After a weekend of favourable results, Liverpool can go three points clear at the top of the Premier League table tonight with a victory over Swansea City, and with Kolo Toure and Daniel Sturridge set to be fit for the game, the Reds have a great chance of making it four wins out of four.
Glen Johnson and Aly Cissoko are still out injured, and Martin Kelly is 'not quite ready' to return to regular action, but other than that, Liverpool have a strong squad from which to choose for tonight's game at the Liberty Stadium.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo today, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers dropped a big hint that he plans to keep the same team - bar Johnson - that beat Manchester United. He observed:
"It [competition] is not a dilemma for me. If the team is doing well and the team is winning then you keep your shirt"
If this sentiment is true, then Martin Skrtel should keep his place alongside Daniel Agger. I'm not Skrtel's biggest fan, but he put in a man-of-the-match performance against United, so clearly deserves to keep his place.
As for replacing Johnson at right back, Rodgers strongly suggested that Kolo Toure could get the nod:
"Kolo could play there [at right back]. I don't think he would want to do it over the long-term but he's an option. That's the idea of bringing in players like Kolo who are flexible and can play in a number of different positions".
With this in mind, I fully expect to see the following team:
------------------ Mignolet
Toure ------- Agger ---- Skrtel ---- Enrique
--------- Gerrard -------- Lucas
-------------- Henderson
--------- Aspas ------ Coutinho
------------- Sturridge
The only surprise I can see Rodgers springing is starting Moses ahead of Aspas. The Spaniard has battled well in his first three Premier League games, but in terms of end product, he's barely made any real impact, and it (arguably) would not upset the rhythm of the team to replace him with Moses:
------------------ Mignolet
Toure ------- Agger ---- Skrtel ---- Enrique
---------- Gerrard -------- Lucas
----------------- Henderson
----------- Moses ------ Coutinho
--------------- Sturridge
This is my preferred team. Andre Wisdom did well at right back last season, but after his superb performances so far this season, Toure deserves to come back into the team, even if it is at right back. There's always the possibility, of course, that Skrtel could move to the right, with Toure slotting back in alongside Agger.
Predicting a 1-1 draw, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:
"Liverpool were very good against Manchester United. They managed to carry a goal threat of their own while also stopping United from playing. Boss Brendan Rodgers goes back to his old club and the two sides are likely to line up in a similar fashion. They will both pass the ball neatly in midfield and cut in from the flanks so I think it will be tight".
EDIT: Confirmed Team
------------------ Mignolet
Wisdom ------- Skrtel ---- Sakho ---- Enrique
---------- Gerrard -------- Lucas
----------------- Henderson
----------- Moses ------ Coutinho
--------------- Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Kelly, Alberto, Sterling, Ibe, Aspas
Rodgers is probably resting Agger after his exertions on the international break. A little harsh on Aspas being dropped for Moses, but it's an understandable decision.
Sakho arguably at fault for Shelvey's goal...
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Glen Johnson and Aly Cissoko are still out injured, and Martin Kelly is 'not quite ready' to return to regular action, but other than that, Liverpool have a strong squad from which to choose for tonight's game at the Liberty Stadium.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo today, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers dropped a big hint that he plans to keep the same team - bar Johnson - that beat Manchester United. He observed:
"It [competition] is not a dilemma for me. If the team is doing well and the team is winning then you keep your shirt"
If this sentiment is true, then Martin Skrtel should keep his place alongside Daniel Agger. I'm not Skrtel's biggest fan, but he put in a man-of-the-match performance against United, so clearly deserves to keep his place.
As for replacing Johnson at right back, Rodgers strongly suggested that Kolo Toure could get the nod:
"Kolo could play there [at right back]. I don't think he would want to do it over the long-term but he's an option. That's the idea of bringing in players like Kolo who are flexible and can play in a number of different positions".
With this in mind, I fully expect to see the following team:
------------------ Mignolet
Toure ------- Agger ---- Skrtel ---- Enrique
--------- Gerrard -------- Lucas
-------------- Henderson
--------- Aspas ------ Coutinho
------------- Sturridge
The only surprise I can see Rodgers springing is starting Moses ahead of Aspas. The Spaniard has battled well in his first three Premier League games, but in terms of end product, he's barely made any real impact, and it (arguably) would not upset the rhythm of the team to replace him with Moses:
------------------ Mignolet
Toure ------- Agger ---- Skrtel ---- Enrique
---------- Gerrard -------- Lucas
----------------- Henderson
----------- Moses ------ Coutinho
--------------- Sturridge
This is my preferred team. Andre Wisdom did well at right back last season, but after his superb performances so far this season, Toure deserves to come back into the team, even if it is at right back. There's always the possibility, of course, that Skrtel could move to the right, with Toure slotting back in alongside Agger.
