Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has sprung another surprise tonight with his decision to start Mario Balotelli ahead of £26m summer-signing Adam Lallana.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Toure, Skrtel, Lovren, Allen, Can, Moreno, Ibe, Sterling, Balotelli, Sturridge.
SUBS: Ward, Manquillo, Williams, Brannagan, Lallana, Lambert, Borini
* With Kolo Toure in the team, Emre Can will almost certainly play alongside Joe Allen in midfield. Can has admitted several times that he favours a central midfield role, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
* After recent contributions, Balotelli arguably deserves to start, but Lallana will probably feel aggrieved at being dumped on the bench for one of Liverpool's most important games of the season.
* Good to see Jordan Williams and Cameron Brannagan on the bench; the experience of preparing for a European game will hold them in good stead, and if they're lucky, one of the two may see some action in the second half.
* Martin Skrtel captains the team, which is the right decision. If he does well, then he could become a genuine option to succeed Gerrard at the end of the season.
With Balotelli and Sturridge in the team, what formation will Rodgers employ? There are a couple of options:
3412
------------------ Mignolet
----- Toure ------- Skrtel ------ Lovren
--- Ibe ------- Can ----- Allen ----- Moreno
----------------- Sterling
---------- Balotelli -- Sturridge
343
------------------ Mignolet
----- Toure ------- Skrtel ------ Lovren
--- Ibe ------- Can ----- Allen ----- Moreno
----------- Sterling --- Balotelli
----------------- Sturridge
I suspect Rodgers will go with option 343, with Balotelli slightly behind Sturridge, a position the Italian striker likes to play.
My prediction: 2-1 LFC (revised from 2-0)
EDIT: 21:30
* In my view, Sterling bottled-it during the penalty shootout. He is an attacking player, and with Balotelli, Gerrard, Sturridge, and Coutinho unavailable, he should've stepped-up and taken the responsibility.
Author: Jaimie K
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Toure, Skrtel, Lovren, Allen, Can, Moreno, Ibe, Sterling, Balotelli, Sturridge.
SUBS: Ward, Manquillo, Williams, Brannagan, Lallana, Lambert, Borini
* With Kolo Toure in the team, Emre Can will almost certainly play alongside Joe Allen in midfield. Can has admitted several times that he favours a central midfield role, so it will be interesting to see how he performs.
* After recent contributions, Balotelli arguably deserves to start, but Lallana will probably feel aggrieved at being dumped on the bench for one of Liverpool's most important games of the season.
* Good to see Jordan Williams and Cameron Brannagan on the bench; the experience of preparing for a European game will hold them in good stead, and if they're lucky, one of the two may see some action in the second half.
* Martin Skrtel captains the team, which is the right decision. If he does well, then he could become a genuine option to succeed Gerrard at the end of the season.
With Balotelli and Sturridge in the team, what formation will Rodgers employ? There are a couple of options:
3412
------------------ Mignolet
----- Toure ------- Skrtel ------ Lovren
--- Ibe ------- Can ----- Allen ----- Moreno
----------------- Sterling
---------- Balotelli -- Sturridge
343
------------------ Mignolet
----- Toure ------- Skrtel ------ Lovren
--- Ibe ------- Can ----- Allen ----- Moreno
----------- Sterling --- Balotelli
----------------- Sturridge
I suspect Rodgers will go with option 343, with Balotelli slightly behind Sturridge, a position the Italian striker likes to play.
My prediction: 2-1 LFC (revised from 2-0)
EDIT: 21:30
* In my view, Sterling bottled-it during the penalty shootout. He is an attacking player, and with Balotelli, Gerrard, Sturridge, and Coutinho unavailable, he should've stepped-up and taken the responsibility.
Author: Jaimie K
Not too bad a team, if the Ref does his job, we should be ok.
ReplyDeleteGood attacking line up - lets's go at them from the start get the early goal and they will have to score 3 to win ....
ReplyDeleteWith this team we should be playing BSC Young Boys !
ReplyDeleteBR is probably testing it out for Man City.
ReplyDeleteWe score one and the game is over. It seems to be Rodgers plan tonight.
ReplyDeleteEvery game is now the most important game of the season. This is exactly the Tempo I would uave picked. Manquillo, Borini and Lallana will likely be the subs if we are winning. If not I am not sure What will happen.
