Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made the bold decision to 'rest' Daniel Sturridge for today's crucial Premier League clash with Southampton.
After a quiet game against Besiktas, Sturridge drops to the bench, and is replaced up-front by Raheem Sterling:
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Lovren, Henderson, Allen, Markovic, Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling
SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Toure, Lambert, Sturridge, Moreno, Balotelli
* Sakho is out with injury. The LFC site confirms: "Mamadou Sakho misses today’s game due to a knock to his hip"
* This is a great chance for Dejan Lovren to come in and stake his claim for a place in the team. If it goes wrong, though, it could spell the beginning of the end of his Liverpool first-team career.
* The decision to leave Sturridge out is bound to polarise opinion, and as I see it, there are three possible reasons why:
- Punishment for his behaviour during the Besiktas penalty incident.
- Game management to ensure he remains fit and is not overplayed.
- Dropped for an ineffective performance against Besiktas.
Whatever the reason, it's a gamble, but the good thing is that Liverpool have the players to compensated, which hasn't been the case in the past.
If Rodgers is punishing Sturridge for the Besiktas incident then he's simply cutting off his nose to spite his face. Hopefully, it's just a a strategy to manage the striker's fitness.
With Lovren in, and Sturridge out, it's a massive gamble from Rodgers, and if it goes pear-shaped, he'll inevitably face a barrage of criticism.
My prediction: Still 2-1 to Southampton
Author: Jaimie K
After a quiet game against Besiktas, Sturridge drops to the bench, and is replaced up-front by Raheem Sterling:
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Lovren, Henderson, Allen, Markovic, Ibe, Lallana, Coutinho, Sterling
SUBS: Ward, Johnson, Toure, Lambert, Sturridge, Moreno, Balotelli
* Sakho is out with injury. The LFC site confirms: "Mamadou Sakho misses today’s game due to a knock to his hip"
* This is a great chance for Dejan Lovren to come in and stake his claim for a place in the team. If it goes wrong, though, it could spell the beginning of the end of his Liverpool first-team career.
* The decision to leave Sturridge out is bound to polarise opinion, and as I see it, there are three possible reasons why:
- Punishment for his behaviour during the Besiktas penalty incident.
- Game management to ensure he remains fit and is not overplayed.
- Dropped for an ineffective performance against Besiktas.
Whatever the reason, it's a gamble, but the good thing is that Liverpool have the players to compensated, which hasn't been the case in the past.
If Rodgers is punishing Sturridge for the Besiktas incident then he's simply cutting off his nose to spite his face. Hopefully, it's just a a strategy to manage the striker's fitness.
With Lovren in, and Sturridge out, it's a massive gamble from Rodgers, and if it goes pear-shaped, he'll inevitably face a barrage of criticism.
My prediction: Still 2-1 to Southampton
Author: Jaimie K
Well West Ham did us a favour today so we need to take advantage of their slip.
ReplyDeleteIt's a well stocked bench though isn't it? Sturridge, Balo, Moreno, Toure, erm....Johnson.
ReplyDeleteProb BR's thinking is that Both Lovren and Lallana will both step it up against their old club spurred on by the crowd's barracking and then Lambo to come on later and score the winning goal .... no celebration of course !
ReplyDeleteStrange lineup
ReplyDeleteNo doubt Johnson is being saved for Thursday and MC next weekend ...
ReplyDeleteIf he is resting Sturridge surely he would play Balotelli? Coutinho still not rested. Would of preffered Lallana/Sterling and Balo ST
ReplyDeletewhat is our formation?
ReplyDeleteFcuk knows !
ReplyDeleteI wish Moreno played
ReplyDeletethen we would ahve had Lallana,Markovic,Can,Lovren,
all our new signings that were first choice and scouted on
wHO AE WB, mArkovic and Ibe?
ReplyDeleteYes
ReplyDelete2-1-2-5
ReplyDeleteI was just ready to comment on dodging another Andy Carroll by passing on Lukaku and he scores to bring Everton level. But he has been a club footed limbic most of the match.
ReplyDeleteis Moreno injured? and DS ..ok he needs to be managed however this is such an important game after the current results
ReplyDeleteIt was an OG anyways. I think he has just lost his way and there is a lot of pressure on him.
ReplyDeleteStrangly enough I can see that...
