As expected, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has restored Raheem Sterling to the staring line-up for tonight's Champions League clash with Ludogrets, and after the weekend defeat to Aston Villa, a second home defeat in a row is unthinkable...isn't it?
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Manquillo, Moreno, Lovren, Sakho, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lallana, Balotelli
SUBS: Jones, Enrique, Toure, Lucas, Suso, Borini, Lambert
So far, Rodgers has ignored Suso for all the league match-day squads, it's good to see the Spaniard back in the squad.
Probable Formation:
------------------ Mignolet
Manquillo --- Lovren -- Sakho --- Moreno
----------------- Gerrard
---------- Hendo -------- Lallana
---------------- Coutinho
---------- Sterling - Balotelli
The diamond will arguably get the best out of the chosen players, but there's always an outside chance that Rodgers will stick with 4231. It didn't work against Villa, but it may be more effective in Europe.
If £20m-rated Coutinho plays at the tip of the diamond, he really needs to put in a good performance. His form is middling at the moment, and Lazar Markovic is waiting in the wings to usurp him.
My prediction: 3-1
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Manquillo, Moreno, Lovren, Sakho, Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lallana, Balotelli
SUBS: Jones, Enrique, Toure, Lucas, Suso, Borini, Lambert
So far, Rodgers has ignored Suso for all the league match-day squads, it's good to see the Spaniard back in the squad.
Probable Formation:
------------------ Mignolet
Manquillo --- Lovren -- Sakho --- Moreno
----------------- Gerrard
---------- Hendo -------- Lallana
---------------- Coutinho
---------- Sterling - Balotelli
The diamond will arguably get the best out of the chosen players, but there's always an outside chance that Rodgers will stick with 4231. It didn't work against Villa, but it may be more effective in Europe.
If £20m-rated Coutinho plays at the tip of the diamond, he really needs to put in a good performance. His form is middling at the moment, and Lazar Markovic is waiting in the wings to usurp him.
My prediction: 3-1
Author: Jaimie K
We are going to struggle again if we go with 2 holding midielders. The Southampton and Villa 1st halves were proof of this!!!
ReplyDeleteYour lineup is exact to what I posted in the previous article and hopefully it is what we go with.
i think you are not weird. go go GO LFC!
ReplyDeleteMy blood is RED :-)
ReplyDeleteI think this is the strongest line-up after those injuries.
ReplyDeletehope rodgers has binned the 4231
ReplyDeleteMarkovic is suspended isn't he?
ReplyDeletehope mario gets off the mark tonight
ReplyDeleteHonestly though, That bench looks horrible
ReplyDeleteRodgers is a dreamer
ReplyDeleteHere is Suso's chance to prove if he is up for it as well as Borini. Pretty sure we will see both a bit later on along with Lambert.
ReplyDeleteSurely Br will sub off hendo and gerrard , so i guess suso and lucas would come in and yeah maybe lambert for balotelli
ReplyDeleteLucas will only come on if we are dominating.
ReplyDeleteI hope we dominate them. If anyone gets injured tonight we are in big trouble...
ReplyDeleteHappy to see Suso on the bench hopefully if things goes well he'll get some minutes on the pitch.
ReplyDeleteSeeing how some player desperately need game time to gel with the team i feel that for us it could be a real bonus to be in europe to challenge for the league.
Happy to see we are not camping in our half of the pitch or playing with two holding midfielders. Henderson clearly is a waste playing deep!
ReplyDeleteAnyone doubting Manquillo? He is a rock.
ReplyDeleteMoreno isn't too shabby
ReplyDelete4-3-3 is not working. We are playing well but not causing any problems.
ReplyDeleteI was just going to say the same thing. We should stick sterling up front with lallana in behind. ACTUALLY Lallana where a ya lad?
ReplyDeleteBalotelli and Sterling upfront with Lallana and Henderson pressing. Rodgers wake the F up.
ReplyDeleteRodgers loves 4-3-3. BUT our wingers couldn't cross a road and are not for all the hype 'Suarez enough' to make the unexpected happen consistently. (although i do like Lallana alot)
ReplyDelete4-3-3 will work perfectly with Sturridge. He ain't playing. Balotelli looks completely lost on his own. Is Rodgers blind?
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened to coutinho?
ReplyDeleteagreed. For all his pace his movement is non existent. He doesn't run in behind and doesnt work the channels either. Suarez really was a machine.
ReplyDeleteIt is Rodgers who is mucking things up. Blind to see that 2 holding midfielders does not fit his style of play and that Balotelli cannot lead the line.
ReplyDeleteHe needs to go two up front.
I counted at least 10 times he gave the ball away or lost possession.
