He's only gone ahead and done it (!) Brendan Rodgers has finally shown some balls and surprisingly dropped Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard for today's must-win game with Stoke City.
Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana are also left out for the second game in a row as Rodgers tries to halt Liverpool's atrocious run of Premier League form.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lambert
SUBS: Jones, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Gerrard, Markovic, Can
A few points:
* Rodgers will probably argue that Gerrard is merely being 'rested', or carrying a slight injury, but leaving the skipper out is a massive statement of intent from the manager, and it's absolutely the right decision. Gerrard's influence is negligible this season, and he should be subject to being dropped just like any other player.
* In my view, the starting XI is a testament to Rodgers consistently questionable performance in the transfer market. Only four of Rodgers' signings make the team (Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, and Coutinho), with the rest of the XI made up of players who were at the club before BR arrived. Additionally, he's left £88m worth of summer signings on the bench, which just illustrates how badly Rodgers got it wrong over the summer.
* Alberto Moreno is on the bench for third game in a row. He's clearly not being rested, so, why continue to leave him out of the team. The Spaniard must really be out of favour if Rodgers is playing injury-prone Jose Enrique ahead of him.
* It'll be interesting to see what happens if Liverpool win the game; will Rodgers keep Gerrard on the bench? Will Lovren and Lallana remain out in the cold? Players should be in the team on merit, and if the Reds emerge victorious today, then there's no reason to bring Gerrard et al back into the side.
Probable formation:
------------------ Mignolet
Johnson ----- Skrtel --- Toure ----- Enrique
--------------- Lucas - Allen
Hendo ----------- Sterling ------- Coutinho
----------------- Lambert
My prediction: 1-1
Author: Jaimie K
Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana are also left out for the second game in a row as Rodgers tries to halt Liverpool's atrocious run of Premier League form.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel, Toure, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lambert
SUBS: Jones, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Gerrard, Markovic, Can
A few points:
* Rodgers will probably argue that Gerrard is merely being 'rested', or carrying a slight injury, but leaving the skipper out is a massive statement of intent from the manager, and it's absolutely the right decision. Gerrard's influence is negligible this season, and he should be subject to being dropped just like any other player.
* In my view, the starting XI is a testament to Rodgers consistently questionable performance in the transfer market. Only four of Rodgers' signings make the team (Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, and Coutinho), with the rest of the XI made up of players who were at the club before BR arrived. Additionally, he's left £88m worth of summer signings on the bench, which just illustrates how badly Rodgers got it wrong over the summer.
* Alberto Moreno is on the bench for third game in a row. He's clearly not being rested, so, why continue to leave him out of the team. The Spaniard must really be out of favour if Rodgers is playing injury-prone Jose Enrique ahead of him.
* It'll be interesting to see what happens if Liverpool win the game; will Rodgers keep Gerrard on the bench? Will Lovren and Lallana remain out in the cold? Players should be in the team on merit, and if the Reds emerge victorious today, then there's no reason to bring Gerrard et al back into the side.
Probable formation:
------------------ Mignolet
Johnson ----- Skrtel --- Toure ----- Enrique
--------------- Lucas - Allen
Hendo ----------- Sterling ------- Coutinho
----------------- Lambert
My prediction: 1-1
Author: Jaimie K
Good selection apart from Johnson
ReplyDeletenot saying he is just suggestions
ReplyDeletebecause like assaidi every time can plays he shows more then most players
but rodgers drops them
Im wondering what is happening with Moreno would have preferred him to Enrique and also Can to Lucas however we shall see!
ReplyDeletestill supporting rodgers
ReplyDeletebut maybe we will see the best of new players under a different manager
rodgers is suffering teh opposite of daglish who gave his new players too much chances , rodgers none
My guess is (the only reason that comes to mind) is the concentration lapses which have conceded 2 goals, the one at man city... And another one which happened more recently, can't remember the team.
ReplyDeleteEnrique is no better, all it takes to go past him is cut inside.
ReplyDeletewell Can is not a DM he's more a box to box.
