Liverpool have beaten Man United in the FA Cup at Anfield today!
Kenny Dalglish made four changes to the side that beat Manchester City in midweek, with five defenders named in the staring eleven,
Full team: Reina, Kelly, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Carragher, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing, Maxi, Carroll.
Subs: Doni, Johnson, Coates, Kuyt, Adam, Shelvey, Bellamy.
Man United: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Welbeck.
PRE-GAME NOTES: 12pm
Liverpool have three central defenders in the team again, so we could be looking at the dreaded 541 wing-back formation again(or 352, depending on how you look at it).
It's slightly disappointing that Kenny has gone for a more defensive line-up, but if it works properly, then Andy Carroll might benefit. Possible formation:
----------------------------- Reina
--------- Skrtel --------- Carragher ---------- Agger
Kelly -------------------------------------------------- Enrique
----------- Maxi ---- Henderson --- Gerrard ---- Downing
----------------------------- Carroll
* Carroll up front on his own doesn't inspire me with confidence, especially since Liverpool have struggled to get numbers into the box this season.
* The good news is Rooney and Nani are out for United, so that should be a positive, but I would rather have seen two central defenders and another attacking player rather than five defenders overall.
* Seemingly no holding midfielder, which means that Gerrard and Henderson will be doing a lot of donkey work today when they should be attacking.
* Of course, it's possible that Carra could be playing as a DM. We shall see.
If we must play 352, I would go with this formation:
----------------------------- Reina
--------- Skrtel --------- Carragher ---------- Agger
Kelly -------------------------------------------------- Enrique
----------- Gerrard ---- Henderson ---- Downing
-------------------------- Maxi
----------------------------- Carroll
* Gerrard and Downing getting the crosses in; Henderson in his best position in the middle, and Maxi playing just-off Carroll to pick up the second balls and get into the box quickly.
HALF TIME: 1-1
A few points:
* Carroll up front on his own is (predictably) not working. Too many hoofed balls up front, which is wasting possession. When he does get the ball, his control is not good enough to keep possession. Hopefully, someone will get on the end of a flick on at some point and make it count.
* Ball retention needs to drastically improve. United dominated possession in the last 25 minutes of the first half.
* No real attacking threat for most of the first half.
* Questions need to be asked about the defence again; how did Park have so much time in the box? It's not as if the cross came out of nowhere; it was obvious what Rafael was going to do as soon as he dispossessed Enrique.
On the plus side, we still have Bellamy to come in and shake things up. In my view, Carra should be replaced with Adam or Shelvey, which will provide Liverpool with more an attacking thrust.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Man United
Daniel Agger Goal
Park Ji Sung Goal
Dirk Kuyt Goal
Jaimie Kanwar
Kenny Dalglish made four changes to the side that beat Manchester City in midweek, with five defenders named in the staring eleven,
Full team: Reina, Kelly, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Carragher, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing, Maxi, Carroll.
Subs: Doni, Johnson, Coates, Kuyt, Adam, Shelvey, Bellamy.
Man United: De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Welbeck.
PRE-GAME NOTES: 12pm
Liverpool have three central defenders in the team again, so we could be looking at the dreaded 541 wing-back formation again(or 352, depending on how you look at it).
It's slightly disappointing that Kenny has gone for a more defensive line-up, but if it works properly, then Andy Carroll might benefit. Possible formation:
----------------------------- Reina
--------- Skrtel --------- Carragher ---------- Agger
Kelly -------------------------------------------------- Enrique
----------- Maxi ---- Henderson --- Gerrard ---- Downing
----------------------------- Carroll
* Carroll up front on his own doesn't inspire me with confidence, especially since Liverpool have struggled to get numbers into the box this season.
* The good news is Rooney and Nani are out for United, so that should be a positive, but I would rather have seen two central defenders and another attacking player rather than five defenders overall.
* Seemingly no holding midfielder, which means that Gerrard and Henderson will be doing a lot of donkey work today when they should be attacking.
* Of course, it's possible that Carra could be playing as a DM. We shall see.
If we must play 352, I would go with this formation:
----------------------------- Reina
--------- Skrtel --------- Carragher ---------- Agger
Kelly -------------------------------------------------- Enrique
----------- Gerrard ---- Henderson ---- Downing
-------------------------- Maxi
----------------------------- Carroll
* Gerrard and Downing getting the crosses in; Henderson in his best position in the middle, and Maxi playing just-off Carroll to pick up the second balls and get into the box quickly.
HALF TIME: 1-1
A few points:
* Carroll up front on his own is (predictably) not working. Too many hoofed balls up front, which is wasting possession. When he does get the ball, his control is not good enough to keep possession. Hopefully, someone will get on the end of a flick on at some point and make it count.
* Ball retention needs to drastically improve. United dominated possession in the last 25 minutes of the first half.
* No real attacking threat for most of the first half.
* Questions need to be asked about the defence again; how did Park have so much time in the box? It's not as if the cross came out of nowhere; it was obvious what Rafael was going to do as soon as he dispossessed Enrique.