ReplyDeleteProb Ballo n Studge have had their wrists slapped after their spat on Thursday
ReplyDeleteI still don't think Balotelli has done enough to start. He's output is better but not yet enough. He probably does zilch in training too. The squad is improving and as such you really have to earn your shirt. ......and keep it
ReplyDelete3 strikers on the bench...strange
ReplyDeleteOh $#it this is really strange
ReplyDeleteYeah I was sure Couts would be rested against Besiktas, so it's an even bigger surprise to see him starting again here. He looked to be running on empty for much of that game. I can only hope BR sees something we don't.
ReplyDeleteOne of our matches which will define our top 4 aspirations i have kept the faith Liverpool 3-2 come on lads.
ReplyDeleteBut we do not have a striker on the pitch with 3 sitting on the bench???
ReplyDeleteEither going to come back to bite BR or get us another 3 points. Let's see...
time to inject the JT
ReplyDeleteLove the positive attitude
ReplyDeleteWell its 2.30 am here it will keep me awake anyway.
ReplyDeleteGo read my other posts in this thread...
ReplyDeleteI don't think Sturridge would have played 90 against Besiktas if we had have been winning. He played ninety so will likely come on as sub in this game.
ReplyDeleteLook at the rain. This will be a sloppy mess that will probably be decided by a slip or a set piece.
ReplyDeleteSo this will be plan A, plan B will be Studge with Raheem dropping deeper, plan C will be Balo and Studge. Isn't it nice to have options
ReplyDeleteBet you've said that before...
ReplyDeleteThis is a must win.
ReplyDeleteCooooutinho fantastic
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteCounting!!!!!!
What a goooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhy don't we rest Coutinho?? Because of this :-)
ReplyDeleteBRILLIANT so glad we didn't rest him
ReplyDeleteAllen you fool.
ReplyDeleteWhat a strike! Lovren on the right, Can on the left? Can't understand that
ReplyDeleteThese conditions are difficult end to end stuff
ReplyDeleteCoutinhooooooooooooo
ReplyDeletecoutinho and penalties denied we are so lucky
ReplyDeletesouthamton can feel hard done by!!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat goal, terrible reffing (thank god) and Skrtle acting dodgy. Add to that the experiment of Lovren and Can on their weaker sides. My *rse has gone.
ReplyDeleteFair enough as long as he scores on Thursday
ReplyDeleteIt looks like we might concede a goal or two in this game
ReplyDeletecoutinhoooooo
ReplyDeleteGot to cut out the set pieces in this one
ReplyDeleteYeah, Can has been playing on the right of the three so why switch him to the left and play Lovren on the right?
ReplyDeleteSqueaky bum time me thinks
ReplyDeleteWhy is Markovic defending so much...he can't defend to save his life
ReplyDeleteWe look nervous. Need to get a grip of this game
ReplyDeleteWB doesn't suit him that well
ReplyDeleteBecause Soton are confident they can press and cause errors at home in the slop
ReplyDeleteMigno needs to keep grip of ball !
ReplyDeleteMignolet is a keeper, I don't why he treats the concept of kicking a ball like a baby giraffe
ReplyDeleteTannoy Accounment. ... Can the Liverpool Midfield please report for duty... thankyou
ReplyDeleteIs that French?
ReplyDeleteDifficult surface water - ball not travelling need to keep control
ReplyDeleteBit more like it
ReplyDeleteWe are gonna need longer spikes.
ReplyDeleteor a bigger boat
ReplyDeleteNo slip ups Oh forgot Stevie not playing ....
ReplyDeleteGet Markovic off at half time. Not his game.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts is to get Lovren used to it so to switch Can in to midfield regularly soon. Can has played left back and left sided CB in the past.
ReplyDeleteDeffo PEN !
ReplyDeleteSo we're even then
ReplyDeleteAnother fine display of shocking officiating so far
ReplyDeleteCrap refereeing YET AGAIN !
ReplyDeleteoh so now liverpool fans troll stevie too ??
ReplyDeleteAnd after Atkinson yesterday !
ReplyDeleteSterling, please compose yourself more.
ReplyDeleteAnd stop running into people
ReplyDeletesterling overrated!
ReplyDeletecome on lovren that is terrible marking
ReplyDeleteMignolet so close
ReplyDeleteLOVREN IS A BLOODY TICKING TIME BOMB
ReplyDeleteThat bloke gives me heart failures hes headin towards a red.
ReplyDeleteWe can be lucky the half time whistle has gone.
ReplyDeleteTake off Lovren for Toure, the poor guy's completely lost.
