After Sunday's debacle at Hull City, Liverpool will look to bounce back with a vengeance tonight against Norwich City, and it seems likely that Brendan Rodgers will shuffle the team once again in a bid to get the Reds back to winning ways.
On the injury front:
* Sturridge and Enrique are definitely out.
* Toure sustained a hip injury against Hull, and is likely to miss out.
* Coutinho is fit to start.
In his post-Hull press conference, Rodgers bemoaned his alleged inability to maintain a steady defensive unit this season, but once again, it's probable that he'll make changes.
It seems unthinkable that summer signing Mamadou Sakho will be an unused sub for the FOURTH game in a row, and with Toure almost certainly out, the French defender is the obvious replacement. However, where does that leave Daniel Agger?
Martin Skrtel was (arguably) LFC's best performer against Hull, and I can't see him being dropped; and if Rodgers ignores Sakho again, then legitimate questions can be asked about his judgement in the transfer market. Why spend £19m on a player if he's never going to be utilised?
I've made this point several times already this week, but Iago Aspas should come back into the side and partner Luis Suarez up-front. The Spaniard's natural position is central striker (playing high up the field), and with Sturridge out, this is the ideal opportunity to see if he can cut it in his preferred role.
Gerrard and Lucas are bound to start the game again, but given the fact it's Norwich, and the Reds are at home, it shouldn't (touch wood) much of a problem. Having said that, I'm sure many fans thought the same about Hull, and look what happened.
I'd like to see Luis Alberto start this game ahead of Victor Moses. He's barely had an opportunity to impose himself on the team this season, and tonight's game seems tailor-made for his attacking talents.
Liverpool's recent results against Norwich are formidable, but it would be foolish to allow complacency to set-in. The positive is that the Canaries' away form is atrocious this season, and with 4 defeats in the last 4 away fixtures, there's clearly a high probability of the Reds getting a good result.
My preferred line-up for tonight:
------------------- Mignolet
Johnson ------- Skrtel --- Sakho ----- Agger
--------------------- Hendo
------------ Gerrard ----- Alberto
------------------- Coutinho
----------- Suarez --------- Aspas
I can't see Rodgers 'resting' Lucas, starting Alberto, or even playing Aspas up-front with Suarez, so we'll probably see the following:
------------------- Mignolet
Johnson ------- Skrtel --- Sakho ----- Flanagan
--------------------- Lucas
------------- Gerrard ----- Hendo
----- Moses ------------------ Coutinho
------------------- Suarez
Predicting a 3-0 win for Liverpool, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:
"Luis Suarez scores for fun against Norwich - he has scored two hat-tricks in his last three games against them, and hit seven goals in total. The Liverpool fans will demand a performance too, as a reaction to what happened against Hull, and I think they will get one"
If the unthinkable happens and Liverpool LOSE to Norwich tonight (and Man Utd, Newcastle and Southampton win), the Reds could end the day 8th in the Premier League (!)
There's no chance of that happening though, right...?
Author: Jaimie K
On the injury front:
* Sturridge and Enrique are definitely out.
* Toure sustained a hip injury against Hull, and is likely to miss out.
* Coutinho is fit to start.
In his post-Hull press conference, Rodgers bemoaned his alleged inability to maintain a steady defensive unit this season, but once again, it's probable that he'll make changes.
It seems unthinkable that summer signing Mamadou Sakho will be an unused sub for the FOURTH game in a row, and with Toure almost certainly out, the French defender is the obvious replacement. However, where does that leave Daniel Agger?
Martin Skrtel was (arguably) LFC's best performer against Hull, and I can't see him being dropped; and if Rodgers ignores Sakho again, then legitimate questions can be asked about his judgement in the transfer market. Why spend £19m on a player if he's never going to be utilised?
I've made this point several times already this week, but Iago Aspas should come back into the side and partner Luis Suarez up-front. The Spaniard's natural position is central striker (playing high up the field), and with Sturridge out, this is the ideal opportunity to see if he can cut it in his preferred role.