On the plus side, we still have Bellamy to come in and shake things up. In my view, Carra should be replaced with Adam or Shelvey, which will provide Liverpool with more an attacking thrust.
FULL TIME: Liverpool 2-1 Man United
Daniel Agger Goal
Park Ji Sung Goal
Dirk Kuyt Goal
Jaimie Kanwar
Got replay all over it
ReplyDeleteSeems like KK's way of trying to compensate for no holding midfielder, unless Carra is playing in central midfield
We don't need three centre backs today, when the mancs are only playing with one striker as well as there is no Johnson to provide an outlet on the right wing back position.
I have a sneaky feeling it might be Carra in midfield
Kelly & Enrique as wing backs, 3 centre backs to give them the freedom to go forward and have the security of 3 at the back if they lose possession going forward.
ReplyDeleteNo holding midfielder though unless Gerrard's been told to play there with Maxi playing behind Carroll. Bench looks strong though.
This is surely a lineup geared for carroll,2 wing backs 2 wingers and a man utd defence which lacks height,its now or never for Carroll,last chance saloon,if he cant succeed today he never will
ReplyDeleteNot going anywhere with this setup. Shows fear I feel!
ReplyDeleteThis is more attacking than defensive.....if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteShould have played Johnson instead of Carra ...apart from that shelvey instead of Henderson
ReplyDelete.....................Reina ....
Kelly....skrtel ........agger .....enrique
.....................Gerald..........
Johnson ........maxi .....downing
................shelvey .....
...............Carroll ....
Positive point...not Adam....about time
Where is this game being shown?
ReplyDeleteKenny and his Carroll fetish.
ReplyDeleteWe thought that against Stoke and look what happened. It's only attacking if the full backs get forward...
ReplyDeleteYou clearly have no clue at all, since when is Gerrard a lone holding midfielder and Maxi a CM?
ReplyDeleteMy word, I am dumbstruck.
ITV
ReplyDeletehasty perception this,
ReplyDeletedepends on the application when on the pitch.
also after weds some players may not be 100% so what choice do we have.
I hope we press them with this setup it may work ,
it has before vrs other teams
lets see
We attacked constantly against Stoke. The strikers and midfielders just didn't put there chances away.
ReplyDeleteAnd Charlie Adam is an attacking mf...yes you are a genius
ReplyDeleteClever clog...how many holding midfielders does your team play with....am sure 1 is enough.????? oh yes forgot your version of attacking is to play 9 defenders and Charlie Adam
ReplyDeleteDon't we play well when Charlie Adam doesn't play
ReplyDeleteWe're at home and we can't even retain possession against a midfield that has two OAP midfielders.
ReplyDeleteOh Xabi, how we miss u
Hope Adam is sitting on the bench and learning from ageing Scholes, in how to orchestrate possession in the middle of the park. Adam has the Scholes tackling as seen against Bolton.
ReplyDeleteGerrard and Adam were playing alongside each other vs City you numbnut.
ReplyDeleteGerrard as a lone holding mid is the most laughable thing I have ever seen you post and the fact that you have Maxi as a CM is even more laughable.
You clearly know nothing about football.
the middfield setup is not working...
ReplyDeletesitting off them is suicide,
not aggressive enough niether,
Sort it out boyz, bellamy and adam to come on for maxi and downing for me
ReplyDeleteYou must be dumb if you think gerrard can't play as a holding mf...and maxi Johnson and even downing can interchange....and am sure even maxi can do what Adam does ...ie..pass back or sideways...no tackling...and take corners or try and shoot on target from 35yds ....
ReplyDeleteHas Maxi ever been used as a CENTRAL MIDFIELDER?
ReplyDeletePlease mate, if you have nothing intelligent to post then rather post nothing at all.
Gerrard a lone holding midfielder...
Please can somebody help Mali341 to another club.
Kuyt has scored...the guy who you said not good enough to play for us.....go Kuyt go..once more to the rescue....you must be burning red
ReplyDeleteMate...i wish we played a man short than play Adam
ReplyDeleteMali341
ReplyDeleteNow that we have won you do not have to bother posting anything as usual.
Gerrard as a lone holding midfielder
and wait for it
Maxi as a central midfielder.
The mentality of somebody who knows bugger all.
Go support another team.
Whoo-hoo, we won with a corner and hoof-ball.
ReplyDeleteA win is a win and we'll act like we are amazing
Not the prettiest but I'd rather win ugly than lose pretty.
ReplyDeleteRight then, for all you whingers and moaners, in the space of 4 days, we've knocked the League leaders and second placed teams out of both domestic cups. Is there just no satisfying some people?
Gerrard has even played as right back but you go back up Charlie Adam...clearly where you belong .
ReplyDeleteYou must be sore that Man U lost!
ReplyDeleteresult. wat ever the formation it worked.played midweek. wat if kenny played 4-3-3 atacking in mind and we lose?? cheer up some of you lot bllody hell!!
ReplyDeletecan we play the mancs week???? lol
Okay! Time to draw with Wolves and lose to Spurs before we beat Man U again!
