I'd probably go for the same as well. Maybe Allen for Can? Allen was pretty solid against Palace last Sunday, put himself about a bit.
FSG mission statement: To develop young talent and player potential into established stars. BR tactics: Let's keep both Manquillo and Moreno out of the team by alternating both of their spots so Glen Johnson can play every game! Sakho is young, strong and can pass well - that fits my philosophy perfectly for a CB, so I'll favour a bumbling hoofballer in Skrtel instead. Can wont ever get a sniff - can't risk Gerrard's 90mins a match. Coutinho is a brilliant dribbler and can unlock defenses with intricate passing on the counter so lets play slow, plodding build up play. "Attacking football is my forte" - spunks £45 million up the wall on 'talent' he never plays (Markovich I can understand, but Lallana is competent - why can't he get a game?)
If even 1 of Gerrard and Johnson starts today then I will lose all respect for tBR as a manager. Prove me wrong Brent.
Happy with the team apart from the fact Glen Johnson is in there! Lucas, Allen & Henderson performed well in a few games together last season so it'll be interesting to see if they can carry that on into this game.
Liverpool's XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Enrique, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling, Lambert. Substitutes: Jones, Lovren, Moreno, Lallana, Gerrard, Markovic, Can. Urgh. Better, but ****ing Johnson and Enrique!
Mignolet Johnson Skrtel Toure Enrique Lucas Allen Genderson Sterling Lambert Coutinho Gerrard has ben dropped
It's an fn miracle.... Gerrard is dropped..... Fn Johnson is playing though... Minger is in and he will drop one today for sure The thing is Allen is too lightweight for Stoke so seeing can and Moreno sit out for Johnson and Allen is sad
I think Moreno must have a problem and be unable to play twice in a week. He is getting rotated far to much but is probably one of Rodgers best signings based on his performances so far. A potential star. Hopefully this improves.
Glad to see Enrique back, still think he's top class defender when on form. Better suited to thi game than Moreno, need big strong defenders today. Toure needs to have a Madrid game rather than a Ludo game as he was poor midweek. Midfield looks so lightweight, especially when up against Stoke and of course, Johnson playing speaks for itself. Overall, an improvement and a kick up the ass for Lovren hopefully
Good to see Enrique back. Good to see Gerrard getting a rest. Shame Can is not involved, but all in all I would suggest we have some progress with the team selection. Come on You Reds, give us a performance and a result. Lambert 3 in a row? YNWA
It's been very quiet for quite some time, particularly regarding match thoughts, predictions etc. the number of posters on there seems to have diminished this season. As for the game today: Your form this season has not been good by your normal standards so maybe we could get something this afternoon. I have supported Stoke since 1960 and cannot recall ever winning at Anfield so the odds are stacked against us. We have performed better away this term. Defensively we are conceding 'soft' goals and Begovic has perhaps not been at his best. I also expect Lambert to score today (he often does against us) so I will predict a 1-1 draw, hope for a 1-0 away win, but it will probably be 2-1 to Liverpool.
Johnson and Enrique as fullbacks. God help us all - Rodgers really does not have a clue on defending.
I just realized this is our defense from early last season. Lucas is going to have his work cut out today.