Predicting a 1-1 draw, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:
"Liverpool were very good against Manchester United. They managed to carry a goal threat of their own while also stopping United from playing. Boss Brendan Rodgers goes back to his old club and the two sides are likely to line up in a similar fashion. They will both pass the ball neatly in midfield and cut in from the flanks so I think it will be tight".
EDIT: Confirmed Team
------------------ Mignolet
Wisdom ------- Skrtel ---- Sakho ---- Enrique
---------- Gerrard -------- Lucas
----------------- Henderson
----------- Moses ------ Coutinho
--------------- Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Kelly, Alberto, Sterling, Ibe, Aspas
Rodgers is probably resting Agger after his exertions on the international break. A little harsh on Aspas being dropped for Moses, but it's an understandable decision.
Sakho arguably at fault for Shelvey's goal...
Jaimie Kanwar
NOTE: Please stick to the Comment Policy (Click to read)
Jaimie; our thoughts are almost the same, except that I would swap Toure for Skrtel on the right. Toure CB; Skrtel RB.
ReplyDeleteAspas to starts. I expect that Moses comes on as a sub for Aspas around the 60th minute. There might also be a second half sub for Allen to come in for Hendo and if that happens I expect that we would switch to a 4-3-3 formation of Moses-Sturridge-Coutinho.
Looking forward to at least a draw to take us back to the top. Being on top can be really addictive eh!?
Cheers bro.
I dont like Skrtel on the right thats my only issue. The few times he has had to play there have been worrying. However he doesnt deserve to be dropped and if Kolo is fully fit he also deserves to be put back into the team so given those circumstances I imagine we will see one of them on the right side. I think Kolo has better delivery and speed so I like him on the right. I would be happy to see Moses start over Aspas too. Not that he has played badly but out of the first 11 so far he'd be the only one I would drop.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for this one to start. Aspas was completely offcolour in Manu match. would like to see Moses starting. Would like to see Kolo and Agger at centreback. Even though skrtel did well against United,would like to see Kolo's presence and command. Skrtel at rightback,Really?Wisdom seems to be far better option..
ReplyDeleteApparently Sakho left out of the squad and he stayed in liverpool according to reports, hes been here for two weeks and now hes allegedly not fit enough to play, couldnt be stranger I think, well weird to me, anyway we have enough options there, just hoping daniels fit and aspas doesnt play much, hes really destined to fail in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI don't like how people have been quick to suggest dropping Aspas because his end product hasn't been up to scratch... He's got an assist so he's done more than a few, although I agree in the long term unless Aspas does start scoring Moses will get the nod, I like both players, but I think Aspas will get his goal today, I'd like to see him up front with Moses on the right as even though Sturridge has been deemed fit I only want to see him if we ain't winning by half time, don't wanna rush him into another injury!
ReplyDeleteaspas was horrible against man united no way he should start after that performance
ReplyDeleteI remember last year, second match of the season, Lvp vs Man City. Sterling made mockery of Kolo Toure with his pace and trickery. Kolo was playing on the right. Hope that was an exception rather than a rule.
ReplyDeleteAlways the optimist Lawro. We can beat Swansea any day of the week and we'll do so tonight. Touré at RB might just work actually. Can't see Aspas being dropped either. Never change a winning team I'd say.
ReplyDeleteJust get real wisdom is playing rb,either toure or skrtel would start cb.most of swansea's attack come through the wings it would be suicide to play kolo or skrtel there
ReplyDeleteI expect hendo to start on the right and moses on the left with aspas dropping to the bench
I'm not the biggest MOSES fan but i'd take him over ASPAS.
ReplyDeleteI really like to see:
ReplyDelete---------------Mignolet
Tourè----skrtel----Agger----Sakho
-------Gerrard------Lucas
-------------Henderson
Moses(Aspas)----Coutinho
--------------Sturridge
I cant really grasp this negativity towards Aspas.
ReplyDelete(A lot of comments about how poor he's been))
I am far from writing him off. We are three competitive games in for a young player making the switch to a new team, new league, and a new country.
His performance against Utd is being lamented as woeful., but the fact that he was pitted against one of the most consistent LBs in the prem for the last 5 years, as well as the most resolute defence, in only his third game should not be over-looked. A lot of th talk about his end product, goals/assists not being there, we have only 1 PL scorer so far, nobody has contributed goals.
Despite his lack of he continues to make runs, pla attempt the killer pass. I think that says more about his attitude and approach to the game.
I could also be wrong but i think he provided an assist already, one third of the teams total.
