Sunderland V Liverpool

[Paco]

I think Rafa should make a statement of intent by playing 442 with Gerrard and Alonso in midfield and Keane with Torres up front. I understand Plessis has been playin well but lets see a powerful experienced team kick off this campaign in style snd hopefully we can bang in the goals we couldn't get the other night.

 

-----------------------------------Reina---------------------------------

 

Arbeloa--------------Carragher-------------Agger----------------Dossena

 

 

Kuyt-----------------Gerrard---------------Alonso--------------Benayoun

 

 

---------------------------Torres------Keane---------------------------

[1892-LFCWasBorn]

Not gonna happen away from home I'm afraid, espcecially in the first game of the season.

 

Spearing is a much better option than Plessis alongside Xabi.

 

Stevie will probably be free to roam with Keane.

[Alias75]

.......................Reina.......................

 

Arbeloa.......Carragher...Agger......Dosenna

 

.................Alonso.......Gerrard.............

 

Kuyt....................Keane................Benayoun

 

.........................Torres............................

[hamstrung]

Paco's back!

 

The new season only starts when we get Paco's ratings. Everything before hand is just wind.

[RobbieOR]

I think Rafa should make a statement of intent by playing 442 with Gerrard and Alonso in midfield and Keane with Torres up front. I understand Plessis has been playin well but lets see a powerful experienced team kick off this campaign in style snd hopefully we can bang in the goals we couldn't get the other night.

 

-----------------------------------Reina---------------------------------

 

Arbeloa--------------Carragher-------------Agger----------------Dossena

 

 

Kuyt-----------------Gerrard---------------Alonso--------------Benayoun

 

 

---------------------------Torres------Keane--------------------------

-

 

Thats the team he will go with,the only problem is kuyt on the wing,otherwise that should be good enough to beat Sunderland.

[aws]

The team is right but that won't be the formation. This game is going to be a struggle but we'll scrape a draw.

[Anubis]

We'll win 3-1, and concede from a set piece.

[LFC Brian]

.......................Reina.......................

 

Arbeloa.......Carragher...Agger......Dosenna

 

.................Alonso.......Gerrard.............

 

Kuyt....................Keane................Benayoun

 

.........................Torres............................

 

 

 

thats what I would go with mate.The thought of Kuyt and Yosi as out and wingers in a 4-4-2 gives me nightmares

[RedBrian84]

This is going to be an absolute bitch of a game I reckon. I wouldn't want to risk a 4-4-2 to be honest.

 

Reina

Arbeloa Carragher Agger Dossena

Alonso Spearing

Keane Gerrard Benayoun

Torres

 

The reason I've gone for Spearing is because he's a battler; I think we missed the bite of Mascherano in the game against Standard- we missed his energy and his sheer bloody-mindedness, the way he his constantly snapping at heels, never giving the opposition a minutes peace. I think from what I've seen of Spearing when he isn't in possession, he's similar. Plessis is good on the ball and likes a tackle, no question, but he is a casual player, very easy going and I feel that with Alonso in the side, we need a battler alongside him. I'd love to see Spearing start on Saturday, but I can't see it.

[JohanH]

First 11 picks itself for this one- cannot see Rafa starting with Spearing or Plessis away in the prem. Bench a little light for attacking options so we'll struggle if Benni and Dirk don't get going.

 

Cannot see Sunderland scoring so we'll win 2-0 in the end. Alonso to score with the 2nd a counter attack at the end- maybe a goal for substitute Ngog?

[twelvesmallsteps]

i agree with that teeam and the formation 4231.

last game demonstrated how we are like with those two on the wing, but hopefully they will both have a better game tomorrow. a more powerful midfield with alonso and gerrard will also help.

 

i actually have a bit of hope for yossi tomorrow, against the shite teams he sometimes strikes with a bit of magic to unluck their defence. will be interesting to see keane against a premiership side as well.. i say we draw though, 1-1.

