Demarai Gray missed the Everton game through illness but should be back Schmeichel Ricardo Evans Soyuncu Chilwell Ndidi Tielemans Albrighton Maddison Gray Vardy Subs- Ward, Morgan, Justin, Praet, Barnes, Perez, Iheanacho
The choice on the bench that always worries me is Morgan. Great player 2 years ago but now is so slow and ends up barging opponents over and likely to concede free kicks around the box or penalties inside. We need a much better alternative at centre back.
Risk of burning them out and getting injuries Got Villa on Sunday so its a big ask to keep playing the same team
I think also if we get the luxury of going 2-0, 3-0 up in any of the games of christmas we need to be taking off players like Vardy, Tielemans, Maddison, Ndidi, Ricardo and Chilwell if we can Liverpool have the heaviest fixture list of everyone with the club world cup, champions league, premier league and carabao cup so hopefully we can close that gap before they come here on boxing day
Agree with Proud about taking key players off if we look to have the game won. Given we have been winning games later in the second half we haven’t really been in this position for a few weeks though. End of the day though, Rodgers and the team know who needs a rest and who doesn’t, not us lot. Tielemans looks leggy but Ndidi and Vardy look like they can go all day and all night. Probably better to start the strongest side and take them off, Vardy has his own record to challenge so needs to keep scoring. Having Gray and Iheanacho performing well of the bench bodes well and Praet looks capable of stepping in for Maddison or Tielemans. Trust in Rodgers
Same team and rest accordingly, the most strain will surely come on the wingers and fullbacks, so can see these being rotated if we are winning. Vardy isn't playing his high tempo game any more, so should probably stay sharper for longer. Wouldn't rotate for this one, Watford players will be looking to impress a new manager, whether hes there or not by that point, players usualy play better for assistant managers and coaches, as we've seen with Shakey and Appleton.
Never in doubt, almost too easy!! and starting to rotate the squad. FFS I'm starting to dream the impossible dream again !! 5 points to go for the magic 40 - then enjoy the roller coaster !!
Didnt think it was that easy, always nervous at 1-0. hard to break down these teams that sit so deep but they did look capable on the break. Nice and tight at the back though, our defence is looking pretty tight. Proud, Perez hooked at halftime. Two good chances missed in the first 5 minutes. He has not settled at all.
Felt Brendans subs didnt help us today. Perez off for Praet, Tielemans for Choudhury and Barnes for Justin We went defensive miles too early and I think the subs created a nervous atmosphere But end of the day we got the job done
Perez didnt play well today but over his Newcastle career he always was a hit and miss player capable of a moment of brilliance I like him and think he will be a good player but Brendan said it himself he might take a long time to settle due to playing a different position and totally different style of play. He is only 24/25 so not that old Perez and Barnes are too hot headed in front of goal atm. Both will come good for us
I thought Brenda got the substitutions spot on last night. I like Praet, think he's calm on the ball and gets about the pitch well. Perez has settled, but agree he will come good in time. Hamza played a bit more forward than usual so it wasn't if we played with 2 defensive midfielders when he came on. Barnes had 3 or 4 excellent and I mean excellent runs, but needs a goal to boost himself. Fuchs was man of the match although Evans was again brilliant. Villa away is going to be tricky.
They only 1 shot on target in about the 87th minute, although it looked shakey, Watford didn't really pose much of a threat. Thought Justin came on and contributed well, good time to debut at home, the earlier subs seemed to be used to give us more possession and keep things quiet, though it isolated Ricardo on the right wing slightly after the last change to 3 at the back.
i would love someone to explain the difference between the incident where Vardy gets booked for simulation and the pen Liverpool were awarded when Mane fell over some considerable time after contact.
Have you seen the Rashford one from last night? Almost identical in terms of contact but he got it awarded. I’m not against VAR as such, but the ref needs to see it himself so he can decide and if it’s being reviewed by a third party, they are too scared to overrule the ref. That one was shocking last night
Thats an easy one, one rule for LiVARpool, and one rule for the rest. Its a good thing Klopp left Stockley Park on the 90th minute when we played Everton, or Iheanachos goal would have been disallowed as well.