Liverpool FC Forum

[Leonmc0708]

Time to forget about the disappointment of that handball in Monaco and the million and one permutations of will we/wont we get through on match day 6 in the champions league.

Arsenal up tommorrow, a really tough game at the best of times, never mind the fact we are struggling with relatively poor form, the worst run of injuries I can remember, and (partly because of the injuries), a distinct lack of goals.

On the posotive, Arsenal are hardly in the best form of their lives, ( yes I know it is only one defeat in 52), but after  dropping points to West Brom, Palace and Southampton in recent weeks, it is not exactly vintage Arsenal. I suppose the form they're in, and with the suspected injury to Cheif Mincer (Henry) now is as good a time as any to play them.

The age old conundrum, picking an eleven to take them on is not the easiest of tasks given the injuries, with Garcia, Traore, Baros and Cisse out, Kewell as good as out and I'm guessing Josemi can be added to the already lenghty list of casualties ahead of this game, following a gut wrenching 20 stiches in a head wound.

If we follow habit of being at home, and presuming we go 4-4-2 I would personally go with:

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland - no problems there, I really think Dudek has lost all confidence now, but to be honest I'm just waiting for him to pick up next injury the way things are going for us on that front!

Right Back There honestly only seems one option really, Stevie Finnan, with it being unlikely we'll break the centre back partnership up, but I would be happy to have him at the right of the back four. (Right AB not left)

Centre Back Carra and Sami, I dont think there is any question about that one. Carragher has been awesome for me, and it is nice to see him finally get the acolades his consistency over the last few years deserve. Sami is worrying me a little, with his dip in form, but I wonder if the armband takes his eye off the ball (metaphorically speaking) and with Stevie G now firmly back in the team, I hope his displays will take an upward curve.

Left Back Riise would be my guess, as he is competent, but my shout would be for young Warnock, his no nonsense style and lack of respect for the "big names" would certainly rattle a few cages, and give us a good chance of nullifying the Gooners undoubted attacking flair.

Right Midfield/Wing - Seem desperately short of options here. Finnan looks set to play right back, Garcia's out, Nunez playing for the reserves tonight so may be back in a couple of weeks. Gerrard might get played out there, or Kewell switched over to the right flank. Alternatively Rafa might go for a slightly different formation and have 3 centre midfielders, with 1/2 just behind 1/2 strikers. There'll be those who will argue Partridge deserves a game, but I cant see him being thrown straight in for a game like this.

Centre Midfield - I would expect Alonso to start after being rested on Tuesday and naturally, if he isn't on the right, then Steven Gerrard will partner him. Then again, Rafa may go for a 3 man centre midfield with Didi or Igor making up the trio. If this is the option, I would like to see Igor get the nod over Didi, as he gives us more of an attacking option, and lord only knows we need that with no first team strikers available.

Left Midfield Three options here really - Riise, Kewell, Warnock, and this decision will be governed by the selection at left back. I would personally opt for Warnock, and I would give Arnie the left midfield role ahead of Harry. Just to ensre we do have some cover in the left flank area. As Kewell has been upfront in recent games, and is an option for the right, I really dont know about him, however I would go for Riise and leave H on the bench. (unless he is up front).

Upfront If it's a 4-4-2 formation, I would guess it's two from Pongolle, Mellor and Kewell. I would expect one of the places may go to Kewell, although if Rafa decides he is needed on one of the wings, Pongolle and Mellor may get a chance to form a partnership. I would personally prefer to have Mellor on as he gives you more in terms of workrate than Sinama who to be honest has dissapointed me this term. So for me it is Kewell just off Neil Mellor.

all of my theory does of course rest on the formation, I have thought about five in midfield, but I think we need to give Neil a hand up the front, so I would go for 4-4-2.

What all this does show, is not only have we been very (unbeleiveably) unlucky with injuries this season, we are desperately short in terms of the squad.

It will however give Rafa an opportunity which many mangers do not have until too late. The chance to look at almost all of the squad, playing at the top level (ie first team) and assess who he really does want to keep hold of, and who is surplus to requirements.

[Ciggy]

Nice one Leon

[who the hell is diarra]

Nice thread Leon

[the great one]

i think the only way to beat them is we have to make the most of our setplay's tommeow but i still think kewell will score tommrow,it will be too early for nunez to play tommrow so maybe he can feature in the spurs game

[Ciggy]

Maybe if ping pong starts gettin tripped up in there box with a bit of added diving by big Sol  get a pen or 2

[who the hell is diarra]

Maybe if ping pong starts gettin tripped up in there box with a bit of added diving by big Sol  get a pen or 2

Ping Pong took me 10 secs to work out who u meant then . Set plays may well be most likely goal option

[the great one]

Maybe if ping pong starts gettin tripped up in there box with a bit of added diving by big Sol  get a pen or 2

how much penalties did he get us last season i remeber after the game steve bruce called him a serial diver 

[Ciggy]

Yer he used to dive more than sea biscuit, better start practisin tomorrow its about time we got a goal from him.

[Leonmc0708]

I personally think it is put up or shut up time for ping pong...

[chiggz_likes_owen]

I definitly want to see Biscan given part in the game. Don't call me a bonehead but i want to see Biscan play striker tomorrow, hes got all the qualities of a striker like: pace, body strength, workrate and decent right foot

[Ciggy]

I wana see IGOR tomorrow aswell the kop behind him hell be great
IGOR IGOR IGOR

[A.B.]

Play Biscan up front

[LFC #1]

both sides are low on confidence, I think we can beat Arsenal if we take the game to them, let them know we are there and ruffle their feathers. Defensively we need to be shutting down their players on the ball quickly and try to minimise their flowing, attacking football. 

I think that if we score first then we can win the game, but if they score first we can probably grab a point like West Brom did or even snatch a win with a late goal.

I am optimistic and will say 2-1 LFC.

[A.B.]

I got a good feeling about this game.

[LFC #1]

both sides are low on confidence, I think we can beat Arsenal if we take the game to them, let them know we are there and ruffle their feathers. Defensively we need to be shutting down their players on the ball quickly and try to minimise their flowing, attacking football. 

I think that if we score first then we can win the game, but if they score first we can probably grab a point like West Brom did or even snatch a win with a late goal.

I am optimistic and will say 2-1 LFC.

like i said.