Liverpool vs Man City| 25th Jan | 19.45GMT |CC Semi Final 2nd Leg|

vs

Venue -
ANFIELD.


Last Result
City 0-1 Liverpool.

Team news -
1. Balotelli could start after scoring in the game agst Spurs and Dzeko having a nightmare.
2. Silva is back from his ankle injury.
3. Savic could be benched, With Richards playing CB.

City still have a strong squad and have won both of their game after the CC tie, While Liverpool haven't done themselves any favors by drawing one and losing one after playing against City.

Team news-
1. Bellamy ?
2. Will Spearing be available?

Honestly, Without a DM to cover the back four, Possibilities are very less IMO.

Things to expect from this match -

1. Carroll will be isolated as usual.
2. Last ditch defending from Liverpool.
3. Decent counter attacks by Liverpool.

My team -
1. Start Spearing.
2. Start Downing.
3. Start Bellamy.

---------------Reina------------------
--Glen----Agger ------Skrtel-----Jose--
--------------Spearing----------------
-Bellamy---Gerrard ----Hendo---Downing-
----------------Carroll----------------

Spearing because we can't expect to defend without a DM.
Downing and Bellamy because of their work rate. They track back more than Maxi. Especially Downing.

Agger and Skrtel have to sort themselves out before this game.

ANY NEWS ABOUT SPEARING?

As long as Spearing plays and Downing and Adam aren't anywhere near the pitch, we'll go through.

COME ON REDS ! WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO WEMBLEY

My hope is that we don't play too negatively. I'm worried that we will see the formation from the Stoke match (5-2-2-1 / 3-4-3) rear its head again. Unfortunately, I think this is increasingly likely considering our lackluster (re: sh*t) performances on the weekend. It's even more likely should Spearing be ruled out for the match.

I would very much prefer the 4-1-4-1 that Sepi listed. From this formation, we stand a chance at controlling the midfield. By doing that, we have dominated possession and controlled the match on more than one occasion when facing City. I actually agree with playing Downing. He has had moderately successful run of games, and I want to give Carroll every chance to score. That brings me to my next point...

WE MUST SCORE... We cannot afford to sit back and attempt to defend our 1-0 away goal lead. We need to push forward and attempt to extend the lead. If we can score, we can afford to concede, which is always a possibility when playing City. I don't think our defense will be as leaky as against Bolton, as I do believe that was an aberration/compilation of multiple factors creating a "perfect storm of utter disappointment." Bellamy and Downing on the wings give us the best combination of workrate and attacking potential to do this. Likewise, Gerrard must be allowed to get forward. In the 4-1-4-1, the other midfielder, either Hendo or (cringes...) Adam, can sit slightly deeper while Gerrard basically plays a free, CF role.

Once again, I will be hoping for/expecting a draw (if we play at any sort of reasonable level) and praying for a win.

donttreadonred wrote:

I would very much prefer the 4-1-4-1 that Sepi listed.

Nishank?

Balo has been charged, But i guess he will still be able to play in our game.

Nishank wrote:

donttreadonred wrote:

I would very much prefer the 4-1-4-1 that Sepi listed.

Nishank?

My deepest apologies. I glanced up at the posts and got them confused.

You know I didn't mean it... Forgive me?

Thinking we only have a 20 per cent chance of getting passed them tbh, IF spero doesn't play, adam will surley be a pain to watch in the mid, hopefully we can scrap by. Yeah I'd go with nishanks suggested formation, just hope carroll gets so0me balls and uses them effectively.

Any win or draw and we pass.
Away goals count only until extra time.

Balotelli is banned for four matches for a lunge (joke of a decision when Lescott's elbow is "innocent")

Kompany is still banned.

I hope Kuyt starts over Carroll. And I hope we continuously attack Savic if he plays. He's the only liabilty in their defence.

donttreadonred wrote:

Nishank wrote:

donttreadonred wrote:

I would very much prefer the 4-1-4-1 that Sepi listed.

Nishank?

My deepest apologies. I glanced up at the posts and got them confused.

You know I didn't mean it... Forgive me?

Never!
You will now be haunted foreverrrrrrrrrrr...

I agree with donttreadonred, We have to score, We won't be able to sit back and take a Silva- Aguero- Dzeko- Nasri attack for 90 mins with Adam Johnson also getting a chance. We have to get off to a good start and make our chances count.

