Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has sprung a major surprise for today's must-win game with Hull City, and benched vice-captain Jordan Henderson for the first time since March 2013.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno; Gerrard, Allen, Can, Lallana; Sterling, Balotelli.
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Johnson, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert
This is definitely one for the books (!)
It's possible that Rodgers is resting Henderson, but if that's the case, why is Gerrard - who is older and much more in need of being rested - starting the game?
Rodgers likes to wax lyrical about Hendo's amazing fitness levels, so unless he's carrying an injury, this looks to me like he has been dropped.
Coutinho also drops back to the bench to make way for Adam Lallana, who made a moderate impression against Madrid. Probable formation:
-------------------- Mignolet
Manquillo ---- Skrtel ---- Lovren ----- Moreno
----------------- Can -- Allen
------------------ Gerrard
---------- Lallana ------- Sterling
------------------ Balotelli
Rodgers may go with 4231 or a 442 diamond, but given his recent formations, it seems likely he's going to persist with Balotelli up-front on his own (which is a mistake).
I just hope he doesn't go with Gerrard in the DM role and/ or a Gerrard/Allen holding partnership. Whatever happens, Can should not play further up the field than the captain, who is infinitely better than the German in an attacking role.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the team performs without Henderson...
My prediction: 2-1 LFC.
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno; Gerrard, Allen, Can, Lallana; Sterling, Balotelli.
SUBS: Jones, Toure, Johnson, Henderson, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert
This is definitely one for the books (!)
It's possible that Rodgers is resting Henderson, but if that's the case, why is Gerrard - who is older and much more in need of being rested - starting the game?
Rodgers likes to wax lyrical about Hendo's amazing fitness levels, so unless he's carrying an injury, this looks to me like he has been dropped.
Coutinho also drops back to the bench to make way for Adam Lallana, who made a moderate impression against Madrid. Probable formation:
-------------------- Mignolet
Manquillo ---- Skrtel ---- Lovren ----- Moreno
----------------- Can -- Allen
------------------ Gerrard
---------- Lallana ------- Sterling
------------------ Balotelli
Rodgers may go with 4231 or a 442 diamond, but given his recent formations, it seems likely he's going to persist with Balotelli up-front on his own (which is a mistake).
I just hope he doesn't go with Gerrard in the DM role and/ or a Gerrard/Allen holding partnership. Whatever happens, Can should not play further up the field than the captain, who is infinitely better than the German in an attacking role.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the team performs without Henderson...
My prediction: 2-1 LFC.
Author: Jaimie K
Hendo in for Stevie in the second, as an am.
ReplyDeleteBalotelli again......why not give Lambert a chance
ReplyDeleteI just hope Hull doesn't do a West Ham to us
ReplyDeleteGerrard hasn't had international games like Henderson. When I think of all the games Hendo's played since 2 years or so I think he deservedly needs a rest, no matter how good his fitness is. We'll need him later on in the season for more difficult games than this one.
ReplyDeleteBro BR is never gonna rest Gerrard
ReplyDeleteGerrard won't play vs Swansea either and Hendo probably will.
ReplyDeleteI can't see Jaimie's formation being right. Can is a swap for Hendo. He will play ahead of Gerrard.
I think he'll be rested on Tuesday, don't worry
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteI will believe it once I see it:p
ReplyDeleteOnce again grandpa Gerrard starts 3 games in 6 days I don't mean it in bad way but only a injury will only stop Rodgers picking him for gods sake he's 34 years old!!! Rodgers managment skill are questionable he's alienated quite a few players also balotelli needs another striker with him and that would mean changing balance of team and dropping Gerrard coz he needs 3 midfielders around who will do the the donkey work!!!!
ReplyDeleteSteven gerarrd is the real manager of lfc
ReplyDeletehe can sack rodgers if he wants
why else will he be so scared of dropping him?
I see a 4-4-2 diamond with Allen and Can either side of Gerrard and Lallana in the n°10 role.
