17 Dec 2014

Confirmed XI vs BFC: £55m trio dropped as BR picks strange team. Shock position change for Gerrard?

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has selected a bizarre starting line-up for this evening's League Cup game with Bournemouth.

After starting with no strikers against Man United on Sunday, Rodgers has gone one better tonight and left both the club's fit full-backs on the bench:

FULL TEAM: Jones, Toure, Skrtel, Lovren, Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Lucas, Sterling, Markovic

SUBS: Mignolet, Lambert, Sakho, Moreno, Manquillo, Can, Borini

* There are only three defenders in this line-up, which suggests that Rodgers is going with a 352 or a 343.

* In either formation, it means that one of either Lallana, Markovic, Sterling, or (god forbid) Coutinho, will operate as a wing-back (!):

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

------ Toure - Skrtel -- Lovren

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

Hendo ------- Gerrard ----- Markovic

-------- Lallana - Coutinho

------------ Sterling

* Unless Rodgers has taken all leave of his senses, I suspect he'll go with a 4231 formation, with Gerrard deputising for Glen Johnson at right back:

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

Gerrard --- Toure - Skrtel ---- Lovren

----------- Hendo - Lucas

Lallana ----- Coutinho ---- Markovic

------------- Sterling

So - no strikers, and no full-backs. It's an interesting gamble by Rodgers, but it could also backfire and ultimately seal his fate at Anfield.

Either way, Rodgers has selected a very attacking team, and that's good to see. On paper, Liverpool have more than enough quality to win the game, and a good victory is vital going into this weekend's Premier League clash with Arsenal.

My prediction: 2-1

Author:


356 comments:

  1. At least Markovic gets a start.

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  2. why not drop gerrard for Can or Llalana? i sick and tired catering for gerrard!!!!!

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  3. Very interesting. BR still refusing to play Can. On the bright side, it looks like Sakho is nearing full fitness.

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  4. The first formation has ten men.

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  5. Can anyone explain me what happened to Emre Can? he was great against Chelsea. Since then he has never played... I'd be so pissed on BR if i was him...

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  6. It does seem a little strangle what is going on with Can.

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  7. Hendo will run through a brick wall for his team mates so he could play on the right and lallana runs a lot too so could play left side, but it's certainly a gamble playing no fullbacks . Lucas won't venture over the half way line at all if imagine

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  8. The Bournemouth manager is fame for his preparation work on the opposition
    I bet he didn't see that team coming...

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  9. Relying on a high pressing game, which did work against the scum, Oh, until they scored, but still promising.

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  10. Who is the fifty five million dropped? I can only think of Mignolet and Moreno. Otherwise don't you have to be playing to be dropped?

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  11. Madrid and Chelsea, Can was man of the match. What is happening. Quite clear now that Brenda is SG's bitch!

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  12. Stop calling Rodgers 'Brenda'. It's disrespectful. Please remain civil toward's the manager.

    This goes for everyone - I'm sick of people insulting Rodgers. Vehemently criticise his managerial performance by all means, but anyone calling him 'Brenda' from now on will receive an instant 7-day ban.

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  13. Good luck to Lazar

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  14. Seems like a good gig. I'll take over

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  15. Why not drop Henderson, he's a long distance runner, Gerrard is a footballer .. played out of position ..

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  16. All the reliance will be on Sterling to get the goals again.


    Rodgers playing three at the back against a team who are not struggling to score goals. Another nail in the coffin as if there aren't enough already.

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  17. He is right to try this formation again. It's the first this season I witnessed Liverpool attacking and causing the opposition problems granting without scoring any goals. Raheem needs more work on his finishing!

    It's also the first time he playing Sterling, Coutinho and Lallana together in back to back games which can only help them combine better as the season continues.

    Don't understand the point in Markovic playing LWB as he did against Man U

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  18. He will have to do more defending than what he will attacking. LWB. Rodgers is a genius!

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  19. Anyone know any Live streams tonite?

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  20. ronaldo 7 type in google

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  21. Are you removing my posts for being pedantic Jaimie? Seems a bit much. Are you Based in North Korea?

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  22. I agree, nothing wrong with criticising but making fun of his gender is uncalled for.

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  23. good point he should be called"brenda" now lol

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  24. Yeah best not to be over confident

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  25. thanks gonna try it hope quality decent

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  26. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:28 pm, December 17, 2014

    what if someone by mistake does it i sometimes make typos?