ReplyDeleteMan I am glad for that whistle. I can put heart back for a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteMignos going to be busy SH
ReplyDeleteNervy
ReplyDeleteI think we'll really miss Sakho back there....rather stating the obvious I know. Lovren a red card waiting to happen now...bring on Kolo
ReplyDeleteBut why the f*** is he playing on the right when Can is looking just as lost on the left???
ReplyDeleteThat's what it will be like until end of season...at least it means we're competing for things.
ReplyDeleteGod knows 1 may ask though why the hell they play him just an accident waiting to happen shoulda been red carded by now.
ReplyDeleteUp votes more the maths lover.
ReplyDeleteAnd all of a sudden our defence looks inept without Sakho.
ReplyDeleteshyte defending
ReplyDeleteYes it does amazing thank god they didnt sell him like some certain people wanted to cough J.K. cough.
ReplyDeleteI find it funny how many people were having a go at sahko and now look at our defence without him
ReplyDeleteSo we have got to score more goals - Sterling on own not working
ReplyDeleteTwo strikers SH
I bet people aren't complaining about Sakho's 'awkwardness' now
ReplyDeleteand some fans give him stick for his 'awkward style' he's our best defender
ReplyDeleteSkrtel is a liability.
ReplyDeleteHe has been worrying hasn't he. Doing that thing where he focuses on the striker too much instead of his position. He will do this too often at times.
ReplyDeleteToure on for Lovren, Markovic Rwb Moreno Lwb Coutinho off Ibe in Coutinho's position and Balo/Sturridge on for Coutinho SH
ReplyDeleteAgreed
ReplyDeleteGet Toure on ASAP may i say.
ReplyDeleteI would not go that far. He has improved in recent weeks but not having Sakho beside him makes him more exposed. Would ideally have Toure on and shift Can into middle of park but the way Lovren playing he is a red card in waiting, Kolo for Lovren me thinks then studge and Balo later
ReplyDeletehahaha squeaky bum stuff
ReplyDeleteHow many subs do you think we can make? Who off for Moreno?
ReplyDeleteYou certainly may sir
ReplyDeleteCoutinho
ReplyDeleteHenderson has been awful
ReplyDeletehe is not dominating teh midfield l
Haha yup me too
ReplyDeleteHe is not concentrating on his job. Concentrating too much on Pellle.
ReplyDeleteSterling , Henderson awful
ReplyDeleteLallana,Can,Lovren average
Mignolet , Allen,Coutinho good
Ibe ,Markovic fantastic
Who comes off for Balo/Sturridge? Lallana?
ReplyDeleteNot been at our best but still up at half time with a strong bench to utilise
ReplyDeletebased on todays performance
ReplyDeleteYou seem awfully like NGCTC, horrific grammar and unjustified opinions. Please observe without your incrediby inept input.
ReplyDeleteLovren average he shoulda been sent off.
ReplyDeleteHe did his job. I would be happy making a swap now,
ReplyDeleteSterling I say, poor game, been dominated by Sotons centre backs.
ReplyDeleteSoton smelling blood in the mid, Schneiderlin on.
ReplyDeleteYea. It's not that ref's in England are biased, they're consistently rubbish for everyone. Linesmen are the same. And don't get me started on the ones behind the goal...
ReplyDeleteNot sure what game your watching.
ReplyDeletewe have to catch them out on counter with our pace
ReplyDelete:-(
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else think we head the ball way too much when controlling it would be the easier move?
ReplyDeleteI think we playing the conditions
ReplyDeleteSterling, say onside you f**king idiot.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean just today. Seems to be a chronic occurrence.
ReplyDeleteI think sterling should come off soon. We need a second goal and I don't think he's got the energy left.
ReplyDeleteBallo and Studge on Sterling Lallana off Ballo n Ibe have thing going ...
ReplyDeletesterling frustrates me so much. He's not winning the ball, nor keeping the ball, nor making any shots, nor staying onside.
ReplyDeleteQueue Studge
ReplyDeleteStudge looks ready
ReplyDeleteand hungry I hope
ReplyDeleteReckon Sturridge arriving will change things for him.
ReplyDeletebring on his best pal Balo too
ReplyDeleteGreat game by Ibe so far
ReplyDeleteGOD henderson perfect chance to make a break and you dish up that shite pass
ReplyDeleteA Gem
ReplyDeleteAnd then follow up with a club foot chip to the stands.
ReplyDeleteYes looks like an experienced prem campaigner. Old head on young shoulders.
ReplyDeletejust so poor when he has to make quick decisions..
ReplyDeleteWorries me under pressure like Lovren
ReplyDeleteget sterling off, he's not helping at all.