ReplyDeleteyou got that wrong
ReplyDeleteWon the game with all the new signings on the field and without Stevie!
ReplyDeleteLets hear it for Root one football!!!!
IT IS....INEVITABLE.
ReplyDeleteMali341
ReplyDeleteAre you liking your own posts?
A scrappy win...but I'll take a win over Manure any day. Carroll looked much better today...the lad is certainly improving and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with one that hit the woodwork...he will be a dangerous player for LFC i am certain. Carra is really past it, and Enrique is suspect as usual. It is time for KD to allow Coates and Fabio to contest a position at the back. Please do not allow the Glen Johnson a chance back in...he is always woeful. Once again a dodgy game for Henderson and Adam...with very minimal contribution. Downing's crossing which has been oft criticized here lived up to the criticism and was lame as usual. Perhaps it was due to fatigue, but we allowed Utd far too much time on the ball. It reminded me of the recent El Classico in Spain...once madrid started pressing hard and not allowing Barca anytime to pass pass pass they totally neutralized them. Knowing Utd are dodgy at the back we should have pressed more, and shut down the passes. But happy at the end of the day...and this really lifts the mood...just last week we were calling for Kenny's head :)
ReplyDeleteOh Rafa, why did you get rid of Alonso by poaching Gareth Barry.
ReplyDeleteGenius...
I agree with you to a point and playing against a weakened man city and utd side it the kind luck we needed.....however that does not hide the cracks in terms of poor passing in crucial areas, not closing down quick enough, playing too deep and therefore allowing unneccesary pressure at times. i think thats what annoying fans and especially when we score and then let in silly goals. Anywsy great result and nice see carroll having some influence in the game and playing well. Upwards and onwards with suarez to come.
ReplyDeleteI am one of Carroll's biggest critics but even I have to admit the big man is beginning to show signs of life. I guess he is one of those men who need to be led and the presence of Gerrard seems to snap him out of the flunk he has been in.
ReplyDeleteThere is more effort and even a bit of better first touch about him. There is still plenty of work to be done but he seems to be awakening at long last. Hope he gains more confidence from his showing today and keeps improving.
I kinow there are still cracks in the team and we're not playing at the potential we really should be but, in the space of 4 days, we've dumped the top two teams in the country out of two cup competitions. These 'cracks' should be getting exploited by the teams we've just payed but we overcame both of them. And, yes, with Suarez coming back soon, Gerrard being fit, Bellamy's form and the glimpses of knowing how to play football from Carroll, the signs are appearing that we might be able to salvage something from this season.
ReplyDeleteI liked Kuyt's energy when he came on but one phase of play perplexed me. At 1-1, Downing put in a cross that he was signed for, Dirk got his head onto it and knocked it wide - this was tailor made for Carroll but he was pushed wider by Kuyt. This, to me, is a sign of a lack of confidence form Carroll as Kuyt, supposedly playing on the right, out muscled his own player for the centre forward position.
He had a few nice touched today but I feel he needs to work on his fitness, especially the first few yards to help him get away from defenders.
Bit harsh there Zev, Enrique suspect as usual? He's been one of the most consistent players this season. Downing played in a few decent crosses, nothing spectacular though but a couple of decent ones. To be honest though, I'm not a fan of hoofing high balls into the box, it's too predictable and not working for us. I'd prefer playing the Barcelona way; sharp passing game moving forward then springing the offside trap with fast attackers. I watched them do this in their first game of the season and they were devastating.
ReplyDeleteNo, because we pull off wins against big teams quite a bit over the last 5 or so years but than go onto balls it up against the likes of Bolton, Wigan, etc. So no, why should we be satisfied when most can predict whats coming soon....a shitty result against a shitty team...yet again
ReplyDeleteFirst half, Scholes pooped all over our midfield. We came out improved in the second half but once he came off, the game was ours.
ReplyDeleteScholes taught our boys a lesson in the first half.
Oh kenny why did you get rid of merelis and buy Adam
ReplyDeletegenius
Are you obsessed with mali341
ReplyDeleteMore here: http://tinyurl.com/7hs4kam
ReplyDeletedoesnt anyone know how to celebrate??? what a day, what a win, that was quality, Stop anylising the fucking game and just be happy we where the ones who scored in the last minute, there has been plenty of times in the past where we have been fucked over in the last min by man utd. it was a good day so enjoy it, some people a re just misrable no mattter if we win or loose!! dicks!
ReplyDeletedoesnt anyone know how to celebrate??? what a day, what a win, that was quality, Stop anylising the fucking game and just be happy we where the ones who scored in the last minute, there has been plenty of times in the past where we have been fucked over in the last min by man utd. it was a good day so enjoy it, some people a re just misrable no mattter if we win or loose!! dicks!
ReplyDeleteI'd been thinking for some time that the one way we could use Carroll was to have another striker make runs behind him and capitalize on knock-ons from the big man - this has worked in the last two matches now.
ReplyDeleteIt is apparent that Carroll can only be effective when supported.
fergie always give lame excuses for their defeat. Now he gets a taste of his own medicine.
ReplyDelete