As expected, Steven Gerrard returns to the starting line-up for this afternoon's Premier League game with Leicester City.
Javi Manquillo drops to the bench to make way for Gerrard, which probably means that the shape of the team (specifically in midfield) will change to accommodate the captain.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling
SUBS: Ward, Lovren, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Markovic, Ojo
LEICESTER: City: Hamer, De Laet, Drinkwater, Morgan (c), Hammond, James, Vardy, Schlupp, Simpson, Mahrez, Wasilewski.
* Gerrard will probably play alongside Lucas in central midfield, with Henderson moving to right wing-back.
* It's a shame as Hendo played well in the middle. Why not use Gerrard on the right, and keep Hendo alongside Lucas?
* Sheyi Ojo once makes the bench once again, and if Liverpool are lucky enough to be winning the game comfortably at some stage, then perhaps Rodgers will hand him his debut as a second-half substitute.
* Despite training with the first team, Suso is ignored yet again.
* Balotelli is not even in the squad, which seems strange since he's not injured. Perhaps his exit is imminent?
Aldo's prediction: "I'm going for 3-1 today, but not bothered as long as we win".
My prediction: 3-1 to LFC
Author: Jaimie K
Javi Manquillo drops to the bench to make way for Gerrard, which probably means that the shape of the team (specifically in midfield) will change to accommodate the captain.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson, Coutinho, Lallana, Sterling
SUBS: Ward, Lovren, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Markovic, Ojo
LEICESTER: City: Hamer, De Laet, Drinkwater, Morgan (c), Hammond, James, Vardy, Schlupp, Simpson, Mahrez, Wasilewski.
* Gerrard will probably play alongside Lucas in central midfield, with Henderson moving to right wing-back.
* It's a shame as Hendo played well in the middle. Why not use Gerrard on the right, and keep Hendo alongside Lucas?
* Sheyi Ojo once makes the bench once again, and if Liverpool are lucky enough to be winning the game comfortably at some stage, then perhaps Rodgers will hand him his debut as a second-half substitute.
* Despite training with the first team, Suso is ignored yet again.
* Balotelli is not even in the squad, which seems strange since he's not injured. Perhaps his exit is imminent?
Aldo's prediction: "I'm going for 3-1 today, but not bothered as long as we win".
My prediction: 3-1 to LFC
Author: Jaimie K
No Balotelli in the squad? Could be leaving...
ReplyDeletei do not understand why bring gerrard in and ruin the balance of the team i feel for poor old manquillo he has done nothing wrong only 1 change was needed toure for skrtel but rodgers needs to grow a pair.........
ReplyDeletehendo wing back ,,,,,,,,gerrard lucas in the middle .....give me a break
ReplyDeleteHopefully a nice win today. wouldnt mind seeing ojo get on the pitch just for a little fire up for the squad and fans.
ReplyDeleteIMO suso is just not good enough, which is a shame cause i always hoped he'd be a star
i hope your right because anything less than 3 points today will be a disaster
ReplyDeleteHas he had the chance to show it?
ReplyDeletethe problem with this line up is the midfield is painfully slow and hendo is negated out wide so i can see us sitting deep or moving forward and getting hit on the break Leicester have a couple of fast players who can cause us problems
ReplyDeleteI just don't get BR when it comes to Suso, why won't he give him a go? Maybe he's not fit enough yet but let's be honest he's never really given him a chance when he has been fit.
ReplyDeleteHow about swapping SG and Can positionally?
ReplyDeletebut whats the point ....why move a player if hes playing well ....a back 3 of gerrard kolo and sako is about as slow and immobile as you can get
ReplyDeleteWhy play Gerrard? Why not the same team as a few days ago? FFS Rodgers. We don't need Gerrard in a home game against Leicester.
ReplyDeleteI had a nice New Year's Eve and I hope everyone else has a brillig 2015, too.
ReplyDeleteI thus won't allow Rodgers' predictably illogical selection to dampen my good spirits. Enjoy the game, people. I'll be catching a replay later.
By the way, Jaimie: thanks for the 3-1 prediction.
We all thought Sterling would never be good enough but Rodgers showed faith in him. If he shows the same faith in Suso, he can be a star as well.
ReplyDeleteGerrards influence is too much
ReplyDeletenow we need to reduce it
true. However, in a passing game immobility at the back should not be a problem. A greater problem in midfield.
ReplyDeleteIt's f***ing Gerrard FC under Rodgers sometimes, not Liverpool FC. The only reason I can think of that explains his selection is purely because of his name.
