As I predicted earlier this week, Mamadou Sakho has lost his place in the starting XI, and is back on the bench for today's game with Newcastle United.
Sakho's relegation comes as no surprise (to me), but it's a little disappointing to see Coutinho on the bench again.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan, Henderson, Gerrard, Allen, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Coutinho, Aspas
NEWCASTLE: Krul, Taylor, Williamson, Coloccini, Haidara, Debuchy, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Shola Ameobi
Lucas also drops out to make way for the return of Jordan Henderson, and once again, Luis Alberto doesn't make the match-day squad.
If all goes well today, tomorrow's newspaper could be dominated by the most improbable of headlines:
'Andy Carroll wins the title for Liverpool FC'
Carroll insists he'll do his part to down Man City this afternoon. He told reporters today:
"I am hoping that Liverpool win the league and I will do my best to score at the Etihad. I have still got a lot of friends at the club and the lads were brilliant when I was up there".
Predicting a 3-0 win for LFC, Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:
"Liverpool's title bid has come off the rails in the last couple of matches but they have still had an outstanding campaign because, back in August, nobody saw them coming so close to winning it"
Today, it's simple: if Man City lose and Liverpool, the Reds will be champions. I still believe there's one more twist to come, and hopefully, it will be West Ham beating City with an injury time goal.
Newcastle United should not be underestimated, though. Liverpool still have to win, and any complacency will be punished.
My prediction: 2-1 or 3-1 to LFC.
Author: Jaimie K
Sakho's relegation comes as no surprise (to me), but it's a little disappointing to see Coutinho on the bench again.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Flanagan, Henderson, Gerrard, Allen, Sterling, Suarez, Sturridge
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Sakho, Cissokho, Lucas, Coutinho, Aspas
NEWCASTLE: Krul, Taylor, Williamson, Coloccini, Haidara, Debuchy, Anita, Tiote, Gouffran, Sissoko, Shola Ameobi
Lucas also drops out to make way for the return of Jordan Henderson, and once again, Luis Alberto doesn't make the match-day squad.
If all goes well today, tomorrow's newspaper could be dominated by the most improbable of headlines:
'Andy Carroll wins the title for Liverpool FC'
Carroll insists he'll do his part to down Man City this afternoon. He told reporters today:
"I am hoping that Liverpool win the league and I will do my best to score at the Etihad. I have still got a lot of friends at the club and the lads were brilliant when I was up there".
Predicting a 3-0 win for LFC, Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:
"Liverpool's title bid has come off the rails in the last couple of matches but they have still had an outstanding campaign because, back in August, nobody saw them coming so close to winning it"
Today, it's simple: if Man City lose and Liverpool, the Reds will be champions. I still believe there's one more twist to come, and hopefully, it will be West Ham beating City with an injury time goal.
Newcastle United should not be underestimated, though. Liverpool still have to win, and any complacency will be punished.
My prediction: 2-1 or 3-1 to LFC.
Author: Jaimie K
I have a sneaky suspicion than Agger starting may be because it's his last game for us
ReplyDeletei think liverpool will win not sure wet ham will be able
ReplyDeleteWhatever the outcome today it's been an outstanding season and we've made fantastic progress and played some brilliant football. Come on you reds
ReplyDeletecome on west ham
ReplyDeleteIt will take a 35M quid goal for Carrol to score today
ReplyDeletethe Man city team looks freaking strong! West Ham are going to have to put in a worldy. Good luck the lads!
ReplyDeleteWill watch the game just for suarez hopefully he scores some and breaks the record, otherwise got no single hope of west ham doing anything, not even a draw can help us, says it all, impossible mission, only if God wants he can make the difference, nobody else.
ReplyDeleteanything is possible on the final day but no matter what the results are im proud of our team this year...GO REDS!!!!
ReplyDelete4 -2 Liverpool and i am praying for Carroll to score another brace against City and win the game for them.
ReplyDelete£374 million MC squad today and we've taken them to the wire ....
ReplyDeleteBrilliant !
Andy Carroll needs an entire season to regain any sort of match fitness, I have never seen anything like it. We'll be lucky but here's hoping.
ReplyDeleteThink there will be at least 4 missing from this starting team next season
ReplyDeletehope so. I would actually be happy if all of Rafa's signings moved on now. I'm a
ReplyDeletebig fan of Lucas but he's shown he only has one way and position of
playing... and that's where SG is so masterful at the moment.