ReplyDeleteRumour would have it he got Rafa sacked. Perhaps your right.
ReplyDeletecan gerrard be selfless and be this great captain fantastic by leaving to teh mls ?
ReplyDeletehis service is no longer needed
maybe we arent as bad as though wet ham beating city
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteWhy no Coutinho? Best player against Madrid and great cameo against QPR.
ReplyDeleteExactly mate. This league means anyone can be beat.
ReplyDeletebecause that would mean dropping gerrard
ReplyDeleteand we all know rodgers cant do that
I think if they are pushing up he will get the nod in the second half. Of they are sitting back it will be Lambert.
ReplyDeletei think rodgers is losing it
ReplyDeletehenderson and coutinho dropped?
while balotelli and stevie play every week?
come on man city i wanna be top 4 by the end of the weekend
ReplyDeleteRight. I would have picked Coutinho ahead of Can or Allen. We're playing at home and need to attack and put Hull under pressure from the first whistle...
ReplyDeleteOur midfield squad is way to thin, our atention in the summer market should have been on Song he has the physical presense and mobility neeeded right now
ReplyDeletei think long term we dont need a player like him
ReplyDeletecoutinho is turning into a number 8
............................................sturridge
sterling................................ibe/lallana..............origi
.....................................coutinho.........henderson
with can rotating with coutinho and henderson
By the end of the weekend we can be point off second.
ReplyDeleteif you put it that way : )
ReplyDeleteI hate to say it but we have to look at West Ham. They moved from Carroll and Nolan to Sakho and Valencia because it suited them. BR's stubborness needs to stop. Gerrard should not be playing 3 games in 6 days.
ReplyDeleteDefensevly?
ReplyDeleteThe thing is i can understand
ReplyDeleteif you watched the tours of liverpool gerrard is lfc main guy the face of liverpool even when suarez and torres were there
some lfc fans worship gerrard
if liverpool were to drop him then lose
then calls for rodgesr head will grow like avb when he dropped drogba and lampard
It could be interesting to reshape him in that position, as Real showed us no real definsive midfielder is needed.
ReplyDeleteBut our future stategy should be based around to attackers i believe
On another note, do people remember the last time Hendo was not in the starting 11 in a league game.
ReplyDeletesam allerdyce has turned west ham from a defensive team to an attacive team
ReplyDeleterodgers has to do the opposite but is he as talented as big sam?
His service is very much needed just further up the pitch, and with Can and allen known as defensive midfielders from their former clubs we could hope that gerrard would be allowed to focus more on the attacking play
ReplyDeletei know it hurts my heart
ReplyDeleteespecially when old an stvie and balo playing
surely couts deserved a start
ReplyDeletebizarre ..tino and hendo dropped..i really would have liked to see gerrard rested and a midfield 3 of hendo can and allen with sterling tino and lallana up front..can see diame having a big game for hull
ReplyDeletegerrard has lost his legs he cant attack anymore
ReplyDeletechelsea a club that dont care who they step over dropp their legends
liverpool we have no spine
i am starting to not like rodgers
ReplyDeletei will give him a year to experiment
but we should be open to new managers
such as ancelotti if real decide to axe
just hope we play the diamond
ReplyDeleteapart from the line up vs everton
ReplyDeleteevery line up rodgers has put up is so questionable
i read he stays up all night and i think thats the problem over thinking
these games against the lesser teams are must win games and to start without your best and most physical midfielder against a physical hull team is crazy
ReplyDeleteif we lose today i will never ever forgive rodgers because he dropped my two faviroite players
ReplyDeleteIf the midfield can dominate possesion more, as Rodgers praises is his philosophy, he "won't need his legs" as much, and his eye for the game is still way better than any other midfielder
ReplyDeletei fear liverpool losing this one..BR has lost it completely...gerrard again and hendo dropped for rest..great selection..no attacking threat from that midfield..all will be again on sterling and lallana to do magic
ReplyDeletethe thing is passing has never been gerrard strong point he has never dominated a midfield
ReplyDeleteit was his dynamism that made him one of the best
Pretty sure it will be
ReplyDeleteMignolet
Manquillo-Skrtel-Lovren-Moreno
Gerrard
Can-Allen
Sterling-Balo-Lallana
Anything other than thios or 1 up front 2 holding midfielders Hodgson football and Hull will be have a practice match.
