Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has sprung a major surprise by leaving Jordan Henderson and Lucas Leiva out of the starting line-up for tonight's FA Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Allen, Gerrard, Moreno, Markovic, Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling
SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Lambert, Henderson, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini
* This is one of Liverpool's most important games of the season, so it's strange that Hendo is on the bench. Rodgers will probably argue that he's being rested for the Everton game, but it seems odd to leave him out of such an important game.
* With Lucas and Hendo out, we're faced with the unappealing prospect of an Allen/Gerrard partnership in midfielder, which doesn't really inspire confidence.
* Sturridge starts on the bench, which is a good decision. No need to rush him back to the starting line-up, especially with Sterling capable of deputising.
* Lallana gets another start, and he really needs to start delivering the goods on a more consistent basis.
* Balotelli not in the squad yet again? What is the point in spending £16m on him if he hardly ever plays, or even makes the squad? It's ridiculous. Yes, Balotelli hasn't set the world on fire, but Liverpool are never going to get their money's worth if he's not even in the squad, especially against lower-league opposition.
Probable formation:
---------------- Mignolet
---- Can -------- Skrtel --------- Sakho
Markovic --- Gerrard - Allen --- Moreno
---------- Coutinho -- Lallana
--------------- Sterling
Despite the changes, the team selected by Rodgers is more than capable of getting a victory tonight, and anything less than that will be massively disappointing.
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Allen, Gerrard, Moreno, Markovic, Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling
SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Lambert, Henderson, Sturridge, Manquillo, Borini
* This is one of Liverpool's most important games of the season, so it's strange that Hendo is on the bench. Rodgers will probably argue that he's being rested for the Everton game, but it seems odd to leave him out of such an important game.
* With Lucas and Hendo out, we're faced with the unappealing prospect of an Allen/Gerrard partnership in midfielder, which doesn't really inspire confidence.
* Sturridge starts on the bench, which is a good decision. No need to rush him back to the starting line-up, especially with Sterling capable of deputising.
* Lallana gets another start, and he really needs to start delivering the goods on a more consistent basis.
* Balotelli not in the squad yet again? What is the point in spending £16m on him if he hardly ever plays, or even makes the squad? It's ridiculous. Yes, Balotelli hasn't set the world on fire, but Liverpool are never going to get their money's worth if he's not even in the squad, especially against lower-league opposition.
Probable formation:
---------------- Mignolet
---- Can -------- Skrtel --------- Sakho
Markovic --- Gerrard - Allen --- Moreno
---------- Coutinho -- Lallana
--------------- Sterling
Despite the changes, the team selected by Rodgers is more than capable of getting a victory tonight, and anything less than that will be massively disappointing.
Author: Jaimie K
What no Henderson or Lucas Where are the goals going to come from!
ReplyDeleteWattup, dawg? Don't panic, bloody Johnson is on the bench.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe Lucas and Hendo aren't included... Gerrard and Allen provide no screen for the back 4 and I can honestly see us getting beat tonight with that midfield. Gerrard doesn't have the legs anymore to play that role and Allen has the legs but very little else. Long hard night for me.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Johnson and goals, that last one was kinda heroic...
ReplyDeleteWhat goes on between Allen and Rodgers ? Expect the usual inoccuous display from him tonight. Totally beyond me
ReplyDeleteI can't believe Ibe and Suso are not starting. BR needs to go now before he destroys this once great club forever.
ReplyDeleteApologist!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't look good for him - good that Lucas gets a rest - our next 6 games are real ring stingers
ReplyDeleteBR may want to keep him but Ballo's gone AWOL
ReplyDeleteUnless he is getting Migs treatment. Extra training, sitting with Steve Peters too. He may come back the Soto player we bought. Hmm my optimism gets the best of me sometimes.
ReplyDeleteAllen is player good enough, people see that he isn't on a level for the top4 and start saying he can't handle championship team?! It will worl out...
ReplyDeleteBolton have a guy called Ream
ReplyDeleteSuso... He's left for Milan pal. Ibe on the other hand should be on the bench, strange one that.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Stevie start, though if that's the team that's out, I would be fine. Like you, I want to see what can has in the Midfield. Although, I have a feeling Allen will make an appearance -.-
ReplyDeleteLovren not even on the bench.
