Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named a very attacking line-up for tonight's Champions League clash with FC Basel, but there are a couple of omissions that may come as a surprise. [Scroll to bottom for post-match discussion].
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Henderson, Gerrard, Markovic, Sterling, Coutinho, Balotelli
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Moreno, Lucas, Lallana, Lambert, Borini
The biggest surprise is the relegation of Adam Lallana and Alberto Moreno to the bench, with Jose Enrique and Coutinho coming into the team instead.
Lallana had his best game for Liverpool against Everton at the weekend, so it seems a little counter-productive to suddenly put the blockers on his momentum, but perhaps it's an injury management issue.
Given the personnel, a 442 diamond formation makes sense:
-------------- Mignolet
Manquillo -- Skrtel - Lovren ----- Enrique
--------------- Gerrard
--------- Hendo ------- Markovic
-------------- Coutinho
-------- Sterling -- Balotelli
4231 also works:
-------------- Mignolet
Manquillo -- Skrtel - Lovren ----- Enrique
------------ Hendo -- Gerrard
--- Sterling -- Coutinho ----- Markovic
---------------- Balotelli
Either way, I can't help feeling that this team is a little on the lightweight side. Is there enough defensive discipline and physical presence with Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic in the same team?
Additionally, with that front-line, it probably means that Henderson will spend most of the game being a water-carrier, doing the donkey work for Gerrard, and covering the inevitable gaps left by Coutinho et al.
And so much for the brief resurgence of Suso. After a brief period of being in Rodgers' good books, the Spaniard is now back in the Anfield wilderness. Great job, Brendan!
Ultimately, I'll always support a more attacking line-up over the more cautious option, and there's enough talent in the starting line-up to get a positive result.
My prediction: Still 2-2.
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Henderson, Gerrard, Markovic, Sterling, Coutinho, Balotelli
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Moreno, Lucas, Lallana, Lambert, Borini
The biggest surprise is the relegation of Adam Lallana and Alberto Moreno to the bench, with Jose Enrique and Coutinho coming into the team instead.
Lallana had his best game for Liverpool against Everton at the weekend, so it seems a little counter-productive to suddenly put the blockers on his momentum, but perhaps it's an injury management issue.
Given the personnel, a 442 diamond formation makes sense:
-------------- Mignolet
Manquillo -- Skrtel - Lovren ----- Enrique
--------------- Gerrard
--------- Hendo ------- Markovic
-------------- Coutinho
-------- Sterling -- Balotelli
4231 also works:
-------------- Mignolet
Manquillo -- Skrtel - Lovren ----- Enrique
------------ Hendo -- Gerrard
--- Sterling -- Coutinho ----- Markovic
---------------- Balotelli
Either way, I can't help feeling that this team is a little on the lightweight side. Is there enough defensive discipline and physical presence with Sterling, Coutinho, Markovic in the same team?
Additionally, with that front-line, it probably means that Henderson will spend most of the game being a water-carrier, doing the donkey work for Gerrard, and covering the inevitable gaps left by Coutinho et al.
And so much for the brief resurgence of Suso. After a brief period of being in Rodgers' good books, the Spaniard is now back in the Anfield wilderness. Great job, Brendan!
Ultimately, I'll always support a more attacking line-up over the more cautious option, and there's enough talent in the starting line-up to get a positive result.
My prediction: Still 2-2.
Author: Jaimie K
Just flip Couts and Lazar in that diamond.
ReplyDeleteIts damn clear that BR doesnt rate SUSO..But I want to why?
ReplyDeleteDoubt Markovic will be played in midfield. Not sure if he ever has.
ReplyDeleteHenderson and Coutinho ahead of Gerrard would make the most sense.
rodgers why you putting leiva in squad ahead of rossiter?
ReplyDeleteFinally a question with a bit of sense from you...
ReplyDeleteRuined Suso's career? I mean seriously get a grip.
ReplyDeletehow dare you!
ReplyDeleteare you trying to insult me ?
rodgers has ruined susos career players at his age play at the highest level while his on the third bench
Suso is 20 years old. You are the one insulting yourself.
ReplyDeleteCome On Guys. Who cares. First away game in 5 years... Let's enjoy the moment...
ReplyDeleteno you are sniping which goes againts the rules
ReplyDeleteby telling me i ahve no grip
If I was sniping then Jaimie would remove my post.
ReplyDeleteearly but coutinho decision making has been awful
ReplyDeleteMadrid losing..
ReplyDeletemarkovic never shoots
ReplyDeletesturridge needs to show him the way
enrique
ReplyDeleteoh my god
The one thing Markovic has shown is that he is lightning quick! I think this guy needs to be converted into a striker.