Does he need to improve? Yes. If a player doesnt grow with match time then there is a problem. But to all who seem to be writing him off i thunk you are way wide of the mark on this guy. If he starts tonight i can see him contributing more, especially with the added break for internationals and the 1st goal will not be far off
What score do you predict Jamie?
ReplyDeleteMight be tempted to go with Ilori at right back. Believe he's played there quite a bit (although could be wrong?) and he'd have pace to burn
ReplyDeletemy thoughts exactly - either Ilori or wisdom!
ReplyDeletei'd go with Wisdom and Moses, but it's good to have options. is Ilori in the squad? I just read Sakho isn't
ReplyDeleteHes isn't a young player, he is 26.
ReplyDelete26 isnt old either... he´s never played out of spain and hell take some time - thats the point, not how old he is...
ReplyDeleteWisdom imo needs to go out on loan or back to the reserves. He is not ready and I don't rate him as a future prospect either. I have a feeling Aspas will score today or at least be influential in creating goals. I watched the pre-season and he was really effective against those lesser teams. Not tryna suggest Swansea are a lesser team.
ReplyDeleteEven though I feel Aspas is gonna have a good game tonight I would, contradictory, not start him and would go for Moses if it was my team.
Sorry you're right. That aside the critcism this early is way over the top IMO.
ReplyDeleteis anyone righting him off? i'd like to see Moses play because that's his position, and tonight could be a tough game. Aspas needs time, but he'll contribute plenty.
ReplyDeleteToure started on as a right back and got converted to CB while playing in Arsenal. im sure he could do job at right
ReplyDelete2-1 to LFC, or a 1-1 draw. What about you?
ReplyDeleteIf we can win this game it would be such a massive confidence boost. With Suarez coming back we can certainly make a serious top 4 challenge.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel comfortable with Skrtel or Toure playing as full backs. Last season Sterling gave Toure a hard time, and the Swansea wingers are going to be a handful. I would play Wisdom.
I would start with Aspas and introduce Moses after 70 mins or so.
Looking with keen interest at Coutinho's performance today.
Some of the comments below. Horrible against utd no way he should start, destined to fail, just a couple. Seen more over other sites.
ReplyDeleteIMO our forward line wasnt all that great against utd, think he's coming in for some unfair criticism is all.
I wouldnt mind seeing moses start either, not because i think Aspas is poor though, but because i think they are both good signings and both will contribute this season. The reason i would trump for Aspas, until he gives me valid reasons not to, is that he will still be a LFC player when the season ends.
To be honest i'd take an OG and defending for 89 mins tonight if it meant 3 pts :)
ReplyDeleteI know its early but its a massive chance with the results over the weekend, and our next 5 fixtures coming up are pretty much all winable apart from maybe Newc away. Manchester derby, London Derby and Chelsea City all comin up in that period. Great oppertunity now to put some points on while rivals are dropping, because i think we'll need the buffer when Utd Chels City and co really hit there stride.
for a 20 year old hes a solid defender, fast and powerfull + pretty decent on the ball and has been our most consistent youngstar last year... far away from a liability IMO
ReplyDeletecouldn't agree with you more, but i don't want to look past tonight - i've been biting my nails all day!
ReplyDeleteI know, strange feeling biting your nails with excitement instead of nervous dread. Makes a change :)
ReplyDeleteCould get used to this.
Martin Kelly at right back
ReplyDeleteIf mancs beat swans 1-4 and they playing poor so far, and swansea have managed only a win, that gives no exuces to drop points, but we always seem to drop them when no one expecting, heart says 0-2, head 1-1 unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteWisdom is an asset and will be a future england starterbif he continues his developement. Who expects a CB to be roundede at 20?
ReplyDeleteTakes experience more so than any other position on the field.
Wisdom Toure Agger Enrique
ReplyDelete----------Gerrard Lucas
Hendo-----Coutinho-----Moses
--------------Sturridge
+ Toure. Read game better, more vocal in key CB position.
+ Wisdom more nimble(??) at RB.
+ Countinho. 6 Key Passes Vs Stoke but none since then as he's been tightly marked. Needs 'freer-role' to drift wherever he wants to escape marking.
+ 3-pronged attack. Pace along flanks and thro the center for our 2 play-makers (Gerrard or Coutinho) to find.
+ Without possession Hendo needs to drop into CM (433) as Swansea widemen like to move infield and attack through the center.
+ Defensive shell (4411) if do not recover ball quickly. Countiho and Sturridge as outlets and counter-attackers? Pacey Moses and Hendo to get forward quickly to support.
I see you have gone with the same team as mine :-)
ReplyDeleteTo be really honest, if I was a forward then I would not enjoy facing a brick wall like Sakho.
