  15. Allen will play. As will Lucas. You can bet your bottom dollar.

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  16. Rodgers is constantly trying to come up with excuses for his despicable waste of transfer funds. Last summer it was all about we need a big squad to compete and now he's picking games over others three months in. And we've sacked three scouts. That's right, sack the guy at the bottom in stead of owning up to your own parade of transfer errors. Making a mockery out of our club.

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  17. Lucas not going to play. He probably will not even make the bench. Gerrard and Hendo were rested for a reason during the week.

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  18. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:18 am, November 08, 2014

    no balotelli
    fabio borini
    also prefer markovic to sterling


    .................................................lambert
    markovic.................................lallana.............................borini
    .........................................can......................lucas
    moreno............................lovren...................toure............manquillo
    ..................................................mignolet


    bench: balotelli,sterling,coutinho,henderson,johnson,skrtel,jones


    lets hope gerrard hamstring injury is quite serious and keeps him out of this game

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  19. If Johnson plays no chance of getting a result

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  20. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:22 am, November 08, 2014

    or if we do not start lambert


    ...........................................borini
    lallana................................henderson.........................markovic
    ...................................can.................lucas
    moreno.......................lovren.............toure....................manquillo
    ..........................................mignolet


    so just two changes


    lovren for skrtel and henderson for allen


    sterling,balotelli and gerrard do not deserve starts all 3 have been abysmal
    while coutinho will struggle as we need to defend often in this game

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  21. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:23 am, November 08, 2014

    who are hazard,willian ,oscar and fabregas compared
    to ronaldo,james,isco and modric

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  22. Jesus sterling abysmal? Any game we had a result hes been man of the match

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  23. Last season, our in form, with Suarez and Sturridge squad couldn't get anything from Chelsea. Today, we're without goal scorers and leaking goals even worse than last season, PLUS they have better strikers, an improved midfield and a better keeper.
    If the usual plodders - Lovren, Johnson, Gerrard and Balotelli - play, we're in for a humiliation.
    It's not a question of whether we'll lose, but by how many.

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  24. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:48 am, November 08, 2014

    Balotelli is starting and gerrard Rodgers out




    1)conte
    2)rudi garcia
    3) de boer
    4) klopp




    choose one and get rid of this bad manager
    RODGERS OUT!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Nevergonnacrackthecode8:49 am, November 08, 2014

    Since the tired gate thing with england
    he has been below par

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  26. If anyone Garcia and De Boer would be my candidates. Conte just got the Italy job and Klopp will most probably not leave. Garcia has it good with Roma so De Boer.

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  27. All great managers go through lulls, back Rodgers in dont just abandon him because the suns not shining at the moment and remember how great we were last season.

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  28. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:17 am, November 08, 2014

    look at how conte can drop balotelli
    how guardiola can drop ibrahimovic and eto


    the most important thing for a manger is bravery


    balotelli and gerrard should be far away from the team
    in place of borini and lucas


    but rodgers is a cat he will never be able to drop gerrard

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  29. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:19 am, November 08, 2014

    Last season we had the worlds best player !


    What annoys me most is how balotelli and gerrard keep getting games


    the swansea game in the league cup and the real were our two best performance and the common denominator is lucas ahead of gerrard


    rodgers has to keep gerrard as an impact player and play lucas ahead of him and borini over balotelli


    even kenny had guts to drop carragher
    if rodgers does not have the guts he can leave

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  30. The team as a whole are not setting the world on fire at the moment no one yes you have some fair gripes.
    But this club needs stability and changing managers every 2 years or so is a recipe for disaster.
    Its not all about the tactics either the players need to be able to adapt to different formations.
    With Gerrard he has plenty of friends in that side no one has been that good that anyone should be guaranteed a game.

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  31. Agreed about Lucas over Gerrard as the common denominator.

