vs

Venue-


Team news-

Liverpool:
1. Robinson is back from injury.
2. Lucas is out.

Brighton:
1. Their Loanee fullbacks are cuptied.

That's about it.

I see Robinson starting this one, Kenny was very pleased when Jack played 90mins

---------------Reina------------
-Kelly---Carra----Coates--Jacky-
------------Spearing------------
-Kuyt---Adam--Gerrard/Hendo---Downing
-----------Carroll----------------

Bellamy and Suarez getting 30 mins via sub in order to keep them fit for the CC final.

I'm not sure about the lineup changes. I could see Kenny starting a relatively unchanged lineup. Remember, it's not as if we have a game midweek. The players will have a full week to recover. Therefore, unless they are injured, I don't see fitness/fatigue being taken into consideration.

I expect this:
--------------------------------Reina----------------------------
Johnson----------------Skrtel----Agger---------Enrique----
-Hendo/Kuyt---Adam/Spearing---Gerrard------Downing
--------------------------Carroll---Suarez----------------------

I do think Bellamy will be left out to give his knees some respite from the rigors of match football prior to the CC Final (and Downing yet another chance to reach some semblance of form). Beyond that, we should put out a strong lineup. Let's be honest; we need the boost of a strong win. In addition, we have stated that we are taking this competition seriously. With all due respect to Brighton, we should not slip up against them. A comfortable progression to the next round would do wonders for our confidence.

The 4-4-2 gives Suarez and Carroll time on the pitch together. Additionally, against lower league sides, we should not require a 3-man midfield to control this game. (Honestly, it's pretty depressing that we need to field a 3-man midfield in most league games [i.e. Bolton...] to control the midfield. It is yet another example of how the loss of Lucas has affected us. His absence actually affects the attack. ) In any case, I want to see us use this game to try to build an understanding in a slightly more attacking formation. There's just no need for this "absorbing pressure," counter-attacking strategy that we have seen against ManU and ManCity.

We knocked Brighton out in the Carling Cup and that was an away game, I'm confident we'll knock them out of this one, too.

It'll be a whole week before our next game as well, so Kenny should have no problems playing our top guns if that's what he feels like doing. So just bring it on and let's get the job done.

Anyone but Downing

Sepi wrote:Anyone but Downing

Downing should play, He needs his confidence back.
He was having a good run last month, One bad game doesn't change THE RUN. I know he has been shit this season, But we have to get behind him.

Nishank wrote:

Sepi wrote:Anyone but Downing

Downing should play, He needs his confidence back.
He was having a good run last month, One bad game doesn't change THE RUN. I know he has been shit this season, But we have to get behind him.

"Good" being relative, in this case. Downing wasn't putting in game-changing or even remotely influential performances... we were simply seeing him hustle and move about. Bellamy and Suarez (and even Kuyt, at the moment) are all currently more effective players for our starting XI than Downing and the team should reflect that.

Not supporting downing, But that "run" came after he got that goal against Oldham. SO i think this is a good game to help him back and i dont see him doing anything wrong defensively, His work rate is good too so it wont be that big a risk playing him.

His work rate HASN'T been good though, and he HASN'T been doing enough defensively. He's been leaving Enrique alone too often. That's the main criticism of him lately, that he does not even appear to be working hard, much less putting out actual end product.

RedOranje wrote:His work rate HASN'T been good though, and he HASN'T been doing enough defensively. He's been leaving Enrique alone too often. That's the main criticism of him lately, that he does not even appear to be working hard, much less putting out actual end product.

Hmm i sort of agree, But I don't think the United game should be generalized, The guy runs a lot even if its of no use.

He's been outworked by Henderson, Bellamy, Kuyt, and Suarez with a great deal of regularity. They are the players he is competing against at the moment. Only Maxi, of our available wide players, appears to cover less ground but he doesn't seem to be in contention at all and he also has far more efficient output in terms of assists and goals.

Downing is Joe Cole MK II

I forgot something, Didnt Brighton wingers rape us all night last time?
I think they did, They were a constant threat.

So I see Sepi doesn't want the Liverpool youth to succeed in the NextGen Series... supporting Ajax over them.

God, Why is it taking so long to reach 19th.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/triple-fitness-boost-for-kenny

So i guess Maxi will start considering he has got a call up form Argentina. Kenny loves Jack so lets see.
Flanno wont start, Their wingers are pretty good, I guess Vincente is going to start.

I'm confident about this game but still don't want to get cocky. Brighton has got some players (like Vicente) that could cause us trouble but hopefully the lads are well prepared and don't think of the game as an easy match and come prepared.

FT 6-1 to Liverpool. Pleased.

Hoping Agger was rested.

Thought we performed very well.

Notes:

- Defense was barely troubled throughout the game
- Adam had a decent game but he was a little careless while in possession.
- Henderson and Gerrard did well.
- Downing didn't have a great first half, but stepped his game up in the second. It was nice seeing him taking on defenders. Happy for his assist.
- Carroll had a brilliant game. Held the ball up well, worked hard and was happy to see him score.
- Suarez did well. Shame he missed the penalty, but glad to see him score.

From Jimmy Rice:
Agger and Bellamy picked up injuries over the last few days, should be okay for the League Cup final next weekend #LFC

Carroll was our best player, imo.

Has to also mention our beast of a defender, Skrtel. A great goal and another solid performance.

Bring on the Carling Cup final, I say!

RedOranje wrote:From Jimmy Rice:
Agger and Bellamy picked up injuries over the last few days, should be okay for the League Cup final next weekend #LFC

How valid is this? PLEASE tell me this is just rumors, and they were rested.

Would it matter either way? It specifically mentions both should be back before the final.

Even minor injuries are still a concern, no matter when the players will be back. These little niggles affect the players performance.

Agger'll be fine, Bellamy is a bit worrying considering his overall health but doesn't matter really.

That's the football.