In a slightly surprising move, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named a very attacking side for this afternoon's Premier League game with West Ham, with Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling retaining the places in the starting XI.
Given West Ham's physical approach, many expected Joe Allen to come back into the side, but to his credit, Rodgers has decided to go with the strongest available attacking line-up, which (IM)) is great to see.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Sakho, Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Cissokho, Lucas, Moses, Allen, Aspas
WEST HAM: Adrian, Reid, Nolan, Tomkins, Armero, Carroll, Taylor, Noble, Demel, Diame, Downing
Daniel Agger is injured to Mamadou Sakho comes back into the team, and it will be interesting to see how he deals with the inevitable aerial threat posed by Andy Carroll.
Pre-match analysis
Mark Lawrenson
"I can see Allardyce denying Liverpool space to play and looking to hit Carroll early with the ball. Route one might be the way to go. Aston Villa did it at Anfield in January and could have had that game sewn up by half-time. This will be a much tougher task for Liverpool than last week's walk in the park against Tottenham".
Jan Molby
"West Ham on Sunday will be a test, a real challenge. Sam’s teams have an identity and like to impose themselves, whoever they are playing, but if Liverpool are at their best then they will brush them aside, as they have done to so many teams already this season".
My prediction: 3-2 LFC
Author: Jaimie K
Given West Ham's physical approach, many expected Joe Allen to come back into the side, but to his credit, Rodgers has decided to go with the strongest available attacking line-up, which (IM)) is great to see.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Flanagan, Sakho, Skrtel, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Cissokho, Lucas, Moses, Allen, Aspas
WEST HAM: Adrian, Reid, Nolan, Tomkins, Armero, Carroll, Taylor, Noble, Demel, Diame, Downing
Daniel Agger is injured to Mamadou Sakho comes back into the team, and it will be interesting to see how he deals with the inevitable aerial threat posed by Andy Carroll.
Pre-match analysis
Mark Lawrenson
"I can see Allardyce denying Liverpool space to play and looking to hit Carroll early with the ball. Route one might be the way to go. Aston Villa did it at Anfield in January and could have had that game sewn up by half-time. This will be a much tougher task for Liverpool than last week's walk in the park against Tottenham".
Jan Molby
"West Ham on Sunday will be a test, a real challenge. Sam’s teams have an identity and like to impose themselves, whoever they are playing, but if Liverpool are at their best then they will brush them aside, as they have done to so many teams already this season".
My prediction: 3-2 LFC
Author: Jaimie K
Good to see BR just go for it - brilliant :-)
ReplyDeleteagree with BR here no doubt they will park the bus tday we need the likes of couts and sterling to break thru there 10 man defence
ReplyDeleteArsenal is s#iT away from home
ReplyDeleteWin beautiful win ugly only three points matter come on Liverpool
ReplyDelete...so SAS in front and SAS at the back....hammers will be shackled and steamrolled...
ReplyDelete2-0 for us will do
How many packs of gum will Sam get thro this afternoon ?
ReplyDeleteLast night I dreamed we won this game 8-1. I was supposed to be there but had to stay home for reasons, I think that's why I dreamed about it... but anyway, 8-1 and Allardyce sacked in the morning.
ReplyDeleteWHAT THE HELL WAS THAT
ReplyDeleteJK talks alot about cheating on this site. That WH goal was cheating. Astonishing no call from the referee. Carroll leads with his hands for goodness sake, he's REACHING for the ball. Clear as daylight, terrible miss from the officials.
ReplyDeleteCarroll clearly fouled Mignolet but that does not take away what was an extremely sloppy display from us so far.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bloody joke ... Why have linesmen ?
ReplyDeleteno one will have that linesman next week after that call, he'll be off duty for a week or two
ReplyDeleteA better display is warranted in the second half,although the west ham wall is working perfectly for them.A very poor decision from the ref
ReplyDeletethe worry for me is we have no one on bench to make a diff or to change things
ReplyDeleteReferee's an arrogant idiot.
ReplyDeletei hope our players don't get overly emotional and do something rash... can't blame them though
ReplyDeleteI don't know if there are many Aussies on here but that would have been a free kick in the AFL let alone the premier league!
ReplyDeleteACCOUNTABILITY!
ReplyDeleteSeemed to me the linesmen called the ref over. I assume he told him there was contact and the ref made the call that the keeper should have shrugged it off.
ReplyDeleteI'd say that's on the red.
The linesman made the correct call, its the ref who needs a kickin for ignoring him
ReplyDeleteCaroll blatant foul on Mignolet. Thing is Allandace will applaud that. Caroll good riddance we don't want that kind of football at LFC.
ReplyDeleteWell, one of those idiots won't be working next weekend. Just absurd. As soon as they see it on TV they'll know for themselves how bad it was.