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  27. If Gerrard has another anonymous game he should Join Mignolet

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  28. I apologise. From a fan who can't afford to attend match days, I am writing from pure frustration. Can is an excellent player who needs to be given the chance over a number of games. Again, I apologise for making disrespectful comments.

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  29. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:29 pm, December 17, 2014

    Gerrard should be gone and replaced by Song

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  30. When they mention bitch in the same line?


    You are a wind up merchant at best.

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  31. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:30 pm, December 17, 2014

    agree Can has it all
    Pace
    skill
    physical presence


    whatever you wnat name it Cans got

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  32. So should Skrtel and Lovren.

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  33. I can;t say I've noticed any tpyos from you

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  34. You just can't help yourself, can you? He shouldn't be 'gone', he just should be made to justify his place in the side. His exemplary attitude and professionalism alone makes him an asset to the squad

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  35. Careful we still have to put out 11 payers

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  36. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:33 pm, December 17, 2014

    mate i have been on this site almost 4 hours a day
    i am dedicated to this site because i love interacting with fellow lfc fans no banter from opposing fans like telegraph and it is really easy to interact
    thanks to jamie and moderators its the best site to talk about lfc

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  37. Only an ever changing opinion of course.

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  38. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:34 pm, December 17, 2014

    Schneiderlin?


    have i got it right?

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  39. There's no question mark at the end of his name. You fail.

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  40. Use the reserves. They might do a better job :-)

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  41. He could be Australian?

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  42. Nevergonnacrackthecode7:36 pm, December 17, 2014

    This might only be a romour but apparently he tried to undermine Dejan Lovren


    that is not exemplary attitude if he did do it
    struggling players especially new ones should be helped

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  43. I've never made such sexist remarks before. Perhaps it's time to close the door and read a good book.

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  44. To-may-to, To-mah-to

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  45. Of late, nothing seems strange anymore with Brenda's lineup.

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  46. a place on the bench

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  47. an australian sheikh?

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  48. Change that quick like

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  49. www. footylive-riderhd.com

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  50. What give up now when you're beginning to get the hang of it?

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  51. You'e accidentally hit the apostrophe instead of the n. Easy mistake to make I 've do'e it myself

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  52. watching gerrard going out on the pitch today, he doesn't really look happy and confident

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  53. i fully agree with your assesment for some people truth is hard to take gerrard is finished

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  54. they have many links pretty decent

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  55. Aw, Bob, that was a golden opportunity to use the immortal Yoda line 'That is why you fail'.

    That is why you fail :-)

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  56. No sweat. Thanks for visiting :-)

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  57. Has Lovren not been doing a good enough job of undermining himself? Not sure anybody needs to do anything on that score.

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  58. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLrpBLDWyCI

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  59. Lovren looking as composed as usual.

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  60. Our midfield being overrun. 3 at the back. Rodgers are you with us?

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  61. Only us could pay £20m for a winger and then play him at wing back though.

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  62. Blimey mate not one of our mob he'd be deported if he lived here.

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  63. Our defence having most of the ball as usual. Invite the pressure Rodgers! That has what it has been about this season. Seeing how many passes our defence can make.

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  64. Blocked time after time

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  65. Us, as in everyone here? Rodgers is a touch arrogant but even he doesn't claim to be omnipresent.

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  66. Our passing is just pointless?

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  67. nice goal though with all that passing....:)

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  68. Maybe Streling's hair cut is making the difference?

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  69. haha yeah if he had not of shaved the top off might of gone wide...he looks meaner

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  70. Our best player. The closest we have compared to Suarez.

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  71. Could you mention the pointless passing every ten minutes or so please;-)

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  72. Studge id quality....when fit our best finisher

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  73. I will my best. Hendo just given the ball away :-)

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  74. Markovic potential when up to speed with english game....like many others want to see more of Can as well

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  75. Sturridge is a walking injury. Sterling hardy injured and has everything going for him. No wonder Madrid want him.

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  76. Markovic scores. Can we please bring on Emre Can now?

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  77. my man can finish too....shame our defence still suss...Sakho the mann to solve that imo

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  78. Markovic should be playing up top. He is our quickest player.

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  79. i'd unleash him against Arsenal after that goal...build his confidence

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  80. No more wind resistance

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  81. cmon don't get too excited...its bournemouth

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  82. Keep up. Both he and Sterling will be rested now ;-)

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  83. Well said. They can still beat us though.

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  84. With a busy xmas schedule coming up a bit disappointed there is so many regulars and no academy lads even on the bench.