ReplyDeleteRodgers you have to play your new players
ReplyDeletelallana is better then allen and coutinho
can is better then allen and lucas
lovren is better then skrtel
markovic is better then lambert
moreno si better then johnson and enrique
id have coutinho starting any day
ReplyDeleteif sturridge is playing
ReplyDeletecoutinho best quality is his through balls but there is no one to get them
lallana does not need fast men playing
lallana an assist last assist dropped
ReplyDeletecan a goal last start dropped
markovic best performance vs real Madrid so far , dropped after
lim sorry but what is going on
did rodgers buy the players or ian ayre
if BR changes to a diamond during the game then couts will fit into the 10 role with sterling up front with lambert..just saying theres more options
ReplyDeleteTo spend over 100 million and put that team out at home deserves the sack - unless they win !. no Lalana madness.
ReplyDeleteLovren is better than Skrtel in your dreams.
ReplyDeleteskrtel never makes tackles just fouls
ReplyDeletenot one attempt at a tackle vs crystal palace
lovren at least tries to be afootballer sometimes ballerina rather then a rugby player like skrtel
lovren deserves to be dropped he has been poor
ReplyDeleteI was beginning to think I was mad to be the only one to see the blindingly obvious but there are at least two of us.
ReplyDeletei have said it before liverpool should follow southampton approach to putting out a team
ReplyDelete......................................................lambert
lallana/sterling..............................henderson/allen............borini
..............................................lucas...............can
So has Skrtel.
ReplyDeleteHe has been our best defender for the past 2 seasons,, Lovren is a mistake waiting to happen. Tell me when Lovren was better than Skrtel in what match, ????
ReplyDeleteso lets drop both then hey! and who will play?
ReplyDeletebrave ? are you kidding ?
ReplyDeletelucas, henderson and allen in the middle ? worse then Benitez era
all of them together haven't got half of what Gerrard quality
(even at his age)
on the other hand its not suprising as brandon got all his decisions wrong so its no difference
I would rather play Lovren alongside Toure to be honest. Sakho returned to training during the week so if Enrique who has been out for quite some time now can start then surely Sakho can?
ReplyDeleteJaimie you might have to amend your view on "Rodgers signings" in light of the stament from Ian Ayre that Rodgers DOES NOT HAVE A DECIDING VETOE in transfers. He said no one Man can sign a player, it is by majority tru the committee of Six. So lots of these signings may not be BR's choice.
ReplyDeleteits the same midfield vs spurs at white hart line last season
ReplyDelete.......coutinho...................................henderson.........sterling
....................................allen..........lucas
but big difference
NO SUAREZ , we instead have OVERWEIGHT LAMBERT
today we shall see how much of a difference suarez really amde
rodgers wanted wilfried bony not balotelliu
ReplyDeleteI agree I dnt understand with the madness of BR starting Enrique over Moreno however with no other options at CB BR has chosen Skirtl over lovren even though both have been error prone due to injuries he made his choice lets hope it works out
ReplyDeleteThe committee of six decided to buy the players, not Rodgers, as Ian Ayre's statement clarifies midweek.
ReplyDeleteIt's brave only selecting one of your summer signings, knowing the stick that's gonna come his way. It's brave, but correct at the moment, to not select Gerrard. Bravery isn't just putting out an attacking team, it's about making tough decisions. Your view is simplistic in the extreme but each to their own.
ReplyDeleteKnew I would'nt get an answer to that.
ReplyDeleteIn the table football match
ReplyDeleteOn another note, good luck to Hendo in hist first PL game as captain..
ReplyDeleteStoke havent won at Anfield in 55 years lets hope its 56 after today.
ReplyDeletecrystal palace
ReplyDeletehull city
lovren best agme came with sakho vs sours and aston villa
on another note ibe is starting vs leeds today
ReplyDeleteI find this "blame the committee" quite ridiculous. Obviously there's a problem with the committee on who they are deciding however the committee chose Sturridge and Continho but Rodgers likes to take credit for those signings. I personally believe we should bring Commoli back as head scout and have someone who knows how to sign players for the right amount.
