1 Sept 2013

Confirmed LFC XI vs. Man Utd: One change for the Reds; interesting bench

As expected, Martin Skrtel comes in from the cold for this afternoon's Premier League crunch clash with Man United, replacing the injured Kolo Toure in Liverpool's starting line-up.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Skrtel, Lucas, Henderson, Gerrard, Coutinho, Aspas, Sturridge.

SUBS: Jones, Sterling, Wisdom, Kelly, Ibe, Flanagan, Alberto.

It's interesting to note that the entire subs bench (Brad Jones aside) is filled with young players, which just shows how the average age of the squad is reducing all the time.

This is both a positive and a possible negative: there's little real experience on the bench, and that could be problematic in such a high profile game.

On the other hand, the likes of Sterling, Alberto and Ibe are exciting attacking options to have, and should they come on, they'll be be desperate to make an impact.

Wayne Rooney is out through injury (thanks Phil Jones!), which is a massive boost for Liverpool. Let's hope the players can capitalise on his absence.

I'm convinced Liverpool will get a result today, but even if things go sour and the game ends in defeat, it's by no means the end of the world.

MAN UTD: De Gea, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Jones, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Giggs, Welbeck, Van Persie.

SUBS: Lindegaard, Anderson, Smalling, Hernandez, Nani, Valencia, Buttner.



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99 comments:

  1. Our bench does look a little light in terms of experience but there are plenty of game changers on there in terms of quality. It does seem to highlight the fact that we dont have a lot of depth in terms of experience though. Its a strong XI I think we can win this game emphatically.

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  2. Today's result will help us gauge where our team is at

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  3. Regarding our bench, we've got a quiet few players coming back Allen,cissohko,borini,sahko,Ilori,Moses,Suarez,

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  4. Also another interesting observation is that Borini is missing from the subs bench and there has been recent reports of Sunderland wanting to loan him for the season.

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  5. Yes, but it doesn't define our season even if we lost.
    5 points clear of the Macs would be brilliant though!!

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  6. 4eva LFC, LFC 4eva1:08 pm, September 01, 2013

    No matter what happens i believe that BR is doing a great job, it was always going to be difficult for any manager, well done Brendan and good luck YNWA thats for sure.

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  7. In terms of the rest of the season, I'd be quite worried about our attacking options. The deal for Moses is a must, but ideally, we should bring in another experienced winger. Not sure the money is there though. Sterling and Ibe are still at the tender stages of learning their trade, whilst Alberto is an unknown quantity. Suarez coming back obviously helps matters.

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  8. I wouldn't mind a draw considering this is our strongest squad with very little experience to offer from the bench.

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  9. I like to move it move it1:12 pm, September 01, 2013

    we will win the title within a couple of years. Stevie was quoted saying that he is far from winning the Premier League in a recent interview. He has got 2 years left on his contract. So for one i believe whatever he wishes the opposite happens :)

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  10. Their game changers from the bench, are quite scary in comparison, hope I'm proven wrong and Ibe scores the winner (dreaming). Hope if this is Skrtel's last kick, he put a manful performance and get more teams interested in him. He ain't as shit as we think, the new system just doesn't agree with him as much as the old one. FOR THE MEMORY OF SHANKS, C'MON REDMEN

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  11. Got a feeling we will score early and rest on our laurels and get sucker punched..

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  12. as lfc4life has stated real odd that borini isnt on the bench ...im assuming that means he is injured or on his way out of the club

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  13. todays performance will hinge on Skrtel and Agger not flapping it big time. Hope they're swtiched on and tuned in. Bring home the pts lads!

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  14. I think they're trying to get him out....

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  15. studdddddddddddddgeeee

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  16. gooooaaaaaallllllllllllllllllll... we need a song for sturridge

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  17. Sturridge - what an amazing signing by Rodgers. Top class.

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  18. Man utd have no shape. Its been a long while since I've said that about them.

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  19. I like to move it move it1:48 pm, September 01, 2013

    Of course. Old Giggs out of breath.

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  20. I like to move it move it1:52 pm, September 01, 2013

    you are so right
    Tommy from The Island Of Mauritius

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  21. haha the ref actually made a movement towards the ball.... joka

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  22. Moses did not look happy to be there. The body language looked all wrong. lol

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  23. And so many people were unsure of it, If we had him for the whole of last season we may may have even got top four. I have a funny feeling someone is gonna get sent off in the second half.

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  24. Already three mancs with yellow cards and RVP lucky to still be on the pitch.


    I am seeing red for one of the mancs :-)


    We are bossing this game.

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  25. Great big game intensity from us. Man United are a team in transition and we've taken advantage of it. Great to see.


    Aspas was asking for it. A few fouls, moaning and to finish it off, waving the card. He'll learn, hopefully anyway.

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  26. Wow. this is exactly what I wanted to see. Will RVP see red? Hes pushing it. Fingers crossed haha Skrtel looks on form as does a whole back line in fairness. This is without Sakho and Ilori. That shot with them, Moses and Toure looks better than our bench today! haha

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  27. Too right, BR deserves credit for taken chance on a so called "outcast"!