ReplyDeletewhy does balotelli always go far post?
ReplyDeleteWe need to go two upfront.
ReplyDeleteOur defence looking very nervous as usual.
ReplyDeleteWe are getting worse as the minutes tick by.
ReplyDeletethats not the solution
ReplyDeletewrong solution
balotelli for me is the anti liverpool
he is completly different to how lfc play or played last season
Why is it the wrong solution? What problems are we causing Basel at the moment?
ReplyDeletethats because balotelli running destroys all option
ReplyDeletefrom now on we need jerome sinclair he is so similar to sturridge
I think Rodgers is a bit blind to be honest.
ReplyDelete4-2-3-1 IS NOT WORKING and has not worked all season long.
rodgers is not great
ReplyDeletebut like me he know lfc have only 4 strikers who can play uptop
not sterling not markovic they are midfielders
balotelli,lambert ,borini,sturridge
one is injured
balo and lambo are too simmilar
while borini is borini
so ablo is only option
you keep thinking sterling can play upfront but me and rodgers knows he cant
Yet you questioned me why I had a problem with 4-2-3-1 recently???
ReplyDeleteWe have just got to keep possession upfield - giving ball away to easily ..
ReplyDeleteIf we start defending deep ( yet again ) we will concede
look we should ahve got sanchez we could not break wage barrier for him so we got someone who we dont need
ReplyDeleteThat is the 4-2-3-1 formation for you.
ReplyDeleteShow me a one match this season playing this formation where we have been convincing.
are you talking about liverpool or basle
ReplyDeletei dont like mondays tell me why
ReplyDeleteExactly what relevance does your comment have to my reply?
ReplyDeletelearn someone how to take set peices
ReplyDeleteWe dont look like we will ever score again - if we lose B R JOB looking ever more precarious - HE HAS LOST THE PLOT
ReplyDelete4-2-3-1
ReplyDeleteIt will save our season. NOT!
Sanchez isMAGNIFICENT for Arsenal - THANKS PHIL THOMPSON for ensuring we never got him
ReplyDeleteso that he can run into excellent positions and never shoot ?
ReplyDeleteSanchez has not been very consistent for Arsenal but this is one player who would have fitted in seamlessly with our style of play. Pity he chose us over London.
ReplyDeleteIs 2-2 your default prediction Jaimie? Bloody hell
ReplyDeleteBasel are going to score which will see us lose if we do not start showing some intention to win the game.
ReplyDeleteHe is still young. With the correct coaching this player can become a monster.
ReplyDeleteAgain, do you ever think before you type away at your keyboard? I don't think you do. There is rewarding players for form, and then there's completely ignoring an experienced UCL player for a 17 year old kid who's only ever played a Carling Cup match. That's just crazy and utterly stupid. Please think before you say things.
ReplyDeleteWhat this game is shown is Basel are not used to pressure. We have put them under pressure so many times and when we have got the ball, we have just lost it. Lot of gaps in midfield. Lallana needs to come on.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed a trend that whenever he predicts that scoreline, something bad happens.
ReplyDeleteNo idea why he does it, it's like an African child dying every time Bono claps his hands.
ReplyDeleteall you downers
ReplyDeletebright side we have still not conceded
its been 135 mins we only conceded 1 goal
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooow!
give rodgers a new contract
Basel have some good scalps in this comp its easy to under estimate them just seeing Ludogrets taking it up to Real it can be a funny game.
ReplyDeleteBasel are a good side. There is no doubting that. I think Rodgers dropped the ball by not playing Lallana. The ease with which Basel counter is crazy. Something needs to be done. On the bright side, Coutinho seems to be back.
ReplyDeleteusual Liverpool strategy play well and your on the bench....we seem to have lost all ability of a short passing game to keep possession and create a gap...tino and lazer are poor
ReplyDeleteI think Coutinho has done fine. He has just not got the ball much.
ReplyDeletelets hope he gets time,
ReplyDeletehe flatters to deceive for me
ReplyDeleteIf we change the formation/tactics then maybe there would not be any issues yet we persist with something that does not work.
ReplyDeleteno individual is playing that bad or that good but as a whole we just look so lacklustre and insipid
ReplyDeleteQ: Does Ballotelli think he'll drown if he runs into the channel?
ReplyDeleteBecause the setup is not right.
ReplyDeletenext goal will win this
ReplyDeleteWhy are we still playing with one upfront and two holding midfielders?
