Slightly early but it's always good to get a gauge of people's predictions and their own set-ups. I would line up like this GK - Jones RB - Kelly CB - Coates CB - Skrtel LB - Johnson RCM - Henderson CM - Gerrard LCM - Shelvey RW - Assaidi CF - Borini LW - Downing Pacheco, Sterling, Suarez, Sahin, Suso, Agger, Reina on the bench and both could come on if needed. Gerrard starting as i don't think he deserves to start against Utd unless he proves himself in this game. Downing is pretty ****e anywhere, but is probably best on the LW and Borini needs a chance down the middle. Assaidi may provide much needed width on the right side. Jones in front of Reina as he too needs a kick up the backside and i think Jones deserves a chance here or there. Honestly don't have a clue how BR mind works but i'm guessing he'll play something along the lines of GK - Reina RB - Kelly CB - Carra CB - Coates LB - Robinson RCM - Henderson CM - Allen LCM - Sahin RW - Downing CF - Suarez LW - Sterling
Hope to see Assaidi, Sahin, Suso all get a game. Think Suarez, Gerrard, Sterling will all be rested with Sunday in mind.
Rodgers has said Yesil will be involved. Dunno if that means a starting role or off the bench. “Yesil will certainly be fast-tracked. He will be involved in the Europa League game," Rodgers confirmed. "I watched him play against England Under-19s (earlier this month) - he scored two terrific goals and set up another, he has real potential"
Didn't know that. Was that in a press conference or just a random interview? Would like to see Yesil involved but in all honesty i'd rather see Pacheco involved as i feel he has more to prove. Yesil has plenty of time, Dani doesn't.
I know it's early and we've got time to recover... but I think our best chance of European football next season is winning the Europa league... not that that will be easy given how we struggled with Hearts. Nonetheless- since the wife and kids are out of the house on Sundays (dumb religious yanks that they are)- I really want us to be in the Europa League again next year so I can look forwards to watching Premier League games on Sunday undisturbed. Saturday games I have to listen to fighting, screaming, crying, etc... and it's not just the wife, the kids are noisy too. Anyhow, I digress... I really want European football again next season- so I suggest we take the Europa seriously. That said, Gerrard can't play both games- so the question is- which game do we want him for? Although he hasn't been himself the last few seasons- he always steps up a notch against United- so I think I'd rather play him there- have Sahin, Shelvey, and Allen in the centre for Thursdays game. Most of the other top players on the team are still fairly young so can handle both games... especially this early in the season.
personally hoping Reina plays as he needs to get his confidence/attention back up. i know these type of games are ideal for playing fringe players/youngsters etc but Reina needs to start performing as he could be vital to our league games, so hope he plays. like to see a bit of Assiadi, and also Yesil who i saw a bit of for the u21 and wasn't that impressed to be honest but i know it will take time, new country, league, still young etc. hoping Gerrard is given a free role in the final third as well, as like to see him in attacking positions more, but like said not sure he can play both games and he is more important against the mancs.
Would like to see Assaidi, Sahin, Suso, Yesil and Pacheco play. For BR's system to work, he needs intelligent footballers with good movement. I believe all 5 of these players are more than capable of doing this. And I agree with Alleucas re. Europa League. We're not exactly one of the top clubs in Europe anymore and winning the EL would help increase our profile. It won't be on the same level as Champions League participation but it's a start.
We're not one of the top clubs in Europe anymore? What are you on about? We're the most successful English side in europe, no other English side can get near us. Are Real Madrid not a top side because they haven't won a European trophy since 2003?
simply put it is vital that sahin starts gaining fitness. i think its VITAL we solve lb as johnson was a joke in defense..... kelly looks unfit so i'd make him play this one then sit out the utd one. all in all there is zero point in jones playing. reina kelly skertl coates enrique (I only put agger o nthe bench on the ground that he played internationals) sahin allen Gerrard (I firmly think rodgers is in the gerrard must play trap) Suarez Yesil borini stand by for more totally ineffective play from borini, more tweets from pacheco saying he's not involved and a 0 on our scoreline as we knock it oabout far too deep to be any threat.
Rumours have it that Samed Yesil will be called up. This is from the BBC gossip column. Not sure if he will start though. With United at the weekend I expect: -----------------Reina-------------- -Flanagan-Carragher-Coates-Enrique- -----------------Allen--------------- ------Henderson-------Sahin-------- -Downing--------------------Assaidi- ----------------Morgan-------------- Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Shelvey, Gerrard, Suarez, Yesil, Borini.
We are the most successful British club in Europe still for sure but that doesn't change the fact we've got a real struggle on our hands to get back into European competition this season. Out of Champions League for so long, I think a lot of prospective players might not see as quite the attractive lure we once was.
True, but Real Madrid have since won the domestic league, few domestic cups and competed in the Champions League every year. We can't keep relying on history alone to attract players. Nottingham Forest won the European Cup in the 70's - do players still want to go there? The longer we're out of the CL, our appeal decreases. Obviously, we're not at the same level as Forest but we will continue to decline if we continue to finish outside of Top 4. Just because we have a rich history doesn't mean that we have divine right to win every match and win every trophy.
That is very true. You can also twist that slightly for an argument as to why players want to join clubs like Chelsea and Man City prior to them winning something, it is not about what you have won, it is about a clubs potential to win things
Exactly. Do players see LFC as a club with potential to win things? I'm not so sure anymore. As a result, I think we will be forced to spend money to entice players.
But the owners wont allow it, so youth development takes over. Personally I think we are only two or three players away from a truly awesome team. It i just finding/ attracting those players in our current situation that may be harder. We need a striker who can score lots of goals, and also bring the wide men and midfield in to score as well. A quick, strong and creative attacking full back, like a left sided Glen Johnson. And possible a defensive midfield alternative to Lucas who also has the skills to cover in the back 4 (When full backs attack for example). Other than that, time is needed for Rodgers and the squad to master his style.
I don't think we'll spend stupid money on players. But the owners are willing to spend money on the right player - i.e. young, talented etc. I think FSG were ready to buy Sturridge for £15m. I agree - I don't think we need an overhaul. 2-3 shrewd signings that can hit the ground running. Allen has been able to do this while Borini has struggled somewhat. I think Sahin and Assaidi could both make a difference if they start regularly.