ReplyDeletehe was absolutely horrible
ReplyDeleteCoutinho is the best pre-season player in the world BAR NONE. Inter Milan you crafty cats robbed us of 8.5 mill
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I watched Mario's goals for AC Milan recently. It looked like the bulk of his impressive tally came from penalties and free kicks. He rarely scored from open play.
ReplyDeleteMadrid winning 4-1. If we win our 2 games, we could be through. Come on..
ReplyDeleteFact is that we will never see another player like Suarez. The man is a football genius.
ReplyDeleteWho are our 2 holding midfielders? Stoping making things up!
ReplyDeletelet's win this match first because seeing how poor we are we could loose it...
ReplyDeleteI am not referring to this match. Vs Soto and Villa we went with 4-2-3-1 and Balotelli clearly is not going to make it on his own either.
ReplyDeleteHe may not be match fit, he'll need longer to get up to speed! It just goes to show how big a player Sturridge is!
ReplyDeleteany formation change?
ReplyDeleteI have never seen a player as consistent, enthusiastic, unpredictable, greedy, selfish, generous, skillfull and infectious as Suarez. He played like his life depended on it. An almost perfect blend of mentality, focus and genius
ReplyDeleteEvery shot from Coutinho is just tame and straight to the keeper. He needs to improve.
ReplyDeleteIf Coutinho was actually doing his job maybe Balotelli would feel less on his own. The manager can't prevent players giving the ball away you know.
ReplyDeleteThis ref is a joke.
ReplyDeleteyeah but history doesnt suggest he scores many from open play and with Gerrard taking the pens and free kicks. It aint looking good mate
ReplyDeleteHe scored a fair few from open play for City, it's too soon to judge. My main regret is the Remy issue, to say we missed a trick is an understatement! But Ballo will come good, don't worry :)
ReplyDeleteBalotelli has been extremely disappointing. He needs to get stuck in.
ReplyDeletewe lack flair even though we have 'flair' players. I'm yet to see a step over, trick, nutmeg...... something different.
ReplyDeleteI thought Lallana would offer more?
ReplyDeletetime for plan B
ReplyDeleteMissed the first half but Lallana and Lovren have been the best player on the pitch second half to my eyes. Just goes to show etc.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping for an immediate impact too, but he has been injured and is maybe finding his feet and stamping his personality
ReplyDeletemachine gun? loool
ReplyDeleteFor me it's Sterling, he's the only one trying to create something out of nothing!
ReplyDeleteOur defence is looking adept but our attack is looking disjointed.
ReplyDeletesecond match we play poorly and second match lallana play... i think there's a pattern to be find here.
ReplyDeleteBorini is coming on then. I think his ingenuity could be the answer if we switch to a diamond
ReplyDeleteWell not the only one. I don't like how much of his good work he's doing in harmless areas. Doesn't feel like we've got the team quite set up right, does it? Missing something, Joe Allen probably.
ReplyDeleteits also been our second match without sturridge
ReplyDeleteIf you happen to be an idiot, yes.
ReplyDeletetwo italians up front then. Thats never happend before
ReplyDeleteHopefully Lucas has found a extra 10 mph.
ReplyDeleteThe substitutions are about right! Lallana & Coutinho 5/10. What a cross
ReplyDeleteAllen who? The guy who does nothing...
ReplyDeletemanquillo best player on the pitch by a country mile
ReplyDeleteSaved by the post,
ReplyDeleteMoreno HAS to tuck round there. Ball watching smh..
ReplyDeleteTo be fair he runs off the ball which creates space for others!
ReplyDeleteWould have rather brought on Suso.
ReplyDeleteYou do not have to convince me.
ReplyDeleteIs Gerard Houllier our special guest manager for the evening. I haven't seen such a lackluster showing for years. There were times in the past where games had 0-0 written all over them or perish the thought a sneaky goal from the opposition. Tonight feels the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree he's no world beater, trying to be positive!
ReplyDeleteyou forgot the aston villa game ?
ReplyDeleteNot sure what has happened to us destroying teams. We look clueless.
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected
ReplyDeleteSuarez leaving happened.
ReplyDeleteWe overlooked Loic Remy's goals in favour of Balotteli's shirt sales
ReplyDeleteWhen there's no movement up front our midfielders have too much time to think. Resulting in either a wayward shot or a hospital pass. Sturridge is a kingpin for us!
ReplyDeletephew
ReplyDeleteThe SAS fear factor is gone, LFC is mortal........add to that Coutinho - poor form plus no one showing much creativity and slow passing...someone score.......