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  32. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:37 am, November 08, 2014

    We have to park the bus in the game


    no attack same tactics as vs rela madrid and copy what chelsea done vs us we cannot leave any holes open as fabregas will expose them
    we need to be compact


    this will be the line up most similar to chelseas that beat us last year:


    ................................................borini/ba
    sterling/schrlee.....................................................................markovic/salah

    ............................gerrard/lampard......lucas/mikel.....can/matic
    moreno/cole..........skrtel/kalas................toure/ivanovic......manquillo/azi
    ...................................................mignolet/schwazer




    this should be the only way we can play gerrard
    i think rodgers biggest agme ever he can not afford to lose a point vs chelsea at anfield is always a good result
    cant wait for the game
    .

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  33. You gonna like this - apparently we are offering 30m for Jackson Martinez

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  34. Am I the only one who encouraged his selection against RM? He picked players who willl work hard and give it their all,which they did. We picked our strongest team last time and got humiliated. We played a hard working team with players desperate to prove themselves and it paid off. The way you beat these sort of teams is by working hard and pressing. Look at Sociedad.

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  35. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:43 am, November 08, 2014

    saw it in the metro
    the most unreliable source

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  36. You should never wish an injury on arguably our best player ever. Disgusting

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  37. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:45 am, November 08, 2014

    ..................................martinez
    sterling........................coutinho...............pedro
    ............................cabaye.............song




    bench: origi,,markovic ,lallana,henderson,


    this is what i want to see next season


    just 4 attackers
    with reid,loris and a top right back

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  38. On Bbc now - Arse want him too and that's where he will end up I'm afraid

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  39. How many CL games did Merson play in?

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  40. the team you prefer Jk is actually the team id like to start but i doubt that happening ...if lalllana doesnt start you have to question why rogers broke the bank for him,then again hes broke the bank for others for no real reason.Rogers for me is now a manager without a plan i dont think he knows his best team and even if he did he would be scared to play it.

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  41. I literally couldn't care less what Merson says. He is an imbecile. The way the media has blown up just shows how our of touch most commentators and pundits of football are. People might not have noticed but Gerrard etc al played in the first leg and second and were worse than those replaced them not to mention they did actually get some game time. It's like they haven't even noticed that.

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  42. you can read Rogers like a book ,ive stated many a time id just like an honest statement from the guy but its all spin spin usually in his favour ....he never sheilds his players from pressure its always there fault, never his selection or tactics and im using the phrase tactics loosely as we have had non which are noticeably obvious this year except playing a lone striker which has failed miserably

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  43. If he is for sale a glut of other clubs will likely attempt to sign him too. It pains me immensely to say this but we would likely not be his first choice.

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  44. then you haven't seen hazard play yet..and fabregas too

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  45. I thought defensively we looked a lot better against RL - not brilliant, but slightly better shape and at least willingness to get stuck in and throw bodies about.

    I am also going to point out that this may have something to do with we had a DM in Lucas who at least knows how to do his job. Again, he was not brilliant by any stretch, but a lot better cover than we've had for a while. So I would have him play against Chelsea.

    Back to my bugbear of the past - Mr Allen. Hopelessly exposed in the RL as being out of his league and woeful. The number of times he tried something, failed and then looked up to the heavens was lamentable. He is a backup at best, and probably not worth his place on the bench.

    So I would propose the following starting 11:

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

    Manquillo ----- Toure -- Sktel---- Moreno

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

    ----------- Hendo -------- Lallana

    ------------------ Gerrard

    ------------ Sterling -- Coutinho

    During the second half of the Anfield game, we saw a version of the above team keep the ball very well, which is what we will have to do against Chelsea. The less ball they have the less they can hurt us.

    It also gives a signal that if you play well you keep your place, which Toure, Lucas, Manquillo and Lallana deserve, and the likes of Lovren, Johnson, Mario and the like need to learn. Otherwise, they'll think they are automatic starters and never perform. They can then be brought on after 60min to change the game.

    If by keeping the ball, and being solid at the back, I'd settle for another 0-0. Anything but a thrashing at home from the Blues.

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  46. Agreed and also that they looked a lot more coherent and fluent as a team than the hapless regulars do week in and week out. Gerrard, great servant though he has been is now the white elephant in the room. His reputation aside, can Buck drop his landlord?