ReplyDeleteit a problem m8 if the other team breaks trust me
ReplyDeleteCan right mid cover for SG right back?
ReplyDeletebut you shouldnt have to cover for players thats my point....we played well against swansea for the most part because we had a mobile team of players all in there best positions ,as soon as players have to look over there shoulder because there scared of a player getting exposed you lose that player from your team in effect at this level its inches that separate teams so why do it.
ReplyDeleteBut why. What is Gerrard going to do if he does not play? We are just assuming it is Gerrard who is forcing Rodgers to play him. Gerrard wants the best for this club and he is not the type of person to play to the detriment of the team. I think Rodgers is in la la land like with Johnson and Lovren when it comes to Gerrard.
ReplyDeletewe dont live in a utopian dream land i think you will find Gerard does whats best for Gerard, players become deluded in there ability i remember Gaza in his mid thirties thinking he could still play for England when in all honesty there where pub players who could run rings around him
ReplyDeleteI agree. Are you saying SG shouldn't be in the starting 11. That would be my opinion. However, you can almost guarantee that SG will score a penalty and be named hero for the day after contributing nothing in the game.
ReplyDeleteI have no words for it anymore.
ReplyDeleteLets crush em i reckon 4 1 again.
ReplyDeletei hope your right greg because its bad enough starting back work tommorrow as it is
ReplyDeleteMaybe but it seems weird. What is the worst Gerrard could do if not played? Why does Rodgers have to play him?
ReplyDeletei just cant get the rational of changing a winning team regardless of Gerard or not
ReplyDeleteTrying to be optimistic no work for me bad gastro so i am immune from any disaster.
ReplyDeleteLeicester are fully patking the bus. Let's see if we can break it down.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile I'm pretty happy about Stoke 1 United 1
ReplyDeleteits liverpool and rodgers may feel he needs him on side with fsg or who ever or maybe he is just in awe of him ....i mean with all the houses available and the money you are payed would you rent a house of a player you manage ,from a psychological standpoint alone i find that strange
ReplyDeletebad gastro get in yer wuss
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that 'he is not the type of person to play to the detriment of the team'. He's had his time and has been brilliant for the most part. Remember how we played when he was injured and Alonso was then able to dictate games?
ReplyDeletei do not understand why bring gerrard in and ruin the balance of the team i feel for poor old manquillo he has done nothing wrong only 1 change was needed toure for skrtel but rodgers needs to grow a pair......... i've been screaming this for months gerrard needs to be dropped
ReplyDeleteIs there a good reason to rotate the squad and formation again? If we don't win today, his tactics will surely be questioned.
ReplyDeleteAs for Balotelli, I hoped he would come good, but his game just doesn't suit ours. Even worse, telling him he will be spending more time on the bench because of this surely makes for an irretrievable situation.
We almost got Aurelioed. Mignolet in dreamland.
ReplyDeletejust another prove that BR hasn't got any balls
ReplyDeleteZero confidence in Mignolet
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone have a link or a place to watch it on the internet?
ReplyDeleteFirst Row Sports
ReplyDeleteCan't believe BR didn't play the same team again.
ReplyDeletestreamfifamatches . tv / ch3ustream . php
ReplyDeleteThat wasnt a penalty oh well
ReplyDeleteLUCKY No way a pen
ReplyDeletetype in google ronaldo 7 liverpool
ReplyDeletethanks ref for being blind
ReplyDeleteno way a pen take gerrard off at 60 mins
ReplyDeletemaybe 2015 will be lucky because we should be 2 nil down
ReplyDeleteLuxury to have him in just as a pen taker
ReplyDeleteDisgraceful decision by the ref. He should be demoted for that. I take absolutely no joy in that goal.
ReplyDeleteshocking decision
ReplyDeleteexpect the ref to try and level things up ...which in effect ruins the game ...im with jk he should be demoted
ReplyDeletewe're still defending awful, lucas is best at collecting yellows and giving away free kicks for free
ReplyDeletethe balance ot the team is lost
ReplyDeleteNo space in mid for coutinho to move around today, cmon lallana.
ReplyDeleteCannot see us keeping a clean sheet
ReplyDeleteActually not sure about Can in defence anymore.
ReplyDeleteWhat hapoened for the penalty?
ReplyDeleteLeicester player slid in block a cross, ball hit him in the face, but referee thought it was a hand ball.
