Wigan @ Anfield, Wednesday night

[Ted]

I'd play Gerrard alongside Mascherano. On paper it is a partnership that shopuld be formidable. One of the best defensive midfielders, alongside one of the best attacking midfielders.

 

Let Aquilani play higher up the field behind Torres where he can have freedom to create.

 

Let Gerrard control play from trhe centre of the pitch.

 

You mean it's time to put Gerrard back in the middle?

[Guest LFD]

You mean it's time to put Gerrard back in the middle?

 

He should have been moved back as soon as Alonso left.

[Dracco]

If Glen is out I would think that Rafa will play Degen and keep the Carr/Agger combo in the middle, especially at home as degen is bigger offensive threat.

 

But he probably wants to give Skrtel chances to play when there is opportunity. maybe is somekind of birthday present for Martin. :thumbup:

 

But I can´tbelieve he would leave out his lover Leiva-Boy.

[Guest LFD]

Rafa will drop Lucas, but Kuyt will always play.

[Liverpool lad]

It must be serious if Lucas can't play - RIP YNWA

[coop]

Why Kuyt is in there instead of Aquilani only Rafa knows.

[Guest LFD]

8 weeks after the Arsenal game when Aquilani came off the bench and we still don't see him starting games.

 

It's not like the team has been playing well without him.

 

Rafa is baffling!

[WaltonRed]

Danny Murphy has passed the pics of Parry and Houllier together on to Dirk and he's photoshopped Rafa's head on Ged's body and Hicks on the clowns one.

[coop]

If that is the team then Kuyt will be expected to drop into an attacking midfield role and also the creative spark to help set Torres up.

 

We then have a £20m Italian international whose natural game is to do exactly that sat on the bench.

[Carra_is_legend]

So Carra as right back and Kuyt as right winger.

 

There is Some pace there.

[Torvald Utne]

soooo

 

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

Carra Skrtel Agger Insua

 

-------Masch Gerrard

 

Benny-----Kuyt-------Aurelio

 

----------Torres

 

correct?

[zigackly]

Did no-one else think Aquilani looked about a thousand miles away from ready against Arsenal then? I think Rafa is between a rock and a hard place there, if he plays him and he's shit he gets criticism, and if he doesn't play him he gets criticism. He has to keep throwing him on for thirty minutes at the end until he looks the part for me. I've never felt he should be playing him from the start in league games until he's sharp.

[robslappa]

If he doesn't start him tomorrow, then you have to wonder whether Rafa has had a change of heart on Aquilani.

[Torvald Utne]

If he doesn't start him tomorrow, then you have to wonder whether Rafa has had a change of heart on Aquilani.

 

or what zigackly just said.

[zigackly]

If he doesn't start him tomorrow, then you have to wonder whether Rafa has had a change of heart on Aquilani.

 

Do you? I'm not convinced. If he was feeling that way, why cup tie him in the CL?

[robslappa]

Did no-one else think Aquilani looked about a thousand miles away from ready against Arsenal then? I think Rafa is between a rock and a hard place there, if he plays him and he's shit he gets criticism, and if he doesn't play him he gets criticism. He has to keep throwing him on for thirty minutes at the end until he looks the part for me. I've never felt he should be playing him from the start in league games until he's sharp.

 

To a certain extent he looked lost and he wasn't quite up to speed, but I don't think he was helped by the ball being launched from the back at nearly every opportunity.

[zigackly]

To a certain extent he looked lost and he wasn't quite up to speed, but I don't think he was helped by the ball being launched from the back at nearly every opportunity.

 

Probably not, but that's how we mostly play!

[CWD82]

If that is the team then Kuyt will be expected to drop into an attacking midfield role and also the creative spark to help set Torres up.

 

We then have a £20m Italian international whose natural game is to do exactly that sat on the bench.

 

There is no way in this world he will play 442 with Gerrard centre mid tomorrow.

 

He's done it about 10 times in 5 years

 

Even when we played 442 week in week out we had Momo an Xabi in the centre Gerrard on the right

 

2 holding midfielders to start the game in Aurelio and Mascherano. I reckon it's nailed on, he's not going to go attacking when everyone's confidence is shot an we're playing shite

[Torvald Utne]

I hate seeing carra at right back...why no degen?

[WaltonRed]

If doesnt play him then we know Rafa thinks he's a dud.

 

the whisper I heard might of been true after all.

[coop]

To a certain extent he looked lost and he wasn't quite up to speed, but I don't think he was helped by the ball being launched from the back at nearly every opportunity.

 

If you watch the re-runs of both Fiorentina and Arsenal games you will see Aquilani was showing great movement and getting into space to recieve the ball.

 

The problem was Carra or Agger got the ball and just hoofed forward.

[Torvald Utne]

If doesnt play him then we know Rafa thinks he's a dud.

 

the whisper I heard might of been true after all.

 

can't believe this shite gets trotted out, bunch of old nattering fishwives.

[zigackly]

If doesnt play him then we know Rafa thinks he's a dud.

 

Again, why cup tie him in a dead rubber if he thought that? He'd be looking to do a Keane with him before anyone found out. I just think the lad is miles off the pace.

[BolshieBastard]

If he doesn't start him tomorrow, then you have to wonder whether Rafa has had a change of heart on Aquilani.

 

So, Keane mark 2 and we flog him back to Roma at a £6million loss. Then Benitez can claim he never wanted him?

 

Nah but I see what you're getting at.

[robslappa]

Do you? I'm not convinced. If he was feeling that way, why cup tie him in the CL?

 

I'm not saying he wants to sell him, but maybe he's not the player Rafa thought he was or maybe he's not quite got to grips with what he's being asked.