ReplyDeleteI'd say Lovren was a better defender than Skrtel pretty much all last season. Skrtel is being made look better by the high level of ineptitude around him. I think it's fair to say that none of the current CBs inspire much confidence.
ReplyDeleteLucas looking good. the ball has gone forward a lot and he is creating a good link.
ReplyDeleteI would have dropped skrtel allen and lambert replaced by lovren lallana and borini.
ReplyDeleteA big difference is also the lack of confidence. Your hating on Lambert is ridiculous, why not have a pop at a player who is not giving his all or maybe a player who is no scoring.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing proven today is how utterly clueless you are.
It's not my view; it's Rodgers view. He is the one who has repeatedly stayed that he has final say on transfers.
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
You need to think before you start typing
ReplyDeleteBuild up play to slow as usual. Lambert isolated and Sterling having no impact out wide. Same old same old. Stoke just waiting for the opportune moment.
ReplyDeleteEmre Can should have started.
ReplyDeleteWe have so become the most predictable team to play against. Pitiful.
ReplyDeleteshaka can should of started
ReplyDeletewe do look more solid
ReplyDeleteor was it striker where you press the head down
ReplyDeleteSo Boring to watch now This side would struggle in Championship
ReplyDeleteIt is not like Stoke are really putting much of an effort in either. They are clearly playing for the draw. It just shows how bad we are. Not one shot at goal!!!
ReplyDeletesolidly BAD
ReplyDeletehow is the match going????
ReplyDeleteNever has there been a bigger contrast in a teams play from one season to the next....very slow and lethargic, am beginning to wonder whether he has started to lose the dressing room. Bad signs for him if this is the case.
ReplyDeleteGoing Stoke's way !
ReplyDeleteeven with gerrard dropped???
ReplyDeleteWe are useless.
ReplyDeleteCan't watch the match today, how bad are we doing?
ReplyDeleteWe are fantastic we are holding Stoke to 0-0
ReplyDeleteSame old, same old but Lambert is still showing signs of positivity
ReplyDeleteLucas has been our best performer this half, I really hope he keeps his place ahead of Gerrard, Johnson has some real confidence issues, every pass he makes is negative.
ReplyDeleteOh no
ReplyDeleteMuch a do about nothing
ReplyDeleteAnd Stoke are not even trying.
ReplyDeleteman utd are turned goood top 4 is out of the question
ReplyDeletewe need t sign bony he scores every game
want to see balotelli and bony upo front togetehr
Did Mignolet seriously create an opening?
ReplyDeleteIs borini injured?
ReplyDeleteJust not in bed with BR
ReplyDeleteSo we have no striker on the bench.. great
ReplyDeletewould take a 0-0 draw here we need to stop losing
ReplyDeletedefence looking more solid just nothing happening in midfield we need 2 up front
ReplyDeleteWe are finished. The logical move would be to take Can in for Allen but that is never going to happen.
ReplyDeletedefense is looking solid because of 5 midfielders
ReplyDelete3 of them defense minded
Or Rodgers knows he is going and will try and prove that he was right sticking with this insipid style of football.
ReplyDeleteWhat a SHyteee first half urghhh
ReplyDeleteso Henderson allen are defense minded?
ReplyDeleteBore fest no attempts on goal
ReplyDeleteamazing what man utd look like to the one under moyes a guy who never won anything to van gaal
ReplyDeletea top successful manager
No they are Xavi and Iniesta, remember?
ReplyDeleteDon't worry I am sure BR will say we played well, worked hard and that they were brave
ReplyDeleteJust amazing, oh that and spending £120 million net on new players.
ReplyDeleteStoke fans singing - how do you watch this every week - as per Radio 5
ReplyDeleteB R odds to be sacked now 7/2
ReplyDeleteCountinho has no killer instinct...none. Lallana ought to be playing if SG isn't. Lallana moves the ball, beats his man and attacks. Right now we suck...bad.
