Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made some big changes for this afternoon's Premier League clash with Manchester United, and with his job very much on the line, it's refreshing to see the manager taking some interesting risks.
FULL TEAM: Jones, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Moreno, Henderson, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling.
SUBS: Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, Lucas, Can, Balotelli, Markovic.
MAN UTD: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Carrick, Valencia, Young, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, Wilson, Van Persie.
SUBS: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Fletcher, Herrera, Januzaj, Falcao.
* Finally, Mignolet gets dropped. I've repeatedly called for Brad Jones to be given a run in the team, and Rodgers is sending a huge message by dropping the Belgian for the most important league game of the season. As noted in previous articles, Jones's stats are superior, and if he does well today, he will hopefully keep his place.
* Toure is back on the bench, which is a little surprising given his pre-injury form. That said, Lovren did okay in the last game, and there's no real need to rush the Ivorian back into the team.
* Lucas out? This is unfair, IMO. The Brazilian arguably deserves to be in the team more than Joe Allen, and unless Rodgers reverts to Gerrard as the deepest-lying midfielder, it looks like Allen in the DM role.
* Balotelli and Lambert on the bench? Ballsy move from Rodgers, which suggests that Sterling is playing up-front. Many Reds fans have called for the youngster to play that role, but once again, it means that Liverpool will play one up-front, which is not a successful strategy this season. Perhaps that'll change today...
* Why is Lallana playing if he has two broken ribs? I don't see how this is the best way to manage his fitness.
* Borini is once again dumped from the match-day squad. Clearly, Rodgers wants him out, but his treatment of the Italian is (arguably) bordering in vindictive.
* Ditto Manquillo. This is the fifth time this season the Spaniard has been exorcised from the match-day squad, which seems unfair given his solid performances overall.
* Given the personnel, it looks like Rodgers will go with a 4231 formation:
---------------- Jones
JOhnson ---- Skrtel --- Lovren ----- Moreno
---------------Allen - Hendo
------ Lallana --- Gerrard --- Coutinho
----------------- Sterling
With this lined-up, the team can revert to 451 when needed, which will be important when trying to counteract LCG's inevitable 352 formation.
You have to admire Rodgers for having the balls to make big changes in such a crucial game, and I hope they pay off.
My prediction: 1-3 to Man Utd
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Jones, Skrtel, Lovren, Johnson, Moreno, Henderson, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling.
SUBS: Mignolet, Toure, Lambert, Lucas, Can, Balotelli, Markovic.
MAN UTD: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Carrick, Valencia, Young, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, Wilson, Van Persie.
SUBS: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Fletcher, Herrera, Januzaj, Falcao.
* Finally, Mignolet gets dropped. I've repeatedly called for Brad Jones to be given a run in the team, and Rodgers is sending a huge message by dropping the Belgian for the most important league game of the season. As noted in previous articles, Jones's stats are superior, and if he does well today, he will hopefully keep his place.
* Toure is back on the bench, which is a little surprising given his pre-injury form. That said, Lovren did okay in the last game, and there's no real need to rush the Ivorian back into the team.
* Lucas out? This is unfair, IMO. The Brazilian arguably deserves to be in the team more than Joe Allen, and unless Rodgers reverts to Gerrard as the deepest-lying midfielder, it looks like Allen in the DM role.
* Balotelli and Lambert on the bench? Ballsy move from Rodgers, which suggests that Sterling is playing up-front. Many Reds fans have called for the youngster to play that role, but once again, it means that Liverpool will play one up-front, which is not a successful strategy this season. Perhaps that'll change today...
* Why is Lallana playing if he has two broken ribs? I don't see how this is the best way to manage his fitness.
* Borini is once again dumped from the match-day squad. Clearly, Rodgers wants him out, but his treatment of the Italian is (arguably) bordering in vindictive.
* Ditto Manquillo. This is the fifth time this season the Spaniard has been exorcised from the match-day squad, which seems unfair given his solid performances overall.
* Given the personnel, it looks like Rodgers will go with a 4231 formation:
---------------- Jones
JOhnson ---- Skrtel --- Lovren ----- Moreno
---------------Allen - Hendo
------ Lallana --- Gerrard --- Coutinho
----------------- Sterling
With this lined-up, the team can revert to 451 when needed, which will be important when trying to counteract LCG's inevitable 352 formation.
