Liverpool FC Forum

by **Dazzer** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 4:50 pm

The_Rock wrote:
Tophatman wrote:Things could be looking up if we believe LFC.tv -

Rafael Benitez is hoping to have seven of his injured stars available for selection against Birmingham City on Monday night.
The boss will make a late decision on whether to start inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and he could also be boosted by the availability of Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Nabil El Zhar.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv, after Saturday morning's training session, Benitez said: "We have a lot of good news with players coming back from injury and they all took part in a light training session this morning.

"Steven trained on Friday with the physios and did a light training session today with the team and did well. He is improving and has more confidence.

"We will decide on Monday before the game if he can play. He hasn't been training for a long time so we have to be careful.

"With Fernando we know he has to keep working with the physios and we will see how he progresses. We will see how is he is because he still has some pain so we will decide if he can play on Monday.

"Johnson did a light session today and will train again on Sunday. If he is okay then hopefully he will be available to play against Birmingham.

"Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Nabil El Zhar are doing well and were also involved in the training session so we will decide if they can play on Monday.

"Albert Riera also trained after his hamstring injury and that is good news for us.

"You can see we have had a lot of young players on the bench in recent weeks but we have more players back in training now. It's good for me and an option we didn't have available before."

Jamie Carragher will sit out this game as he serves a one-match ban for his sending-off against Fulham but Alberto Aquilani is in line for a first taste of the Anfield experience after he was an unused substitute in Lyon.

The Reds No.4 is unlikely to start against Alex McLeish's side but he is in the squad and the boss added: "His match fitness is still a problem.

"We are hopeful of having some players fit and available so maybe he can wait and change the game if it's necessary.

"We were controlling the game in Lyon and Lucas and Javier Mascherano were doing a very good job. When we scored we didn't want to change the shape. Aquilani was better after his virus and could have played some part but hopefully now he will be better for Monday."

How desperate are we ......when i actually think we missed nabil el zhar

But seriously.....i think even el zhar will contribute more than Kuyt as a RW at this moment....

BTW if gerrard & torres are still injured...and aquaman is ready...this should be the team

Reina
Johnson Skertel Agger Auerlio
Mascherano
Lucas
Babel Benayoun
Aquaman
Kuyt

Sorry its gotta be flat 4-4-2 for me match up man for man.

babel and kuyt up front

Riena
Johnson Skertel agger Insua

Lucus Masch Aqua Benny

Babel Kuyt

I play lucus on right because I heard he played a bit there as a youth and I think he could cover glen as he goes forward and can tuck in when they attacking up the right.

by **RedSi35** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 7:09 pm

The_Rock wrote:
Tophatman wrote:Things could be looking up if we believe LFC.tv -

Rafael Benitez is hoping to have seven of his injured stars available for selection against Birmingham City on Monday night.
The boss will make a late decision on whether to start inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and he could also be boosted by the availability of Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Nabil El Zhar.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv, after Saturday morning's training session, Benitez said: "We have a lot of good news with players coming back from injury and they all took part in a light training session this morning.

"Steven trained on Friday with the physios and did a light training session today with the team and did well. He is improving and has more confidence.

"We will decide on Monday before the game if he can play. He hasn't been training for a long time so we have to be careful.

"With Fernando we know he has to keep working with the physios and we will see how he progresses. We will see how is he is because he still has some pain so we will decide if he can play on Monday.

"Johnson did a light session today and will train again on Sunday. If he is okay then hopefully he will be available to play against Birmingham.

"Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Nabil El Zhar are doing well and were also involved in the training session so we will decide if they can play on Monday.

"Albert Riera also trained after his hamstring injury and that is good news for us.

"You can see we have had a lot of young players on the bench in recent weeks but we have more players back in training now. It's good for me and an option we didn't have available before."

Jamie Carragher will sit out this game as he serves a one-match ban for his sending-off against Fulham but Alberto Aquilani is in line for a first taste of the Anfield experience after he was an unused substitute in Lyon.

The Reds No.4 is unlikely to start against Alex McLeish's side but he is in the squad and the boss added: "His match fitness is still a problem.

"We are hopeful of having some players fit and available so maybe he can wait and change the game if it's necessary.

"We were controlling the game in Lyon and Lucas and Javier Mascherano were doing a very good job. When we scored we didn't want to change the shape. Aquilani was better after his virus and could have played some part but hopefully now he will be better for Monday."

How desperate are we ......when i actually think we missed nabil el zhar

But seriously.....i think even el zhar will contribute more than Kuyt as a RW at this moment....

BTW if gerrard & torres are still injured...and aquaman is ready...this should be the team

Reina
Johnson Skertel Agger Auerlio
Mascherano
Lucas
Babel Benayoun
Aquaman
Kuyt

I like that lineup, some real invention/steel in midfield.