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  47. Rogers was playing to the gallery and edging his bets.......if. we got thrashed blame the team if we fluked a result hes a genius ,it was a damage limitation exercise which worked.You can kid some of the people some of the time is a phrrase which can be used in conjunction with a lot of what rogers says

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  48. My preferable formation? The one that makes us f***ing win for once.

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  49. Agree - hence see below :-)

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  50. Manager says he doesn't feel he has to play big names in game but rather a team who can have a go. It's an absolute non story that a silly man has picked one part. It as emphasis Rodgers point. Like Lineka Merson has not Managed and so doesn't know enough about what he is talking about. He is thinking like a player who would want to play in that game or the poor pundit he is as he wants the players he knows the names of in the as he is too lazy to find out and too.Stupid to.remember you pronounce in sharn not can. City probably won't get out their group and Arsenal capitulated yet this nonsense is what these fools are Talking about. It's embarrassing.

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  51. swap skirtal for lovren burt and gerrard for anyone and im with you ..

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  52. Skrtel cannot play left CB. Toure and Lovren should be given a chance.


    Gerrard and Lucas in the same team has been proven time and time again to be detrimental. no thank you.

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  53. You mean hedging your bets Gil

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  54. my spelling is atrocious and i cant be arsed using the spell check

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  55. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:15 am, November 08, 2014

    you want to see balotelli?
    so in other words you dont want us to score goals?

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  56. I love you Adam. A very good post as you kept your cool were I didn't.

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  57. I'd agree with you re Gerrard and Lucas - but because Gerrard was the DM and Lucas expecting to play attacking mid. When Lucas plays DM, Gerrard played well as either RM or No 10 in Rafa's system.

    Against Chelsea Gerrard needs to play 60 mins as attacking mid (ie zero defensive responsibility) and then be yanked off.

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  58. They are two completely different teams who play differently. But certainly some of those players deserve a start.

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  59. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:18 am, November 08, 2014

    we park the bus:


    ....................................borini








    sterling..................................................markovic
    .....................can............gerrard.....lucas
    moreno...........toure.................skrtel.........manquillo
    ....................................mignolet




    this way gerrard and lucas can play together

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  60. I never thought of that but I think playing three of your lost defensive midfielders and most experienced CB would just be par for the course.

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  61. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:21 am, November 08, 2014

    give me a break "disgusting"
    if that is the only way to get stevie out the line up so be it


    i just wish him a minor injury btw
    maybe a hamstring injury or groin injury one where he misses the rest of the season but it dont hurt him too badly
    because he is a legend

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  62. Lucas was not expected to play attacking mid. He was on the left side of the diamond vs West Ham.

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  63. Agree about parking the bus, even if it's at Anfield, as we're up against the best team in the league.

    Defo no place in my selection for either of Markovic (completely useless) and Borini.

    With Lallana and Courtino you at least get good ball rentention and a chance of a goal.

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  64. Agree. He just doesn't know how to play that position. Not acceptable, but we are where we are.

    We're playing poorly, need to shore up the defence, and Lucas is our best DM.

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  65. But the question how are we gonna score goals........rather who is gonna score

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  66. So parking the bus is what we have to put up with now? Ridiculous.

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  67. Prob like the yanked off bit

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  68. if gerrard who at 34 a player who some have said play at Cb is out attacking savior we are well and truly goosed

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  69. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:24 am, November 08, 2014

    markovic offers work rate and pace
    as does borini
    balotelli is just a big amn who does nothing borini runs works hard


    coutinho is a luxury player that is useless when we are up against it

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  70. Whatever happened to LFC who scored 100 goals last season

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  71. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:25 am, November 08, 2014

    terry might slip : )

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  72. Absolutely ridiculous - completely agree!

    We're in this mess because of the manager. It either that, or we get hammered.

    Sometimes to get back to winning ways and playing attractive football, you first need to stop losing, grind out results to build confidence.

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  73. I dont even know why we are discussing all these

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  74. We lost Suarez, and Sturrdige is injured.