Respect to Captain Nolan and Co.
ReplyDeleteAgree and think Flanno will be on bench - not experienced enough for CL
ReplyDeleteThe team is so bloody flat today
ReplyDeletedamn
ReplyDeletemaybe that will wake them up
ReplyDeletewhat's the bet now that west ham go up against city
ReplyDeletelets hope sp we need something to lift our performance
ReplyDeleteand our defence is still shocking.
ReplyDeletewtf is going on
ReplyDeleteSkrtel is so good... thanks god sakho is out of the team.
ReplyDeleteWithout Coutinho we have no creativity from midfield :/
looks the palace game has taken away our drive
ReplyDeleteFIXXX IT UPPP. JESUS. ABSOLUTELY INEPT. IT'S LIKE THEY DON'T GIVE A SHIT.
ReplyDeleteExcellent save Mig Mig
ReplyDeleteThey 'll park the bus now and look dangerous when they hit us on the break as we push up ....... we just don't look up for it !
ReplyDeleteneed couts on
ReplyDeletewell thats it :(
ReplyDeletewe have come out flat from the kick off
ReplyDeleteI am relieved city went up at least............
ReplyDeleteLet's just hope Chelski don't win now !
ReplyDeleteLiverpool have bottled it so far.
ReplyDeleteshocking 1st half I really thought we would go out hard
ReplyDeleteCoutinho in Somebody out. It's frustrating...
ReplyDeletehalf hearted performance
ReplyDeleteSeems like he has been found as our weak link... every time there's a goal, it starts with someone running down his side
ReplyDeletecafu's in the stadium right at age 43 i rather him on the pitch than glen johnson come on ayre seal the deal
ReplyDeletei made that point on another forum living example the crystal palace game he made bolassie look like lionel messi
ReplyDeletereal poor display .....ah didums i cant be arsed running on 100 grand a week while the fans pay half there wages to watch us...show some spirit you shit houses
ReplyDeleteThe alleged 'Scouse Cafu' is having a 'mare too. Flanagan should be a squad player next season.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why we started with stupid diamond again. In fairness to Allen, what the hell can he do if he is stuck out at left midfield? A central player should never be there. No point playing the system if Sturridge doesn't show up and Suarez loses the ball every touch.
ReplyDeleteLooked as if we changed things around late in the half but that's too late. It has to be abandoned next season.
The Arsenal demolition at home should be a model for our game. I don't understand the persistent tweaking after we knew what our best team and system was.
well seems like you're spot on mate ;)
ReplyDeletethink we got carried away with so wanting a scouse replacement for carragher sigh but agreed flanagan is a utility player only use for cup competitions we NEED NEW FULL BACKS almost every goal we concede comes from the incompetence of our fullbacks sigh
ReplyDeleteHe's a squad player this year, but credit to him for doing as well as he's done. Both wing back positions needed to fill in the summer.
ReplyDeletethis display feels like a slap in the face to the fans I hope BR lifts them up and brings in couts for 2nd half
ReplyDeletewe've picked the wrong system again. Against newcastle we shoud be playing 433 not the diamond. BR has got his system wrong at crucial moments. We should have swamped their fullbacks.
ReplyDeleteregretfully i am sigh
ReplyDeleteThink emotion getting the better of you, give the kid a break he'll improve and get better. Will be in his natural right back position next season
ReplyDeleteTotally agree mate. BR = BS
ReplyDeleteThe last 3 games he prouved that it was just a patch of luck until now. Im really worried about next season all of a suden
Need someone badly on the left think Johnsons playing like he knows thats it all over for him.
ReplyDeletetotally disagree BR has been amazing this season its not his fault his players have left him down
ReplyDeleteto be honest against Chelsea we were just unlucky, and palace and today some player just don't care and other just aren't good enough to be here.
ReplyDeletenope i've seen it a while now maybe he'll get better but atm he cannot be our first choice full back
ReplyDeleteI'm a massive fan of BR. Best thing that has happened to Liverpool for years.. but.... he has misread when to use the more cautious diamond as apposed to the 'swarm em' 433. Today was the day to 'swarm em' so to speak.
ReplyDeleteto be honest we have over performed with the players available and maybe its caught up with us......to keep a challenge up we need we need 3 new defenders a couple of quality midfielders and another striker dont hold your breath
ReplyDeleteEveryone can see Flanagan is very limited but you have to expect more from a full international on 100K a week.