ReplyDeleteIf we are winning comfortably, I would love to see Williams for Allen and Branno for Sterling.
ReplyDeleteMario won't start at the weekend. He is not in our first eleven and if we have Henderson and Coutinho back in then there is definitely no place for Balo.
ReplyDeleteMe too. If not so comfortably then I think will go how I say.
ReplyDeleteImagine Branno and Flanno on the same side.. Speaking of him, is he ever coming back?
ReplyDeleteReally bad injury supposedly started rehabilitation training
ReplyDeleteBranno, Flanno, Hendo, Sterlo, Sturro, Balo, Brendo..
ReplyDeleteAll friendo...
ReplyDeleteCrazy Balo
ReplyDeletePlaying with or without a strike partner has no baring on Balotelli's poor decision making.
ReplyDeletePleasant surprise to see Sturridge and Balotelli starting. I'm 15 minutes behind so apologies in advance if my comments don't make sense.
ReplyDeleteLoud crowd. Really loud.
lambo
ReplyDeleteSturridge pass the fliping ball!
ReplyDeleteBallo on a yellow already
ReplyDeletesterling was in an offside position he couldn't do too much...
ReplyDeletehowever he doesn't really look sharp today
Sigh. Just seen the first couple of fouls he's been blown up for, and both look rather soft.
ReplyDeletewatch out for the spoilers then ;-)
ReplyDeleteOoh, seen the card. At least he's launching himself enthusiastically into the defensive side of things. Seems to have listened to Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Balo chose to hold up the ball just now insteas of paying it of?
ReplyDeleteHaha I don't mind spoilers :-)
ReplyDeleteJeez Stu shoot
ReplyDeleteYou see...once again Sturridge being selfish
ReplyDeleteThat was a really bad waste of a chance.
ReplyDeleteThink some of you guys might enjoy this.
ReplyDelete...
ReplyDeleteWhat is the matter with Studge these days ? Just shoot man ! Should have scored...
ReplyDeleteCan needs to get more involved in the game...a few good touches...
ReplyDeleteHe's got to keep his cool or we will be down to 10 men
ReplyDeleteThey are going to try and get Ballo sent off ..... fool if he can't see it
ReplyDeleteCentre forward taking a free kick, he shoulda been in the box.
ReplyDeleteWhat the heck Balotelli.........flipping pass the ball you mug
ReplyDeleteThey are going to try and get Ballo sent off ..
ReplyDeletewhat is this guy doing?
ReplyDeleteYes
ReplyDeleteWorry is ..... he can't see it !
ReplyDeleteWin the ball and get players in the box we have plenty of players who can score .... we only need one . Hopefully SH we can get em on counter as they will have to go for it
ReplyDeleteAh but will he listen ?
ReplyDeleteyep centre forward shouldn't take free kick, what are the like of Messi, Suarez, Cr7 thinking...
ReplyDeletereminds me of the following story from mourinho about balotelli:
ReplyDelete“I could write a book of 200 pages of my two years at Inter with Mario, but the book would not be a drama – it would be a comedy,” the tactician noted.
“I remember one time when we went to play Kazan in the Champions League. In that match I had all my strikers injured. No Diego Milito, no Samuel Eto’o, I was really in trouble and Mario was the only one.
“Mario got a yellow card in the 42nd minute, so when I got to the dressing room at half-time I spend about 14 minutes of the 15 available speaking only to Mario.
“I said to him: ‘Mario, I cannot change you, I have no strikers on the bench, so don’t touch anybody and play only with the ball. If we lose the ball no reaction. If someone provokes you, no reaction, if the referee makes a mistake, no reaction.'
“The 46th minute – red card!”
not sure who tried some hollywood passes but he should stop, and Sturridge should stop and try to be Suarez
ReplyDelete´boring game so far, but we don't have to do much more. at some point besiktas will need to attack and open up a bit in defence.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite optimistic were going to the next rounds
If Sturridge had shot Balo would have had an assist... He's doing okay bar the early fouls.
ReplyDeleteA typical Balotelli performance, somehow being our best player... and our worst player... at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with it. Controlled it and could have taken our chances better. We have to see how they come out.
ReplyDeleteYes he wiil listen, will he comply, I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to call them lies. That's what they are.