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  85. I think the lads all had a spa day to promote team unity - much like the yoga session a couple of seasons ago. They all look so nice and clean cut.

    [No, Verm, spa day is not short for spaghetti day].

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  86. Raheem's new hair style bringing better luck ....

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  87. After 2nd goal again lfc defense torn apart., they could have 1 back...dont why BOU not attacking...

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  88. not the line up id have picked but at least there are attacking players in the team with pace why oh why doesnt rodgers go for it in more games

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  89. We have got to keep the pressure up possession is good but teams know we are venerable on break

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  90. Hendo past few matches mostly keeps passing the ball back.

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  91. Wish Rossiter and Ojo had made the bench.

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  92. So far so good. Hopefully we can keep things together.

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  93. It's easier to go for it in games where you're playing Bournemouth

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  94. Borinis there tho surprise !

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  95. But a Spaghetti day sounds like so much fun.

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  96. what has gerrard done in this first half? anonymous again

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  97. Borini is an ornament.

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  98. Yeah, hate this three at the back though. All the chances they've created seem to of come from our left hand side behind Markovic. It's definitely something they'll try capitalise on second half.

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  99. That is why I say, hopefully we can keep things together.

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  100. 1 more goal lfc can kill off the game. Game appears too 1 sided and strange.... Would like to see Can,Sakho And Borini get some game time...

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  101. I suppose if you are to try something new or different this is the game.

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  102. Looking sharp so far, albeit vs a Champ side, but still good nonetheless.


    Hendo not doing so well though. Possibly a sub for either Moreno (marko to right) or Borini (switch Sterling wide). Hope to see Can and Sakho today.

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  103. Markovic is not a LWB or a defender.


    Why the F not play him up top? Has pace and decent foot work. Can create space, run defences ragged but he is being shackled. WTF for?

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  104. What is their spaghetti policy?

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  105. any mid week away game is hard.....our defense is woeful no matter what so we may as well try to attack at the very least

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  106. he slows it down for me as he just wants to hit the long ball when short quick passes are required

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  107. He's played ok. That shot was travelling, would have been some goal.
    We have dropped the pace after a good start though- The team isn't good enough to control games with that defence, we should be pushing for 3 or 4 to demoralise Bournemouth, not have them think 1 goal will get them back in it
    And when will one of our defenders hang back to cut out the pull back? They should have scored easily, and as usual 4 or 5 defenders all ran back like headless chickens and left 3 players on the edge of the box for a pull back. Basic stuff.

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  108. we should be 442 with marko and sterling as cf its as obvious as the nose on your face

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  109. I can't belive the quality from that website. At 600MB per half its not bad on DATA aswell. Here in SA uncapped is still exclusive to those who can afford, luckily my mobile isp gives me decent speeds of 1MBps

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  110. He hasn't played many long balls, you just making stuff up cos you don't rate him any more?

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  111. Up until recently Markovic has been rubbish.

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  112. I don't think he is rubbish .

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  113. if you read my post that what he wants to do not what he has done.....the split second it takes to look forward for that ball when you should just pass simple slows it down

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  114. Rodgers has to keep one eye on Arsenal at weekend - got to preserve lead but prob wants to save players and we don't want any more injuries

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  115. So you reckon his performances up until recent have been good as well come on Loges.

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  116. Markovic has looked good and you could argue has been the difference. He doesn't seem to have as much defensive responsibility as Henderson who is not getting forward as much. He is playing more like a winger than a LWB. There is no problem with that aspect right now. Don't make one.

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  117. Not the point. Markovic is a threat and should be played as one. Not LWB.

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  118. If anything all he's done is the simple pass, often back or sideways, is what has made him anonymous in the main. The exact opposite of your view. I WANT him to look forward more. Just not always with long passes.

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  119. Markovic is having an excellent game and has scored, I'm not sure what you're looking for here.

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  120. What rubbish. Young and Valencia, both converted to wing back by Van Gaal this season

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  121. A point i have been meaning to make for a while. How many of those moaning about Rodgers and bemoaning this decision talk of Van Gaal as being great?

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  122. This the lad with the key pass that lead to a goal and the goal. Yes he has been shackled.

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  123. Those who think Sterling can't play the striker role THINK again.

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  124. Come on Raheem get your hat trick - amazing what a new hair cut can do ;-)

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  125. Sterling our best player without a doubt.

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  126. Markovic is not a defender and would be more useful as an attacker. That is all iI am saying.