You have to admire Rodgers for having the balls to make big changes in such a crucial game, and I hope they pay off.
My prediction: 1-3 to Man Utd
Author: Jaimie K
Markovic should play and Emre Can
ReplyDeleteJoe Allen needs to eb hounded out by the fans, boo him like chelsea fans boo rafa
boo every touch alllen has
What does Joe Allen offer
ReplyDeletei am better then joe allen jay sprearing and poulsen are better then joe allen
is he sucking rodgers
seriously so fustratyed
Let's see how Jones does behind our back four today. It is about time Mignolet was taken out of the firing line.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like 4-3-3 to me
Jones
Johnson Skrtel Lovren Moreno
Henderson Gerrard Allen
Coutinho Sterling Lallana
Not confident at all. Believe we are in for a hammering. Would like to be proven wrong though.
Come on Jones. Claim that place
ReplyDeleteJohnson just as much a weak link as Allen, God help us.
ReplyDeletemarkovic has pace,skill and intensity
ReplyDeletehenderson is a useless runner
allen a usekless passer
rodgers out
De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Evans, Young, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Rooney, van Persie, Wilson
ReplyDeleteRVP and Rooney up top for the mancs.
yes but to be fair manquillo aint a million times betetr then glen
ReplyDeleteemre can is a gazillion trillion gillion times better then allen
man u can play wilson
ReplyDeletebut rodgers no balls to play sinclair
tells you everything about two managers
Wish Flanno was fit
ReplyDeletewish joe allen broke his leg
ReplyDeleteCommon you Red Men
ReplyDeleteLol werent you saying BR should be given time and blah blah a few days back
ReplyDeleteI've deleted two of your posts so far, and you know why. Stop posting comments that personally insult Rodgers/Allen. One more, and you'll receive a 7-day ban.
ReplyDeleteHow would you like if somebody told you they wished you broke your face?
ReplyDeleteIdiot !
ReplyDeleteYou're banned for 3 days (for this, and two other comments I've just had to delete)
ReplyDeletesorry jaimie was jsut fustrated will calm down now
ReplyDeleteFrom one striker to none, RS & PC aren't exactly clinical in front of goal
ReplyDeleteso we need to play narrow
ReplyDeletelallana and couinho cut in
while valencia and young at full back sthis is gonna be hard
makes some sence now tat ive calm downed
ReplyDeletehendo on teh right can counter ashley young
while lallana also works hard to cut down valencia
I don't have a problem with this selection apart from Jones yet I understand why but he just cant save shots like mig...sure migs distribution is crap but jones really!! I guess we have no other choice and BR all credit for making migs realize hes not performing
ReplyDeleterodgers should stick by his signings he isthe one who sold reina
ReplyDeleteLets hope Jones teaches Mignolet a lesson and grabs his spot.
ReplyDeleteim nervous with migs corners set plays and distribution etc..but im confident on his stops I just don't know what to expect from Jones cause we have rarely seen him I just think its a huge gamble for this game against the mancs
ReplyDeleteLets wait and see how Jones does
ReplyDeleteBad game to be giving him his first EPL start in over a year its going to be a nervous start for him.
ReplyDeleteyeah lets hope all goes well full support for Jones hope he does well and gives migs a wake up call
ReplyDeleteBehind our defence? Hopefully Jones has balls of steel.
ReplyDeleteI'm just looking forward to seeing more screen time of Jone's epic hair style.
ReplyDeleteMate every single one will be standing on end right now.
ReplyDeleteYou've got it all wrong. It's genius from Rodgers. It will intimidate Rooney and make him cry.
ReplyDeleteLets hope so.
ReplyDeletehahaha nice
ReplyDeleteCheer up Greggy!
ReplyDeleteCheery as i can be atm mate im really tired and have got an early start.
ReplyDeleteHe's going for his Barca style with either no striker or actually 4 strikers- hope he plays SG as far up as possible
ReplyDelete3-2 for LFC
ReplyDeletewhat we need to happen is Gerrard or Hendo or anyone to mark that lunk falaini's card early and let him know he is up against it
ReplyDeleteA true statement that we have no striker. Good luck lads.