ReplyDeletenow saw it on the site he sustained a knock but did travel with us to wales said that he's not going to play so as to avoid the risk of aggravating the knock but there are no concerns on his long time overall fitness
ReplyDeleteOops. Great minds ... hehe.
ReplyDeleteDamn i love monday night football.
ReplyDeleteCmon!!
What an eventful start to the game. It was good to have our little lucky goal cancel out shelves fluke
ReplyDeleteDear oh dear, Jonjo Shelvey. That swagger/confidence of his hasn't helped his concentration tonight
ReplyDeleteHALF TIME -Get Wisdom OFF He is Rubbish
ReplyDeleteHate to say it BUt Signs are not good tonight - Swansea win I fear
ReplyDeletetomorrow - talksport - Shelvey - 'heads gone' :) like I said in an earlier post this lad loses his head in games... big time.
ReplyDeleteyou're right. he's never been a full back. If Kelly can't do the next 45 I'd ask the skipper to fill in and shore us up.
ReplyDeleteI can smell it to. Sakho is doing a reasonable impersonation of Djimi Traore right now. It's as though he never left............
ReplyDeleteI actually don't think we've been that bad.
ReplyDeleteHe has a very weak mentality. My prediction he'll be in the championship in 5 years. Think Jody Morris...........
ReplyDeleteGood First half, thanks jonjo for the 2, but he scored a nice one too. Not overly confessed about Mama until now but Moses looks superb + that's exactly the skrtel I missed for the entire last year!
ReplyDeleteIs Jonjo still on our books? ;D
ReplyDeleteCome on. You know he wants us to win :D
ReplyDeleteMoses is a beast!
ReplyDeleteHEY I HAVE FEELING YOU KNOW... must admit looks rusty and a lack of communication with team mates. He doesn't ask for the ball, he puts his hand up(weird). Think this game was too early for the amount of minutes he's played.
ReplyDelete"I don't think I've got a point to prove to Brendan Rogers, I'm not going to go out there and try these Hollywood passes.
ReplyDeleteerrrrrrr
"I'm just going to go out there and just play my normal
game and get myself settled into the game and not let the occasion get to me.
that you did kid, that you did :)
If kelly is fit get him on, or Toure in back three. Wisdom is not at the races. And Sahko needs to stop with the two feet or he will walk. Good chances created though, and still fancy the win. Moses has impressed.
ReplyDeleteI think his nerves are getting to him. Nobody expected him to play ahead of Agger.
ReplyDeleteKelly is the one and only player that should be playing at RB for us. Unfortunately he is not fully match fit.
ReplyDeleteyeah looks a bit soon for sakho, been caught a couple of times, hopefully we can stay strong second half. great start for moses, can he have similar impact to sturridge, hoping so.
ReplyDeletetrue, it was way too early. I take heart from the fact that Djimi went on to be world class................................................................................................
ReplyDeleteDOH!
He is unbeatable in the air though.
ReplyDeletedoing a good job so far :)
ReplyDeletenah, Vidic and Evra were terrible early doors for the scum and look at them now. The future is bright
ReplyDeletewell those are kind words that I will take to my grave...THANK YOU
ReplyDeletethat he is.
ReplyDeleteDjimi, Djimi is it realy you?
ReplyDeleteDjimi, Djimi is it realy true?
Djimi and his technicolour crazy legs............
Gerrard is the best right back in the league.
ReplyDeleteTrue, no wonder Rodgers is playing him that deep.
ReplyDeleteI'd like it much if Ashley Williams gets CRUNCHED!............ fairly and squarely........ of course.........
ReplyDeleteSakho did a Luiz. Came out didn't get it and we paid the price.
ReplyDeleteAre we the only ones who can see there needs to be TWO subs made? Wisdom and Sakho?
ReplyDeleteFfs Sturridge keep onside!!
ReplyDeleteThat substitution should of been at half time
ReplyDeleteGerrards Hollywood balls are needless at the moment. We need possession
ReplyDeleteNot sakho
ReplyDeleteIn fairness to shelvey, a goal and three assists is not to be sniffed at.
ReplyDeleteat fault for both goals and counting. why not?
ReplyDeleteAspas is USELESS!
ReplyDeletewe miss our playmaker and by that I mean Glen Johnson. So much of our attacking play goes through him, we look ordinary without him.
ReplyDeleteCome on aspas! What the f***!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand these second half collapses!!! It's like they don't even want the ball!
ReplyDeleteYeah he was poor when he came on. and ive been defending him all day. thought he would have been on the right though henderson in the middle. he was knackered out on the wing.
ReplyDeletei officially hate jonjo shelvey celebrating after scoring a goal and getting an assist against liverpool clamoring for free kicks squaring up lucas what did we ever do to u whatever shelvey thanks for the two assists
ReplyDelete