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  28. Whatever happens this match, even if we lose, we are now capable of mixing it with the top teams in the division.
    We haven't relied on just passion of endeavour to lead the PL champions. The biggest difference for me is the lack of panic on the ball, even at the back. Skrtyl has a little, but he reverts to a safe pass and we start again.
    Put Suarez in for Aspas, and Sakho in for Skrtyl, and we will be looking pretty decent

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  29. 1st half united are a shambles. They look dangerous when they toss anything into the box but thats more our inadequacies than their quality. Moyes got rid of some quality title winning coaches to bring his own team in and after that it's looking like a BIG mistake. It's not like he has a major footballing philosophy to implement either. He's teams are all about shape. Anyway, lets see it out.

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  30. Once those three signings are completed we will have our strongest squad for many, many years.


    Well done to Rodgers and the scouting system!

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  31. Is the Moses deal done & dusted? If so, I'm happy happy with the transfer activity:):)

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  32. Moyes will never live up to Ferguson and doubt anyone else will. Moyes is a sitting duck.


    Their downfall starts here.

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  33. let´s hope so!!

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  34. Rodgers was the only one to notice Studges great form as a central striker for Bolton whilst on loan. 12 prem games 8 league goals. Bobs your uncle.

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  35. Who have they signed in this window? Their best chance is Baines and Fellaini only because they have played under him...

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  36. the three guys Sakho,Moses and Illori are in the stands m8

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  37. he's at the ground with Sakho and illori so should be a formality. Hold on i've got AVB on the other line........gimme a mo.....

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  38. Even under Ferguson, they weren't anything to write home in a lot of big games. So early days to bring on the grim reaper already but of course, its nice!

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  39. Don't rule them out. SAF leavibg might have the Dalglish effect on them...When KD left after being so successful, Liverpool fell.


    Maybe it will happen. Who knows.

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  40. For me, more to do with Souness taking over, rather than KK I leaving. Souness tried to change the squad far too quickly.

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  41. We need a miracle.........We need a SOUNESS

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  42. They have had an average squad for a few years now but they have a winning mentality and an experienced squad. Now one of the main driving forces is gone, who knows. They might crumble.

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  43. Yep, who knows but I don't see them crumbling. I do see them getting a lot of frustrating results, in that Moyes will be too cautious. At Everton, he didn't throw caution to the wind. He has to get rid of that cautious mentality of his if he wants to get anywhere.


    I wouldn't judge them much on this game though. As some of the problems they've had in this game, they've had for a long time. They've always been better at soaking up pressure, instead of having to press. Which is pointless in this game, as they need to chase. And of course, a early goal changes the game dynamic totally. So not easy to judge. Halfway point of the season is the time to judge, imo.

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  44. Aspas has been really poor today. looks a little out of his depth, I think the occasion and sheer pace of the game has sapped his confidence. brighter day tomorrow.

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  45. sterling..... should have been Ibe

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  46. 5mins!!!!!!!!!! no way

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  47. 9 pts top of the table

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  48. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  49. Over the moon.... I'll take a one niller any day :D

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  50. ladies and gentlemen the Anfield ship has landed.

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  51. FORGET ARSENAL

    ONE NIIIIIIL, TO THE LIVERPOOL! ONE NIIIIL, TO THE LIVERPOOOL!

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  52. Whoo-hoo


    Great first half performance, even though they were so slow and pants. A very poor second half performance, even if we were deliberately trying to play deep and counter. Who cares, we won.

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  53. So pleased with this one. Mentally it is such a big boost for us!


    We need others to start contributing to the goals but when Suarez comes back her can replace Aspas. He is a tidy player but needs to settle a little bit.


    Coutinho gives the ball away alot. Something I am sure he will improve.


    With Sakho, Ilori and Moses in the back we look strong.


    Onwards and upwards.


    GJ get well soon!

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  54. Get in Pool!!!
    Long time since we were top of ANY table, even one this early. Bottom line is they are points in the bag. Took us till nearly November last year to get 9 points

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  55. Well done Martin Skrtel he manned the hell up today kudos

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  56. Yup! People forget he had an excellent season with KD. Mistakes take away confidence. Still, I would play Sakho now.

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  57. You have to give it to him, well played

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  58. RAH LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL!!!!!! so upset my internet went could not stream the game will watch later to give my verdict but from what little i saw fergie power gone man u players can't even get a 'penalty' hahahah

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  59. Yeah we needed a top performance from him. Get in!

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  60. BR has a good problem on his hands now with Skrtel MOM performance. Who does he pick now?


    We should now send Wisdom on loan. Or Kelly.

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  61. Depends on how serious johnson's injury is.

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  62. Hmmm true. Whad did you think of Lucas?

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  63. excellent performance strong character and i'm glad he's the man of the match

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  64. massive massive winnnn !!! one of the sweetest the last years :)

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  65. a good problem to have don't you think you can see the hunger to perform well IMO

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  66. Skrtel will have to do it consistently. The defence under Kenny vs defence under Rodgers are two totally different things.

