Liverpool team v Arsenal, 15th Aug 2010

[HJohal]

We are just over 2 weeks away from the 1st game of the season and whilst I would love to be optimistic about further major new signings coming in to be ready for the 1st game of the season ... I doubt this will happen.

 

So with the players we currently have - what will be our best line up taking into consideration WC, Fitness, Morale, Opposition etc?

 

Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Maxi, Lucas, Gerrard, Cole, Jovanovic, Ngog.

 

Subs: Cavalieri, Kelly, Kyrgiakos, Mascherano, Aquilani, Kuyt, Pacheco

[Pidge]

Other than the left back situation I'd go with that line up.

[Il Fenomeno]

Torres won't be fit?

[Gary Mac Legend]

Mascherano on the bench? Ok.

 

Do people still think Carra should be first choice this season? He was shown up badly at the World Cup, I think he can be a real liability this year. Give the Skrtel Agger partnership a chance.

[Wor Horse]

Season starts now.

[Gary Mac Legend]

Season starts now.

 

How many times are we gonna hear that over the next 6 months?

[GUS]

How many times are we gonna hear that over the next 6 months?

 

Nearly as many times as we hear 'With today's win against Blackpool we think we've turned a corner'

[Wor Horse]

Twice then?

[sir roger]

Reina

Johnson-Carra-Agger-AN Other

Lucas-Gerrard

Kuyt-Cole-Jovanovic

Torres

 

If Torres is out - Kuyt up top & Maxi in on the right.

** All assuming Masch goes.

[redsfan]

Ill have a go at this

 

============Reina==========

 

Johnson==Carragher==Agger==Figueroa??

 

Maxi===Gerrrad===Defour==Jovanovic

 

===========Cole============

 

==========Torres===========

 

(wishful thinking on my behalf with Defour)

 

 

 

Obviously some of the names are pie in the sky but I have just tried to pick the two players that have been strongly linked with us, not like a passing name like Scharner and all the other millions of names.

[llego]

Lucas Gerrard doesnt work because we have nobody who can retain possession in the midfield. Lucas can close down space, win the ball, and keep it moving with short passing; Gerrard can drive it forward and link with the attack. But neither has the combination of composure on the ball, passing range, and patience to easily keep the ball in the midfield.

 

So I hope we have something better to offer.

[Wor Horse]

It will be

 

Reina

 

Johnson Carragher Agger Figeuroa

 

Defour

Gerrard Lucas

 

Maxi Torres Cole

[Funkasy]

as long as i never see lucas and macherano play in the same team again, im happy.

[Guest LFD]

Lucas Gerrard doesnt work because we have nobody who can retain possession in the midfield. Lucas can close down space, win the ball, and keep it moving with short passing; Gerrard can drive it forward and link with the attack. But neither has the combination of composure on the ball, passing range, and patience to easily keep the ball in the midfield.

 

So I hope we have something better to offer.

 

If you don't think Gerrard can do all of that - you're crazy!

[Trucker Paddy]

The main reason cole joined us was he was told he'd play in the middle, I think gerrard will drop back into centre with cole off Torres

 

Riena

Johnson Agger Carragher Konchesky

 

Maxi. Gerrard Mascherano(Lucas). Kuyt

 

Cole

Torres(ngog)

 

That's the team I believe will start against Arsenal

[KopOut]

Since Torres wont be playing, I'd put Stephen Gerrard up front as the striker, because I don't rate Ngog good enough to face the Arsenal backline. I'm assuming that the Masch will be in midfield as per usual. The contract is solid. The Owen look alike can go at LM, with Johnson RM, and I'd play Kuyt just behind Gerrard.

[KopOut]

Also, I'd play Dalglish in the dugout and drop Hodgson..

[dave u]

Reina

 

Johnson

Carragher

Agger

Konchesky

 

Lucas

Gerrard

 

Kuyt

Cole

Jovanovic

 

Torres (if not fit, then new striker, no idea who)

[ODZ]

Reina

Johnson-Carra-Agger-AN Other

Lucas-Gerrard

Kuyt-Cole-Jovanovic

Torres

 

Think this will be the team, unless we get a new attacking/midfield player before the start of the season.

[StevieH]

Reina

 

Johnson

Carragher

Agger

Konchesky

 

Lucas

Gerrard

 

Kuyt

Cole

Jovanovic

 

Torres (if not fit, then new striker, no idea who)

 

That looks a very balanced side. I like the prospect of Gerrard dropping deeper into midfield and Cole playing in a central role behind Torres. I still think we lack quality and pace in the wide areas, but any monies raised from the sale of Mascherano must be re-invested in a new striker.

[HornsOfJericho]

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

 

Johnson---Srktel---Agger---Figueroa

 

-------------Poulsen

 

------------------Aquilani

 

---Cole----Gerrard-----Jovanovic

 

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

[HornsOfJericho]

Since Torres wont be playing, I'd put Stephen Gerrard up front as the striker, because I don't rate Ngog good enough to face the Arsenal backline. I'm assuming that the Masch will be in midfield as per usual. The contract is solid. The Owen look alike can go at LM, with Johnson RM, and I'd play Kuyt just behind Gerrard.

 

You could play Jovanovic or Kuyt up front.

[myrlas]

I think Babel will start ahead of jovanovic on the left. Apart from that I agree with Dave's team.

[zigackly]

Dave's team with Maxi in for Dirk.

[caracaracara]

I think Babel will start ahead of jovanovic on the left. Apart from that I agree with Dave's team.

 

No way will Babel start ahead of Milan a) he is lacking in match fitness compared to Milan b) he is quite shit really (hopefully Roy can turn him into a superstar with better man management but that is for the future c) Milan was pretty damn good the other night (granted not great opposition).

 

Milan showed a lot of quality lacking from the likes of Kuyt and Babel i.e. can take any type of ball delivered and get it under control in an instant. He showed great strength in holding off defenders and when competing for a ball. Has a a decent turn of pace and can get in a decent cross on the run using his left foot (which Babel is lacking).

 

Summer and swallows and all that but his performance gave me real hope for the coming season. Head on the block but predict he will become a regular in the starting eleven and be one of star players of the season.