ReplyDeletewell done balo ....Gerrard once again non existent
ReplyDeletehuffed and puffed to that
ReplyDeleteGo two upfront Rodgers, what is fooking wrong with you?
ReplyDeletethat would be a valid point if borini actually had any ingenuity
ReplyDeleteThat's a lie. He's worked really hard tonight.
ReplyDeleteSuarez was LIVERPOOL
ReplyDeletebring in kolo toure
ReplyDeleteBalloteli was great tonight but Lallana was TOTAL CRAP
ReplyDeleteif strolling around in front of the two cb is working hard i stand corrected
ReplyDeleteAn exaggeration. Liverpool was there before Saurez & will continue WITHOUT him!
ReplyDeleteKop were so poor tonight
ReplyDeleteHe'll probably get better when he is fitter he didn't have much of a preseason
ReplyDeleteThat's another lie.
ReplyDeletegilstrap has it in for Gerrard no matter what where and when. It is no secret.
ReplyDeleteyour right my nose is nearly touching the wall ...gerrard has been a powerhouse...shooting crossing tackiling pressing intercepting i could swear there are six of him
ReplyDeletehe was alright , his set-pieces could have been better though
ReplyDeleteoh no
ReplyDeleteliverpool is nothing without suarez...
ReplyDeleteWHAT ARE YOU DOING LIVERPOOL!? FOR CHRIST'S SAKE JUST SHUT UP SHOP! SO STUPID!
ReplyDeletewell deserved ......like ive said the team is incapable of tracking runners
ReplyDeleteonce again lovren costing us some points
ReplyDeleteRef was having a laugh! Mignolet what were you thinking!
ReplyDeleteIt's not Lovren - he was covering for Sakho, who was out of position. The goal came from the left-side of the area,
ReplyDeletelool poor game
ReplyDeletemadness
ReplyDeleteWTF has happened to our pressing and attacking football philosophy?
ReplyDeleteare you sure according to logan sako is world class
ReplyDeletesods law lo
ReplyDeleteCaptain fantastic! Penalty king!
ReplyDeleteThis has been the football equivalent of Mayweather v Maidana. Ill never get this time back.
ReplyDeletelol
ReplyDeletestill that was horrendous did everyone sleep after the first goal?
ReplyDeleteOur spineless choker and serial letdown merchants got out of jail tonight.
ReplyDeleteWell he commited to a poor takcle that led to a goal, of course in a match the CB pairing will change position i know you din't like sakho but the fact is Lovren is mentally weak and it's costing us.
ReplyDeleteill be honest we don't deserve it ...we won but it doesnt feel like a win.......
ReplyDeleteDo you watch the fight? Poor you!
ReplyDeleteyou have to feel for ludogrets, we weren't too good
ReplyDeleteNo, we were just absolutely dumb.
ReplyDeleteNeed to see Suso for at least half the next match instead of Coutinho.....just for some variety.....IMHO LFC is thinly spread...not much on bench...
ReplyDeletetucking a dubious penalty a way which we didn't deserve is small consolation
ReplyDeletedoes to me
ReplyDeleteMentally weak? What are you on about? Absolute rubbish. It's costing us, sure. What did this figment of your imagination cost us tonight?
ReplyDeleteNothing whatsoever.
And the goal was just a good goal, not much the defenders could have done about it really. The midfielders were irresponsible.
I hear you loud & clear. Rubbish is an understatement. Coutinho & Lallana need to step up quickly!
ReplyDeleteyeah I watched the "fight".
ReplyDeleteWe just had to win dramatically in the champions league didn't we?
ReplyDeleteall as results like this do is paper over cracks ..we where playing minnows at home but it was hard to tell who the home team was
ReplyDeletenot everyone at that stage could have tucked a dubious penalty away though
ReplyDeleteWe played better and created more chances and fought until the end, of course we deserve it.
ReplyDeleteWe won though. Good night.
ReplyDeleteof coarse i wanted us to win but the manor in which we won has left me disappointed we where awful....sterling was superb and hendo played well and at least balo got off the mark but thats it
ReplyDeleteI wish Mayweather would fight Thurman or Andrade. Someone who can test him!
ReplyDeleteyou keep kidding yourself that we played well
ReplyDeletehe's been weak mentally since his time at Lyon.
ReplyDeleteyou don't know that but there was a time when he was put under pressure because of poor performence and he faked an injury so he didn't have to play anymore...
Honestly the french media think he's average and are wondering why we bought him, i could find you an article but not sure you speak french
Before they tied it up, it looked like both teams were exhausted.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, once we scored, we should have taken off Stevie or Raheem and brought on another defender.
we played well ? see the result we get when we play madrid or even basel away if we play this "well" again.