ReplyDeleteManaged to find the game to watch the 2nd half.. why why why am I doing this to myself
ReplyDeleteShhhhh.
ReplyDeleteTry Lambert
ReplyDeleteGhost rider
ReplyDeleteLiverpool are doing fantastically well , stoke are a tough premier league team . We almost scored one time this shows our progress , joe allen was fantastic as always he managed to pass the ball backwards and keep the ball 98% of the time .
while mignolet only conceded one goal, we lost this but we are getting we are turning corners
the metro say that fsg are in the process of finding shortlist of candidates for the job of manager
ReplyDeleteMy Wi-Fi got f***** up and now cant watch the 2nd half.... to my luck
ReplyDeleteYep bring Lallana on at least he is able to run with ball
ReplyDeleteThat's a bit better... come on
ReplyDeleteBravery has nothing to do with it. Its not a wood or some a rescue operation. We are talking about football and pure quality. In his desicion he is claiming that the the starting line up is better without Gerrard and its pure nonsense. All 3 are representing how backwards we went to mediocrity
ReplyDeleteHe also said that Reina was going nowhere and we wouldn't sign Ballotelli. You may not have noticed but Rodgers lies. This statement from Ayre fits with logic. It has been obvious to most of us.
ReplyDeleteRodgers signed Allen. So five of the eleven arw Rodgers signings and Enrique may have been chosen due to physique. Stoke are historically a big strong side. Although that argument falls apart with Allen over Can but there is the experience argument.
ReplyDeleteAgree with all that mate
ReplyDeletePlaying better, Stoker are uncertain..
ReplyDeleteCommentator is Man of the Match for his comment, "There's a game of premier league football threatening to emerge here."
ReplyDeleteThis is a rescue operation. He's trying to rescue his job / our season. I would have thought that was blatantly obvious. Oh and Stevie Wonder could see that Gerrard needs a rest. You can have all the quality in the world but if your body is giving up, it's giving up.
ReplyDeleteChrist that was bloody close. This has turned into a end to end game
ReplyDeleteLucasssssss
ReplyDeleteSeriously take Courtino off.. please
ReplyDeleteDoes this sound familiar? "Johnson!!...dispossessed"
ReplyDeleteAnybody but lucas. ...
ReplyDeleteOr Glen Johnson kicks the ball out
ReplyDeletenot his fault
ReplyDeletethe left wing is not his position
allen is teh one that should not be on
Johnson- finally- created something after two seasons
ReplyDeleteThat's no excuse for not being able to pass
ReplyDeleteFFS... how the he'll did he miss that !!!!
ReplyDeletegood game from 2nd half
ReplyDeleteWhy are the chances falling to these guys?
ReplyDelete2012 all over again. Allen misses another sitter.
ReplyDelete2012 was a million times better
ReplyDeleteThis would be the perfect time to bring on Markovic. . Game is open, there is space to be exploited
ReplyDeleteour football is better though with gerrard out the team better pressing and defending shame about the finishing!
ReplyDeleteIt's is but you know he is going to bring him on
ReplyDeleteLucas off, Gerrard on- why oh why
ReplyDeletethe lack of finishing is just laughable by now. Most people came to his defence last year when I said this. Lets see how many are willing to defend him now. BR = BS BR = BS BR = BS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteBR = BS
ReplyDeleteIn fairness at this stage playing gerrard further up for a fifteen minute go is ok with me. Not as if Lucas going to score a blinder...
ReplyDeleteWe have what.. 80mil of players on the bench.. what a waste
ReplyDeleteeverything can be resumed to that simple formula
ReplyDeleteWe need those two subs in now.
ReplyDeleteLucas goes off, Gerrard on and we now look very shaky at the back
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe this
ReplyDeleteIs there a place on the pitch we don't look shaky?
ReplyDeletejhonson finally
ReplyDeleteJohnson get in!
ReplyDeletePlease tell me he knocked himself out
ReplyDeleteWhew! A goal on pure hustle and wanna. Great to see.