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  67. The problem is Skrtel's concentration and consistency... and more to the point his comfort with the system. He got man of the match today cause we didn't hold onto the ball, as we usually dictate play. He thrives when in a team under the cosh, and the sole purpose is to defend.

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  68. Skrtel showing his quality. He's always been that good, a few mistakes last season don't make him a bad defender. We now have 4 quality players fighting for 2 spots ... that's exactly the way we want it. We'll have a good cup run this year in that case with plenty of experience in defence.


    Otherwise not our best 90 minutes of football despite a brilliant result. We've slipped away from the controlling football we were playing against Stoke and the first half against Villa. Not much confidence shown today in our passing game, plenty of long balls and then tight defence. I suppose it's good to know that we can fight out games playing that way.

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  69. you have to give credit where credit's due so i guess this performance will give him the confidence boost to keep performing

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  70. This is one game mate. Skrtel struggled to adapt with the defensive setup Rodgers introduced last season hence Carra replacing him in the second half of the season.


    Let's see if he will get selected ahead of Toure.

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  71. Lucas as always did what he needed to do. He is getting back to his best again.

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  72. He's no worse that what JC could ever produce. Agger is the real mover out of defence, Skrtel looked comfortable enough on the ball when it was required, and United pressed hard. As always Enrique is really the one who worries me in this system. I just don't think he's capable of going a long period without giving the ball away.


    I think people are too hard on Skrtel, his mistakes have gotten a ton of press but our defence was universally rubbish at the start of last season. Skrtel wasn't solely to blame and we were constantly allowing teams to burst through the middle from midfield. I think given some time he'll play well, although TBH I think he'll be gone in January.

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  73. The season before he did it every game, I really don't think consistency has anything to do with it. But you're right, it's the system he struggled with. He's a top defender, but ask him to do too much and maybe he can't keep up.

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  74. Don't get me wrong top performance today from him... if the the new crop of defender are the kick up the arse he needs, I am all for it. If had 5-6 goals a season, he wud be the first CB on the team sheet. Hope Sahko offers more of a goal threat.

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  75. Skrtel is a good enough CB under the cosh(if a little reckless sometimes), but in possession feel like he may have a lapse in concentration. Think BR wants pace in abundance in the back, to play higher up the field.. and Skrtel panics when trying to recover and recklessly fouls trying to make a recovery challenge.

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  76. Anyone concerned about our attacking options? Aspas, Sterling and Alberto all looked anonymous today. They'll all get better, but we can't afford to rest Sturridge because the others don't have enough game right now. Personally, I think Ibe is a much tidier player than Sterling.


    Great attitude today, nevertheless, and great result!

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  77. More trying to decipher the exclusion of Borini. Are we getting another wing forward? Yamalenko or someone else other than Moses...

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  78. If Suarez doesn't leave I think he'll be shifted left side where he can do what he does best, play for himself. It'll suit him down to the ground and allow sturridge and Coutinho to actually pass to each other through the middle.

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  79. Not only did we win, but we won not playing very well and did it against United. Big tick for the team, although I'd like to see some of that passing game come back in again, we've been not pretty to watch since the second half against Villa. Agree about Coutinho, although I think it's because he ends up being asked to do too much. With Suarez back in the team and maybe Coutinho sitting deeper in the central role we might see him at his best.

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  80. Wrong type of football for Aspas today, lots of long balls and not great ball control. I think he fits best when they play that one touch passing game that we saw against Stoke. I remember noticing in that game that he was just like a perfect part of the team, exactly the right qualities to nip in and out, make good passes and good runs. Just not his game today.

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  81. Still quite excited about what Aspas provides. If he can get a goal or 2, may be he'll come into his own. Agree that he's obviously a fan of the give and go.

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  82. That would be a good option, and a good quality attacking line-up. My reservation would be that we would miss the pace and energy of Henderson. There's still a significant drop in quality/experience there when looking to the options on the bench.

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  83. Re Borini, there's rumours of him being loaned out to Sunderland. My understanding is that Yarmolenko is not for sale. Shame. Apart from Moses, not aware of any other links to wingers. Whatever happened to Ayew, Boudebouz etc? I'm sure there were others.

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  84. I think the expectation on Coutinho is immense also. Fans and pundits are already expecting him to be the difference in every game. That's why these performances from Sturridge are really important. The addition of someone like Sakho is immense also. Young, with huge expectations. Will hopefully take some of the pressure off Coutinho.

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  85. mistakes are beginning to creep into his game around the edge of our box....

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  86. Either that or, i thought, he was watching the game very closely and that's how he looks when he does that action.

    I would have done the same thing in that position: Learn as much as i can as fast and closely as i can when making a switch after the season all ready started; Save my socializing to after the match!

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  87. I like to move it move it4:49 am, September 02, 2013

    3 games, 3 goals, 1 striker, 0 goal conceded, 9 points, 1st in the league. Must be a record.

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  88. lucas was my man of the match he was everywhere fantastic

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  89. lucas was my man of the match easy

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  90. Are you for real ?

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  91. totally mate ,he was everwhere

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  92. Very good point, he looked poor during the match based on how we played, same goes for Coutinho.

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