ReplyDelete1 more Fail-weeny
ReplyDeleteseems we are playing 3-5-2
ReplyDeletecoutinho you seriously bloody frustrate me
ReplyDeleteCouts calm down man
ReplyDeleteLike the way we are pressing higher up - they look nervy at back . Let's keep tempo up
ReplyDeletesterling can't finish
ReplyDeleteOh come on
ReplyDeleteMignolet is what?
ReplyDeletethat was shocking
ReplyDeleteWe are a team of poor finishers
ReplyDeletePathetic.
ReplyDeleteGot us on counter which was what they planned to do
ReplyDeleteGave over boys, how often do we come from behind to win games?
ReplyDeleteHOW THE HELL ARE THEY WINNING? THEY'VE BEEN CRAP. ONE OPPORTUNITY AND THEY SCORE. FFS STERLING...
ReplyDeletethats football.....still a long way to go
ReplyDeleteCoutinho cant defend neither see sth ham too they were stiff
ReplyDeleteThe goal isn't jones' fault. No protection. Nothing he could do
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
valencia getting the cross in too easy was the first problem
ReplyDeleteHe dived the wrong way. That is the point.
ReplyDeleteThey knew we would start fast ..... soak it up ( no strikers ) and get us on counter with pace . Same old
ReplyDeleteTake off Couts please
ReplyDeletebrad jones..ball goes left and he dives to the right. .what the hell is going on
ReplyDeleteSTRIKER
ReplyDeleteAnd Rooney ran around like no one was there.
ReplyDeletedude they were struggling to cope with us
ReplyDeleteoh seriously shut up logan.
ReplyDeleteYou shut up.
ReplyDeleteBring on Laser
ReplyDeleteBUT they did and SCORED
ReplyDeletePlus point is we have the nippier players...think they'll get a red.
ReplyDeleteYou forgot to mention the 3 defenders who made Valencia look like Ronaldo
ReplyDeleteDream on
ReplyDeletesterling oh way
ReplyDeleteof all the important things you can blame, you blame Jones. Bloody hell.
ReplyDeleteScum have got away with it last 5/6 games
ReplyDeleteRooney was never going to hit that ball in Jones's right hand corner. The space was on the left of him.
ReplyDeleteWHERE ARE OUR 4 STRIKERS? Fell bad for Sterling on his own
ReplyDeleteFor god's sake you're ating like he had 30 seconds to figure that out
ReplyDeleterodgers needs the sack just for signing Joe Allen. how pathetic he looks. its a crime paying 15m for him
ReplyDeleteLiverpool are all over this, but yet again it's brainless defending that leaves us behind. Sterling could have had two by now.
ReplyDeleteRooney had all the time in the world to place his shot. Goalkeepers concede goals, and that is a typical goal to concede. There's no error (from Jones)
ReplyDeleteSent from Samsung Mobile
mansc back is ouwful but somehow we cant punish
ReplyDeleteWhy? He's had two clear chances and almost created another.
ReplyDeleteWe are all over them. I can't comprehend it.
ReplyDeleteoh come on lovren
ReplyDeleteThey are quite astonishingly bad. Chelsea would have 3 by now.
ReplyDeletethey have literally had one single kind of any opportunity. we've had at least 4 or 5
ReplyDeletewe must press failannie and valencia then they will mess it up, give them time and they think they are world class
ReplyDeleteONE shot on target and scored - they have finishers
ReplyDeletein side
And who is gonna score for us
ReplyDeleteRodgers has picked the right team, they just need to get it done and finish off one of these chances.
ReplyDeleteoh you're joking. 2 shots and 2 goals
ReplyDeleteUtter garbage we will get battered now
ReplyDeleteffs
ReplyDeletewell the way things are going a deflection or a penno
ReplyDeletemata a mile off side
ReplyDeleteOh malarkey
ReplyDeleteclearly off...what a terrible decision
ReplyDeleteI hope a bird craps in Ashley youngs mouth again
ReplyDeleteffs is offside
ReplyDeleteOffside or not, Brendan has to go now.
ReplyDeletethought that in real time
ReplyDeletePicked the right team? I beg to differ.
ReplyDeleteyeah couldnt agree more
ReplyDeleteGo watch the replay.
ReplyDeleteAs I said we gave it our all needed that wee bit of luck bla bla bla
ReplyDelete2 shots, 2 goals. Bloody frustrating.
ReplyDeleteDamage limitation now
ReplyDeleteIf thats the case there is a lot of players need sacking too.