ReplyDeleteTypical cheating Carrol and Muppet of a referee . Will fire us up for second half !
ReplyDeleteSo does Carroll get an 'assist' for punching Mignolet in the face? I suggest a trip to the optician for Anthony Taylor, and, given his refusal to hear the listen to the words of the linesman, perhaps a hearing aid.
ReplyDeletenever hated andy carroll untill today. Bring on Video Techonology. 5 secs and the ref would know its a foul.
ReplyDeleteLucas coming on for Coutinho.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't surprise me if Migno mistimes his punch next time Carroll goes up for the ball ;-)
ReplyDeleteOne thing I had forgotten about Carrol is how much time he spends on the floor.
ReplyDeleteis that to push SG more forward
ReplyDeleteFor a big man he's a complete fairy
ReplyDeleteHes probably been put on to deal with Diame
ReplyDeleteDo not understand the thinking behind the substitution. This game is going nowhere at the moment.
ReplyDeleteagree with u loges...we need some flair and final ball class to break this west ham defence it just seems we cant get that final pass to stick
ReplyDeleteHe's got weak feet for a big lad.
ReplyDeleteNot weak hands tho !
ReplyDeleteThe f%$cking bell end could have just looked at the big screen.
ReplyDeleteIt might be one of those nights, hope we get one more and sneak a win.
ReplyDeleteVery frustrating to see how wasteful we have been today.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Tailor is the man..
ReplyDeleteHa Taylor trying to make ammends ........ JUSTICE !
ReplyDeleteJustice!
ReplyDeletepenalty yesss
ReplyDeleteF**king karma
ReplyDeleteA weekend off for Taylor next week.
ReplyDeleteAnthony Taylor is the greatest referee since, err, Howard Webb
ReplyDeletewhat a pass from Lucas
ReplyDeleteCan't afford to relax until next goal..
ReplyDeleteJUSTICE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, fantastic pass it was!
ReplyDeleteLets STUFF em
ReplyDeleteThat was a crappy pass though...
ReplyDeleteRegardless we've controlled the game much better since he came on
ReplyDeleteit is a good pass m8
ReplyDeleteI am referring to the one he made to Suarez. See comment below for the one to Flanno.
ReplyDeleteStupid dream.
ReplyDeleteKolo makes me soooooooo nervous !
ReplyDeleteoh kolo thank GOD for mingolet
ReplyDeleteFour longest minutes of my life
ReplyDeletemy thoughts exactly
ReplyDeletestewart downing: maybe we'll have something to say about liverpool's title challenge...... yh a missed shot
ReplyDeleteSwig of laudanum?
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to hear BR s comments re ref ....... will have to be careful
ReplyDeleteBack on top tonight lads - where we belong .....
ReplyDeleteliverpool players wasting time is soooooo hilarious
ReplyDeleteNow that is what you call an ugly win and to become Champions you need to know how to win ugly.
ReplyDeleteyesssssssssssssss uglyyyyyyyyyyyyy three points hehe
ReplyDeleteThank you WestHam for giving us a good dressrehearsal ...That was one hell of a game
ReplyDeleteTOP OF THE LEAUGUE
ReplyDeleteWin Ugly....thats what champions do...(also runnerups)
ReplyDelete9 straight wins now.
ReplyDeletesooooo any complaints about sakho......i thought he was immense
ReplyDeleteI made the exact same comment but guess what, it went for moderation :-o
ReplyDeleteOkay guys we beat stoke, sunderland and Sam Allardyce. Surely this is the omen we need to push on for the title!!!!
ReplyDeleteTruth be told he has had about ten minutes of bad form since joining.
ReplyDeletehonestly i think agger is on the decline i mean (think jamie pointed it out) losing a foot race to slowdado......
ReplyDeleteYeah mate. Just the inability to stay fit for a couple of weeks should be enough to see him become a bench warmer. I am not sure he can get to his best form again now.
ReplyDeleteIf memory serves me correct, Jaimie also said Sakho was never needed.
ReplyDeleteShame though. The guy is dedicated and clearly loves the club. He should still have a role to play, albeit a reduced one.
ReplyDeleteGood shout had a decent game especially seeing as first game back for an age....be in for city game I think and he can be handy on corners for us at oppo end
ReplyDeleteYeah I never really understood the mentality of "we have too many players" in a position.
ReplyDeleteI think there were a total of 4 WH handballs in their own penalty area plus the foul from the keeper. It might be tempting to think we get lucky with penalties but the truth is that we put immense pressure on defenders and they get in bad positions. You don't get penalties unless you are a threat in their box. We deserved those 3 points even despite not getting it quite right.
ReplyDeleteUgly win and the hammers did what they set out to do and credit to them for putting up a fight. But we dealt with Carroll and their long ball nonsense. He had one chance the whole game, they were never really a threat. Suarez had an odd day, playing the role of the flawed genius to perfection. Could have had two stunning goals but didn't look 100% himself.