ReplyDeletewhy did BR change the team? there's just not a single reason
ReplyDeletethats because gerrard is coming into his space and hes not got a rb at the side in manq ...gaps appear and you look poor.....the balance is out
ReplyDeletehes in awe of Gerard ....its quite sad really ...im no better than any other man but no other man is better than me ....
ReplyDeleteIt just shows the managers has no balls and S Gerrard(34) is being picked on his status and not his recent performances. As he should be on bench permanently and Manquillo(20) should be on at Right back with Henderson(24) alongside Lucas(27) to offer some energy, mobility and movement in centre midfield. S Gerrard(34) and L Leiva(27) playing together messes up the balance of the side.
ReplyDeleteits obvious to anyone that's why Rodgers isn't the man to take Liverpool forward .....
ReplyDeleteAnd this is why BR is not the man for us- stubborn and etc etc etc etc
ReplyDeleteThanks whe are you watching it?
ReplyDeleteHe's made shit reads in defence however which have nothing to do with Gerrard.
ReplyDeleteAnd people have wondered why Lovren(25) has looked so poorly at times? With Gerrard(34) and Leiva(27) both in centre midfield there is no energy, mobility, pace or speed in centre of park. And with Henderson(24) playing at RB , Can(20) will be exposed as Henderson(24) can play that role but he is a CM
ReplyDeletehe lives in his house he lavishes praise on him constantly its borderline stalker
ReplyDeleteDude, trust me, you'd be able to post your comments in half the amount of time without adding in every player's age
ReplyDeleteB Habit
ReplyDeleteits all relevant nick ...do you feel more relaxed going down a motorway with a learner driver or someone with 20 years driving ...if you don't feel relaxed you don't look good
ReplyDeleteYeah but you still have to make the effort to even research their ages to activate the habit...
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's the real Rain Man
ReplyDeleteBut does that mean you start swerving all over the place just because you feel a bit less confident with a learner driving nearby? That's what Can is doing.
ReplyDeleteOn TV at home :D
ReplyDeleteyou gotta feel for Leicester
ReplyDeleteBR will say he played SG for these reasons ( pens free kicks)
ReplyDeleteyep but this one was a clear handball though
ReplyDeleteim suspended by cable via a blimp over the ground
ReplyDeleteIts not his natural position and he is still relatively inexperienced yes he will make plenty of errors but we really dont have much ATM.
ReplyDeletelisten we need the 3 points but we have been awful imo
ReplyDelete/apart from the penalties where has gerrard been all game invisible
ReplyDeleteATM isnt a good abbreviation m8
ReplyDeleteEh?!? Never thought t wsas o telly
ReplyDeletetype in google ronaldo 7 liverpool
ReplyDeleteSaints 1 up
ReplyDeletetotally agree, ugly but we need this especially with united draw
ReplyDeleteYeah he'll be off to greece or somewhere like that. Hope that's the last time we do business with Mino Railoa.
ReplyDeleteprepare your sick bag for the Gerard superlatives after the game
ReplyDeleteAwful? Pure exaggeration really
ReplyDeleteim being honest ,we have been gifted this game
ReplyDeleteSuso has just come back from injury. I wouldn't read too much into that. It's when he's not on the bench in a couple of weeks that it's clear he's being ignored.
ReplyDeleteMaybe but we're very far from awful, I'm sorry. The football is fluid and we're creating chances. Burnley was awful, not this.
ReplyDeleteBerahino scores for Baggies - back up to 23.5m
ReplyDeleteHaha!
ReplyDeleteAgainst Stoke, Man Utd player had a clear handball which wasn't given. We got a very fortunate penalty. Disgraceful standard of refereing in the league.
ReplyDeleteCoutinho's playing magnificent again! What a beautiful player to watch.
ReplyDeleteI think you mean Stoke had a handball that wasn't given. Are you talking about the Smalling one ?
ReplyDeleteEven Burnely wasn't awful. Can't people see how well Burnley played in that game, the intensity and effort they put in? They upset our young players rhythm and concentration, as they'd upset any team with that kind of effort.
ReplyDeleteI think we've looked terrific in this match so far to be honest. I go and see Cambridge United most weeks -- if you want to know the meaning of *awful*...
So we are benefiting from terrible refereeing today I think for the first time this season. It is a ridiculous fallacy that it evens itself over a season. I think it is worth saying while we are benefiting from it that the sooner they bring more technology in to the game the better. I am sick to death of matches being decided by these hugely incompetent men in yellow and black.
ReplyDeleteYes.
ReplyDeleteOKY DOKY
ReplyDeleteI said something similar Chirag. More technology please.