ReplyDeleteok keep him on
ReplyDeleteSTTTTTTTRRRRRRRRRRRRRRLING
ReplyDeleteGet in! That should do it
ReplyDeleteYES!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI recant my prior comment
ReplyDeleteGet in there
ReplyDeleteOh god here comes Johnson to sabotage proceedings
ReplyDeleteGREAT what a difference Studge has made with Sterling
ReplyDeleteThat one makes up for an ordinary game
ReplyDeleteNo clean sheet now guys Johnson on
ReplyDeleteWell held migs
ReplyDeleteHe is a different player with another striker
ReplyDeleteMoreno also
ReplyDeleteLads done good in difficult conditions
ReplyDeleteNow I know what a "professional performance" means. Nice to see we can adapt our game to all sort of opposition and circumstances.
ReplyDeleteMigno prob has best stats in league now
ReplyDeleteUsed all the subs
ReplyDeleteWow... we might beat a 30 year old defensive record
ReplyDeleteBloody good performance in the conditions and away against a good team
ReplyDeletehere here
ReplyDeleteHad Sturridge scored he would have broken Torres first 50 games record for Goals.
ReplyDeletePretty good management as well ;-)
ReplyDeleteHe just might yet
ReplyDeleteI know sterling scored a goal but he's been getting the basics wrong far too often. For example, there was a simple pass to be played in front of henderson, yet he gives it straight to the saints defensive wall. stuff like that pisses me off so much...
ReplyDeleteAll down to good fortune, some would have us think...
ReplyDelete3 points off third tonight chaps :-)
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that sterling doesn't have football intelligence. Hence why he does the things you say.
ReplyDeletethat's why the kid should stay and develop with us
ReplyDeleteYep right up there now
ReplyDelete5 consecutive shut out away wins...!! but up next is city !
ReplyDeleteThis was a must win so well done to the team!
ReplyDeletetold you we'd win you stupid pricks.
ReplyDeletehopefully utd slip out the top four as well
ReplyDeleteAfter the Leicester game I said we wouldn't get top 4 but, without getting too carried away, it looks like a dead certainty now.
ReplyDeleteThing is he is young he has plenty still to learn.
ReplyDeleteHe is young and makes mistakes but he will always cause problems
ReplyDeletegreat win
ReplyDeleteSmash. And. Grab - Skrtel immense.......now I need to go and change my undies.
ReplyDeleteGreat gritty win away in terrible conditions. No rest though. City next week.
ReplyDeleteGot his act together but I thought Skrtel was poor in the first half.
ReplyDeletewe have city next week.. united and saints have kinder fixtures.. so it could bring back the gap once again..
ReplyDeleteAnother clean sheet and we are singing
ReplyDeleteA clean sheet and 2 goals and Coutinhos wonderful strike couldnt ask for much more top 4 here we come!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIs the nurse there to help ?
ReplyDeleteIt's not intelligence, it's just composure. Misplacing that pass had nothing to do with intelligence.
ReplyDeleteThat's what we were saying before playing Everton, Spurs & Saints in a row and look how we've delt with that. I just think we've got that momentum now, the same we had last season.
ReplyDeleteA different kind of win but thought our second half performance was really good. First half was the maddest I have seen for a while.
ReplyDeleteYou still think we've got no chance of top 4 this season?
ReplyDeleteGood win. Unfortunate Southampton, deserved a point at least. That's football though...Ibe was good again. I will like to repeat that Markovic need to play further forward or shouldn't play at all. Moreno/Ibe/Sterling/Maquillo are better options for a wing back position.
ReplyDeletetrue but city have more to play for after chelsea's slip and they look to have found their groove back.. it will be our toughest test yet.. not even on the same plane as everton, spurs or saints..
ReplyDeletePriceless 3 points today , we're right back in this top 4 race
ReplyDeleteCout is a Genuis!
ReplyDeleteNOT period!
Just want to tip my hat to Mignolet, he turned it around. Who would have though we would have the 5th best defensive record in the league.
ReplyDeleteAs the home side they did no do enough in the second half, we dug in and got a hard earned result in difficult conditions.
ReplyDeletecant see how southampton deserved a point?
ReplyDeleteto be honest, I love ugly wins
ReplyDeleteGLEN MAGIC JOHNSON
ReplyDeleteYep sound GK performance again and much better defending set pieces . Skirtel owned it !
ReplyDeleteWon every header second half...kept Pelle in check
ReplyDelete