Gerrard and Lucas are bound to start the game again, but given the fact it's Norwich, and the Reds are at home, it shouldn't (touch wood) much of a problem. Having said that, I'm sure many fans thought the same about Hull, and look what happened.
I'd like to see Luis Alberto start this game ahead of Victor Moses. He's barely had an opportunity to impose himself on the team this season, and tonight's game seems tailor-made for his attacking talents.
Liverpool's recent results against Norwich are formidable, but it would be foolish to allow complacency to set-in. The positive is that the Canaries' away form is atrocious this season, and with 4 defeats in the last 4 away fixtures, there's clearly a high probability of the Reds getting a good result.
My preferred line-up for tonight:
------------------- Mignolet
Johnson ------- Skrtel --- Sakho ----- Agger
--------------------- Hendo
------------ Gerrard ----- Alberto
------------------- Coutinho
----------- Suarez --------- Aspas
I can't see Rodgers 'resting' Lucas, starting Alberto, or even playing Aspas up-front with Suarez, so we'll probably see the following:
------------------- Mignolet
Johnson ------- Skrtel --- Sakho ----- Flanagan
--------------------- Lucas
------------- Gerrard ----- Hendo
----- Moses ------------------ Coutinho
------------------- Suarez
Predicting a 3-0 win for Liverpool, Reds legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:
"Luis Suarez scores for fun against Norwich - he has scored two hat-tricks in his last three games against them, and hit seven goals in total. The Liverpool fans will demand a performance too, as a reaction to what happened against Hull, and I think they will get one"
If the unthinkable happens and Liverpool LOSE to Norwich tonight (and Man Utd, Newcastle and Southampton win), the Reds could end the day 8th in the Premier League (!)
There's no chance of that happening though, right...?
Author: Jaimie K
if moses starts i predict a 3-0 loss for liverpool sigh stop playing that guy he's overrated
ReplyDeleteI like formation you proposed Jamie! However BR is not going to drop his beloved Lucas.
ReplyDeleteI think we'll win. If we don't all hell will brake lose lol!
I agree with the "preferred" line up. Henderson would give us more mobility in front of the back 4 to close down midfielders and continuo is so much better through the middle
ReplyDeleteLfc should come out guns blazing.As a fan I predict 4-1 to lfc.A loss or draw would just .........??!!..In fact let us now our heads .....Dear God- please shine your light on lfc winning while the other top teams lose.Do I get an Amen koppites!
ReplyDeleteOops wanted to add in,Jamie your line up the best,hope Rodgers reads this.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely start Aspas or Alberto, even both. Moses has done nothing for me , his poor form should see him dropped but you never know with BR.
ReplyDeleteI think Sakho should play
my gosh such nonsense... he hasn´t got the best game against hull - but that doesnt mean hes bad..
ReplyDeleteOK, so when did he last play well?
ReplyDeleteYeah, he's waiting for our suggestions before he decides :-)
ReplyDeleteI'd give allen a game I think we control the middle of the park lot better when he's is the team. I can't for the life of me see whys henderson is a dead cert every week. The only reason he's playing is because he's making up for the fact that gerrard doesn't have the legs any more. Yes he's a bit quicker and has more energy but you'd be a fool to think he can do a better job than Lucas in the holding role
ReplyDeletehe has no composure whatsoever he had chances to finish off everton too and he couldn't
ReplyDeleteIf Aspas fit again,I would love to see him.Ideal opportunity with sturridge out. Even a run of games .Who knows? Might turn out to be our trump card. Sturridge was not complimenting him well while playing with him,went for some rash shots instead of passing to him.With Suarez he may get better opportunity.
ReplyDeletealso his decision making is atrocious always wanting to take on players when at times it makes more sense to keep possession and wait for the other team mates to make runs or catch up to the play
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, Aspas is still not fit to play.
ReplyDeletewould prefer aspas still think he can cut the mustard for us
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love to see your line up Jaimie. Mainly because it's the team I want to see tonight also. But I cannot see it. I'm hoping Rodgers on his "Alberto and Aspas need to step up" speech wont turn around and not play them.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say; I think Hull was a must win, which means today is a make or break. I dont want to see nothing but an absolute demolition of Norwich City. Give them the worst Goal Difference in the premier league ... whatever it takes. Need as many points and goals on the board before Chelsea and City.
