Should be good. Feels like we havent won in ages! As I've already said, Newcastle will be tough and can win. I'll stick to my 2-1 Pool prediction.
Good thread I reckon it will be a draw, we have a decent side, as do Liverpool but I think especially with Suarez banned, Ba can get us something out of this game. Also isn't it something daft like 7 of the last 9 games at Anfield have been draws or something like that? That adds pressure to Liverpool to deliver results in front of their own fans so that makes the game a bit tougher for them. The likely Newcastle side will be: Krul Simpson Williamson Coloccini Raylor Obertan Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez Best Ba As much as we want BenArfa and Santon to start we all know that Pardew will go with the unchanged side. He always sticks after a win even though BenArfa played a key part in it he will keep Best in the side. Also Raylor got an assist and generally had a decent game so he won't be dropped.
Heart says 1-1 draw. Head says we'll get edged out 2-0 or 2-1. I just hope Pardew sees sense and plays Ben Arfa ahead of Best.
Looking at your line-up I think we can have joy against your defense, especially on the wings. It's your midfield that worries me. Looks a bit tougher than ours with Lucas out. Don't know a lot about Best to be honest. Our defense is doing well, just the finishers! Bellamy has to start imo.
I think Pardew needs to realise that Raylor will struggle against any decent winger, I'd rather have Santon in there to be honest because Bellamy/Downing will be a key player this game.
tbh im worried about raylor and enrique vs obertan can see us having no joy on the right will have to play through the centre which means benny arfa is a must
Even though Liverpool are still unbeaten at home this season I still fancy our chances to pick up the 3 points. But of course we should be more disciplined and take our chances when we're in front of goal. And I don't know why I see Shola in the starting lineup
It would be nice to see Downing be Key in any game! Hope this one may be it though and if he is having a good game then hopefully that means Carroll will get a chance or two. The odds of that happening are against us at the moment though.
This is where we are at our weakest at the moment. Since the absence of Lucas we haven't played a team that is capable of really testing our exposed back 4. We may have the best defensive record in the league but in the last few games they have had some shaky moments and I think HBA, Cabaye and Tiote will rip Adam and Hendo apart.
Expect Pardew to know this then, his knowledge of each individual opponent's weaknesses has been great this season. If this is the case then it seems likely we'll start with Best and bring on HBA in the second half as we have been doing. I think this will be our lineup: Krul Simpson Williamson Coloccini Santon Obertan Tiote Cabaye Gutierrez Best* Ba * HBA 45mins if losing/Best has a nightmare, otherwise 60mins
Wonder if Spearing will feature, if he puts in a good shift defensively then Adam could turn good again.
If ever we needed a goal quickly it is probably this game. The longer it stays level/ us behind the more frustrated we will become, the crowd will become, and the more energy we will give newcastle. If HBA is unleashed around the 75th then it could spell trouble. I can see Spearing back to just give that extra cover and let Adam go forward more.