the hull remit will be to mark lallana and sterling keep tight on gerrard and pump slow balls into the box if they do that they should get a result on current form
ReplyDeleteOver the last 5 games the best attacking trio has clearly been Sterling, coutinho and lallana yet they rarely feature in the same game; clueless
ReplyDeletei hope balotelli has such a bad game he never can be picked again
ReplyDeletebut we still win
u cant deny SG passing ability surely
ReplyDeleteNow that is calling yourself a LFC supporter.
ReplyDeletei dont see us putting up a convincing win even with the best 11 on the pitch today. so i could not care less who BR decides to drop.
ReplyDeletetotally agree with u logan we need to play 2 up front
ReplyDelete7th place, increasingly ugly football, a fall out with the owners and a lot of bad signings got Rafa sacked.
ReplyDeleteof cource i can
ReplyDeletehe is good at the odd hollywood pass
but thats one out of every 9 attempts it works
pirlo,alonso ,modric thoose are good passers
why not hope we win and balo scores
ReplyDeletesong had a great game..and we had a chance to get him
ReplyDeletei dont like him
ReplyDeletehis body language is so disheartening it makes the game look ugly
i would rather have andy carroll
Don't agree, for a man that made 15 assisst last season; what if he was further up the pitch could be even better, plus Liverpool fans really miss his iconic long shots!!
ReplyDeleteOnce again grandpa Gerrard starts 3 games in 6 days I don't mean it in bad way but only a injury will only stop Rodgers picking him for gods sake he's 34 years old!!! Rodgers managment skill are questionable he's alienated quite a few players also balotelli needs another striker with him and that would mean changing balance of team and dropping Gerrard coz he needs 3 midfielders around who will do the the donkey work!!!!
ReplyDeletei am thinking long term as a fan
ReplyDeleteall corners and free kicks
ReplyDeleteIf we go 2 upront then it needs to be
ReplyDeleteMignolet
Manquillo-Skrtel-Lovren-Moreno
Gerrard
Can-Allen
Lallana
Sterling--Balo
rodgesr confirmed
ReplyDelete" henderson has one or two little niggles"
my world makes sence again
Long term. who should be our next manager then?
ReplyDeleteyep would have preferred couts in there though
ReplyDeleteWe will win today.
ReplyDeletehis priority is clearly to keep a clean sheet wtih such a defensive minded midfield
ReplyDeletefive men shortlist :
ReplyDelete1) Klopp
2) diego simeone
3) ancelotti
4)pochetinno
5) prandeli
in that order
Rested and should not need our best side to beat Hull at home.
ReplyDeletejust read he have had 30 shots so far without scoring, the worst statistic yet:(
ReplyDeleteour next important match is vs newcastle
ReplyDeletea whole week
Do not make it difficult for yourself. tell us who wants to come manage the team. Pick one who wants to come.
ReplyDeleteWhat's with the black flags?
ReplyDeleteDo corners and free kicks just not count? They're still assists for God's sake!
ReplyDeleteklopp
ReplyDeletebut i never said i want rodgers sacked
And 'Enough is Enough'?
ReplyDeletebalotelli
ReplyDeleteIf skrtel and Lovren were going to start Balotelli had to start!........ I knew it! BR got rumbled about his scapegoating of Balotelli and was even asked about it during the pre-match press conference. Skrtel must have pictures of BR in an uncompromising position. If Big skrtel and Lovren get chance after chance for being rubbish then BR cannot justify Balotelli being dropped for exchanging some material at half time.