ReplyDeleteBR didn't leave Mata alone. BR didn't get nutmegged by Valencia.
ReplyDeleteThis season is a joke
ReplyDeleteAlso BR didnt select the team and formation
ReplyDeleteGet over it - you're just angry because we're losing but the manager could do nothing about that. What a silly reaction.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Is that all you have to say?
ReplyDeleteI get absolutely frustrated by people like you who argue that the manager is not accountable for anything that happens on the field.
ReplyDeleteatleast we are creatinhg chamces
ReplyDeleteI'm not bothered by this game... not at all. Am talking about the fact if someone scores against us now we should be lucky to pull one back.
ReplyDeleteIt was still woeful defending
ReplyDeleteExtra toppings thin crust - that's what's on that bit of paper
ReplyDeleteOur defense is bad enough without blind assistants....seriously neville saying he missed it on three replays. He was busy wetting himself on how united are two up!!
ReplyDeleteIt absolutely wasn't, he was clearly offside, the line did it's job.
ReplyDelete200m spent and a 19 year old academy kid is our best player and its certainly not the managers fault
ReplyDeletebut the players he picked or coached or bought did
ReplyDeleteHow was it not!? That ball was 1 mm from going over the top of RVP's head. The defenders had no idea that Mata was even there.
ReplyDeleteAnything that BR does is a mistake, not a surprise. If he survives after the ManU loss, I don't know what else could make FSG to sack him.
ReplyDeleteWe had our chances so we have the right guys in there. Lazer in for Hendo since Hendo is thoroughly outplayed now.
ReplyDeletesome fans cant see the wood for the trees ...its rodgers team he carries the blame
ReplyDeleteNot the manager's fault?? Who chose the players we spent on???
ReplyDeleteThe ball wouldn't have fallen to Mata without the knock on but the defending was terrible too.
ReplyDeleteYou misunderstood my post
ReplyDeleteIs Johnson a CB??? and then pair him with a CB pairing who have been shipping goals for fun.
ReplyDeleteHenderson has gone completely off the boil. Why not start with Emre Can. What has Lucas done to deserve the drop?
Does that suffice?
Not all of it. He carries his share of the blame. It's just as nonsensical to argue that he is totally absolved. It's the players and the manager, that's simple enough.
ReplyDeletethe defenders held their line which ment to score mata had to be in an offside position....if they had of followed in with him everyone would be screaming for us to play the offside trap
ReplyDeleteLike we are ever going to make it to top 4 without Suarez and that too under BR
ReplyDeleteJohnson wasn't playing badly and was doing the job well enough. Lucas has played a lot of football recently but would probably agree about Can.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if Jones could have done more or not but why the hell did he dive the wrong way? Unfathomable.
ReplyDelete1mm ... it doesn't matter how close it was, it was a clear deflection.
ReplyDeleteTo many excuses being made on behalf of our manager. He is out of his depth.
ReplyDeletecan for allen
ReplyDeletemarkovic for coutinho
I was told to shut up for making the point you just did.
ReplyDeleteBy whom?
ReplyDeleteOur players made Valencia look like Ronaldo ..............you can blame Jones all you want
ReplyDeleteWe've had some clear goal scoring opportunities. Just wish it was Suarez there and not sterling. Would've been a complete different score. Clearly comes down to bad transfer business that we have no decent strikers. Gets worse now super Mario coming on.
ReplyDeleteBalotelli life jacket on the way
ReplyDeleteThanks for the permission like. Well done in engaging with my point.
ReplyDeleteNot by you. Read through the posts.
ReplyDeleteaggreed
ReplyDeleteSarcasm? This is awkward...
ReplyDeleteRooney hit it just too fast doubt anyone would have stopped it.
ReplyDeleteBring back both Mario and Lambert and try long direct balls ...since everything else has flopped. Coutinho and Lallana are too similar to play on the same team. Coutinho does not track back and Marko should have started with his pace..... I just hope 2nd half brings some positive changes. I just don't understand what to do or what is happening......
ReplyDeletethe positive is we have some shots on goals we look quite dangerous if sterling had ronaldo finishing we would win 3-2
ReplyDeleteSi....
ReplyDeleteThe SkySports commentators used a boxing analogy.Man Utd hit us with two shots and our weak chin/defense couldn't take the power.Liverpool have hit them with jabs in comparison.