I like that 1st team JK, that would be fine by me!!!
ReplyDeletenot saying he shouldnt be in the starting eleven - but predicting a loss just because of one player is some kind of an exaggeration
ReplyDeleteI don't think Moses is a bad player, he just hasn't found his groove at LFC yet, and part of that is (IMO) down to Rodgers playing him out of position as a number 10 during the 352 phase.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!!!
ReplyDeletePlus, if LFC can't beat Norwich at home without Lucas, then there's something seriously wrong with the team.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to tiki-taka and pressing football????, when did we abandon that then???
ReplyDeleteSource? He was on the bench for the last game so he must be fit. Perhaps not 100% match-fit, but generally fit.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Re Alberto and Aspas - Rodgers is going to look pretty stupid if he benches them both for tonight after challenging them to score goals (!)
ReplyDeleteFrom the LFC website : " and the boss is eager for the likes of Aspas and Alberto to step up in his absence and assist Suarez in providing the firepower for his side - starting against Norwich City at Anfield tonight."
ReplyDeleteHopefully this is the case - would probably mean that Moses and Hendo are dropped. Unless Hendo plays in Lucas' position as you say.
Additionally to this, I think Johnson should rest and Flanagan play at right back.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Gerrard and Lucas are able to keep up in the Tiki-Taka system. Even Skrtel struggles in that system hence the reason why we do not play with a high defensive line anymore.
ReplyDeleteThis season it has been all about getting Suarez and Sturridge on the score sheet. Now with Sturridge injured Rodgers will have to change the system again and whatever he had in mind against Hull backfired as he thought Suarez was going to do it all on his own.
It will be very interesting to see what team Rodgers selects tonight. If it is anything like the one we had against Hull then Norwich will be very happy with that.
I feel like we resort to the counter-attacking style now because we try to catch the opposing defense slacking and giving Sturridge and Suarez room.
ReplyDeleteNow that Sturridge is out of the equation for a prolonged period of time, I think we need to seriously consider going back to the high line style, especially against teams that we are considered much better than.
Skrtel, Lucas and Gerrard all need to be dropped to play Barcelona type football.
ReplyDeleteWould Skrtel, Gerrard or Lucas get into the current Southampton team? Plain and simple no.
It's often -- not always -- good management to wait with players until there's a clamor for their inclusion, and the players themselves are ready to go.
ReplyDeleteIt was unlucky for Aspas that he had to play early in the season without a proper bedding-in period. That's really important for players. But our good start has created an excellent environment for new players to come into and step up.
Ideally the difficulty we had with Saturday's game could have been anticipated -- lots of factors pointed to a tricky occasion in the build-up. Hull are a decent side with some excellent players -- Huddlestone and Livermore were great buys -- and they are particularly good at home. It's an intimidating place to visit and the crowd play an important role there, they have a strong connection with the team.
I suspect that tonight's game was always going to be earmarked as one in which Aspas and Alberto could make an impression. Home game, obliging opposition, team in decent form but in need of rotation, opportunities opening up for the squad. Expect to see Coutinho playing well tonight, too, he looked back to something like full sharpness against Hull, though he had trouble finding Suarez who was very intelligently marked, I thought.
This is an important game tonight, more so than Saturday in my view, as Hull will probably cause other teams in the top half problems at their ground as the season unfolds, so we're likely to get a point or two that we dropped there back eventually off of our competitors. But beating mid / lower table fodder at home is crucial, this season more than ever. I'm pretty confident. Under Rogers, when we've really needed a performance, the players have typically delivered: remember Zenit last season, for example. Let's hope for some of that spirit tonight!
If Aspas is fit to start, I would start with him. His best games in preseason came when he was playing with Suarez because of the type of movement both players make and expect their team mates to make.
ReplyDeleteI would also try either Agger or Sakho as a defensive midfielder in order to give us some more energy and weight in the center of the midfield, but perhaps such a decision would be better made against a more physical side.