I think the next game will decide which of the two spots is our, crucial all the players are mentally 100%. Kolo should be left home.
ReplyDeleteYes definitely mate. He has been one of my favourite players at stages but sometimes you just have to see the writing on the wall.
ReplyDeleteSoon will be 10 .Shitty Next in line for the chopping block.
ReplyDeleteI just had to mute big fat Sam or I might have broken my laptop.
ReplyDeleteagreed love Agger and really hoping he can do a Skrtel revolution 2013/2014 season but...... idk
ReplyDeleteA good day for fans on the Merseyside eh
ReplyDeleteGreat result today. Their goal was a clear push, and I thought both pens were good calls. Team didn't play great - but did more than enough to cross the line. Win ugly will do for me :-)
ReplyDeleteAs for BR was really happy with his intent to go for it at the start of the game, and also VERY IMPRESSED that he was happy to change things at half time. I thought Lucas had a really good game - playing the pass for the pen and putting one on a plate for Suarez only for him to completely miss it. The change of formation led to a relatively tense free second half so lots of credit to BR, who now seems to have a plan B up his sleeve.
Also a big well done to the whole back line, who only really allowed Carroll once chance all game - a few of Skrtel's headers and positioning was excellent.
Bring on City next week.
First of all, screw you Andy Carroll...just glad we pulled it out in the end.
ReplyDeleteI was a little nervous when I saw the starting lineup...it's always fun on paper to see all those boys together, but I thought this was the type of game where the diamond would be more effective, which it was in the second half. Rodgers' has been so spot on with his tactics that I couldn't quite believe how we set up, but credit to him for switching things up at half-time...with a 1-1 scoreline and a BS equalizer from the other team a lot of managers wouldn't have made any changes until 60+ minutes. I was also surprised at the choice to leave Sterling in instead of Coutinho, because BR plays Coutinho at the tip when you need to pass through a team and Sterling when you can run through them, but Sterling has been so good lately that he can do everything. His passing wasn't as incisive as Coutinho's usually is, but his close control, ball retention, and flat out SPEED to get out of tight spots was great to watch.
I've made this point before and I'll make it again now...we as fans should not blindly support or ask for "the most attacking lineup" from BR, and criticize him when he doesn't pick it, because it's shallow thinking. Against a team like Arsenal or Tottenham where we can break on the counter and beat their high line, our most attacking lineup is how we started today and against them. Against a team like West Ham or Sunderland, who sits back, gives us possession in our own half and tries to stifle us with a lot of bodies behind the ball, pace to get in behind is far less effective because we can't get in behind. In such a game our most attacking lineup is the one that will keep possession effectively and be able to patiently break down the defense with good passing, even if it means sacrificing someone like Sterling or Coutinho for Allen or Lucas.
Like I said before though, cheers to BR for making the change early rather than late. I wonder if Agger hadn't injured his foot if he would've started today? I was hoping for Sakho, both because I think he's the best man for the job and to help deal with Carroll, and he was excellent out there. Watch out Man City.
Excellent points and agree with everything you've written, especially comment re fans being lemmings :-)
ReplyDeleteHowever, now that we've only got 5 games to go, I think we've only got one thing to do, and JUST GO FOR IT. Let's not get to the end having played conservatively football and then have regrets.
Much like you, I was very nervous after the Villa game. However, BR stuck to his guns, and the players have played phenomenally well to win 9 on the trot.
Last point, really happy BR brought on Lucas instead of Allen. Just think Lucas has more to his game, as shown today.
Right on we need to go for it, but I don't think anyone will be looking back regretting conservative football, that just isn't our style anymore (thank god Hodgson didn't last!). If we go down we'll go down guns blazing, and I think that will be true regardless of formation or personnel.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on Lucas, but mostly in hindsight...it's a bit odd to see him on the field with Gerrard playing in Lucas' preferred position, and since he's been out so long I wasn't sure how he'd come in and handle being in an unfamiliar role. Allen's been playing it very well IMO, but Lucas justified his selection for sure, he looked good and put in that pass for Flanagan that led to the penalty. I'm so used to seeing him at DM that sometimes I forget he was a more attacking, box to box type player at Gremio when he was younger.
Yeah, when we look back at things, he'll be in the same category of Carra/SG in terms of his ability to play a number of different positions to a good standard.
ReplyDeleteIn his time at LFC he's played CB, RB, across the midfield, and for for one game #10. Great servant to LFC.
Just read Big Sam's comments about the second penalty being the wrong call because the GK got a touch on the ball. That wasn't why the PK was given. It was given because the GK grabbed Flanno's foot and tripped him...obvious on the replay...even at full speed.
ReplyDelete