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  127. Proved a few wrong this eve - just wish we had another forward threat up with him - Marcovic is doing a good job tho . Nice to see we have our attacking mojo back .....

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  128. Crap defending AGAIN

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  129. He's definitely doing more attacking than defending in this match.

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  130. hope we don't fall apart now.

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  131. ha ha, our defence a f****** lauging stock.

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  132. Why can't we keep a clean sheet?

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  133. This is not Arsenal mate.

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  134. Shame was hoping for a win & clean sheet - good for confidence before the Ars

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  135. Skrtel, when do we keep a clean sheet with him in our defence? Or am I being biased?

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  136. No but it was never going to be an easy match and really a must win - like the way we have approached it

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  137. I think this team has been to easy on us.

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  138. Well if they had taken their chances ??????

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  139. They really arent that great but winning the championships obviously their goal.

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  140. Good test of whether we have learnt to close a game down ?

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  141. Let's see if we can beat Arsenal, that will be more convincing.

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  142. the pressure is on lets keep an eye on Martin, when his blood pressure hits 140/90 the shit is gona hit the fan

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  143. OK Logan Markovic being in that position is definitely a bad thing.

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  144. Since when is Markovic a defender?

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  145. They score again we will capitulate- who is our 3rd choice keeper?

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  146. We are reverting to old ways getting pushed back and trying to defend deep ......... DISASTER

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  147. Never but neither is Young or Valencia. Players can play there but the need to be well drilled.

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  148. well done BR today... we look like we have a purpose out there.

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  149. He should be playing up top. His link up play and pace = proof of this!

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  150. To save his job perhaps ..

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  151. Not too bad now ....

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  152. Valencia has played at full back occasionally for a couple of years now, Young is playing at full back because of injuries and defensively is a liability (not my opinion, the opinion of two of my Man Utd supporting mates). Markovic is not good defensively, doesn't want to play there because he keeps vacating the position and has never played there before. He's a player whose struggling for form so what do we do? Play him in a position he's never played before.

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  153. It might well be...... BR has gone for it though and thrown the kitchen sink at him. Bout time he swung those cojones.

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  154. The League Cup? Maybe BR thinks he can save his job by winning it? Did nothing for KD.

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  155. The slightest bit of pressure and we lose composure

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  156. yeah true but he played a similar team and system against MAN U too. Winning this competition definitely wont save him but the penny may have dropped. I think he may have stumbled upon a system that suits his squad as apposed to the squad adjusting to his dry 4-2-3-1 preferred way of working.

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  157. If he loses it could be the end if he wins they dont care.

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  158. But our defence is still crap and the Ars will take THEIR chances

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  159. Watch the game fella, what shackles ?

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  160. Well a win is a bloody WIN and they are at a premium these days

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  161. I agree 100%. However we were entertaining today and previously we stopped doing that. we have however always been crap at the back since BR came in so lets see what happens. I'm not against BR finding his feet if he gives up his pigheaded, I know everything, I'm always right attitude.

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  162. Our keeper is gonna get properly tested v Ars

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  163. Good win! Lallana, Can, Marko, and Sakho need to play methinks!!!
    Opposite can be said of Cou, Hendo, and Lovren...

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  164. Oh yeah - got a hunch he might bring Migno back

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  165. Take that, a decent performance and a run of games for Sakho & Markovic now...hopefully big emre will get up to speed and feature more as well

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  166. stream2u.me should almost always have games aired in every sport for future reference

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  167. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:40 pm, December 17, 2014

    with redpaul
    now we just need emre and alberto moreno playing more games

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  168. yes still think there is a role for hendo and will get better with players first mentioned around him

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  169. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:41 pm, December 17, 2014

    lovren solid today first half
    coutinho best player first half
    henderson done descent in a role which he does not know

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  170. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:42 pm, December 17, 2014

    first game in 6 weeks
    it si expected

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  171. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:42 pm, December 17, 2014

    Markovic MOTM

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  172. Markovic the one shining light at the moment but needs o be played up top! Sterling two goals and a new hair cut. Let this be the start of something good. Sakho > Lovren.

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  173. silly comment how may minutes he had recently

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  174. Nevergonnacrackthecode9:43 pm, December 17, 2014

    I have been depressed since spurs
    finally i feel some happiness


    we won playing decent football

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  175. Hardly played. Rodgers has his favourites.

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  176. exactly... now the acid test on Sunday...we due a win against one of the big teams...

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  177. You talk so much shite, the reason they had two clear cut chances were mainly down to Lovrens naivety

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