Liverpool FC Forum

[NANNY RED]

OK so we now turn back to the premiership, let's hope that we can buck the trend and win a prem game after a champions league game. It's away from home so that's an advantage for us. I have a good feeling about it, We have to win and I reckon we will win, let's discuss.

Recent Form:
Middlesborough D L L D L D

Liverpool          D D D W W D

Apparently Alonso is suspended for this game but we'll have Stevie back so we really should beat them, at least going on their recent form.

Hiemdell i have just had to be picked up from the floor after reading this Who bought your new rosy specs

[Effes]

If we don't win this, then it's game over for the League as far as Im concerned.

We will be 6 pts behind, and they will have a game in hand.

[Cool Hand Luke]

Seems like Torres might miss this one and Gerrard will only be fit enough for the bench. I think Agger and Degen are still injured and you can bet your house Aurelio will be benched with Dossena starting and Lucas coming in for Alonso.

My guess is that Rafa will play this:


                         Reina

Arbeloa    Carragher    Skrtel    Dossena

Benayoun   Lucus   Mascherano  Babel

                  Kuyt      Ngog


I would play this:

                       Reina

Arbeloa    Carragher    Skrtel    Insua

Kuyt         Alonso   Mascherano Riera

              Benayoun
                             Babel


Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Aurelio, Lucas, Gerrard, El Zhar and Ngog

[Dundalk]

I blame Rafa

[JoeTerp]

If I were Rafa I would give some serious thought to putting Pacheco on the bench depending on how fit the squad is.

[Effes]

Seems like Torres might miss this one and Gerrard will only be fit enough for the bench. I think Agger and Degen are still injured and you can bet your house Aurelio will be benched with Dossena starting and Lucas coming in for Alonso.

This is where Rafa winds me up - we cant afford to not win.
For me, it's best 11. No messing about.

[stmichael]

I hate this fixture. It doesn't matter how poor Boro are, we always play absolutely dire up here. I've been to every game against them at the Riverside since 1999 and in that time we've won once, and that was the year we finished second under Houllier.

Anyone here going by the way?

[GYBS]

Seems like Torres might miss this one and Gerrard will only be fit enough for the bench. I think Agger and Degen are still injured and you can bet your house Aurelio will be benched with Dossena starting and Lucas coming in for Alonso.

This is where Rafa winds me up - we cant afford to not win.
For me, it's best 11. No messing about.

the thing is mate it seems we cant play starting 11 as some arent fit - dossena hasnt been that bad of late and we do need to protect aurelio . lucas for alonso i can see but would prefer lucas for masher if lucas is going to play .

[loopyliverpool]

Torres has definitley been off his game since coming back so perhaps could do with resting up for a bit. If all are available ie. not suspended or injured you have to play the same team that started on Weds, changing Babel for Torres if injured and Gerrard for Alonso if suspended. If Gerrard is not ready to start he will probably start with Lucas. It gives us all a chance to look at Downing who I think would make a good signing for us.

[stmichael]

Arbeloa is almost certainly out so if that's the case I'd go 3-5-2. I just don't like shifting Carra to right back.

[tubby]

Gerrard has to start this game.

[europian-kings]

I wonder what Rafa will do as far as striker's are concerned.....
It wouldn't surprise me if he used a similar formation to what we played against pompy only with some changes in players.....

The team against pompy:

                         Reina

       Carragher     Skrtel        Agger

Arbeloa                                    Dossena

               Mashman    Aurelio

        Babel                   Benayoun
                     Ngog

The team against Middlesboro??

                         Reina

       Carragher     Hyypia        Skrtel

Arbeloa                                     Dossena

                 Mashman   Alonso

          Gerrard                 Benayoun
                          Kuyt

Only problem is i hear Arbeloa might be missing the game? And im prety sure rafa will start Lucas and possibly Babel/N'gog.

[Effes]

The Reds have won three times as many league games as their North-East opponents (15 to five); Middlesbrough have conceded twice as many Premier League goals as their Merseyside competitors (36 to 18).

Liverpool are looking for three Premier League points on Teesside for the first time since a 1-2 victory on 16 March 2002, when Emile Heskey and John Arne Riise scored for the Reds, and Gareth Southgate replied for 'Boro.

Liverpool have drawn their last three visits to the Riverside.

[tubby]

Feck me the last we won here Gareth Southgate himself scored.

We should be able to win. Boro are on the rocks this season.

[mkingdom]

No Arbeloa??  Anyone know if Riera is fit??

If not I'd expect this -

                    Reina

Carra     Hyypia    Skrtel   Insua/Dossena

Benny    Alonso     Masch   Aurelio

                 Gerrard

                   Kuyt

Should be enough to take 3 points