ReplyDeleteHaha nailed it. Hoping for more of the asset side of things second half.
ReplyDeleteI do like the fire he brings to our side, though. Everyone else is so calm and clinical and it's nice to have some emotion up in there.
Don't worry about Mario getting a second yellow.
ReplyDeletei don't know what you want more from Balo, he fight for the ball, make some block defensively and make some good pass when in possession.(of course he's not perfect but he hasn't played that long for quite some time)
ReplyDeleteDon't know if it's me but the pitch seem awful.
Right on! A fellow Balo believer. Although I do think Robo's comment was fair.
ReplyDeleteIt would be harsh for Balo to score the goal then cause their decline with a red card. Lallana is my man to come on in his place.
ReplyDeleteAnd Sterling really can't shoot...
ReplyDeleteagreed
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I thought a lot of the criticism of Suarez was justified, but I'm not going fight with you because you are supporting my point! And yes, I agree that MB is an easy target for all sorts of reasons
ReplyDeleteOhh; I didn't see yesterday's football so missed the reference. Yep; no doubt people will try to aim for perceived weaknesses in a player's game or reputation.
ReplyDeletepoor teamwork ? look at the Sturridge he's playing selfishly... i've been critical when he didn't produce anything but right know he's our best forward today.
ReplyDeleteOf course he's not perfect but if you have to be critical of a player there's other that deserve it more
Yea he's been our best player so far
ReplyDeleteSuppose some consolation is, Fiorentina have scored v Spurs
ReplyDeletewell we're not playing well but if we get through doesn't really matter honestly.
ReplyDeleteYes, poor teamwork. Basic stuff like support play. If he's not directly involved in an attack, he often doesn't contribute: whether that's making a supporting run or a dummy run or whatever. He often just stands still and spectates, or jogs towards the play. You see this over and over with him. This is not to mention his bad defensive discipline. I'd say he does his tactical duties about 50% of the time.
ReplyDeleteOther forwards contribute much, much more in modern football. Sturridge always does his work, for example: he goes where he's told defensively, and is always looking to contribute in attack. His only "selfishness" is sometimes shooting when a pass might have been playable. But since the guy scores pretty much a goal a game, he justifies his decisions with performances, unlike Balotelli.
Wonder if we will be seeing more defensive subs by 75 mins
ReplyDeleteSometimes just happens.
ReplyDeleteProbably the deafening noise has got to them ..
ReplyDeleteoh my god .... not gonna argue because obviously there's no point.
ReplyDeleteThat's right!
ReplyDeleteGood!
ReplyDeletethere's still the pitch excuse in these kind of games ;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely
ReplyDeleteGetting overrun in mid
ReplyDeleteGot to get control back defending deep
ReplyDeleteI wondered if the excuses would come out. Truth is this is just a basic Balo performance. Not all thay good.
ReplyDeleteTake Sturridge off
ReplyDeleteUgh
ReplyDeleteYes normally, but now, we need a goal.
ReplyDeleteBeen coming
ReplyDeleteYou could see it coming Subs too late
ReplyDeleteThats what happen when you get overrun....sub coming in way too late
ReplyDeleteUnless we get another body in mid we are going nowhere...
ReplyDeleteExtra time is the last thing we need
ReplyDeleteLallana must come on, but for who?
ReplyDeleteThe way we are playing there won't be extra time
ReplyDeleteBalotelli
ReplyDeleteSturridge or Balo
ReplyDeletewhy not Sterling ? because to me the europe Stage seems too big for him.
ReplyDeleteWould be a brave decision from the manager to do that
ReplyDeleteOkay did not see that one coming...
ReplyDeleteI think it's crazy he hasn't done it already
ReplyDeleteI was thinking both needed to come offshore a while but Sterling hasn't been much either. Sad to see Ibe comw.off though Manquillo needed to come on ages ago.
ReplyDeleteRusty header....
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't matter if we concede again, we still just need 1 goal to go through.
ReplyDeleteFor all those thinking that we don't need Can and Sakho is the back three this second half is a prime example of why we do. We need that composure. These lads don't have it.
ReplyDeleteThis is where lack of experience shows and where we miss Stevie
ReplyDeleteis this game really that important.. ? wouldn't we be much better off without the european distraction ahead of our run in the premier league ? its still much easier to get into the champions league with 12 games to go in the league than winning the europa league...