Agree with this, I'm a bit disappointed with Moses. These things are hard to read from a distance but he does look like he's not really up for it. He's forgotten how to run, seems to me, which was always his main strength. Can't see him staying in the top flight much longer if he doesn't rediscover that spark, that hunger which drove him to some extraordinary performances at Wigan.
ReplyDeleteI do not see the point of Lucas in the team anyway.
ReplyDeletewould like to see allen and aspas get a game tonight in a 4 4 2 diamond formation with skertel and sakho at the back
ReplyDeleteAgger and Sakho would be the better option. We would be able to play a higher line.
ReplyDeleteWith the lack of depth and more importantly quality in the middle of the park it is now looking crazy why BR bought Sakho in for 18m. I am beginning to wonder if we have really got the right man at the helm because if you don't have loads to spend you spend whatever you have wisely but Allen,Assaidi,Aspas,Borini,Sakho,Illori,Alberto etc have all done nothing and cost loads of money. I can think of signings who could have came right into the team like Banega or if he doesn't want to come then Rakitic.Kevin Strootman would have been a great signing but Roma got him.There is quality out there. Menez would be a good signing as well.
ReplyDeletei have to agree with this.I am noticing there is more game time giving to Moses over players like Alberto who actually look like they are bringing something to the table.Maybe Rodgers is afraid but he should be more afraid of losing his job,Playing Moses isn't working simple.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have any news about Thiago Illori?
ReplyDeleteHe has been bad all games even when he scored.One of his shots has to go in sometime.
ReplyDeleteIts because he causes a lot of moves to break down and also gives the ball away.
ReplyDeleteI would go with this line up but I know it won't happen,
ReplyDeleteMignolet-Johnson,Skrtell,Sakho,Agger-Lucas,Gerrard,Henderson,-Alberto,Coutinho,-Suarez. i feel it would work .hard grafters in middle with the attacking mids like Albero and Coutinho expected to set up chances .
Champions League was always going to be a factor. We could have had Mkhitaryan but chose Dortmund because they had more to offer, We could have had Diego Costa too but chose to stay as they had more to offer too.
ReplyDeletePlease no Gerrard or Lucas. They are the reason why we do not press or keep the ball.
ReplyDeleteSakho buy at that time was essential. Skrtel wasn't in form at that time and hardly played at all in 2013 so there were doubts surrounding him. Agger, injury prone. Carragher retired. Kelly and Coates injured. Toure got injured too which made us buy 2 CDs on the last day of transfer window. At that time it looked like a good decision, rather an inevitable one.
ReplyDeleteNow that everyone is in form and almost all of them fit, there is bound to be a rotation and some players will have to sit out. I also disagree with very aggressive remarks made by Jaimie questioning Sakho's acquisition. Its a good acquisition and its good for the team depth and competition. For the first time in years we have 4 quality first team defenders along with 3 youngsters. Am happy with the team balance in that position. If anything, we have to worry about attack and more importantly, midfield.
Take out Skrtel too. Sakho should be in the team all the time!
ReplyDeleteexactly and allen started this game so who knows yes
ReplyDeleteIf Sakho is such a good buy, why is he on the bench for the last four league games? If Rodgers trusted him, he'd play him, no? €19m down the pan of you ask me.
ReplyDeleteum u could be right and well i think moses has a point to prove and he's playing like that making poor decsions to try and show case to chelsea don't forget about me look what i can do daddy sigh hoping for a good game today
ReplyDeleteIf Sakho plays then another defender will be dumped. Sakho was a necessity when we bought him and I believe he will come good eventually. Unfortunately there is only room for 2 central defenders right now and we can ask same question for other dropped players. I think its a good problem and I ain't naive to jump into conclusion so soon. Sakho started quite a few games at start when people were questioning Agger and when Agger started playing, people started questioning about Sakho. People just want to talk, nothing else, seldom making any sense of it.
ReplyDeleteBR is not going to drop his beloved Lucas.
ReplyDeleteYour mind = blown!