ReplyDeleteThats the thing; the job of the manager is to motivate the players and make sure they play their full potential...
ReplyDeleteYes i mean the wing Pete think Flanagan could be a winner at R.B.
ReplyDeleteit was meant as reply to Jaimie, listen he's a youngster even if we bring experience in he will learn from them. Annoys me when people want instant success from the kids....not fair highlighting in him when more experienced players around have not performed today...so far!! I expect a better 2nd..can't be worse;)
ReplyDeleteGLEN JOHNSON is the worse full back in EUROPE and the right team are CHAMPIONS.
ReplyDeletewhen you have player like johnson who's only interested in taking his pay check there' not much you can do...
ReplyDeleteso many replays ... that was a shocker from Skrtel
ReplyDeleteI'm a generous kind of guy
ReplyDeleteThe tactics is questionable against 352 system. We are simply running into the crowd. Why can't we have more width,keep the ball infront of their post patiently and wear them out like the way city did against Villa.
ReplyDeletefair point he is out of position but i don't want BR To take that chance next season we can not bottle it next season otherwise all we've been building would've been for naught
ReplyDeletelol cissokho
ReplyDeleteWe can now see why Flanno gets so tight so early. I used to think it was just sheer aggression. Now however it is clear Flanno nicks it early so his opposite number doesnt turn and run at him. He's pretty poor one on one against pace.
ReplyDeleteDisagree mate, manager has the choice to let him play or not
ReplyDeletehe's off now...Sakho on another who will improve next season imo.
ReplyDeleteglen johnson oh chelsea thanks for this guy
ReplyDeleteAGGER should play second half - its so obvious. None of our current centre backs should stay and especially the French guy
ReplyDeleteSturridge missed a sitter, Suarez a poor finish - we've had 2 very good chances and newcastle really don't deserve the goal they've gotten. There isn't that much wrong.
ReplyDeletecissokho for flannagan did that just happen
ReplyDeleteI just posted similar msg but its waiting to be approved
ReplyDeleteit's over
ReplyDeletecity scored again its over
ReplyDeletedamn 2-0!
ReplyDeleteAGGER ISPLAYING ?? YOUR JOKING ??
ReplyDeletetitle over... but not our game!! I want us to win and get the tonof goals scored up
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why Coutinho isn't playing. we have NOTHING TO LOSE
ReplyDeleteud think coutinho on ryt? but no
ReplyDeletewell BR's favorite allen would have to come out... better lose than take out allen.
ReplyDeleteis Chelsea still losing?
ReplyDeleteThanks former Liverpool players at West Ham. For all you're talk you've only succeeded in proving we were right to let you go. Well done City. Well done to the pool unfortunately a hurdle too far.
ReplyDeletewe're getting outplayed at Anfield,embarassing...
ReplyDeleteas I said b4 a season that we did overachieve lets hope BR gets it ryt in the next transfer window
ReplyDeletei think so
ReplyDeletejojnson is absolutely rubbish
ReplyDeletewe need goals wats the point of allen still being on the pitch!!! wheres couts?
ReplyDeleteour lack of experience is counting against us. Unfortunately the only way to gain experience is going through these moments. We will be mentally stronger next year, from the manager through to the players.
ReplyDeleteReally don't want our wonderful season to end in this bitter horrible way.
ReplyDeleteagree we need to end on a high but im sure the cuty result is hindering our performance
ReplyDeletefinally
ReplyDeleteWe've looked beaten all game, they've given up because they knew the title was out of their hands.
ReplyDeleteNeed to find a way to break teams who sit back next season, more strength and pace please!
haha I thought we scored! Allen off then....
ReplyDeleteThey all look as tho they don't give a FOOK
ReplyDeletethe only person who looks so is our number 2
ReplyDeleteDagerrrr!!!
ReplyDeleteNerves either paralyses a team OR inspires it. Guess which one we are today.
ReplyDeletefinally a goal maybe agger's last in a liverpool shirt
ReplyDeletefinally liverpool
ReplyDeleteis it begining... ? comme west ham your turn ;)
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeleteTwo great balls in from Stevie !