ReplyDeleteDS needs to lend Raheem Sterling his shooting boots!
no way we look fluid
ReplyDeletelambert and balo are turgid
Rodgers is going to bring himself on to try and rescue his job now. Lone striker...
ReplyDeleteI'd fancy him to stick one of those sterling chances away though...but will he get into those positions??
ReplyDeleteI agree, but perhaps having someone to finish those chances up top would work as well. We only have 2 subs left, so we need to plan wisely.
ReplyDeletehes dropped lucas because he favours allen it has nothing to do with games ...and can cant get a start for luck no money money because his face musnt fit
ReplyDeleteNo error? Diving the wrong way is not an error?
ReplyDeleteWe may as well have no keeper this season and stick a player upfront. Get it on target and you'll score against us.
ReplyDeletei doubt balo or lambo will suddenly find shooting boots so much better in terms of creating cahnceswithout them
ReplyDeleteWhy should he shut up? I am not sure that Jones could have saved it but diving the wrong way is worse than not diving.
ReplyDeleteI have to say Allen is absolute joke
ReplyDeleteWe cannot even put one past a inept UTD defence either. Laughing stock.
ReplyDeletethat offside was just <3 ..... i didnt even feel like cursing.... i wish plague on house of that incompetent linesman.
ReplyDeleteNone of those players have been involved in any of the key moments in the game.
ReplyDeleteSolely blaming the keeper for that goal. He's being f***ing ridiculous.
ReplyDeletebalotellis is coming on according to lawrenson
ReplyDeleteThe difference between us and Man U is simple. They have a keeper, we don't
ReplyDeleteWhat difference would it have made if the goal was disallowed. You think we going to win this match?
ReplyDeletePlay the same way...just take the chances and win the second half. Keep fingers crossed for no defensive lapses. I think they will get nervy if we pull an early one back.
ReplyDeletewith cbs you dont need lucas
ReplyDeleteThey also have a few strikers
ReplyDeleteOh yea, forgot that bit
ReplyDeleteSeriously mate, Jones had just about as much time as a penalty to react.
ReplyDeletehas United been that much better that we stand no change then?
ReplyDeleteLike I said he may not have been able to do anything but why did he dive that way? If he stayed still he could have stuck a leg out and had more of a chance.
ReplyDeleteJust wish Sterling had the end product as we could have been 2 up by now....
ReplyDeleteHope so. If we can pull one bk early on then it's game on. We're playing a weak Man U defence.
ReplyDeleteThank DI Maria is not playing.............He would have tore a lot of holes in our defenders
ReplyDeleteThey have scored and look likely to score more.
ReplyDeleteWE CANNOT SCORE :-)
I did. You're an absolute moron to solely focus on Jones re: that goal.
ReplyDeletebut Then mata would not ahve played
ReplyDeleteIn fairness one down is a lot better than two down against this lot, They are vulnerable at the back as well I still think they'll get a red.
ReplyDeleteI want Jones to get shot, but I dont think this is the game to give him a start. 3 or 4 goals in and he has no confidence and everyone will be on his case.
ReplyDeleteGonna come at us get ready for more goals
ReplyDeleteNow Sterling has to carry the brunt of it. He can finish but his manager is expecting to carry the team now.
ReplyDeleteDid he? That is not what I read. There is plenty of blame to go around but mentioning Jones going the wrong way seems fair. Allen getting megged was also awful.
ReplyDeletenot Lallana...Allen surely
ReplyDeleteAllen STILL on pitch BR JUST FLUFF OFF
ReplyDeleteIt's time for the Liverpool coaching staff to swallow their pride and realise that they don't know how to teach this team to defend. Going forward we've been clearly the better team but United don't fall apart at the back.
ReplyDeletebalotello lads, hedeeewww
ReplyDeleteHe had enough to dive the wrong way. He could have not dived if it was all that fast. Sticking a leg out on instinct would have been better.
ReplyDeleteThink he's more into paella these days ;-)
ReplyDeleteHe's not the best keeper, granted, but I don't want him to get shot ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd we have Allen and they don't.. And you can't buy that quality in the shops you have to call or go online
ReplyDeleteTruth is its making no difference to the result.
ReplyDeleteHendo...crimeny that should have been on target.
ReplyDeletethats what it slike to get an elbow failannie
ReplyDelete100 grand absolutely
ReplyDelete