    And oh, we flushed £100m down the drain :-)

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  75. because its a sat morning and we are bored waiting for kick off

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  76. nonsense. thats like saying who is sakho, valencia, downing and amalfitano to them because they still destroyed us. it doesnt matter, hazard, oscar, fabregas, not so much willian, but them 3 are world class players and from the way our team has been playing they will destroy us to, Fabregas is outrageous, Hazard is jus out of this world and Oscar has got so much up his sleeve he just shocks you. these free kicks hes been scoring lately and just mouthdropping. even the header he scored at anfield when suarez bit ivanovic was class. because i know Rodgers will play Gerrard and other attacking players in holding positions we will get battered in midfield and wont have the neccesary cover for our defence like has been the case all season. we need to buy Diame and Ramires. if not Ramires, Schneiderlin. because our midfield is our weakest point

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  77. Fell so bad to watch liverpool these days

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  78. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:27 am, November 08, 2014

    We need a draw here
    a point is better then nothing
    there is no way we can go toe to toe with chelsea
    we will leave ourselves open like everton did vs chelsea or how we did with city

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  79. You also agreed with parking the bus. I can see where this is going.

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  80. mate I just hope we trash Chelski cannt stand that club

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  81. 0-0 is better than losing 0-5.

    Sad state of affairs - just being realistics.

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  82. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:28 am, November 08, 2014

    It will get better
    origi will join and martinez maybe
    and i believe markovic will get better
    and ibe is going strength to strength


    ...............................martinez
    sterling................................................origi


    should be much more exciting to watch

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  83. True that atleast we get a bloody point

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  84. Do we have a *realistic* alterntive?

    Willing to hear any fairy tales :-)

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  85. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:30 am, November 08, 2014

    look we won the cl on parking a bus
    football is about getting results
    anyway anyhow

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  86. I'm just patiently waiting to see what degree of negligence Rodgers showcases tonight. Any fair judge knows who should be on the pitch for this one, and who should not.

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  87. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:31 am, November 08, 2014

    apparently if you pair balotelli and borini together in a diamond
    they will suddenly both be pele and marodana
    and score a million goals


    so logan has some people believe

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  88. Just like a ref in Adelaide lol

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  89. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:33 am, November 08, 2014

    He only got his team selection right vs southampton,city,spurs and everton


    he juggles too much


    gilstrap is right rodgesr has too much toys and is fiddling too much with them

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  90. Let's lower the bar to a point where we are playing to finish mid table and that is after finishing 2nd last season and spending £120m this season.


    Pathetic.

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  91. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:34 am, November 08, 2014

    suarez is worth 300m and 10 positions


    thats is the truth learn to accept it

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  92. Have to be realistic mate:p

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  93. You know what, Nick? I'm going for it! 3-0...to Liverpool!


    Okay, I'll take my cold shower now.

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  94. That includes playing a lone strikers who are incapable of leading our attack i.e. Balotelli, Lambert and Borini.


    He is going 4-2-3-1 today again :-o

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  95. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:37 am, November 08, 2014

    exactly if tony pulis and stoke thought like logan
    stoke would be in legue 1


    right now we need some points get through this season orgi and ibe come in new signings and we get back to our best


    simples

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  96. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:37 am, November 08, 2014

    skrtel hat trick!

    ReplyDelete
  97. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:39 am, November 08, 2014

    lone striker or not they are all kinda what the word
    oh yeah useless


    only rodgesr can shoulder the blame


    martinez
    bony
    higuain
    eto 'o


    all could have been bought but eh choose balotelli a glorified penalty taker who can no longer take penalties

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  98. But depending on kids to get back to our best.....hmmm

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  99. Well let's rather bring Hodgson back. Then we can all be on the same page...

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  100. You are getting me wrong.......I know we have been sh@t.......I just dont wanna discuss that

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  101. i want to see balo playing off a Cf .......its not ideal but he carries more goal threat than lambert or borini

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  102. *Cough* *Cough* Pace, work rate..

    sorry should have gone to Spec Savers...