ReplyDeleteI have to give him credit for that. Manned up and got the goal. Lambert played a huge part as well.
ReplyDeleteSame here... waited a few years for it but good job
ReplyDeleteHas he just gone 5 at the back..
ReplyDeleteLovren,Skrtel and Toure- recipe for disaster
ReplyDeleteIt just invites pressure and I hate it... hopefully we can hold on
ReplyDeleteWait Johnson of all the people? All hail BR the genius!
ReplyDeleteNegative tactice- get memories of the Everton game
ReplyDeletestill going to get the axe
ReplyDeleteGood win at the end- Kolo solid and Lambert good. Sterling and Coutinho slowly rediscovering their form. On to the next game.
ReplyDeleteyes finally
ReplyDeleteThat was great but way harder than it should have been.
ReplyDeleteWell...I won't be talking s*** about Johnson this week.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to have to accept that. But, 3 points, clean sheet and confidence to some players out of form- not too bad.
ReplyDelete3 point n clean sheet is matter
ReplyDeleteonly 3 points of 7th now
ReplyDeletethat was BRAVE by glen johnson
ReplyDeleteWatch how all these people will come out of nowhere and say how they always believed in Johnson and that he would prove them right.
ReplyDeletewe need to do what mourinho done stay solid and pluck out results till we can get a striker like costa
ReplyDeletei reccomend bony
johnson just saved rodgers job
ReplyDeleteClean sheet 😳
ReplyDeleteWell at least Rodger's bollocking at HT did the trick this time ...... If only we had played like it the first half ! Toure sound and Glenda earnt his corn for once .Could this just be the turning point ?
ReplyDeletehard working team that was
ReplyDeletekolo and lucas have to continue
allen was much better
stay solid and compact get as many points as possible till January stay top 10 then in January invest in bony potentially get origi back maybe sturridge then we can play free flowing attacking football
anyone remember a few days ago i said "gerrard ruins the balance of the team drop him for lucas and watch our defense tighten up?" even Lovren will look much better with Lucas ahead of him mark my words Gerrard is nothing but a impact player now!
ReplyDeleteif we played like that first half we would have been drained
ReplyDeleterodgesr has realized that pressing is not working as it requires liverpool to score goals early like suarez used to
if you press early and dont get the goal you lose the match
Finally rodgers shows balls and drops gerrad oh look we win and a clean sheet
ReplyDeletegerrard will get better when he has two mobile striker like bony,origi and sturridge ahead of him
ReplyDeletegerrard feeds off movement that's how his passing range is effective
Lambert with more game time looks better each match . Gaining in confidence ... Bye Bye Mario
ReplyDeleteLambert 2 goals and 1 assist in three games- what did Balotelli do before?
ReplyDeleteI have to say I was wrong with lambert....he is pretty decent
ReplyDeletei still will when we sign bony and get origi back from his loan
ReplyDeletei want lucas etc dropped til, then they are alright
i would after January play:
.........................................bony
sterling..............................coutinho...................origi
....................................henderson......can
moreno.........................lovren............toure..........manquillo
..........................................mignolet
that does not count as an assist
ReplyDeletehow can you be happy
ReplyDeletewhen we have gone from suarez and sturridge to Lambert in 5 months?
i guess i was wrong about johnson!
ReplyDeleteI could have sworn Gerrard was on the field at the time. Don't worry I was probably imagining it.
ReplyDeleteBony should be our main target
ReplyDelete...................................................balotelli/origi....bony
...............................................................sterling
..................................................allen.................henderson
............................................................gerrard
or we play 433
...................................................bony
sterling/lallana.........................................coutinho....................origi
...........................................henderson..........allen/can
either way get bony and origi in
offer swansea ricky lambert and lille borini on loan till end of season
hopefully tomorrow city beat southampton
ReplyDeleteand spurs and evrton draw
lucas and toure are solidity
ReplyDeleteno way can brendan drop them now
Italian international & destroyed Germany in a huge European competition
ReplyDeletewatch when liverpool get origi in january and bony in janaury
ReplyDeletebalotelli will be that player
I am not a fan of Migno but he had a better game today and kept us in it .
