Aston Villa vs. Liverpool

With Champions League qualification seemingly out of reach, winning the FA Cup has emerged as THE objective of the season. Not only will it take some bitterness off what has been a miserable season; it will be our first trophy in three years and the first in Rodgers reign.

With Skrtel returning, Ibe being cup-tied and our recent preference for 433; we might field a team like this:

Skrtel in, Can on the bench. Lovren should start. The rest would be the same team that played against Newcastle.

Benteke usually scores of set pieces and crosses, We might a bit better off with Skrtel there.

Our goal-scoring is so bad (especially if Sturridge isn't fit for this one) that I'm kinda hoping it'll be an open game where we can play counter or semi-counter attacks. Villa might frustrate us if they decide to defend deep.

I'd actually be tempted to start Lambert in this game, at least he can finish chances.




Okay, very unlikely that Lambert will start and I'm not sure are we going to see Mario play for Liverpool ever again, so don't take that seriously.

One big question is that is Rodgers going to start Gerrard? I don't think he should start, but if he does, at least he should be well fresh. Or if we play that three-man midfield, then Gerrard could start in that deep-lying role.

A huge game and no doubt we are the better team, but my biggest worry is that Villa might know better how to play to their strengths than we know how to play to our own strengths, both tactically and team selection wise.

Johnson should be nowhere near the team iMO. He doesn't care and doesn't even bother running and tracking back anymore.

If Agbonlahor start vs. GJ, we're screwed.

Can see us going to 3 at the back for this and rightly so. I don't trust a 4 men defense to deal with Benteke.

Forgot Ibe is cup tied for this. Dammit.

Just win dammit, I don't care who plays as long as Coutinho's in.

I'd like to see:


It'll be a tough game but we have to stay motivated and bring our best. With Sterling and Lallana penetrating while Coutinho plays the false 9 again I don't think Villa can handle the fluidity of our attack so it will be all about taking our chances and making sure not to get caught sleeping at the back.

YNWA!

^ Dropping Skrtel who has been one of our best players this season.

Starting Flanagan in the most important and intense game of the season when he hasn't had a single minute of game time all season

Playing Coutinho as a striker


that must be some nice shrooms you're on mate

I actually forgot Skrtel would be back for this game. I would slot him in at CB and Can in at RB, but I would still prefer Flanagan or Manquillo over Johnson if those are the options.

Coutinho played as our "striker" against Newcastle (you know, the first game in a while our team looked extremely effective and fluid in attack, and he was by far our MoTM), but I'm guessing you just didn't watch that game. Or maybe you were too busy with those shrooms.

I wonder does it have any significant effect on the pitch that Reading and Arsenal play on it on Saturday and we on Sunday

A deteriorated pitch would be a disadvantage to us.

So BR will most likely keep the same team except Markovic coming in for Ibe and Skrtel for Lovren.

Art Morte wrote:I wonder does it have any significant effect on the pitch that Reading and Arsenal play on it on Saturday and we on Sunday

A deteriorated pitch would be a disadvantage to us.

You can have 20 games played in a row on the Wembley pitch before our match and the pitch would still be better than the Sunday league pitch we have at Anfield.

So Arsenal if we beat these turds.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CC9La6sUkAEnyMi.jpg

If we're playing a three man midfield


then it's okay that Stevie's starting, but if he's starting as an AM with Coutinho, it's a mistake.

Judging by the lineup I hope for:

Can - Skrtel - Lovren - Moreno
Henderson - Gerrard - Allen
Sterling - Coutinho - Markovic

Yeah. BT Sport's graphic does suggest, though, Gerrard as AM with Coutinho in a 3-4-2-1...We'll see.

How about that bench, though, three defenders and three strikers

Oh f***, it's Gerrard starting as attacking-midfielder

Emre so lucky not to be booked inside two minutes...

Honestly this has to be the most boring 25mins of football I have ever seen in my life. What in the *bleep* hell are we doing.

COUTINOH GTFI

any links, guys...

Gerrard is walking around

iftikhar wrote:any links, guys...

http://yumsports.com/streams/hd2.php

Lol might as well just lose now, if gerrard plays the final lol.

Leave benteke free on the top of the box what else did they expect.