ReplyDeleteNO
ReplyDeletetottenham on their way out as well..
ReplyDeleteWas saying the same thing earlier
ReplyDeleteFulham got to the Final a few years back, they played 19 games, thats half a season.
ReplyDeletePossibly right .. think this team is not ready for Europe yet
ReplyDeleteEnglish football getting exposed it seems
ReplyDeleteok i disagree as i feel its the easier route to champions league than win this competition..
ReplyDeleteColin Pascoe seems like a decent bloke. Just looking at the clapping and handshake on the bench there
ReplyDeleteManquillo...no skill or pace there
ReplyDeletewould you rather we lose the tie in the next 10 minutes or drag this over the entire 120 minutes and then win just days before city visit ?
ReplyDeleteSkirts has been excellent AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteWas hoping to go to a back four. Get more men in midfield.
ReplyDeleteThis is tradgic.
ReplyDeleteHe needs better players beside him though. But he has done his job well. Won everything.
ReplyDeletetrue but they did not have any business in the league rather than finishing in the top ten maybe.. we on the other hand HAVE to finish in the champions league if we are going to get anything close to a gerrard replacement next season..
ReplyDeleteSame here. Would like to see Sterling out wide as well. He's surely the one player in our squad who would actually look natural at RWB. Reckon Lallana will win this for us though, best player on the pitch already.
ReplyDeleteCan just wasted possession there with a pointless Hollywood ball. He's done nothing in midfield today.
ReplyDeleteWhy are we so deep? Manquillo on just shows how tactically inept BR actually is.
ReplyDeleteSturridge hasn't done much either is he overated?
ReplyDeleteHow many from the manager down has European experience
ReplyDeleteAre you serious? Sturridge has proven himself for Liverpool time and time again. Can is overhyped.
ReplyDeleteThey want it more. Players lacking a bit of hunger tonight imo
ReplyDeletetheir best player is Tore, and Ibe is not a defender, Ibe was targeted.
ReplyDeleteReally been disappointed with our attacking players- should have put it to bed first half
ReplyDeleteit was well exposed even before.. compared to the liga giants, bayern and even those plucky teams who spring surprises every season in the champions leauge, english teams are nowhere near the level they used to be..
ReplyDeleteBR was in Italy a few weeks ago, where does that leave your argument, :)
ReplyDeletewhat has Sturridge proven in Europe ?
ReplyDeleteCan has actually been steadily losing form for a few games and hasn't been great tonight. Midfield can be a fast moving environment for a cruiser like Emre.
ReplyDeleteI think the hype is justified overall, though, such as it is: he's an exciting prospect. I've not read or heard anyone say anything more than variations on that sentiment, have you?
Ha Just One Cornetto ....
ReplyDelete............
ReplyDeleteLucky there,, I think I'll hit the bar myself soon.
ReplyDeleteDid I say Europe? I said Sturridge has proven himself for LFC, which is true.
ReplyDeleteBemba hit the ba thank goodness !
ReplyDeletejust what the doctor ordered... extra time.. f&%k this..
ReplyDeleteAnd only City in 3 days time !
ReplyDeletei didn't say you did but you're judging can on an european performance (because obviously in the PL Can has shown he has quality) so let's compare players at the same level, right ?
ReplyDeleteSturridge has been quite poor. Jogging about.
ReplyDeleteDon't really think anyone's done too much but he's not been our worst player tonight
ReplyDeleteThing is he ended up having to shoot with his right anyway except from a tighter angle. Should've just hit it
ReplyDeleteI think our players have got one eye on Sunday. Nobody wants to risk getting injured so nobody's running flat out and we're losing every 50/50
ReplyDeleteMaybe better to go out of the comp then? Sturridge was busy early but really not that much. Hardly worked the channels when he should have.
ReplyDeletesterling is another overrated british player!!
ReplyDeleteDo they REALLY want it enough ?
ReplyDeletewell to me allen running everywhere seems more because of his poor positioning (he don't know where to place himself so run everywhere when he see it's not the right place), sometimes being clever is better than working harder.
ReplyDeleteThey know they have us on the ropes
ReplyDeleteI'm in two minds. Overall I think it's good for the players and the club to be getting experience dealing with midweek football. That's the long-term view. But unless you can get the players committed there's not much point being there at all, is there. What do you reckon?
