Liverpool FC Forum

Sunderland (19th) vs. Liverpool (8th)

I've never started a match thread (as far as I remember) so here goes.

Despite Klopp's comments about Sturridge needing up to 9 days of training before being ready, he has declared himself fit and ready to go.

Our game is the last one of the gameweek so there's every chance we go into this finding ourselves in the bottom half of the table. On the bright side, the sides around us (4th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) all play each other and Utd (6th) go up against Chelsea. Best case scenario, we win - Tottenham lose, and we close the gap with 4th to 2 points. If we lose and Tottenham win the difference becomes 8 points.

We did well against Leicester down both ends and I wouldn't change much from that side. Sturridge/Benteke in for Origi should be the only decision Klopp has to contemplate. 

Strongest available 11 for this one:

Mignolet
Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Moreno
E.Can
Henderson
Coutinho
Lallana
Firmino (wouldn't be surprised to see Ibe getting the nod)
Sturridge (Benteke if Klopp doesnt want to take chances)

aCe' » Sun Dec 27, 2015 2:15 pm wrote:We did well against Leicester down both ends and I wouldn't change much from that side. Sturridge/Benteke in for Origi should be the only decision Klopp has to contemplate. 

Strongest available 11 for this one:

Mignolet
Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Moreno
E.Can
Henderson
Coutinho
Lallana
Firmino (wouldn't be surprised to see Ibe getting the nod)
Sturridge (Benteke if Klopp doesnt want to take chances)

Wouldn't surprise me if "flair" players were given a rest or on the bench for this one and Jurgen starts with a solid workmanlike 11

Maybe something like

.                              Mignolet
.  Clyne        Lovren               Sakho       Moreno

.                    Lucas          Allen
.   Henderson           Can             Milner
.
.                          Benteke

Sunderland have been awful this season, but have to guard against complacency because the likes of Borini will be desperate to put one over us.

Would start with Big Ben up front and aim to win ugly as Big Sam will be playing hoofball all the way...

Allen is the last player I'd start against this bunch of hoofers. We need to be up for the physical test and he never is up to that. Same goes for Lallana imo, but such are the injuries in attacking positions (and the form of Firmino) he probably has to start.

Mignolet

Clyne
Lovren
Sakho
Moreno

Lucas
Henderson
Can

Coutinho
Lallana
Benteke

Hate the stadium of light. Was there for 'the beachball game' a few seasons back and got a right sickener. None of our players seem to turn up when we play there with the exception of Suarez who won us a few away games there on his own.

They will load our box at every opportunity and aim to get us with set pieces. Standard Allardyce and to be fair it is our weakness so can't blame him.

I think one of the main reasons we looked so good against Leicester was that we had 4 attacking players instead of the usual 3 and I'd go with the same set up again. I don't think we will be over run in midfield, in fact I think Sunderland will by pass the midfield.

Migs Moreno Lovern Sakho Clyne Hendo Allen Coutinho Lallana Ibe Benteke

only me » Mon Dec 28, 2015 8:01 pm wrote:Migs Moreno Lovern Sakho Clyne Hendo Allen Coutinho Lallana Ibe Benteke

I think Ibe is ill and unavailable mate, not sure I would pick Allen over Can either, I think we might need Emre's size/power for this one.
I'd go with this line up -

                                                               Mingolet

                      Clyne.                      Sakho.              Lovren.                   Moreno

                                                  Henderson.           Can

                                   Lallana.              Coutinho.            Firmino

                                                              Benteke


If anyone else was available I'd drop Firmino, one or two rumours flying around that Sturridge may be on the bench for this one.

ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Mon Dec 28, 2015 8:51 pm wrote:

only me » Mon Dec 28, 2015 8:01 pm wrote:Migs Moreno Lovern Sakho Clyne Hendo Allen Coutinho Lallana Ibe Benteke

I think Ibe is ill and unavailable mate, not sure I would pick Allen over Can either, I think we might need Emre's size/power for this one.
I'd go with this line up -

                                                               Mingolet

                      Clyne.                      Sakho.              Lovren.                   Moreno

                                                  Henderson.           Can

                                   Lallana.              Coutinho.            Firmino

                                                              Benteke


If anyone else was available I'd drop Firmino, one or two rumours flying around that Sturridge may be on the bench for this one.

Ibe is back in training and if fit I'll drop invisible Firmino...I like Allen I think he has the best ball control and passing skills and Can can use some rest...he is a bit erretic for my taste.

https://youtu.be/25G1F3_9XO8

Press conference

I agree with yakka, we need to get have more attacking players in our line-up. IMO one of the reasons we were so average the past few weeks was because we had a all three of Henderson, Can and Milner playing at the same time which limited our attacking thread and creativity.

I'd go with a similar line-up as yakka, though I think Ibe would be a better option than Firmino and I might bring Lucas back as well

                                           
                                            Mignolet

                   Clyne        Lovren         Sakho      Moreno

                                Henderson    Lucas/Can

                       Lallana         Coutinho         Ibe

                                           Benteke

Gonna be a tough match against a team fighting for their PL lives...
But who wants easy games! COME ON REDMEN! 

Starting eleven for tonight's match...

Mignolet, Clyne, Sakho, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Benteke


Subs....

Bogdan, Toure, Lucas, Ibe, Randall, Smith, Teixeira

Sunderland will sit back and follow the tried and tested blueprint on how to get one over on us and we have to be smart enough to know it and bring the solutions.