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  103. Like the ref at Adelaide yesterday Pete cant help but laugh

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  104. Sterling is the only one with pace but he is in bad form

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  105. Agree - ask that question of BR who blew the money away..

    This is all about shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

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  106. Now you're being masochistic:-)

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  107. Ah Hodgson The Devourer of Footballing Souls

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  108. He's got the whole weight of expectation on his should now that SAS are not playing.

    It's because none of the £100m recruits have turned up yet.

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  109. Our overreliance on him is ridiculous

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  110. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:53 am, November 08, 2014

    what are you talking about?


    last few matches coutinho is the only one that gets the ball and does somethings with it

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  111. How can you expect the owners to invest MORE money with BR when he's pi$$ed £100m up the wall..

    Why do folks not live in the real world.

    I see Jan being a quiet window, and then either BR getting LFC into the top 4 or being walked out the door.

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  112. in general this season

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  113. Better laugh, or you'd cry.


    You know that was a goal from Petkovic!

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  114. I hope that Gerrard scores a winner and then celebrates by slipping in front of every one of those rent boy away fans

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  115. Logan, the above three were all BR choices. Surely, BR needs to take accountability for his recruitment.

    We've played 10 games in the PL. With hand on heart the ones we've lost or drawn, I can't say we were hard done. And of the ones we've won, we were lucky against Southampton and QPR.

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  116. We will get ya for sure next time.

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  117. Nevergonnacrackthecode10:58 am, November 08, 2014

    i hope gerrad slips in the warm up
    and pulls a hamstring


    its sad but that is the only way lfc will progreess

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  118. In the past handful of games we've been struggling to create chances let alone score goals.

    It should also be noted we stuggled to beat a lesser Chelsea team at Anfield in May when we were playing significantly better and had a potent SAS strikeforce.

    So apologies for being gloomy, but if we get a scrappy point where 2 people from both sides get sent off would be a great result.

    For those who think we're LFC, playing at Anfield and DEMAND to play pretty football and wipe the floor with the best team in the league are just living in la la land.

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  119. I'm the one that bloody noise pollutes every game thread yet you reckon *you* need a cold shower?

    ReplyDelete
  120. okay mate that's enough from you

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  121. He needs to take accountability for making trying to force players to perform in a system which does not and has not worked all season.


    The players are not the problem. It is the manager who picks the team, formation and tactics.


    One up front has not worked yet the manager persists yet some want blame Balotelli for being useless when he is not a lone striker.


    Get the manager spectacles.

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  122. I say park the bus and see how they like it.

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  123. Can we also park the bus outside Anfield so they can't get in ;-)

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  124. Ignore. It is the best medicine ;-)

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  125. You've been half as bad lately

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  126. Yes. So let's have one together.


    Too far? Probably. That's a Vermhat line.

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  127. At least I am not calling for Rodgers head.

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  128. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:11 am, November 08, 2014

    You guys just cannot cope with my superior knowledge of football




    you guys are just jelous

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  129. honestly i dun care win or lose but i really hope our team play in style ! Die as hero rather than live long enuf as villain

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  130. For once I *COMPLETELY* agree.

    BR is trying to get different players to fit his systems that worked last year. No PLAN B.

    BR needs to adapt his playing style to suit the players he recruited and are fit and available to play.

    So, in my view, if he's going to play Mario, you need to play Lambert up alongside him, and basically revert back to 4-4-2 with long balls or crosses from the wings. Old fashioned Arsenal under George Graham.

    Defo not pretty, but horses for courses, until we at least get Sturridge back on the pitch.

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  131. I think Can had a much better game against Madrid than Allen and was brought off earlier. I think he may well be in contention for this game. Other than that I can see Jaimie's team being played.

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  132. You are not going to see the match today without Gerrard in it unless he has an injury.

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  133. The first one mate. With Gerrard.

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  134. Victoria Bechham in high heels would be better than Allen!!

    But Can on for Gerrard after 60 mins would be a good call..