ReplyDeleteIbe is cup tied
ReplyDeleteThe own goals come from Skirtel : ) no forget that- a Gerrard penalty we win a bum squeaking 1-0
ReplyDeleteIbe is cup-tied from loan spell, presumably with Rodgers approval
ReplyDeleteSuso is already at AC Milan and Ibe is cup tied. Good thing you know that much about this one great club ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo Borini scores his first goal in eons and is then left out of all games after that.. If Balotelli cannot play, why not Borini.. At least Lucas gets a rest but Allen and Gerrard is a grimful pairing.
ReplyDeleteLucas supposedly has a minor thigh injury.
ReplyDeleteEven better.. Add insult to injury or in this case injury to insult
ReplyDeleteYou mean the cup tied guy and the Milan guy
ReplyDeleteI never had you down as an apologist, Tree. I see the disease of apologism is spreading like a plague :p
ReplyDeleteHe does not need any encouragement!
ReplyDeleteYearly?
ReplyDeleteone leg at a time?
ReplyDeleteBR OUT!
ReplyDeleteyou know, i change my opinion like my underwear :P
ReplyDeleteNaughty
ReplyDeleteOnly when there are no ladies present?
ReplyDeleteWith the missus
ReplyDeleteI want to say never but don't want to offend you: )
ReplyDelete3-0 by half time
ReplyDeleteBloody Nora Allen
ReplyDeleteHe prefers to be called Joe except at weekends
ReplyDeleteUh oh
ReplyDeleteWhy can't I be Emre Can.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we bloody shoot
ReplyDeleteHaha, Clough looks like he's auditioning for us :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a shot does he play for us
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be a crazy 10 minutes
ReplyDeleteHope Allen can have a good game tonight, the squad would be much stronger for having a plausible alternative to Henderson in the midfield busy-legs role.
ReplyDeleteThe linesman has got it wrong - twice
ReplyDeleteNo support for Raheem - different SH with Studge
ReplyDeleteMigno looking more confident
ReplyDeletei was already awaiting those answers
ReplyDeletebrilliant as always guys!
Think he intended it to be longer ..... Jones injury he's taken his chance and coming good
ReplyDeleteGood show from Migs so far. Confident decision making and seems to be communicating better with the back three. Encouraging to see.
ReplyDeleteNot from Hendo or Lucas, even if they were playing.
ReplyDeleteBR's decision to rest him paying off now .-)
ReplyDeleteGreat comment, shows what you know about LFC, Ibe cup tied, and Suso in Italy, he he he
ReplyDeleteIslesfan74 out.
ReplyDeleteStats according to flashscores make it look fairly even but I'm sure we've dominated. We just lack an outright goal scorer when Sturridge isn't in the pitch.
ReplyDeleteSterling still cannot shoot, he is a midfielder and not a centre forward, but now his passing seems to be slipping too. Is playing him up front hindering his natural progression?
We don't want extra time esp wiv a derby game coming up Mutley doo something
ReplyDeleteI'm going to ask again, having watched the first half-
ReplyDeleteWHAT DOES ALLEN BRING TO LFC?
-15m on the check book i guess
ReplyDeleteHis Boots.
ReplyDeleteI've always said he is world class - has he got any Scottish blood in him?
ReplyDeleteSo many apologists, Stu.
ReplyDeleteYes he has improved so much, hope it continues, with Keepers its all about confidence in their own ability, and he seems to have really got over the bad streak he had.
ReplyDeleteThink Steve Peters might have had something to do with it
ReplyDeleteWe really had a perfect storm at the start of the season. Migs probably lost a little form, but ahead of him Sakho lost form too, and it was amplified because the defence seemed so exposed: the midfield was giving them nothing and the ball wasn't sticking up front. Everyone seemed really uptight and they played with fear. Lovren was destroyed by it, Moreno nearly was too -- just started playing his own game and got through it.
ReplyDeleteOnce the pressure eased off, they were able to rebuild... er hang on, what was my point? Oh yeah, that the whole team's improvement is the most important factor in Mignolet's recovery.
VERY INTERESTING I'M SURE YOU'LL AGREE.
I believe he eats Angus steaks, does that count, ???
ReplyDeleteSorry to steal the limelight :/
ReplyDeleteI think Stuart told his boxer to do it. He's such a bad influence on him.
ReplyDeleteI'm better of keeping a slightly lower profilet
ReplyDelete