Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has named a pleasingly attack-minded team for tonight's must-win Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Markovic, Coutinho, Ibe, Sturridge
SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Lovren, Lambert, Lallana, Allen, Balotelli
SPURS: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason; Lamela, Dembele, Eriksen; Kane
* Sterling and Lucas are out through injury. Sturridge starts his first game since returning from his long injury lay-off.
* Balotelli makes the match-day squad for the first time the League Cup defeat to Chelsea.
* Manquillo is once again dumped from the squad, which is disappointing considering he's a solid performer.
* £81m-worth of Rodgers' signings on the bench.
* Given the personnel, it seems likely that it'll be a Gerrard-Henderson midfield partnership, which isn't the most inspiring prospect. If Spurs target Gerrard, and overrun midfield, it could be the difference between winning and losing. Probable formation:
------------------ Mignolet
------ Can ------- Skrtel ------ Sakho
Markovic -- Gerrard -- Hendo --- Moreno
------------ Coutinho - Ibe
---------------- Sturridge
* It's also possible that Ibe may play right wing-back, with Markovic alongside Coutinho.
This seems like it should be a very tough match for Liverpool, especially with Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen in such great form. However, many fans - myself included - thought the same about the West Ham game, and Liverpool ran out comfortable winners on the day.
My prediction: 1-1
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno, Gerrard, Henderson, Markovic, Coutinho, Ibe, Sturridge
SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Lovren, Lambert, Lallana, Allen, Balotelli
SPURS: Lloris; Walker, Dier, Vertonghen, Rose; Bentaleb, Mason; Lamela, Dembele, Eriksen; Kane
* Sterling and Lucas are out through injury. Sturridge starts his first game since returning from his long injury lay-off.
* Balotelli makes the match-day squad for the first time the League Cup defeat to Chelsea.
* Manquillo is once again dumped from the squad, which is disappointing considering he's a solid performer.
* £81m-worth of Rodgers' signings on the bench.
* Given the personnel, it seems likely that it'll be a Gerrard-Henderson midfield partnership, which isn't the most inspiring prospect. If Spurs target Gerrard, and overrun midfield, it could be the difference between winning and losing. Probable formation:
------------------ Mignolet
------ Can ------- Skrtel ------ Sakho
Markovic -- Gerrard -- Hendo --- Moreno
------------ Coutinho - Ibe
---------------- Sturridge
* It's also possible that Ibe may play right wing-back, with Markovic alongside Coutinho.
This seems like it should be a very tough match for Liverpool, especially with Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen in such great form. However, many fans - myself included - thought the same about the West Ham game, and Liverpool ran out comfortable winners on the day.
My prediction: 1-1
Author: Jaimie K
Good line up... Not sure about Gerrard in midfield, would prefer Can. Come on lads!
ReplyDeleteWould have even preferred Allen in midfield rather than Gerrard. I don't know why Rodgers is doing this as it's clear it hasn't worked in the past. Well here's hoping that Spurs underperform.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you deleted my last comment. I give up with you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it is a good thing Gerard is leaving going out on his best
ReplyDeleteWhile we sign a new cdm or sign a Pedro Chirevella
Two words. Harry Kane...
ReplyDeleteMate we faced Cristiano Ronaldo,Karim Benzema,
ReplyDeleteAlexis Sanchez,Edin Dzeko, Diego Costa
Harry Kane is no one compared to them
Doubt it is going to be that easy as 3-1. Spurs are in top form. One of the best teams in the league at the moment.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen Kane this season?
ReplyDeleteSo are we
ReplyDeletejust saying
ReplyDeleteronaldo scored
benzema scored
costa scored
dzeko was close :)
At the current form, Harry Kane IS Cristiano Ronaldo
ReplyDelete3-1 DOESN'T NECCESARELY MEAN IT IS EASY. AND we have the best attack in the league.. Sorry bout caps lock...
ReplyDeleteYes and what?
ReplyDeleteAndy Carroll had a decent half season as well in 2010-11
infact had 13 goals at this stage 1 more then Kane
7 wins in nine EPL games for Spurs.
ReplyDeleteBest attack in the league? What?
ReplyDeleteNo trust me, the guy Kane has the attacking instinct of Kun Aguero
ReplyDeleteI didn't say they weren't lucky ,-)
ReplyDeleteNeymar is Cristiano Ronaldo
ReplyDeleteKane can only ever be a Muller
If we stop Kane, it will be a mauling
ReplyDeleteIf we don't it will be crushing
Simple really
Oh yeah, throttling Arsenal and Chelsea is dow to luck?
ReplyDeleteSo what happened to us against these two teams?
Yes we are.
ReplyDeleteCool
ReplyDeleteBUT Augero has way more pace and is better at dribbling
Kane is for me a clever player rather then an explosive one
at the moment we are the best team in the league. form giude.