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  135. Oh, I thought you went with the team Jaimie's preference.


    We will start with Skrtel and Johnson and play Balotelli up on his own.

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  136. That is massive guesswork mate. I think playing your most defensive center midfield three and the most experienced CB as well as the hard working front line. I think he played it like Rafa would and it didn't quite work out.

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  137. I would prefer Manquillo but think due to age he may be left out due to midweek. I think that either Lovren or Skrtel should be dropped for Toure and it would be ridiculous if one is not. Balo playing up top won't have a strike partner but we need to get those other players around him more and Sterling playing centrally may well do that.

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  138. Lucas on for Gerrad at 60, Can starting.

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  139. Sterling to play our wide again where he has been very ineffective.


    Rodgers going to go with the safe option and try to stop Chelsea from scoring. He is under pressure and a draw is better than a loss for Rodgers of course.

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  140. Allen AND Lucas will not play.

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  141. This would suggest we might be winning at this stage and need to close out the game.

    Somehow I dont see it that way. Hence would prefer to see Lucas (our best DM) on the pitch from the start.

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  142. I honestly think he will go with Jaimie's first one with the changes being Can for Allen and possibly whoever Toure comes in for. Cout likes to come inside and Balo likes to drift out to the left. If he doesn't play it like that he is missing a trick, but he has a few times up to now.

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  143. Then Gerrard coming on?

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  144. Let's hope the mindset today is to actually go out and win a match for a change but Balotelli will most likely be asked to run around aimlessly again and Mourinho is already laughing at the end of the match if that is the case.

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  145. Well if you see the team I've picked below, I've got Stevie G playing in a No 10 role, with a false 9 - a lot similar to how Barca played last year with Fabs.

    Aim is to play you best ball players to retain possession and starve Chelsea of the ball - *NOT* necessary to go all out for attack.

    In other words park the bus in defence and hold on to the ball whenever we can.

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  146. and oh, just because gerrard retired to focus on the club, doesnt mean he has a divine right to a first team place!

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  147. I can't see Lallana play that far deep. I like the lad but I am sure I have heard stats about him losing the ball often. Can is tidier and up for the physical challenge. In fact mate I think it is far too left field and I don't think I would go with it.

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  148. TEAM OUT https://twitter.com/LFC/status/531048981510782977/photo/1

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  149. Can see you not going for it as being too left field.

    Problem is we've tried just about every other combo against less teams than Chelsea and either lost or failed to score.

    The old matra of try try again does not work. We're missing Sturridge and hence need to do SOMETHING different. Otherwise we're onto a hiding against a really good Chelsea side who sourpuss is complaining are not playing well enough.

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  150. Liverpool team v Chelsea: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Gerrard, Can, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Balotelli.

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  151. Let's hope it is a front two of Sterling and Balotelli.

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  152. Subs: Jones, Toure,Lucas, Allen, Borini, Lambert & Lallana

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  153. Can I request that when naming teams, people also propose whether their aiming to win the game, or avoiding to lose.

    Otherwise those who continually pick Mario are missing the point. Not blaming the player, just saying we need to pick an eleven to suit the proposed style of play.

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  154. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:46 am, November 08, 2014

    we are getting battered
    johnson,balotelli,gerrard,lovren?


    while no borini, toure, markovic,lallana?






    im sorry but RODGERS OUT ! RODGERS OUT!

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  155. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:47 am, November 08, 2014

    lets hope its a back 10

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  156. I just don't know anymore...... just hoping 2 at front but .... with BR 1 front and more defense minded I would believe...

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  157. is that the confirmed line up?

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  158. Yes, from Official LFC twitter account https://twitter.com/LFC/status/531048981510782977/photo/1

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  159. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:49 am, November 08, 2014

    I am literally crying


    ehhhehhhhhhehhehhhehhehheheheheeheheheehehehheheeheheheheh
    why why why why whwy why whwy why WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?


    THE SAMe TEAM THAT GOT BATTERED VS NEWCASTLE AND and rela madrid at anfield bar can for allen




    RAFA WHERE ART THOU RAFA?


    ehehehehehehehehehehe! WHY ?