[NJW]

First 11 picks itself for this one- cannot see Rafa starting with Spearing or Plessis away in the prem. Bench a little light for attacking options so we'll struggle if Benni and Dirk don't get going.

 

Cannot see Sunderland scoring so we'll win 2-0 in the end. Alonso to score with the 2nd a counter attack at the end- maybe a goal for substitute Ngog?

 

Arsenal and Birmingham away?

If you reckon those games don't count(shadow team because of CL semi), surely the fact that he starts Plessis in away CL qualifier (very important), would suggest that Rafa has no qualms about playing Plessis away in the Prem. Not that I think he should play Plessis, I would go with:

 

Same back four

Alonso Spearing

Keane Gerrard Benayoun

Torres

[Wig]

I reckon Pennant should start. There, I said it!

[keysaint]

I reckon we'll smash their faces in using the old one two, doing them with the eyes.

[KevieG]

-----------------------------------Reina---------------------------------

 

Arbeloa--------------Carragher-------------Agger----------------Dossena

 

 

---------------------Alonso----------Spearing----------------------------

 

 

----------Gerrard---------------Keane--------------Benayoun--------------

 

 

---------------------------Torres---------------------------------

 

 

It would be nice if we settled on a formation, whatever that may be, pretty early in the season

[hamstrung]

I reckon we'll smash their faces in using the old one two, doing them with the eyes.

 

I was thinking exactly the same thing.

[keysaint]

we'll go like this. I think we should go like this anyway.

 

reina

arbeloa - carra - agger - dossena

alonso - gerrard

kuyt - keane - benayoun

torres

[JohanH]

Arsenal and Birmingham away?

If you reckon those games don't count(shadow team because of CL semi), surely the fact that he starts Plessis in away CL qualifier (very important), would suggest that Rafa has no qualms about playing Plessis away in the Prem. Not that I think he should play Plessis, I would go with:

 

Same back four

Alonso Spearing

Keane Gerrard Benayoun

Torres

 

Gerrard was injured and unable to start in the CL qualifier forcing Rafa to use Plessis. Cannot see starting him against Sunderland and drop Benni or Dirk.

[captainharris]

I reckon Pennant should start. There, I said it!

 

I have to agree. As much as I don't like Pennant, if we're going to play 4-4-2 then having a centre foward on one wing and a second striker on the other doesn't fill me with hope. Kuyt will do plenty of running but I just dont see him as an attacking threat on the wing.

 

I'd like to see this...

 

------------Pepe------------

Arbeloa--Carra--Agger--Dosser

 

--Pennant--Alonso-Yossi-----

---------Gerrard------------

----Keane -- Torres---------

[danielo]

I think he will surprise us...

 

Reina

Carra Hyppia Agger Dossena

Alonso Plessis

Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun

Torres

[twelvesmallsteps]

I think he will surprise us...

 

doesnt he always? (almost):whistle:

[STARDELTA]

I think he will go with 5 across the middle and keane coming off the bench. Its away from home and it is going to be more brut force than silky skills. I would also play Sami and carra. no voronin, no spearing please. a 1 nil will be fine.

[Salou]

i think pennant might play for some reason, he may not be the best but he's the best in his position that we have (an out and out right winger) if rafa wants to play 4-4-2 then i think he has to play pennant.

[STARDELTA]

i think pennant might play for some reason, he may not be the best but he's the best in his position that we have (an out and out right winger) if rafa wants to play 4-4-2 then i think he has to play pennant.

I think he is a light weight, keane will have all his players fired up and after the shit midweek he will adopt the same approach and get his players all over us like a bad rash. I think its horses for courses for this one and kuyt gets my vote for the right flank, he is also good at doubling up with the full back. I am even worried if yossi plays as he gets bundled off the ball easily too. I think Gerrard will have to do one of his all over the park performances( havent seen one for a while actually)

[snez1]

Reina

Al

Carra

Dan

Dossena

Xabi

Stevie

Kuyt

Keane

Benayoun

Torres

 

1-1. N'Gog scoring off the bench after 74 minutes after Diouf's opener on 5. There you go :P