ReplyDeleteidk why you think two holding mids are bad
ReplyDelete99% of teams have two holding mids
chelsea,city,arsenal,bayern, dourtmount
Our final ball needs to be a lot better.
ReplyDeleteit cant not be right every game
ReplyDeleterodgers has the right tactics wrong personnal
How is it working for us. Please explain.
ReplyDeleteits logans white whale
ReplyDeleteFFS.
ReplyDeleteAnd so does our defence
ReplyDeleteso lets play no holding mid like against west ham
ReplyDeleteif you only play one cdm you lose because he will be targeted like gerrard is every time we play it
we played two holding vs arsenal 5-1
there was no problem then
Our defence is an absolute shambles yet Mingolet is get the wrong end of the stick.
ReplyDeleteYou can bring any keeper into this team, he will look average.
OH COME ON MARKOVIC! JUST ONE GOOD FINAL BALL!?
ReplyDeleteSERIOUSLY, THIS TEAM GIVES A FINAL BALL LIKE BLOODY UNDER-12S TEAM...
ReplyDeleteFor a team that can't defend corners WHY do we give sooooo
ReplyDeletemany away ?
I think its because we have no viable option to play as the third central midfielder with both Allen, Can out and Lucas incapable of playing anywhere but defensive midfield
ReplyDeletefunniest goal i ahve ever seen
ReplyDeletewe should just laugh
MARKOVIC, AGAIN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? JUST F***ING SHOOT LAD!
ReplyDeleteNOW STERLING. COME. ON. DUDE. ACRES OF ROOM THERE TO PASS TO BALOTELLI.
ReplyDeleteWe were slaughtered vs West Ham because of having Gerrard and Lucas in the same midfield.
ReplyDeleteWe played 4-3-3 in the 5-1 win vs Arsenal. Even the experts from EPL index will prove this.
we werre playing diamond that day lucas was not an attacking mid
ReplyDeletehendo was palying cdm with gerrard in that game
OH JUST GO HOME MARKOVIC. YOU SHOULD HAVE SCORED.
ReplyDeleteI agree though. We dont have the personnel to play 4-2-3-1. We need a goalscoring center forward with good movement we have Balotelli. We need natural no.10's who have a mastery in passing, shooting and dribbling we have......... whoever is in our starting line up today. I hate 4-2-3-1. I prefer to play how Man Utd played with Cantona and Cole or Teddy and Shearer i.e a striker who likes to come deep.... Man Utd Built a fortress on this formula.
ReplyDeletei give up
ReplyDeletelets just focus on the league now
quicker we out better it is
I think you have the wrong match.
ReplyDeleteWe have no Flair..... simples
ReplyDeleteno i give up
ReplyDeleteyou clearly dont know what a holding mid is
B R OUT - SACK HIM HENTY - HE HAS LOST IT
ReplyDeleteHe has been shit this season
ReplyDeleteLucas did not even play in the 5-1 win. What are you on about?
ReplyDeleteokay I'm getting pretty fed up. Every time we have a chance, we bottle it. Poor shot, poor pass, poor control.
ReplyDeletesimon mignolet go now
ReplyDeletecoutinho seriously man you are on the down curve
manquillo, markovic you guys have no final ball and look so poor
balotelli you clearly a mistake luckily we have origi
gerrard consider retiring and going out on the top of your game we cant sacrifice a position just because you can score penalties
luckily
ReplyDeleteorigi will replace balotelli next season
ibe will replace markovic
my only worry is we lose sterling to a top team
...What did Enrique do wrong!!!???
ReplyDeleteThis referee is bloody terrible. Even the ESPN commentator mentioned so.
ReplyDeletei blame the mother
ReplyDeleteJOHN HENRY - B R HAS WASTED ALL YOUR MONEY
ReplyDeleteLet's just hope Ludo can hold Real
ReplyDeleteLet's not blame the referee for our inept tactics & formation etc.
ReplyDeleteRodgers just does not seem to want to see the light.
Sterling looks fed up!
ReplyDeleteAgain, I am fed up. Markovic, uppercut yourself. Raheem, uppercut yourself.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you ?
ReplyDeletewhy dont you go apply for the lfc job ?
ReplyDeleteits not as easy as you make it seem
one holding dont work maybe if we had a schniderlin or matic
its teh players they are bad
SACK B R
ReplyDeleteChange the formation. It is that simple.
ReplyDeleteWe are not out there to win the game. We are waiting for the opposition to score and I have been proven right once again.
FFS did I blame him for what's going on?