Please Rafa don't start Voronin :veryangry

by **Dundalk** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:11 am

Win tomorrow and we are only 4 points off United :;):

And we are supposed to be having our worst season ever!!

by **red till i die!!** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:18 am

according to sky text,riera and johnson out.
gerrard and torres to have late fitness tests.
aurelio and skyrtel are back and aqua set to make a home debut at some stage.
we will win 2.0, 4.0 if the porn star's on the bench!!!

by **Zidane** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:21 am

I'd rather we not start Torres and Gerrard if it's gonna risk them reinjuring themselves yet again. I really don't want to lose them for a long time. :\

That aside I can't wait for this game need a good result to get over the sick feeling Lyon left me with.

by **The_Rock** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:49 am

Zidane wrote:I'd rather we not start Torres and Gerrard if it's gonna risk them reinjuring themselves yet again. I really don't want to lose them for a long time. :\

That aside I can't wait for this game need a good result to get over the sick feeling Lyon left me with.

Its a catch 22 issue...

We play Torres and Gerrard against Birmingham....we then have to let them go to their national teams.... for the internationals.... :angry:

I really do think we can beat birmingham without these 2...(but the players have to give that "lyon away" performance).

So in a nutshell.......don't play Gerrard and Torres against birmingham and have them fit 2 weeks later.

by **Bad Bob** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 11:58 am

tonyeh wrote:
metalhead wrote:Aquaman and Skrtel the turtle will play.

Porn Start will play

If the Spanish lad plays Vornin up front again today, I think I will actually puke...

...or just not watch the game...at least for the first 60 minutes, until the Rafasub 1.0 routine kicks in and a change is made.

Liverpool have some bad players in the squad, but that ponytail is in a league of his own.

Cue a Voronin hattrick (he says unconvincingly)!

by **stmichael** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:18 pm

my thoughts are that torres will probably start and gerrard will be on the bench. irrespective of whether they play or not, if we can't beat brum without one if not both of them then we don't deserve to be anywhere near the top 4.

by **GRAHAM01** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 12:36 pm

what is the problem with reira??

if he is not able to play i would go something like this

reina
johnson - skittle - agger - insua

benni - aqua - mash - Auerlio

babel

kuyt

i think that would be good enough to get goals and it they go with some think that we will win 3-0 = babel, kuyt, aqua

by **loopyliverpool** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:27 pm

I read in the press last week that Gerrard's injury isn't responding as quickly as the physios hoped and he may need an operation and Torres, having gone to Spain for a second opinion, would need three weeks rest (rather than having an op which he doesn't want). Now this morning they are talking about late fitness tests on the pair of them. What's going on? If they are not 100% then leave them out as there is a little break now which would give them some breathing space and the necessary rest, or part of the rest, they obviously need.

by **made in UK** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:58 pm

I think this line-up should start.

Reina

Darby Skertel Agger Aurelio

Masch Lucas

Kuyt Yossi Babel

N'gog

I wouldn't start fiddling around with the formation of the team, there is enough unpredictability and stability in the side at present; without worrying about adapting to another formation. So for that reason I'd keep with the formation (it is a good one). Obviously is Johnson is out then I think Darby should come in if he's fit, I haven't seen Darby play for a while. But from memory the lad looks more competent than Degen at RB in my opinion. Also I'd play N'gog up to on his own, Birmingham will probably sit back and quote on quote (Rafa Benitez) didn't play Torres against Brum at home one year because he wouldn't of found the space in behind their defence. Quite simply if Torres is unable to do this (which of course he isn't) then Babel hasn't got a cat in hells chance. Plus N'gog due to his physique and style would suit the that role better and hopefully bring Yossi and Babel from deeper positions into play. For me Babel does not have the work rate to play up top on his own, he doesn't have the work rate and mentality to play for the reds really. But we don't have 'options'.

by **JamCar05** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:26 pm

I just want a win please

. I really can't imagine what the spirit in here will be like if we go off to a two weeks international break on the back of another poor result

. So any win will do for me, and I reckon we'll do it but not necessarily in a pretty way. 2-1 for the reds (we can't seem to keep a clean sheet atm).

by **TheLad** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 2:56 pm

Any win will do, 3 points please.

by **Ben Patrick** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:14 pm

Just been sent the team...

Reina
Johnson
Agger
Skrtel
Insua
Benayoun
Lucas
Mash
Riera
Kuyt
Ngog

Gerrard on the bench but torres not apparantly.

by **stmichael** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 3:19 pm

Ben Patrick wrote:Just been sent the team...

Reina
Johnson
Agger
Skrtel
Insua
Benayoun
Lucas
Mash
Riera
Kuyt
Ngog

Gerrard on the bench but torres not apparantly.

just hope we play yossi in the hole and not dirk

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