ReplyDeleteAnd they will easily stop Daniel, Ibe, Couts...?
ReplyDeleteHe's good, but he's no Sturridge though ;)
ReplyDeleteNo we are not.
ReplyDeleteSeriously you guys by into the hype too much
ReplyDeleteHarry Kane?
Really?
We are fearing him ?
Aint fit to clean Sturridges boots
He can basically score from any dead ball situations, yes really clever for his age. Reminds me of Schevchenko.
ReplyDeleteHe does not have to be Sturridge. Kane is deadly and will score if given the opportunity. That is all that counts.
ReplyDeleteNo, but I have negative feeling about Sterling's absence. It might severely damage the chemistry of the frontline
ReplyDeleteHow many did he score last season?
ReplyDeleteHe is going through a purple patch liek Adebayor in 07-08
and it has to come to an end soon
we picked up 14 points from last 6 games. spurs managed 13 in their last 6.
ReplyDeleteA point off 1st if you look at last 5
ReplyDeleteNo, but I have negative feeling about Sterling's absence. It might severely damage the chemi-stry of the frontline
ReplyDeleteA point off 1st if you look at last 5..
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm saying is your fear of Kane is a bit disproportionate, we've got Sturridge ourselves.
ReplyDeletehe is good though
ReplyDeletehe has immense talent and has clean strike
destroyed teams like chelsea and arsenal
he is not the one to be taken lightly
and yes i trust our defence now
Spurs have seven wins in their last 9 EPL matches. We have 5.
ReplyDeleteWe are not the best team in the league form giude
Cool, my comment awaiting for moderation for I don't for and I don't know reason;-)
ReplyDeleteForm goes out the window in these big games
ReplyDeletethe form guide goes as far back as a team's last 6 games. atleast thats the format on the premier leauge's website. how much further back do you want to go to consider form ?
ReplyDeleteSakho will have Kane for dinner
ReplyDeletethen a bit of Eriksen for desert
3-1 Lallana to score...... wonder if we might see the Balo/ Studge combo again like last time.... The boss/wife is in town; LFC better win or else.....
ReplyDeleteHapppens... We'll win though...
ReplyDeleteThey are cursed : )
ReplyDeleteRemember the last time they came we drew with villa 2-2
hahaha..i hope it happens
ReplyDeleteGotta be honest, I feel THIS spurs side are full of belief and it might just be the difference to win or lose this game. We are obviously on a good run too but Pochetino has really given the belief after Chelsea and Arsenal win and United draw.
ReplyDeleteI hope so
ReplyDeleteMate we are Liverpool , we have 5 European cups,Spurs have 0. We have 18 league titles , Spurs have 1.
ReplyDeleteThen how'd you explain the Palace loss?
ReplyDeletei am beginning to see why everyone on here hates you
ReplyDeleteWe are winners
ReplyDeleteOur mentality should be the same .
We should not fear spurs or Kane they should fear us .
We have Anfield THE GREATEST STADIUM IN THE WORLD WITH THE BEST FANS IN WORLD , one of the greatest players ever STEVEN GERRARD .
I'm stunned Gerrard is starting alongside Henderson. That partnership was one of the reasons we lacked speed and creativity in the first half of the season. Henderson spends the game covering Gerrard. Also Gerrard has been so poor in recent games, he is only getting a game based on the fact he has Gerrard on his shirt, it's certainly not based on performance or influence.
ReplyDeleteWow... I'm sold!
ReplyDeleteCool we're gonna win the league!!
And we beat that same team 3-0 on their own park. Correlations like this don't have much substance in football.
ReplyDeleteWell you are saying we have the best for guide when it is a lie?
ReplyDeleteback then there were no Kane nor an inspired spurs
ReplyDeleteMyp2p not working for me. . . Any sites people to watch game? Please.
ReplyDeleteLuckily i get to watch on TV but try firstrowsports.
ReplyDeleteThanks logan. . .
ReplyDeleteSpotlemon
ReplyDeleteNo, but I liked your comment;-)
ReplyDeleteWell we were not playing well when we played Arsenal and Chelsea after such a defeat changed tactics and played far far more defensively against us. I'm sure there are other reasons too. No striker for instance.
ReplyDeleteMerci
ReplyDeleteHe has looked great but slow down there hoss
ReplyDeletePleasure mate. Hopefully the stream is not jerky.
ReplyDeleteChanged tactics blah blah blah.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine if Rodgers had stuck to last seasons tactics. Why couldn't he?
£80m of "Rodgers' signings" on the bench... aaand £90m on the pitch. Isn't this just an illustration of our growing strength in depth? Would you rather we had a bunch of free signings, ringers, and chancers on the bench? Meh.