ReplyDeleteSkrtel again? Lovren again? Gerrard again? Mignolet again? Allen Again? whats your fixation with Mario fellow fan?
ReplyDeleteticket prices.
ReplyDeleteHenderson has probably been rested because he runs twice as much as Gerrard. Gerrard walks and jogs.
ReplyDeleteLOOK STERLING LOOK!!! YOU HAD A FREE OPTION TO YOUR RIGHT TO PUT HIM STRAIGHT ON GOAL
ReplyDeletegerrard what a passenger
ReplyDeleteAt least Johnson is dropped at last, I expect to see Gerrard replaced by Henderson at some point in the game too. Good to see the press didn't hound Balotelli out of the team, but you gotta feel for Coutinho, that's a tough call.
ReplyDeletewhy is balotelli cominmg to defence and spraying balls does he know his roel?
ReplyDeleteSterling isn't a wide man. With every game I see him play out there the less I am convinced he can. Stick him up front with Mario. We need to make use of Raheems main asset; his ability to make runs in behind off the ball.
ReplyDeletebalotelli so bad make a run in behind
ReplyDeletehe is like silva
ReplyDeletei saw silva do ten time s more in center
but we have enough 10s
sterling palyed on the wing last year though and was fantastic only last 5 agmes of last season he palyed 10
Pace up front. Pace upfront. Pace up front!!!
ReplyDeleteKlopp is not going to leave Dortmund. please try again.
ReplyDeleteIm not saying play Sterling at n.10 I'm saying play him where Suarez use to play, on the last man. Sterling isnt creative, he is effective... big difference.
ReplyDeleteSakho and Valencia are showing the way.
ReplyDeleteFFS, can't this co-commentator quit with putting the microscope on every single little bad thing that Mario does? 'He shouldn't be swearing, he should be applauding Can for the right idea'...I mean ffs man, give it a rest!
ReplyDeletebalotelli so lumbersoem
ReplyDeleteput lambert on he will atleast play as a striker
oh no corner
ReplyDeletewe are slow enough in attack without lambert
ReplyDeleteAverage...Balotelli no running at all
ReplyDeleteWell he is being asked to play deep??? Who the f*** is asking him to do this?
ReplyDeleteyou can be usain bolt but you have t amke use of your running ability
ReplyDeletelambert does that balotelli is as fast as a snail
I just heard Mignolet say "keeperS Keepers!" and Skrtel still headed it clear... i mean....
ReplyDeleteFFS. We need pace up front. Bring on Markovic and let him run.
ReplyDeletehe's a dick
ReplyDeletefrom 1 to 11 we look very average
ReplyDeletehull basically have 3 defenders marking one striker
ReplyDeleteAt least we are not playing with 2 holding midfielders and 1 up front and luckily Hull are not testing our defence that much.
ReplyDeleteThe groans of the Anfield crowd dont help when we are trying something different in the last third and lose the ball. The sound of that groan is confidence sapping.
ReplyDeleteyes balotelli is injured
ReplyDeleteNonsense. Gerrard is a great passers of the ball. It has always been a strong part of his game.
ReplyDeleteno pace..no pace at all
ReplyDeleteI dont usually down vote but here you go
ReplyDeleteRogers is not willing or capable of dropping Gerrard which is what needs to happen.
ReplyDeleteRogers should be playing Henderson, Allen, and Can and dropping Gerrard and Balotelli.
I think we maybe about to see the unravelling of Brendan Roger's as our Manager he started out so well and I think he doesn't have the strength to drop players.
Its a shame because if he did so he would demonstrate to ALL THE PLAYERS THAT NO ONE IS UNDROPPABLE.
The only way is the Barca way. Will will persist until the spirit of Messi blesses our players
ReplyDeletewhen Diame runs with the ball in the last third.........get out the way!
ReplyDeleteIs he? Or is he deciding to pkay deep?