ReplyDeleteSorry bud positionally he can be one of our best players. He is always finding angles. What cam happen is he will move on to space for a pass and the player takes the other option and gets it wrong then he has to make up the space.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the hardest away leg in the competition though, Anfield aside.
ReplyDeletethere's more to positionning than looking to pass the ball, defensively being at the right place is much more effective than running around.
ReplyDeletei don't like the guy but Busquet is the perfect exemple of that, always at the right place at the right time
He's been awful hasn't he?
ReplyDeletePretty similar tbh. We do need the experience but at the risk of the League? The way this looks is we may go out next round anyway so is that worth it? It's hard to say right now. Too fed up.
ReplyDeletethanks for the answer that's what i thought
ReplyDeleteYippee
ReplyDeleteHe is trying to force it.
ReplyDeleteAll the other games finished
ReplyDeleteLambo to do it then eh
ReplyDeleteHere we go, Lambo
ReplyDeleteLovren couldn't cross the road...
ReplyDeleteNot only that, Toure has been far more impressive, Lovren could be spending a long time on the bench again.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Lovren's been rotten again.
ReplyDeleteCome on, you can't judge him on his crossing ability :)
ReplyDeleteAre we still on the pitch? Havent hadvavshot on goal in half an hour....
ReplyDeleteMoreno looks very tired.
ReplyDeleteIf Besiktas were a premier league team, where do you think they'd be? I reckon they are about a sort of Newcastle-level team. Couple of decent players, a bit of pace, bit sketchy at the back...
ReplyDeleteYea I'd agree with that
ReplyDeleteAre Newcastle in the top half of the table? Would Baskets you think?
ReplyDeleteBut defend well
ReplyDeletehow shall he cross back to anfield road from here? some fans clearly demand to much
ReplyDeleteYeah they are well-coached, eh. Their defenders make loads of mistakes and couldn't live with our guys 1-1, but their system worked well tonight.
ReplyDeleteJust time to change batteries in the pacemaker ....
ReplyDeleteMaybe! Their home support would be worth 10 or 12 points a season on its own.
ReplyDeleteGimme that nail clippers quick, before the shoot out begins.
ReplyDeleteWe've been dreadful tonight. Worried there may be a couple of injury concerns after this game too
ReplyDeleteyep... not what we needed...
ReplyDeleteMine are chomped off.
ReplyDeleteWhat? I expect this from a streaming site!
ReplyDeleteAs long as Sterling won't take one
ReplyDeleteGet the ear plugs in !
ReplyDeleteI know man and they cancelled River Monsters for this.
ReplyDeleteSuddenly the Soto game doesn't look so good.
ReplyDeleteBloody ITV, remember the farce a few seasons ago against Everton in the FA cup when everyone missed the only goal of the tie cos it jumped to a tic tac ad. That and the fact they subject me to Andy Townsend
ReplyDeleteHa great show
ReplyDeleteI would rather a river monster do the commentary than Townsend.
ReplyDeleteI would rather sh1t in my hand and clap than listen to him
ReplyDeleteIs it possible for commentators to say the word "Lallana" without saying the word "elegant" within the next few seconds?
ReplyDeleteWell that post was the best part of this night for me. Up to now.
ReplyDeleteBad-ass penalties.
ReplyDeleteImagine if Allen had missed. There would be explosions all over the place.
ReplyDeleteI thought he would to be honest, he looked so sad and afraid. Bless him.
ReplyDeleteKnew it.
ReplyDeleteYeah.... yeah.
ReplyDeleteWho else sums it all up !
ReplyDeleteLovren oh my gosh!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't you just know it. I knew he was missing
ReplyDeleteI looked up from my phone and saw him. Just knew that was it
ReplyDeleteyeah you could see it in his face
ReplyDeleteeveryone knew, another proof of Rodgers naivety, penalty are vital in europe and you should work on them
ReplyDeleteYep. Same.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I saw Lovren I screamed and looked away...i knew he was going to miss. Poor pferformance today.
ReplyDeleteWho idn't?!? Him the thoughest one, what a decision?
ReplyDeleteYou know next time your in the training sessions give us a shout. I love insider information.
ReplyDeleteYep but before Lovren they were quality.....
ReplyDelete