ReplyDeletegoal was not Lovrens fault
ReplyDeleteI think now everyone knows that two strikers is a priority, not a choice. Our attack only improved after Borini came on and resulted in the goal. We were lucky but you do not remember how you win the match, just the fact that you won the match and we did that.
ReplyDeleteWe probably didn't play our best game but we did more than enough to win it. So yes the win is deserved. It's not because the opposition are minnows and they fought well that we somehow are not allowed to beat them.
ReplyDeleteI would go so far as to say that Ludogorets created the situation themselves with the sloppy play.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't tell how much contact was on Manquillo, but Ludogorets have only themselves to blame for giving away the penalty.
That being said, we did get lucky that they were so sloppy at the end.
He'll never fight anyone who can test him. He fights fighters either before or after their peak. Thats why he in his own words "owns boxing"
ReplyDeletehe could have done better than a tackle in the air :/
ReplyDeleteHonestly i like the guy but he tend to crumble under the pressure
defense looks as shaky as ever, midfield gets run over as you would expect with gerrard and worst of all the pace and creativity in attack we had last season is just not there at the moment. i pray we bring it back sometime later...
ReplyDeleteI think Madrid will be different because it will allow us to play our free flowing game as they are not going to sit back and defend. Basel away is going to be the toughest game.
ReplyDeletedo you know the difference between "better than the opposition" and "well" ?
ReplyDeletePlay borini until stuzza comes back
ReplyDeleteif the French media watched him last season they wouldn't think he's average
ReplyDeletei didn't watch a lot of southampton last season but this season for us he's been exactly that.
ReplyDeleteYour expectations of this team are too high, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWe have to worry about simply winning. We can't worry about making it look good.
If we look good and lose, no one care that we looked good.
how the heck can you put blame on Sahko watch the video again for goodness sake i know you don't like the man but give him a break
ReplyDeletelooking from the other angle it looks as though it was Lovrens fault. The lad made his run from right to left. Sakho was watching the right winger as Moreno ha bombed on
ReplyDeleteI hope he sticks with the diamond. Please BR teach our defenders some methods to overcome nervous anxiety, every single game their errors lead to goals.
ReplyDeleteeducate me.. because i remember the opposition creating as many clear cut chances as us, hitting the post once, passing the ball better when they had possession and losing it far fewer times than us. so if there is anything else i missed...
ReplyDeletewatch Gerrard for there goal he strolls back and there player has an eon to turn and pass
ReplyDeleteAn uninspiring win we deserve better come on Liverpool.
ReplyDeletenonsense man .... he was covering his centre back partner and keeper committed suicide.
ReplyDeleteToday we got the result barely... I'm try to see the performance. Disappointing!!!
ReplyDeletedoes anyone else suspect the match was fixed ?
ReplyDeletethe penalty is quite suspicious , didn't debrecen match fix againts as well?
Moreno tend to push really high and is not there to cover his side, i'm not really impressed by him.
ReplyDeleteEvery time our CB are streched and that leave huge hole in our defense.
there goals was down to non exisiant midfield protection gerrard is strolling ,there guy picks it up has an eternity to turn and pass its been happening all season
ReplyDeleteSo because there's a dubious decision the match is fixed? I guess half of football matches around the world are fixed then.
ReplyDeletethat show how little he trust lovren.
ReplyDeletethey do look nervous. but also henderson, lucas and even coutinho are not top quality. we surely need upgrades on those players in coming years.
ReplyDeleteHe was covering for Sakho because Sakho was covering for Moreno who got caught up top.
ReplyDeleteLudogorets actually made a nice run.
But regardless that can't happen.
hard to trust these small eastern european sides though
ReplyDeletehendo is as good a midfielder as there is in the prem
ReplyDeleteCan't disagree with that! He also likes fighters who have to go up in weight. If you get the chance check out Demetrius Andrade, absolute beast!
ReplyDeletei have to admit the midfield is an enigma, time aftertime you see the CB wondering what the hell they must do because there's huge gap between our lines.
ReplyDeletei'm not sure Gerrard will get a new contract :/
We got caught on the counter. It happens, but you're right we should have done better
ReplyDeleteI thought Sterling lost the ball ........
ReplyDeleteI'm hating every minute of seeing Sakho in the line up. Where is Skirtel?
ReplyDeletewe lost the ball really stupidly too.
ReplyDeleteif Moreno leave his side open for Bale we will be in for a tough night.
ReplyDeleteis he though.i really admire his work ethic and constant running but he still needs to work on making quick decisions in attack, he can pick out a lovely pass half the time if time permits but in close quarters he often has to lift his head and survey the area before playing a team mate in. he has only done that on a few occasions. maybe its unfair to expect that level of flair from him but he does find himself in good positions and let the moment pass or play a poor pass.