ReplyDeleteWhat gives? We look shaky at the back for once........
ReplyDeleteHopefully we'll bag a goal in the second half that isn't from the penalty spot. I'm happy to get the odd penalty but it isn't especially satisfying.
He's a little miracle. There might be better players in the world right now, but there's none I look forward more to seeing. His ball skills and intelligence are just fantastic, and added to his work rate and untiring effort -- he's nearly a complete player. The progress he's made in the last 2 years is very impressive too. I think it's only a matter of time until the big Spanish 2 come in for him.
ReplyDeleteTake Gerrad off now put Hendo in middle and Markovic on right
ReplyDeletealways works for me
ReplyDeleteWell yes if you're in Oz...
ReplyDeleteHence why I'm very iffy about Can at defence, Greg...
ReplyDeleteThat isnt gunna happen after Gerrard just netted 2 penalties.
ReplyDeleteBut he annoys me when he chooses to shoot instead of playing ball forward to sterling ot lallana. Its ok if he was good at shooting but he is terrible at it.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair the first looked like a blatant penalty at first, don't think it's due to the referee being incompetent.
ReplyDeletewith tech available why cant the use a replay for the big decisions which change a game like sending offs and penalties its crazy ..why dont they have the 4th official watching a monitor of the game
ReplyDeleteTbh both the decisions were not that hard.
ReplyDeleteMaybe his goals ?
ReplyDeleteWe deserve it after Man utd got away with that offside goal
ReplyDeleteHis shooting won't improve if he doesn't try though ;)
ReplyDeleteSlightly shaky but I think they have been dealing with tings well enough. Trouble comes from midfield an the pressure they are putting on us high up. They are playing a good percentage game and if it wasn't for a terrible ref that half would look a bit more ugly.
ReplyDeleteGot to play higher up SH and for Christ's sake keep ball well away from Migno
ReplyDeletebut that is what makes him good he is so brave on the ball
ReplyDeleteI would sack him just because of his team selection today.
ReplyDeleteRest him still
ReplyDeletewe need him for wimbleton
It ruins flow of game
ReplyDeleteIt hit him in the face. Nowhere near a hand. Those decisions need to be right as they change the game. He cannot have been sure so should not have given it.
ReplyDeleteIs he playing singles or doubles?
ReplyDeletewhat two penalties ......
ReplyDeleteSo noone else can score a penalty?
ReplyDeleteWinning is all that matters at the end of the day
ReplyDeletehis team selection is right if he wins the game
On a hat trick ....
ReplyDeleteGerarrd vs nadal
ReplyDeleteGerrard like any player wants to play and believes they should play. He wants a new contract and sitting on the bench doesn't help. Don't imagine these millionaires put anything above themselves.
ReplyDeleteManquillo next to him gives him protevtion
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that theory.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see the refs view again before I decide whether he made a really poor mistake. From seeing it first time the ball looks like it rebounds off along a similar angle to his arm (not hitting it though I thought), so the refs view will be important.
ReplyDeleteEverton and Martinez the genius in complete crisis by the way.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful display by steve..he really has been a revelation im my time as a manager in fact my house is wall papered with posters of him
ReplyDeleteSouthampton is leading against Arsenal btw
ReplyDeletespot on jay ......as Kissinger once said power is the greatest aphrodisiac
ReplyDeleteA draw would be perfect
ReplyDeleteMajor exaggeration imo, awful is an awful description of this performance.
ReplyDeleteWill Migno ever find one of our players ??????
ReplyDeletemost of the dead wood average players i mention most of time i know their ages now by heart as so badly want club and manager to get rid of them . And only few people researched their ages
ReplyDeletesterling first touch is very poor!
ReplyDeletei heard he once nearly manged to pass the soap in the showers
ReplyDeleteGerrard off now
ReplyDeletehe is pointless manquillo on
borini on....in the words of al pacino ....here comes the pain ........or maybe not
ReplyDeleteSaints 2-0
ReplyDeleteBut slipped thro fingers
ReplyDeleteShowcase
ReplyDeleteyou got it brother
ReplyDeleteLegend, I think its very clear to see S Gerrard(34) offers the team nothing apart from set pieces unless he is given time and space on the ball which no midfielder in the premiership ever gets. But because he has scored 2 penalties and we are winning B Rodgers will be happy
ReplyDeleteBut n Hindsight we are playing Bottom of the league, we should have kept same side that convincingly beat Swansea barring Skrtel(30) due to his suspension.