ReplyDeletewhat's going on here
ReplyDeleteok I never knew u cant txt the l ..o ...l word
ReplyDeleteNow a hat trick from Big Andy in a space of 10 min
ReplyDeleteAllen off; Liverpool score two goals. Coincidence? Possibly, but Coutinho should've started (IMO)
ReplyDeletesry andy carroll is to much rubbish
ReplyDeleteJK wats wrng with msgn the l..o..l word?
ReplyDeleteLet's be honest, that was two awful bits of defending. Happy for the goals, but newcastle should be furious with themselves.
ReplyDeletei know, i don't believe it either but that would be funny, city getting the title literraly out of their hands.
ReplyDeleteI love the way Ameobi walked off straight away.
ReplyDelete'Nope, not today.'
Joke sending-off.
ReplyDeleteAnd Chelski LOSING to bottom of table ..... Love it !
ReplyDeletedon't know why he has been sent off but hate the fact that you can't et angry at your teammate for playing rubbish without getting a card...
ReplyDeletednt mean to sound like a couch mgr but coutinho should have started this game to get the early goal and send some nerves to mancity
ReplyDeletewhy you don't know what he said to ref...might of called him a big fat fffing cnut!!
ReplyDeletefinally no three in the back
ReplyDeleteI disagree, the way players react to refs these days is a disgrace and there is no excuse for that. Abuse the ref and take your chances.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but I doubt it. Looks like he just expressed understandable disappointment, and Dowd rashly brandished the red card. Newcastle should appeal, and Dowd should be sumped to Championship for a couple of games.
ReplyDeletehow telling the true is worthy of a yellow card ? :)
ReplyDeleteTruth always hurts ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo excuse for what? Suarez does exactly the same in practically every game. All Ameobi did was raise his arms in frustration, and he got sent off. Players should be allowed to have their say, as long as it's not disrespectful etc. Seems to me Dowd is totally intolerant of any dissent, not matter how tame.
ReplyDeletecoutinho doesn't play l ... o .... l tiote should be sent off btw
ReplyDeletehe said something you honestly think he got sent off for raising his arms, i'm raising my eyebrows to that comment!!
ReplyDeletethoughts of agger guys instead of sakho?
ReplyDeleteWe'll see, but I seriously doubt Ameobi swore/said something inflammatory. He raised his arms and probably said something like 'Why, ref'?
ReplyDeleteShop window !
ReplyDeleteChelski All of a sudden winning? I'm afraid you plastic fans with your pathetic coach won't get anything above 3rd!
ReplyDeleteHe obviously did more than just raise his arms. He got two cards and the second was clearly for what he said to Dowd. You and I don't know what it was but it's fair enough a refs call to decide. Obviously what he said wasn't ok with Dowd and that's how it should be. Players should not be allowed to abuse the ref.
ReplyDeleteplastic I agree yet they destroyed our title hopes
ReplyDeleteAnd got hammered straight away!
ReplyDeletenot so special, huh??
say wat u like but that defeat destroyed us
ReplyDeletewe need to look back to august and our thoughts back then... our team has done us proud
ReplyDeleteWe don't even know what he actually said though. He seemed to have absolutely no protest about it.
ReplyDeleteNow thats a harsh Red Jaimie!!
ReplyDeletenot a red but what kind of defending is it ?
ReplyDeleteDummett red carded the name says it all.
ReplyDeleteDowd is a joke of a referee.
ReplyDeletemaybe he is what i said below...pat on back shola!!
ReplyDeleteseriously ffa fining man city 91mil and only21 players instead of 25 for CL...wat about deducting points in the prem league?
ReplyDeleteIt's txt speak, and it's discouraged on this site, so phrases like that are stopped by the word filter.
ReplyDeleteseeing two red cards on the scoreboard is like seeing newcastle trying to make a footy card collection
ReplyDeleteJK whats your take on the ffp rules?
ReplyDeleteI may seem abit cut but its like we lost the title to a cheating team..with regards to spending
ReplyDeleteJK. You really did jinx us.
ReplyDeletewell done LFC u done us proud this season YNWA!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewanted to watch the rest of the liverpool match but my feed switched to the city match yup nothing doing here
ReplyDeleteCheers to everyone great season i am wrapped would have liked to have seen Suarez score 1 more today but hey lots to look forward to next season.
ReplyDeletethe winners celebrate and the losers make their own arrangements- kevin Keegan
ReplyDeleteCan't help but still feel so f**king disappointed after all the promise and certainty a matter of weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteBut, but, in perspective, wonderful season :D
ReplyDeleteWe have a strong foundation. NOW it is all about the summer signings. Wow we got 100 goals too, we did well this year. YNWA.