ReplyDeleteExcited about this match. Spurs' fullbacks don't cover well, and Dier and Vertonghen are mobile but can't dominate. And because Pochettino knows that, Spurs will come and try to play, to force the match to become a midfield battle. I think this will lead to big spaces opening up, either in behind or between the lines, even quite early on. There's a chance it will be like the Arsenal game last season, because we will be breaking on their defence carrying the ball -- could be a big win...!
Man may as well replace the rest of your post with blah bah. Your unwilling to actually discuss anything.
ReplyDeleteIf Rodgers stuck with last season's tactics? We'd be in the lower half if he did that... We tried at the beginning of the season, but the Sturridge injury and terrible individual form kinda changed things...
ReplyDeleteGreat play by Ibe, I love the way he runs at players
ReplyDeleteLovely play by sahko there.. never thought I'd ever say that
ReplyDeleteMarkovic should have done better
ReplyDeleteGet inMarkovic
ReplyDeleteMarkovic make me eat my words son!
ReplyDeleteGreat block.. went past gerrard far too easily
ReplyDeleteCan ma boy
ReplyDeleteNot the first time, already. Spurs are actually lining Gerrard up to run off him.
ReplyDeleteDid I not say we should start with Markovic in attack???
ReplyDeleteIt was a poor attempt by Lloris though.
WTF Sturridge
ReplyDeletethey're lucky it's always faling on Sturridge's right foot
ReplyDeleteDembele looks strong & confident, Gerrard won't cope!
ReplyDeleteTo be fair my 2 yr old can give gerrard a hard time
ReplyDeleteBut there was no reason to change from last seasons tactics at the start of the season.
ReplyDeleteWhy did he have to change. It cannot be that difficult to answer?
That was far far too easy
ReplyDeleteHendo has to work hard
ReplyDeleteFFS
ReplyDeleteI said before the match. Two words.
ReplyDeleteHarry Kane.
Anfield so quiet. Bizarre.
ReplyDeleteThey are able to walk though our midfield. ..
ReplyDeleteSakho slipped.
ReplyDeleteI still think we can take 3 points
ReplyDeleteIt is far to easy to finish top 4 too :-o
ReplyDeleteSturridge should have scored at least 1
ReplyDeleteWell he hasn't.
ReplyDeleteHow many times do you need this explained to you. Just stop it.
ReplyDeleteYet
ReplyDeleteGerrard as a central mid? Rodgers doesn't want to win.
ReplyDeleteJordan Ibe... the new Messi?
ReplyDeleteCoutinho's playing weird tonight.
ReplyDeleteSturridge still not got match sharpness
ReplyDeleteOh come on
ReplyDeleteSuper half. We've been strong second halves recently, think there's a good win on the way.
ReplyDeleteWe have discussed this more than once and you don't agree with what I have said. I cannot be bothered repeating myself. I will leave that to you.
ReplyDeleteBut what in the hell has that to do with the Chelsea game we were talking about anyway?
Screw you Stu
ReplyDeleteGet Johnson on at right center back
ReplyDeleteMove Emre Can to the center take Gerrard off
Tired, has a knock and is getting double teamed every time he is on the ball.
ReplyDeleteMessi the old Jordan Ibe?
ReplyDeleteTwice
ReplyDeleteSell Sterling for 40m get Lacazette
ReplyDeleteMarkovic and Jordon Ibe showing the way we don't need him anymore
Teams setting up defensively out of courage?
ReplyDeleteI'd rather 130m on the pitch and 40m on the bench
ReplyDeleteI had a similar thought. Only five players in the squad were not signed during Rodgers tenure. By next season we may be two fewer. At what point do we stop talking about how much the bench cost?
ReplyDeleteThat reminds me I will have to get my clock fixed.
ReplyDeleteOur set pieces have been awful
ReplyDeletePen
ReplyDeleteYesssssss
ReplyDeleteCome on Steviee. Please do your stuff!
ReplyDeleteDanny Rose is rubbish isn't he.
ReplyDeleteYeeeesssssssss
ReplyDeleteTwo words
ReplyDeleteWell done to the linesman.The Ref bottled it!
ReplyDeleteMignolet well done
ReplyDeleteCan is a frustrated right back. Let him loose
ReplyDeleteDefo pen
ReplyDeleteRef got that wrong. Come on Stevie
ReplyDeleteKane offside
ReplyDeleteIt is my considered view that referee Phil Dowd is a thick, fat fuckhead.
ReplyDeleteWasn't a free kick!
ReplyDeleteReplay shows that he is in line actually.
ReplyDeleteMarkovic for Lallana or Ballotelli
ReplyDeleteBalotelli going to help us bugger all in this match.
ReplyDeleteWell they ve just shown it again and both commentators said it was !
ReplyDeleteThat was a penalty. Every. Day. Of. The. Week.
ReplyDeleteHow was Gerrard's a free kick and that not a pen?