ReplyDeleteHopefully will be good for his confidence now .
Put his head where most wouldn't. We needed that!
ReplyDeleteall our investment in bony now
ReplyDeletehe is the new Luis Suarez
similar goal record to suarze at the same age
I will.. One header does not make up for the numerous mistakes he consistly makes
ReplyDeleteBailed out by Johnson as usual. How many times have we said that over the years? Embarassing how much of a one man team we are, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteNo wonder he's hesitating over a new deal, we need to show him we're serious going forward and bring in some big names to reassure him, otherwise, he'll end up at Barca/Real like Suarez/Xabi.
The board just need to get their chequebook out now.
Rubbish look at the chances we had to score second half ?
ReplyDeleteAnd when we got the lead we went defensive bringing on Lovren which nearly cost us the match
Bailed out by johnson as usual.. what are you smoking. When was the last time johnson bailed us out
ReplyDeleteAt home against Stoke, in the 2014/15 season.
ReplyDeleteare you being serious?
ReplyDeletethat was johnsons first goal in 4 years
seriosuly you might need your head checked
*sarcasm*
ReplyDeletebetter ?
It was a joke dude...
ReplyDeleteI am hoping but I think he was being serious
ReplyDeleteit only took 2 midfielder covering for him to keep it tight on his side, this guy is THAT good.
ReplyDeleteI know it's painful to admit, but Glen's carrying us right now. He's our 3rd top scorer and he's playing in defence. Says everything.
ReplyDelete2nd goal in 3 years commentator said and it's Johnson who needs to get his head checked .....
ReplyDeletesarcasm : because arguing with stupid people is not nearly enough fun
ReplyDeleteDoes Johnson need to get his head checked?
ReplyDeleteAre you saying that because he's thinking of leaving? I don't blame him. We've regressed and our tactics now are basically "don't try and concede, wait for Glen to work his magic".
Or are you saying it because he was loyal and stayed with us even after we lost Suarez?
And what has that done for liverpool. The truth s lambert is great at holding the ball up and actually has a clue what to do with the ball,
ReplyDeleteWhat is so bad about lambert? He is just n fashionable and why we do so bad, we play players based on reputation, not merit. Lambert is showing desire and getting and creating goals. He might not be the best but he is doing the job well.
ReplyDeleteNah, mate. They weren't covering. It's tactical. Rodgers has told the players to stay tight to Glen, so they can play 1-2s with him. When Glen inevitably gets the ball back, they basically charge forward and wait for Glen to put it on a plate for them. We've seen it time and again.
ReplyDeleteAlso (I think) Rodgers puts players near him just to learn from him and be reassured by his authority.
Ah sarcasm don't you just love it ?
ReplyDeleteMight be cos of the injury sustained when scoring
been a long time a football related comment made me laugh like that.
ReplyDeletehes deadly serious it would be crazy not to hand glen a £150,000 a week 3 yearr deal
ReplyDeletehe watched belew box
ReplyDeletei have to admit the player around him seems so confident when he's defending that it's reassuring to know that he'll be the last between the attacker and the goal.
ReplyDeletea goal every 4 years is a good return for a liverpool player
ReplyDeleteLast year, forget it, thats history.
ReplyDeleteOh sorry mate, I thought you were one of these loonies having a go at Glen.
ReplyDeleteArgh! Sorry. I didn't realise he was being sarcastic. I thought it was weird that he was having a go at Glen. Thought I'd stumbled into a coven of covert Mancs.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clearing that up.
Lambert is more of a player than either of Sturridge or Suarez. By a few stone too, I'd bargain. Big wide lad.
ReplyDeleteNo worries mate - my alcohol consumption has also increased these days watching the REDS
ReplyDeletemaybe he should get some tips off alex gerrard on whats in
ReplyDelete