Saturday's team was arguably not our strongest with important players such as Meyler and Bruce missing out. In order to be more solid at the high scoring Liverpool they surely need to come back in but how does Bruce change a team that won 6-0 without upsetting morale? A 5-3-2/5-4-1 would be my formation of chose McGregor Rosenior, Chester, Bruce, Davies, Figueroa Elmo, Livermore, Huddlestone, Boyd Sagbo McGregor Elmo, Chester, Bruce, Davies, Fig Meyer, Thudd, Livermore Boyd, Sagbo IMO Boyd has to stay in and whilst Koren played well in the second half Anfield really isn't the place where you can carry players.
From the BBC comentary it sounds as if Liverpool have a few problems of their own. Poor midfield, slow in defence and Suarez sounds as if he's knackered. We get in their faces and I don't see why we can't get a result there. A double over them would be massive. We've got an extra days rest and their squad is thin. Could be the best time to play them especially as Gerrard will still be out. Spirits are high in our dressing room and we've nowt to lose.
Elmo should never play Right-back, esp not against Liverpool's attacking line-up. Good winger but not a defender. I'd put Rosy there, but then either Elmo or Meyler would need to drop to the subs bench and that would be a difficult decision after recent performances. Decisions, decisions!
Likely to go for the 2nd set up, I agree with posters that say we have a good chance of getting something from the game. UTT
People saying Liverpool were having problems are right. Mainly due to how Chelsea played in the first half, after they conceded, they played like they did against us. They were very good, Liverpool were unlucky not to get a penalty in the end.
Liverpool have been robbed in their previous two games of awful penalty decisions. Let's hope we hold our own and don't take a hiding.
Their last chance to get some points over Xmas and New Year. Might be a slightly quiet afternoon, especially if there Scandi/Irish fans haven't travelled. What odds on us getting a pen at the Kop end cos of Skrtel's shirt tugging?
But highly amusing. Was a couple of great tackles that Liverpool got fook all for. I guarantee we'll be fizzing when we when get nothing from them shirt pulling and diving like fannies on the 1st.
Chelsea had possession of the ball and were heading away from the box it's not like they were robbed of a goal scoring opportunity? They were second best I wouldn't say they were robbed.
Some of their fans were sounding quite defeatist on the 606 phone in. It's not like they've played badly away at Man City and Chelsea! The title is probably beyond them but they have a decent shout for the top 4. I wasn't confident ahead of this game a couple of weeks ago when I watched them play Cardiff on the tele, but after Saturday an the majority of the game against Man United my confidence of getting something has increased.
I was hoping that they would nick something today - because they will now be seeing us as an essential 3pts, rather than maybe slightly taking their eyes off of us. That being said, I doubt there is a much better time to go to Anfield this season - especially with us having an extra 24+ hours rest on them (and we had a much easier game). We can compete. And I agree there is a dilemma about the formation. We beat Liverpool a few weeks ago with 352, but we won 6-0 a few days ago with 442. Tough call. Will they be expecting the 352? Personally, I think Koren is a bit like Geovanni - when you are playing well, he will make you even better - but can't really be counted on in more difficult circumstances. That's not to say he doesn't put the effort in, I just don't think he is that type of player. Which is why I wouldn't start him against Liverpool - but I imagine that Bruce will. Does Bruce have faith in Boyd to play as LWB instead of Fig? That would probably allow him to go 352 with Koren still playing behind the striker. Though, despite recent Fig jitters, i'm not sure Liverpool away is the time to play Boyd at LWB. So... ------------Mcg------- ---Chester Bruce Davies---- Elmo-------------------Fig- --Meyler Thudd Livermore--- ------Boyd--------------- --------------Sagbo------- ?
------------McGregor Rosenior Chester Davies Fugueroa Elmo Livermore Thudd Meyler Boyd -------------Sagbo
Football is a lot about confidence and the lads will be buzzing after the Fulham game. I would be tempted to start with the same team again and go for an early goal. I imagine the Anfield faithful will be nervous and a quick goal for us will get them on the backs of the Liverpool team. I'm not sure how SB can change a team that not only battered Fulham, but played some of the best football I have seen from City. However I suspect we will see 352 again, which I have never been a fan of. Same again for me, but it will be a big ask for Thudd and Livermore to compete in midfield against Liverpool's three.
I'd be amazed if we didn't bring Bruce and Meyler back in and switch the system to accomodate it. Bruce had Suarez under control in the first game and got him pissed off as well, put them against each other again, get Bruce to clatter him early, and then hope for a subdued/red carded Suarez. Similarly Meyler had a man marking job on Gerrard in the first game, obviously SG won't be playing, but someone like Coutinho should be given the same treatment so that the rest of the team can play more freely knowing the two main threats are dealt with.
