I know we have lost our best striker and probably Dawson and are down to our third choice GK but I think we will take three points at Anfield on Saturday. Liverpool were poor against QPR and were outplayed for much of the game. They got the win thanks to two shocking OGs by the weakest defence in the Prem but QPR were all over them and they look very vulnerable at the back while only Sterling looked dangerous up front. Balotelli is a disaster, Sturridge is out, and only Coutinho looked dangerous in MF when he came on. Will Bruce go with 2 strikers and stick to 3-5-2 or revert to 4 at the back with Dawson out? I dont think Hernandez is fit or active enough to play as a lone striker so hopefully we'll play 2 up and stick to 3 CHs. I'd like to see Jakupovic Chester Bruce Davies Elmo Livermore Diame Huddlestone Robertson Ince Hernandez GK (?), Rosenior, McShane, Ben Arfa, Meyler, Brady, Aluko
City must stand a chance of points on Saturday - assuming Jelavic is unavailable a lot will depend on who takes his place. This might be a game for Ince to step up to the plate given his history at Liverpool but there are several possible options and one I've seen mentioned on here was to push Diame forwards. He's certainly shown all the necessary qualities of a top striker - could be the next Alan Shearer! I hope Dawson is fit but, if not, City do have reasonable backup - Macca seems to like Anfield.
Jakupovic Rosenior Chester Davies Robertson Elmo Huddlestone Diame Ramirez Ben Arfa Hernandez God knows, Bruce, Brady, Livermore, Quinn, Ince, Aluko
QPR have scored more goals for Liverpool than Balotelli. Made me laugh that. Knowing our luck, they'll turn up on Saturday. Really want to beat them again.
They probably will but I doubt Balotelli will. He looks like his is in one of those moods where he isnt going to produce anything anytime soon.
QPR have scored more goals for Liverpool than Balotelli AND Lambert... Credit goes to my Liverpool supporting friend for that stat
Diame is the perfect player to play in an advanced role. Bobby ****ing Zamora unsettled Liverpool with his physicality, can only imagine how Diame will go. Really need to start strong if we want something out of it, and need a much better display from Hernandez than we've seen so far.
After all the money Liverpool spent there best forward is a 32 year old who has spent most of his career in the lower leagues. Balotelli has all the talent to be top player, but not the attitude. I'd definitely stick to 3-5-2. I'd be reluctant to move Diame further forward.
I more meant stick him at CAM where he's been playing for us, didn't mean to suggest playing him as a striker. I'd line us up Jak Davies-Bruce-Chester Elmo - - - - - - - - Robertson - Huddlestone - Livermore - - - - - - Diame - - - - - - - - - - Ben Arfa - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - Hernandez - - -
I think dismissing Balotelli is dangerous. He can produce a bit of something special from nothing, whether on form or not. Brucey will have him tightly marked though, I'm sure. I fancy us to get something, three points would be lush but a point would still be a great result.
I don't expect this but I would go 4-5-1, watching QPR on Sunday everything good came down the QPR right I think we stand more of a chance with Elmo further forward. Jak Rosey Chester Davies Robertson Elmo Thudd Diame Livermore HBA Hernandez With Diame doing his usual untracked runs into the box, can become a 4-3-3 when attacking.
Off to the bookies to bet a shedload of money on Balotelli scoring after reading this. The way it works we will be the team that gets battered by him, Rogers will fancy him against us. A good time to play Liverpool on paper but often when it looks like that it works out completely the other way.
I'm sure City won't be underestimating Balotelli's potential impact. He really looked disinterested on Sunday but he's taken a lot of stick since then and he'll be looking to come back with a bang - if he isn't then it'll confirm that his future as a top class player looks pretty grim.
Why would anyone even consider changing his position when he's playing and scoring f**ing amazingly? Tomorrow's result will have a big bearing. If they beat Real Madrid then I fully expect us to beat them. If they lose then they'll beat us.