But no B Rodgers does not have the balls, courage to keep his Landlord on the bench. Its comical managing
If S Gerrard(34) was not needed against high flying Swansea why would he be needed against bottom of the league Leceister City and lastly did he deserve to shift J Henderson(24) back to RB When Manquillo(20) did nothing wrong to be put on the bench against swansea
Just hope we don't think we can sit back and defend the lead
ReplyDeleteWTF Sakho!? 2 weeks in a row...
ReplyDeleteThis is why you dont paly gerarrd gaps occur
ReplyDeletehere we go again
ReplyDeleteYou are literally the only person in the world who thinks that.
ReplyDeleteThey deserve it Game On
ReplyDeleteoh s#ite
ReplyDeletePathetic
ReplyDeletehere comes the pain ahaha
ReplyDeletewhere's the midfield ?
ReplyDeleteTHIS is what happens if you have lucas and gerrard in front of the CB's.
ReplyDeletelike i said we have been awful
ReplyDeleteplaying with gerrard is palying with 10 men
ReplyDeleteplsu why bring borini on when markovic has been doing so well
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers instead of taking of S Gerrard(34) who has been played solely on his name and status and bringing on Manquillo(20) and reverting to back to team that played so well last week. He Keeps S Gerrard(34) on gaps will start to appear and brings F Headless Chicken Borini(23) on for what? And he takes our most consistant Performer this season off?
ReplyDeleteGreat Management
Bottom of league at Anfield folks !
ReplyDeleteRodgers can go down with Gerrad
ReplyDeletea manager with guts will take him out and reap teh rewards
gerrard needs to go
ReplyDeleteAnyone can teach a team how to defend ;-)
ReplyDeleteBR is not the man to take us forward, he hasn't got the balls for the job. even a blind man can see that gerrard and lucas in CM is NOT working
ReplyDeleteretire to the USA
ReplyDeleteRodgers GO AWAY you don't know what you are doing
ReplyDeleteStevie G is an absolute passenger in this second half, jogging around not affecting the game in any way shape or form.
ReplyDeleteNow he is taking Lucas off
ReplyDeleteGerrard is a liability
Passenger all season mate only 1 person on Earth who can't see that
ReplyDeleteBloody Borini
ReplyDeleteNa been sensational ;-)
ReplyDeletewell defended markovic, would have been a goal
ReplyDeletei can already see Rodgers post match press conference:
ReplyDelete"Stevie had an outstanding game, he's a brilliant technician, the team did a brilliant job. He scored two well deserved penalties.
you know as i already said, we knew it was going to be a tough game against an outstanding opponent. Were unfortunate not to get 3 points"
-----we were unlucky to lose it right at the end
ReplyDeleteWe defend their goal better than our own.
ReplyDeletehe was literally jumping in the shot
ReplyDeleteBloody Mignolet, he looks like a commanding, organised keeper when you see him shouting, but it's only after near defensive calamaties that he does it.
ReplyDeleteCrap defending again and Migno like a fart in a trance ...
ReplyDeleteBorini is fucking terrible isn't he! lol at every aspect of the game he is just ballix!!
ReplyDeleteArsenal are down 2-0 we could've been TWO points behind them.
ReplyDeleteHOW DID MARKOVIC MISS THE WHOLE GOAL FROM THERE...
ReplyDeletethat's why Liverpool will not get champion's league
ReplyDeleteBlow a 2 goal lead to bottom team is utterly pathetic and Rodgers needs to clear off
ReplyDeleteI really hope this is a lesson to Rodgers to not change a good winning team. What an idiot he really f***ing is...
ReplyDelete2 days ago i said that if BR goes with Gerrard and Lucas in midfield for the Leicester game I will loose all my believe in him.
ReplyDeletewell ti happens every time and every time Rodgers go with it again, hardly a surprise
ReplyDeleteI think it is clear B Rodgers is not the manager to take us forward as we need a manager who will be blunt honest and ruthless, not meek and sentimental in order to get S Gerrard(34) as far away from first 11 as possible.
ReplyDeleteSeason over !
ReplyDeleteno top 4
nothing to play for
Gerrard be the so called lfc saint you are and reject that contract offer
so i can look forward to next year
If a manager is not willing to learn from repetitive mistakes, he should be shown the door.
ReplyDeleteYep change a winning side
ReplyDeleteand system
does he want to be Gerrards best friend or lfc manager?
f*** off Liverpool you disgust me.
ReplyDeleteRodgers GO AWAY didn't u hear me first time
ReplyDelete