The last line aint gonna happen so im shit scared.

Anfield is a fortress. We may not win, but we never lose. Buahhaahhaha. :(

@Sepi... I'm frankly terrified.

@YNWA: I see Carroll getting the start in this one. I think he threatens Savic and Lescott more in this particular fixture. Besides, Kuyt has a tendency to show up in ManU games. With the upcoming fixture on the weekend (and subsequent fixture at Molineux next Tuesday), the squad will need to be well managed and time apportioned appropriately. I can see Kenny sitting him for this one with a view toward Saturday.

Oh yeah... While we have traditionally been scrappy at Anfield, if we defend like we did at the Reebok last Saturday my weekend soccer squad could score on us.

This game is all about defence to me, if there will be more than 2 goals in this game, I'm afraid City will score most of them.

I find it a bit humorous how quickly this section swings between rampant optimism and oppressive pessimism.

I've been optimistic before every game.

Only time I've knee-jerked has been after the 1-1 Blackburn draw at Anfield.

donttreadonred wrote:
@YNWA: I see Carroll getting the start in this one. I think he threatens Savic and Lescott more in this particular fixture. Besides, Kuyt has a tendency to show up in ManU games. With the upcoming fixture on the weekend (and subsequent fixture at Molineux next Tuesday), the squad will need to be well managed and time apportioned appropriately. I can see Kenny sitting him for this one with a view toward Saturday.

I agree that Kuyt always does well against United, but we need to make sure we beat/draw City 100%. This will be the first time we've been to the "new" Wembley which was made over a decade ago.

It's clear Carroll is out of form. He's had his run of games and has not impressed in the slightest.

One bad game game doesnt make our defence poor.Hopefully with Spearing returing they will be better protected by midfield.

Think we have enough to get a positive result considering we are playing at Anfield.We may not have won many matches at home but we mostly dominated almost every team at Anfield (including City in PL) and opposition usually defend desperately.City doesnt have that luxury either.

Hopefully we get a early goal to ease the pressure.We should play like how we played Madrid in CL 2008-09 in similar situation.Go out all guns blazing and catch them cold.

RedOranje wrote:I find it a bit humorous how quickly this section swings between rampant optimism and oppressive pessimism.

No DM = Bad news.

This is the club's biggest game since Atletico at home back in April 2010

ynwa wrote:I agree that Kuyt always does well against United, but we need to make sure we beat/draw City 100%. This will be the first time we've been to the "new" Wembley which was made over a decade ago.

It's clear Carroll is out of form. He's had his run of games and has not impressed in the slightest.

This really just brings up the squads largest problem (other than Lucas's injury). It's the lack of an in-form striker. I would argue that Kuyt has arguably been just as poor, if not more so, than Carroll. In 24 appearances for the reds, he's scored once in a Carling Cup fixture, and he is arguably the striker that should be producing well. (That statement is meant to highlight the lack of the type of service that led to Andy Carroll's beat-mode with Newcastle last season,) Kuyt is more of a "complete striker/poacher," and he's simply been missing the chances that have fallen to him. The only thing that could make me a liar ( ) is that Bellamy has already played once this week.I'm not sure if Kenny will play him again. We certainly need his energy and production, but the question of his knee's ability to perform could sideline him, or at least relegate him to the bench. This would result in a Maxi/Hendo start on the wing in the 4-1-4-1 or Kuyt coming in for the 4-4-2.

BEST DAY OF THE SEASON SO FAR

Reporter: "What did you think of the penalty decision?" Dalglish: "What do you mean?" Reporter: "The handball" Dalglish: "Exactly"

Nishank wrote:Reporter: "What did you think of the penalty decision?" Dalglish: "What do you mean?" Reporter: "The handball" Dalglish: "Exactly"

Haha... Daglish is a wonderful coach if only for his press conferences.

On another subject, I have to give it up to Joe Hart today. He was absolutely incredible. Of all the millions Man City have spent, the 1.5 they paid for him was probably the most important. He's kept them in many a'game throughout the campaign.

Couldnt watch it live too late in the night.But best news u could hope for when u wake up in the morning.

Just watching the replays.Hopefully there arent any hiccups against Cardiff in final.