ReplyDeleteright so nothing is happening with our attack. Something needs to give. We cannot continue like this. Rodgers needs to start getting a grip.
ReplyDeleteIMO the changes thaty need to be made for the second half
Mignolet
Manquillo-Toure-Lovren-Moreno
Gerrard
Can--Alen
Sterling
Markovic--Balo
Pace upfront FFS!
Or tackle him?
ReplyDeleteTactically Hull are pressing our back four and squeezing Gerrard forcing us to play long to Bobby Zomora :-) If we dont play out from the back we cant play. Same with Arsenal.
ReplyDeleteNoooo get out the way!
ReplyDeleteSkrtel goes :-o every time he sees Diame running at him :-o.
ReplyDeleteDiame > Allen
ReplyDeleteIt's a pain to watch this. Hope he brings in Coutinho,Hendo asap
ReplyDeleteDiame > Skrtel
ReplyDeletediame only plays well vs us
ReplyDeleteAllen absolute waste.......Skrtel made more forward passes than him
ReplyDeletei think most teams have cottoned on to this fact now its just that rogers doesnt have the flexibility of tactics or the ability to make the hard decisions to solve it
ReplyDeleteloool LIke a rabbit in headlights
ReplyDeleteatleast better than side pass allen
ReplyDeleterodgers needs to get rid of balotelli now
ReplyDeletehe is so bad and frustrating reminds me of david ngog
sterling up front markovic on now
bring on Ricky plz
ReplyDeleteVery true. What do you think is the way forward?
ReplyDeleteallen is our best player so far alongside lovren
ReplyDeleteeveryone else dissapointing
sterling needs to improve he is not good enough for real
Brendan- please play two strikers... Almost the entire world knows this..
ReplyDeleteRicky ain't goint to help in this slow paced game i am afraid.
ReplyDeleteimpressed by Can...seems good with the surging runs
ReplyDeleteLallana is our best player
ReplyDeleteeasily our best player
ReplyDeletethen take off Balo for Couts and play Sterling there
ReplyDeleteCoutinho the best player in last two games, brenda leaves him out, fair enough. Sterling balo allen dead men walking. How to win this game?
ReplyDeletewe are effectively playing with 3 Dm so that has to change id take allen and Gerard off and bring hendo and tino into midfield ......id take balo off and play sterling as cf with marko and lallan wide of him
ReplyDeletereally a pain to watch
ReplyDeleteBalo is a better right sided player than a lone striker in a 4-3-3. I say Just swap Sterling and Balo.
ReplyDeleteBalo is better at bench
ReplyDeleteCan has been good so for
ReplyDeleteagreeed
ReplyDeleteThat is not the solution. Coutinho is not the quickets player either.
ReplyDeleteLallana is also not the quickest. FFS i just wish Rodgers would grow some balls and try something different. Markovic has loads of pace. Play him and Balo upfront with Sterling right behind them.
If we carry on the way we are Hull will just have a better chance of getting a goal.
Getting fed up with this sh!te uninspiring football this season.
Do u think he'll get a hat trick? Cant see him solving much problems out there, but yeah lets give him a chance, this mario is massive disgrace, shameful to even watch him on that shirt.D
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything except I would swap balo and Sterlings positions and give Mario a role where he faces the play.
ReplyDeleteyep no intent at all
ReplyDeletei told liverpool
ReplyDeleteto offer sanchez a blank cheque to join lfc
but no we are too cheap
Then why did BR buy him?
ReplyDeletesnachez and schniderlin were what we needed this summer
ReplyDeleteHe probably is but probably needs to work more on his delts
ReplyDeleteInteresting choice. Maybe it's a case of rotation. When was the last time Hendo had an actual rest? Can has looked decent enough, he's a good player and will only get better. Still not really the blistering Liverpool of last season but they are at least better than against QPR. Still moments of panic in defence. The ball watching is incredible.