ReplyDeletei dont know blowing 200m seems easy enough to me
ReplyDeletehe will ahve his pick
ReplyDeletecity,chelsea,real,barca , bayern ,psg
i cant blame him to be honest
Yep! He's had chances though but Markovic has been so ineffective. Ballotelli needs a partner upfront.
ReplyDeletewe have wide players who run in straight lines. pointless
ReplyDeleteFor once im happy we are losing......Brenda's buys are just not doing it
ReplyDeletehe should be up front instead of impersonating a midfielder
ReplyDeleteso how many times does markovic have to lose the ball before he realizes his potential and becomes the next ronaldo ?
ReplyDeletesterlings shot who saw it
ReplyDeleteLallana is a proper footballer. We need another three like him
ReplyDeleteTold you! What a chance for Sterling!
ReplyDeletemake that 10
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't he start FFS
ReplyDeleteHit the flipping target at least! Flip sake!
ReplyDeleteif we gonna lose go all out
ReplyDeletedont want europa league football
finished 4th dont want 3rd
Just as Lucas and Gerrard cant play in the same side neither can Sterling and Markovic. Pace for pace sake. and coutinho........smh
ReplyDeleteWhy did we go with 4-2-3-1 FFS!
ReplyDeleteGet rid of it!!!
sterling, hang your head in shame. I'm sick of you flapping at shots.
ReplyDeleteIt's not his ability, it's attitude.
ReplyDeleteHe has made comments the club were unhappy with on twitter and I believe he was also fined by Almeria last season for missing or being late for training. He strikes me as thinking that he is entitled to a spot in the squad and team far more than he is willing to show it.
we clearly playing 433
ReplyDeletei think the games up ....most teams seem to have tactically worked out how to nullify liverpool
ReplyDeleteMarkovic is making me wish we kept Downing! We're looking to Sterling for everything!
ReplyDeleteyeah we're back to 4-1-4-1
ReplyDeletesad but true
ReplyDeletehes trying to hard because no one is stepping up ...its a very average display from a very average team
ReplyDeleteWhere's our midfield, their number 8 is all over us!
ReplyDeleteand he isnt good enough to be our talisman yet...... nowhere near
ReplyDeleteNow only are we going 2 upfront. Too late now.
ReplyDeleteWhy Lambert and not Borini?
ReplyDeleteRodgers has BLOWN 120 MILLION POUNDS
ReplyDeleteSo many offsides! Sort it out!!!
ReplyDeletewe're so orthodox without Suarez its untrue. If I know what our players are going to do next then rest assured so do the opposition
ReplyDeleteBORRING BORRING FOOTBALL FROM LIVERPOOL 0
ReplyDeleteWake up call I'm afraid .... these are the players BR bought to compete in CL !
ReplyDeleteCome on. 8 minutes left. Show some fight...
ReplyDeletelallana ,moreno
ReplyDeleteso wipe 37m out of that
Markovic...................
ReplyDeletewell if you think them two are worth 37m okay
ReplyDeletelet hendo take the free kicks
ReplyDeleteShite Real winning
ReplyDeleteturn pass, turn pass, turn pass, turn pass....... then kick and run...
ReplyDeleteWhy is BR speaking one thing, doing another thing and bringing in another team this season.......What happened to LFC? This is looking pedestrian and disturbing. 20 m for Marko is highly suspect, bringing Remy for 9 was better... Super Mario is nothing delivering on all cylinders and is minutes away from a red card I am afraid.Lallana should have played from the start. I am afraid to watch LFC's next match....
ReplyDeleteChelsea and City play with one. Toure and Fabregas are not holding mids. Arsenal play with one at a push. Arteta or Flamini but the others like Wilshere and Ramsey are not holding mids.
ReplyDeleteCome on! Such awful passing! What am I seeing?!!!
ReplyDeleteim a bit bias toward balo but i think hes been one of our better players.....
ReplyDeleteI said we will regret not buying Remy! Our transfers are garbage!
ReplyDeleteThey are giving us a lesson on how to defend .....
ReplyDeleteMarkavic is actually as bad as he looked in his YouTube clips before we bought him . I trusted that there was something the scouts seen that was worth 20m (wow 20m)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Ballotelli was this immobile. But our scouts did. In essence We signed two target men this season and as ive posted before they dont work for us.
ReplyDeleteWBA are licking their lips. Let's just go with 2 holding midfielders again and let them walk all over us.
ReplyDeleteOh and can somebody teach our defence how to defend especially at set pieces?
POOR POOR POOR POOR POOR!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT HAS HAPPENED?!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI would rather have Iago Aspas out there. I gaurantee he would provide more for us than Ballotelli and Lambert combined.