ReplyDeleteYeah YNWA
ReplyDeleteNot Sakho's fault! Where was Gerrard? What was Mignolet doing?
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely match fixing in football. Where there is money there is corruption. Whether it was tonight.... we'll know in 5 years or so when the press decide the time is right
ReplyDeletewith our midfield i can see them play through unimpeded.
ReplyDeleteTheir player had so long to pass because we got caught on a counter and 4 guys stood there and complained about a no-foul call. Moreno got caught out of position which dragged Sakho out of position and a player ran right in behind him and past Lovren to bury home the ball.
ReplyDeleteNothing Migs could do there, and Lovren missed the tackle.
Just a bad play all around, but kudos to Ludogorets for making the play and giving themselves a chance to snatch a point near the end. If they didn't play so sloppily to give away the penalty, they'd be going home a lot happier right now.
don't forget the guy is their 3rd Keeper so not really a surprise to see him make a stupid decision
ReplyDeleteand if i recall ludogorets didn't exactly sit back and defend either. they did get a lot of bodies in the way of blocking shots but it was in no way parking the bus.
ReplyDeletewill do. thanks for the tip ;)
ReplyDeleteMigs came out when he should have stayed back as well
ReplyDeleteI really hope it was not fixed
ReplyDeletethis match would ahve been perfect for the criminals
and maybe they could ahve paid the gk to make sure we lose
,but i dont ahve any evidence so i will give it a rest.
their + their
ReplyDeletedid you just reply to your own post contradicting what was said in your previous post ?
ReplyDeletedisqus man, is acting up
ReplyDeleteoh ok :)
ReplyDeleteWell it might explain why we were so poor.....
ReplyDeleteDo you speak negatively about every single Liverpool player?
ReplyDeleteWe missed Allen ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt looked as though we thought we were in for an easy night. As soon as we start games with that mentality its near impossible to eradicate that lackadaisical attitude.
ReplyDeleteThe truth is the truth
ReplyDeleteThat was a very silly thing to do. Do you have the source for that please?
ReplyDeleteI thought he should of started against Villa and after tonight i just hope he gets the nod for our next game. If he plays and we win then he should keep his place.
ReplyDeleteWhen Allen's fit do you keep him in for his work rate with Henerson or do you go for Lallana and work the over load down the left hand side?
tonight we were poor because our forwards didnt scare them enough to make them defend deep and grant us full access to the midfield. But who knows :)
ReplyDeleteAgree we need two up front but Borini got a clear header and managed to hit the goalie.
ReplyDeleteBalotelli wants the ball played at him or just to the side but midfielders keep trying to play balls for him to run on to
Pepper needs new shorts!
ReplyDeletenot like our first keeper who.... oh wait.
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful performance. We're a mere shadow of last year. Balotelli and Sakho? Almost was and Never Will Be. Real will tear us a new one with those two fools in the team.
ReplyDeleteAnother shambolic defensive display to add to the collection.Ludogorets scored, hit the post, should've had a penalty and created other chances.Simon Mignolet almost cost us the win.Lovren missed the tackle but the ball was going away from goal with our defenders converging.He should've stayed on his line.Rushing out gifted them a goal.
ReplyDeleteMignolet also had poor communication when Sakho tried to shield it back to him.It nearly lead to a chance.MS is like a bull who thinks the ball is a red rag.Gerrard doesn't play defensive midfield with intelligence.Dejan Lovren is making mistakes that result in shots on goal.He isn't leading the backline like i thought he would.
We have two young Spaniards at fullback who are finding their feet.Although you could argue they've been the most consistent players so far defensively.I know it's early days but something needs to change or we'll concede another 50 in the Premier League.
Lucas should play as a DM or stay on the bench.Why was he played in more advanced role than Steven Gerrard? Our attacking play lacked good creation.The performance was huff and puff.I saw more energy than quality.We got out of jail.
manchester united getting OUT of the UCL = signing di marina and falcao
ReplyDeleteliverpool getting IN UCL = selliing suarez
Missing Allen and badly missing Sturridge
ReplyDeleteThe last two games were the two most horrible games we played in 1,5 years. It was one hell of nervous display. There is no intensity in our attack and Coutinho was a complete liability, Lallana should have scored with a direct shot and Lovren is still shaky. Balotelli did good but he needs more back up and another star player, like Sturridge, around him. We need to get our groove back and as soon as possible because we can't afford to lose more points the coming weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhat an utterly contemptible comment from an apparent fan
ReplyDelete