ReplyDeleteid go with that id even go with balo playing in front of hendo and can in midfield ..the way we are set up at present offers little or no scope to attack , Hull are a poor prem team yet we don't look capable of troubling them
ReplyDeleteHendo for Allen
ReplyDeletebring on markovic next for balotelli ,coutinho for gerrard
ReplyDelete...............................................sterling
lallana......................................coutinho.................markovic
......................................can.................allen
I'd love to see the positives of Allen in the side though
ReplyDeleteSkrtel made more forward passes than him
ReplyDeleteallen is comfortable on the left hand side but because of can
ReplyDeletehenderson on right allen left
sorry bro Allen doesnt create much chances
ReplyDeleteGuys have funn gonna watch 2nd half now......hope we win
ReplyDeleteAt least we will see some decent football with El Clasico ...... O how I pine for Luis
ReplyDeleteyeah.. no.10. We have to at least try and accommodate our 16mill man in a way we havent with 16 other BR signings.
ReplyDeleteSome changes are needed now. Where is hender and cout, we need more pace and creativity.
ReplyDeleteco commentator just got it spot on " Hull have produced one of the best pressing performances I have seen all season"
ReplyDeleteonly sterling ,skrtel,migs and gerrard from the arsenal win
ReplyDeleteAre we the away or home team? Fed f****** up.
ReplyDeleteget this ballo off now
ReplyDeletetake that for pressing hard..2 of them down
ReplyDeleteLambert coming on for who? We need pace FFS not somebody who is going to hold up play!
ReplyDeleteIt really is frustrating
why cant we play
ReplyDeletesterling coutinho and lallana together
We are really over complicating this. We should go to a flat 4-4-2 with Henderson and Can in the middle. Play Lallana left coutinho right and stick balo up with sterling.
ReplyDeleteso man y soft fouls
ReplyDeleteand look at that Balo is a second striker...... surprise surprise
ReplyDeleteLet's be having you Can hear you now ;-)
ReplyDeletea second striker who only got one assist in 89 games?
ReplyDeleteThere is a rumour that Gerrard and Cara had lost respect for him and went above him to complain. Just to emphasise rumour.
ReplyDeleteHe's playing wide left
ReplyDeleteWe've been better ever since he came on...
ReplyDeletetake balotelli off get markovic on
ReplyDeleteFair enough but it we still have not scored.
ReplyDeleteStop making Balotelli a scapegoat.
ReplyDeleteFacing the play Balo is a completely different play. Not all number 10's or wide forwards can play false no.9
ReplyDeleteWe need someone with pace pace playing behind and alongside Balotelli. Rodgers is to freaking blind.
ReplyDeletejoe allen was the most pathetic.. he doesnt pass like a footballer.. never contributed anything in build up play
ReplyDeleteRodgers has a vision of Sterling and it is clearly wrong. His pace is wasted playing as a second left or right back
ReplyDeleteJoe Allen has noting to do with our mediocre displays. Just another scapegoat.
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to our team? Last season was all about emotions, be it we were winning or losing, this season the games are just plain boring, even when we win. Just bringing in one player in January won't fix this. I honestly don't know what Will.
ReplyDeleteWe can forget about top 4. Rodgers has lost the plot.
ReplyDeleteBallotelli what were you thinking!!!!!!??????
ReplyDeleteGerrard right mid. Just keep pinging em in
ReplyDeletepenalty all day
ReplyDeleteWe are so desperate.
ReplyDeletestop putting in balls
ReplyDeleteCoutinho looks different since representing Brazil... looks like he believes.
ReplyDeletewe aint ever gonna score from a set peice
ReplyDeleteI suppose anyone losing Suarez and Sturridge would be too. But we dont have a go to guy out there. No one is demanding it and receiving it like Suarez used to. Lambert looks tidy though
ReplyDeleteWe still have not scored though. We can be lucky Hull are playing for 1 point.
ReplyDelete