I just can't get excited about this one, no disrespect to Stoke, but with our inability to get the round thing in the onion sack, I'm already expecting the worst. I hope Carroll starts, but being picked to start in the Mickey Mouse cup is hardly a confidence booster. How about Agger and Skrtel to start with Carra on the bench? And what about Stevie G? Considering that this could be a "robust" match, may it be wise to rest him, rather than get him more match practice? Oh and Chris, after the Norwich thread, I see you didn't raise your game much. You could have at least used a bigger type face, so that our friends "from the shallow end of the gene pool" could join in.
Liverpool should only play Carroll if you're planning on getting balls into the box from the wings, otherwise I wouldn't play him, as picking players for their height against Stoke has been many sides undoing against Stoke.
Every time I Skrtel on the team sheet it fills me with dread. We need a center back that can dominate in the air.
Got a feelin both Stevie n Suarez will be on the bench Carroll ,has to start, surely Henderson has to start too
Arsenal, Manchester United, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace have all gone through to the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
Kenny Dalglish is confident a repeat of their display at the Britannia Stadium earlier this season can secure Liverpool a place in the next round of the Carling Cup against Stoke City on Wednesday night. Despite dominating the game for long periods, and conjuring up 20 efforts on goal, the Reds went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Tony Pulis's side in September's Barclays Premier League meeting. However, Dalglish believes a bit of good fortune was the only thing lacking from the performance on that occasion and maintains a similar showing will go some way towards ensuring the Reds progress into the quarter-finals of the competition. "We've just got to get over it and get on with it," the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We don't want to get into the habit of saying we played really well and got nothing.
just a friendly banter blog .. U boys ready for us fighting spitting punchin game tom night ? im sure it wont be like that but i just hope lightening strikes twice but i doubt it .... im impressed by KD top top manager ! top man and i do like listenin to his no bull **** approach ! good luck tom night fellas but seriously up the potters ! we aint that bad nowadays !!!!!!!!! I will be there and hopin for a home win ! good luck all and all who sail in her ! potterpalm
As it's at the Britannia it could be a close game and if Suarez doesn't find his shooting boots again Stoke could nick this one.
TEAM NEWS Stoke City winger Jermaine Pennant is nursing a hamstring problem and is a doubt to face his former club. Fit-again Danny Higginbotham could play for the first time since April, while Jonathan Woodgate hopes to return after three games out with a calf injury. Liverpool midfielder Lucas is available after suspension. Fit-again defender Daniel Agger came on as a late substitute in the weekend draw against Norwich and may start on Wednesday.
Head-to-head Liverpool have won 62 and Stoke 28 of the 123 previous matches between these clubs. Stoke have failed to score in six of their last nine games against them. Stoke City are appearing in the fourth round for the fourth season running. They have lost only one of their last seven home League Cup ties. Liverpool are aiming to make the last eight for the first time in four seasons. They have kept only two clean sheets in their last 12 games.
My choice of team to play Stoke ------------Reina------------ ------Carra-Agger-Coates---- Enrique-----Lucas----Johnson ------Adam------Hendo------ ------------Maxi------------- -----------Carroll------------ Bench Bellamy - Skrtel - Gerrard - Suarez - Downing - Gulacsi - Sterling I'd go with three at the back because of the threat of Crouch and Jerome as a pair. The midfield three of Hendo, Lucas and Adam should be able to nullify the combative Stoke midfield, and Johnson and Enrique should have enough licence going forward to supply Carroll with crosses. As everyone else seems to have said, Pulis probably won't be concentrating on the cup and will probably rest Etherington, so the threat from out wide should be minimal. If Plan A isn't working, then we can always bring on Suarez or Bellamy in place of Maxi even Carroll and try to change the angles of attack...
Is the match on the box tonight? Surely if they show Aldershot - mu, they'll show an all-premier league clash. Otherwise, it's just another example of blatant media favouritism, isn't it?
St john... that is an interesting and stimulating team selection. 1. playing 3 at the back could well let us get coates going. 2. we have two good full backs to play those wing back slots. 3. downing is piss poor lately and should be rested. 4. suarez in stead of maxi please. I actually would love to know if kenny has had this i nmind at some point but has not had the full backs he wanted for it....