ReplyDeleteok then thanks for letting me know wnt be txtn that again
ReplyDeleteHey, this could happen to any team, even atletico may go emtyhanded this season, money always dominates, but cheer up!
ReplyDeleteI feel POSITIVE
ReplyDeleteI know one wants to mention it but..... we lost the title the moment SG sliped! that was the moment everything turned sour
ReplyDeletetrue but justlook at the amount of money mancity spent ok ..im proud of our season this year we done it with passion and pride not money
ReplyDeleteIt seems it was never ours to have. We needed to get a result from Chelsea and just couldn't get past them. 15 wins in a row to win the title would have been a fairytale but if you don't get the results no amount of dreaming will get you there.
ReplyDeletetwo positives will come out of our end to the season. Both Victor Moses and Cissokho will return to their clubs. I FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's harsh. There were other opportunities. We could have worked through the parking lot Chelsea built around the box. We just lacked the creativity up front. I think Hendo's red card cost us a lot of energy. And don't forget being robbed on Boxing Day. With that win and all else remaining the same, we win the league with 87-83.
ReplyDelete08/09 still goes down as our best PL season in terms of pure results, but I suspect this one was a lot more entertaining. Even the 86 points we got that year wouldn't have been enough to win this one.
ReplyDeleteSG saves second place with two inch perfect free kicks. MOTM for me. I really would have liked Suarez to get another crack in the last 4 minutes. Honestly when you think of our dismal record of late on break-away counters, the three points was not a sure thing while we were playing keep-away in the mid-field. Ameobi is very fast and his legs were very fresh.
ReplyDeleteAgree...way too much of what I saw last season, needless back-passing and watching chances slip away through timid play. Way too many headed balls to nobody when control would have been the better option. Way too much conceding the middle of the field and a worrying lack of decisiveness in the final third...and anytime Glen Johnson had the ball. I will never understand why he takes so long to pass the ball.
ReplyDeleteBorini scored #10 in a losing effort.
ReplyDeleteI really hope we get more pace & strength in midfield SG showed his legs weren't what they used to be with their goal! Put it this way we need 4-5 players. All in all we've over-achieved this season but we need to kick on next season!
ReplyDeleteWe need some bigger DMs. I lost count of how many times Little Joe bounced off of Tiote.
ReplyDeleteYeah didn't really like the way it ended, they had 9 men, could have at least made an attempt to get another, but hey.
ReplyDeleteHuge progress this season.
Also I think they looked traumatised by the draw at CP. I cant beileve they were not pushing for a 3rd playing against 9 men!
ReplyDeletewhat a season .....
ReplyDeleteI would love physically imposing DMs because struggle against them! Joe is intelligent but not imposing.
ReplyDeleteOur first priority now should be:
ReplyDelete1. Dumb Johnson ASAP
2. Buy Vertongen and Pair him with Skrtel
3. Buy Rakitic
4. Buy Marcelo
5. Bring back Reina for competition
According to Pardew, Dowd told him something along the lines of "if you carry on, I'll send you off", and Ameobi sarcastically replied with "so send me off".
ReplyDeleteStill not a good enough reason for a sending off IMO.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
They haven't been mentioned as yet so ....... Well done the owners of LFC. Their vision is one of realism and aggression.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at January and the fact we didn't spend I get the feeling we decided to gamble on CL qualification and use the lure of the competition to bring in top CL ready players instead of the 'best available'. That has now proved to be a good move. I dont rate Yevhen Konoplyanka or the last Ukraine player who played for us (I think he had a pony tail!) Our owners deserve so much credit for running LFC with intelligence, ambition and with long term goals and targets that do not rip the soul out of the club by throwing money at every problem. BR will have to keep up with the times to keep this 'philosophy' going as the Ajax, Barcelona way of playing does come with a sell by date in my opinion. But all said and done well done to the owners, manager, players and fans who stuck by BR even though their hearts were more inclined to Kenny. We'll be back BIGGER AND BADDER. YNWA
I'd keep Lucas and probably one of Skrtel or Agger as squad players, but I wouldn't like to see any of the people you've mentioned starting next season.
ReplyDeleteNot saying I agree with it.
ReplyDeleteJust pointing out what was supposedly said.