ReplyDeleteCoutinho looks jaded
ReplyDeleteSturridge might inspire him
ReplyDeleteBottle job !
ReplyDeleteBorini would have been a useful player in this match. Lambert and Balotelli's immobility is going to slow us down.
ReplyDeleteaduhhhhh
ReplyDeleteLooks on side mate.
ReplyDeleteGo back to the rose coloured ones at least they were in focus ;-)
ReplyDeleteLooks like Sakho played him onside.
ReplyDeletehas a Henderson set piece ever resulted into anything ?
ReplyDeleteBalo
ReplyDeleteKiss his backside!
ReplyDeleteSorry Mario sorry sorry !!!!! All's forgiven !!!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha... typical
ReplyDeleteSure about that?
ReplyDeleteApart from score a goal
ReplyDeleteWhat do you know, Balotelli scores :-)
ReplyDeleteMario back from the wild and off the mark ... First of many now ?
ReplyDeleteGood effort.
ReplyDeleteNever doubted him :s
ReplyDeleteBest comment
ReplyDeletehe actually has a decent record when taking corners in the recent past...
ReplyDeleteWent away for a while and now has the monkey off his back !
ReplyDeleteWorked for Mignolet.
ReplyDeleteYeah yeah. He is going to have to do much more than that to prove he is good enough.
ReplyDeleteI will say this... Phil dowd has to be one of the worst refs going
ReplyDeleteHe's been atrocious tonight hasn't he.
ReplyDeleteSteve Peters is earning his dosh at the moment ...
ReplyDeleteyes terrible yellow card calls for both sides
ReplyDeleteNo argument from me there
ReplyDeleteCheer up logan, sure we'll lose eventually. Keep making those predictions of doom, chances are one will come good ;)
ReplyDeleteHis call on Gerrard's perfect tacle almost cost us the points.
ReplyDeleteCome on guys
ReplyDeleteBuggered Spurs for us ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice pressing by Balo
ReplyDeleteGot to give credit to Brendan for the substitutions, Lallana assists and Balo scores.
ReplyDeleteNo one disputes that but would like him see partnering studge.
ReplyDeleteGET IN
ReplyDeleteTwo words
ReplyDeleteGREAT 3 POINTS TONIGHT ONWARDS AND UPWARDS !
ReplyDeleteCome on Lovren get your game going then we can put big emre in midfield.
ReplyDelete??? Spurs Stuffed ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell good gravy that was exciting.
ReplyDeleteThey shouldn't have been even as Kane was offside and they got a free kick for less than the challenge when we had a second pen claim.
I had an odd experience. A perfect stream but Phil Neville commentating. Like some sort of Hell realm.
Eriksen where?
ReplyDeleteHe didn't do anything wrong which is progress.
ReplyDeleteWell, who saw that coming?
ReplyDeleteGreat, great win.
Im so happy right now.
Great work Lallana btw.
That is precisely why the mute was invented
ReplyDeleteHarry Kaned
ReplyDeleteYep I am an idiot.
ReplyDeleteDid you hear him actually criticize Balotelli for not getting to the ball on the first free kick cross when he first entered the game. The ball landed 15 yards away from him amidst a sea of players.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't mate. Angle is terrible.
ReplyDeletebut how good does Can look when in midfield, he's chomping at the bit to play there. Those surging runs from midfield might get us vital points between now and end of season.
ReplyDeleteYou couldnt have dreamed it up.
ReplyDeleteManquillo solid performer???
ReplyDeleteI didn't get on to that one. TBH by that point he was just an annoying drone.
ReplyDeleteHe was showing yellow cards like there's tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect tackle. Gerrard was playing really well.
Never doubted he could do it in mid. He could do with being a touch more tactical but he certainly looks good. My worry was whether our defence could handle having Lovren or Johnson in it. Still not sure but at least (like I said) Lovren didn't do anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteYeah that mystified me too. Not seen enough of him but spent most time going backwards and getting rid quick from what I saw. Might be for the future though
ReplyDeleteIbe is quality. He fits in like a senior player.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for Mario.... never give up on our players
ReplyDeleteHe is very inconsistent and his deliveries are not that good at all.
ReplyDeleteHe is still young so there is much room for improvement.
Oh yes and Can is already superb and magnificent hair
ReplyDeleteDefensively our best FB. Second most tackles per game in the team. Only one who gets near Lucas. Most interceptions. Hardly ever gives a foul away.
ReplyDeleteIt is not merely hair it is a mane
ReplyDeleteYeah even if we have just solid 7 out of 10 performances from Lovren, keep it simple, that will do. Can only 21 as well, people forget that looking at him.
ReplyDeleteI love how in control he seems: effortless cruising over the ground, doesn't get stuck in for the sake of it, plays intelligently, head up and engaged. He looks about as good as any 19 year old winger I've ever seen.
ReplyDelete