ReplyDeleteNo Flair
ReplyDeletei didn't realize he was so slow he needs to bulk down a bit..but truth be known most of the team are poor lovren is nothing special and is no better than sako
ReplyDelete...Stop blaming it on your '2 holding mids' theory! That game had nothing to do with 2 holding mids. It had to do with our absolutely poor the exection and desire was. Liverpool just seemed to not give a flying f***.
ReplyDeleteI posted the same thing last week. He has lived up to his youtube hype
ReplyDeleteI mean every time Lambert controls the ball it flicks up in the air...
ReplyDeleteBrendan Rodgers OUT!!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed may as well kept Ibe.
ReplyDeleteNot one performance this season has been convincing this season when we have gone 4-2-3-1 unless you want to prove otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be scrapped ASAP!
And bring in who? Go on, I'm very interested to hear?
ReplyDeleteI cannot dcide what's worse the performance or some of the comments on here
ReplyDeleterogers is in trouble its a reasonable assumption to say we can be out of cl and out of the running for top 4 by Christmas. There is a 70 to 30 chance wba will turn us over
ReplyDeleteAny Italian manager.
ReplyDeletei not sure anything can top that performance
ReplyDeleteexactly hendo was not playing holding mid just a deep lying midfielder liek fabregas,ramsey and yaya do
ReplyDeletebut logan is too stuck up to see that
We would have been better served keeping Carroll if we were going to go down the target man route. We have signed strikers who wont score
ReplyDeleteSkrtel Skrtel lol lol what an assist by him today :(
ReplyDeleteno top 4 & no CL for us next year :(
LOOL
ReplyDeleteis cesar prandelli in a job
ReplyDeletein a nut shell we have become crap
ReplyDeleteplease sack rodgers - he has no idea - best save our season and SACK B R NOW
ReplyDeleteI... I just can't even...
ReplyDeletePoor performance, awful passing, no killer instinct, too many offsides!
ReplyDeleteCoutinho- I don't know what has happened to him but he needs to sort it out. Better than before but still poor.
Markovic- Not a £20M player by any means. Average.
Balotelli- Clearly needs a striking partner. Very immobile, no pace.
Enrique- Glad he is back but same old same old. Was Moreno injured?
Lallana- Why not start him?
I'm not pleased at all. We are so predicable. We can't rely just on Sterling, he's a kid.
Gerard is FINISHED
ReplyDeleteEdit: Typo.....I meant Super Mario is not delivering on all cylinder.
ReplyDeleteLiverpool 0 West Brom 2
ReplyDeleteBehave!
ReplyDeletesome players will make it but most of our forwards in the squad today wont. Suarez lifted their game by 63 percent
ReplyDeleteCarroll's a sick note so I'm glad he's gone.
ReplyDeleteIts time to start PANICKING
ReplyDeletethis kid be better off to Madrid if the rumors are true
ReplyDeleteHoullier?
ReplyDeleteI hope Rodgers gets the sack in the morning, this is total none-sense we are going for relegation with this form and style of play.
ReplyDeleteit was time to start panicking against the saints
ReplyDeleteI'm just surprised do many people are surprised.
ReplyDeletebut it clearly wasn't the major issue today. it was absolutely criminal final touch/pass from the players. We still could have comfortably won that with 2 holding mids if our execution was better.
ReplyDeleteAt least I got a smile from this....good one:)
ReplyDeleteAdmire your optimism.
ReplyDeleteWill he's heart be up to it?
ReplyDeleteI never wanted him and dont rate Carrol in the slightest, but we didnt need to sign a lump to go up there this season. BR drank the media's BS potion in believing we needed a game changer of the bench. We needed a game changer IN the first 11.
ReplyDeleteAs a straight replacement for Gerrard?
ReplyDeletelool
ReplyDeleteAt least Sakho's not a scapegoat!
ReplyDeleteLOL for real? :D
ReplyDeleteso was alan wells
ReplyDeleteThere was no need to sign him. We would have got more value signing Hoilett for 5mill
ReplyDeleteOops, when he said Gerard I thought the Liverpool family might have suffered a second disaster of the evening.
ReplyDeleteIt's true mate, we're that rubbish!
ReplyDeleteSorry but how many times does it have to be repeated that Balotelli is struggling on his own?
ReplyDeleteEven a blind man will be able to tell you that. Nothing about the tactics/formation Rodgers is persisting with suggests that we are going to win games.
If nobody can see this then let me tell you know that we are ion for many more disappointments unless things are changed.