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  160. With that back four we are bound to concede goals and if we go one up top then Chelsea will stroll through this match.

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  161. Scratch the above. as just realised BR has named his team - doh :-)

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  162. Absolutely agree.

    Shame for those who played well against RL (apart from Can who gets his chance).

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  163. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:51 am, November 08, 2014

    Would you rather lose by one goal and rodgesr keep on carrying on what his doing
    or hope we get battered 8-0 and rodgers kicked out for good?

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  164. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:51 am, November 08, 2014

    Would you rather draw and rodgesr keep on carrying on what his doing
    or hope we get battered 8-0 and rodgers kicked out for good?

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  165. Chelsea have named a strong team (as expected!). For me Luis was a potential weakness at LB which sourpuss has fixed by getting the young lad in.

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  166. About right, we're a 6th/7th place team playing one of the top few sides in the world, if anything we could've started with Allen instead of Coutinho and tried to shut up shop for the first hour.

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  167. and the game hasn't kicked of yet gee!

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  168. Can and Gerrard will most likely be holding.

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  169. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:56 am, November 08, 2014

    yes so do you think one change
    from the line up that started vs real(anfield) and newcastle
    will get us playing better


    how do johnson,skrtel,lovren,gerrard,balotelli
    keep getting games ?


    the man has officially lost it
    and i for the first time in my life will hope we dont get a result as it will just paper over the cracks


    i was so loking forward to toure,borini,markovic and lallana play but no rodgers is crazy

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  170. Well i think Rodgers has gotta roll the dice.

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  171. Nevergonnacrackthecode11:57 am, November 08, 2014

    trust me this might actually be a good thing
    we can only get battered
    and rodgers will be one step closer to the exit door

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  172. After this match we will either know whether Rodgers has utterly and completely lost the plot or has the ability to make this team perform.


    Let's see.

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  173. The 'miracle' was that BR over achieved last season,and took us on a dream run and now people believe we should win the league. As for Mersons ''if you were a Liverpool fan and heard that '' 4000 odd LFC fans continually sung BR name at Madrid, and i'll bet they sing it again today ...... feck Merson and all those band wagon men. BR going nowhere !!

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  174. It's not the manager. Look at the players we have, man for man we're about 6th/7th in the league.


    I do blame Brendan, or whoever looks after transfers, for blowing £100million+ on mediocrity when 2 or 3 world class players would have made us a better team.

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  175. hopefully we see a diamond with couts behind sterling and balo...high hopes I know lets see

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  176. the problem rogers has is that bt playing Sg you need a baby sitter with him which will be can that means we don't then have the bodies for two up front its a self fulfilling prophecy

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  177. Sorry 2 post this here....if anyone was interested about Chelsea line-up: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry (c),
    Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Ramires, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
    Chelsea subs v Liverpool: Cech, Zouma, Filipe Luis, Mikel, Willian, Remy, Drogba.

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  178. Better than us in every single position.

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  179. and the bench is frightning

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  180. Their bench walk straight in to our first team.


    The point is defeat is not bad management. Defeat is just a consequence of being inferior in every position.

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  181. 'Desperate'? I don't think so. So says you in your world.

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  182. It seems like you have completely lost perspective. We are not having the greatest season so far relative to last season - in which Rodgers (please spell it correctly if you are going to attack the man) did a lot of fantastic things with the team.
    Why don't you have a little more patience; football is not science.

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  183. Always leaves out the 'd' he's been told before about it lol. In my opinion BR has almost given the moaners too much to complain about by over achieving last season. BR took us (an inferior team/squad to City & Chelsea) to within a whisker of our 1st Prem title. This season without the two main players in that push, Suarez and Sturridge, these people think we should surpass let alone repeat that feat ........ you hit the nail on the head friend '' LOST PERSPECTIVE ''. Today as in Madrid the ' supporters ' will sing BRs name.

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  184. happy ? BR picked him ....

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  185. That's right my world my opinion

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