Official Match Thread: v Tottenham (A)

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StJohn_Red_Legend said:
Given its a match history thread, lets look at the last time Spurs had a talented bunch of individuals playing in their team and Liverpool played them...

Enjoy!

[video=youtube;2L8DSko4u6E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L8DSko4u6E[/video]
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Things weren't half fuzzy in those days.
 
John Aldridge: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...6395205?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The thrashings dished out to Norwich and West Ham were the perfect response to Liverpool’s defeat at Hull.

Playing at home is not a problem for this team. We look very strong at Anfield – even without the services of Daniel Sturridge.

We pin teams back, create loads of chances and the goals are flowing.

West Ham have made it difficult for a lot of teams on their travels this season as they’re tough to break down but they were blown away in the end on Saturday.

In the second half we played really well. In recent seasons we probably would have slipped up in one of those two games but we were ruthless. It helps the fact that Luis Suarez is in such fantastic form but we looked good in all departments.

The problem for Brendan Rodgers is that we don’t seem to play with the same belief away as we do at Anfield.

With Sunday’s game at Tottenham followed by trips to Manchester City and Chelsea, we desperately need to improve on our travels.

That task is made more difficult by the massive blow of losing Steven Gerrard. You could tell by the way Steven indicated to the bench straight away that he needed to come off, that his hamstring had gone. With the games we’ve got coming up the timing is awful.

The game changed after Steven went off. Losing the inspirational skipper was like going down to 10 men. Everyone else had to put a bit more in and in the end we finished the game really strongly.

We need to start grinding out results when we play away. I just think we’ve been far too open in away matches so far this season.

First and foremost, it’s about defending. It’s about getting players back behind the ball and being compact and well organised.

We need to roll our sleeves up and show some fight at White Hart Lane, the Etihad and Stamford Bridge.

We’ve got to defend properly and that means cutting out the unforced errors which have cost us points on the road.

You can’t leave Suarez isolated but midfielders need to be selective about when they bomb forward because the defence needs protection.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the manager goes back to playing 3-5-2 at White Hart Lane. That would probably mean Daniel Agger coming back into the side alongside Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho.

Lucas Leiva will replace Gerrard and play in a midfield trio with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson. Then we would have Glen Johnson at right wing-back with Jon Flanagan or Martin Kelly on the left with Coutinho just behind Suarez.

When we’ve played with a back four away from home we’ve looked like we’re going to concede. Until we get players back from injury I think three at the back is the way to go when we play away. At home against the likes of Cardiff and Hull the approach will be different.

It won’t be easy without Sturridge or Gerrard but the rest need to rise to the challenge – starting at Spurs on Sunday.

Suarez masterclass against Norwich was simply incredible

Luis Suarez's performance against Norwich City was simply incredible.

I’ve watched Liverpool since the mid-60s and that was up there with anything I’ve ever seen at Anfield.

It was a night I won’t ever forget – we were watching a genius at work.

Graeme Souness produced one of the greatest midfield displays in the 3-0 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach in the semi-final of the European Cup back in 1978.

Suarez against Norwich was up there alongside that with the best solo performance I’ve seen.

All of his four goals were special. He made the second one look easy but that was a difficult finish.

The third was stunning the way he lifted it over the Norwich player and then waited before hammering it into the far corner.

But my favourite has to be the opening goal. It was audacious. I wondered what he was doing trying his luck from that far out but John Ruddy had absolutely no chance with the dip he got on it.

Suarez is in the form of his life and he’s even more important for us while Daniel Sturridge is out injured.

If he maintains this level we’ll have a great chance of staying in the top four.

Allen has shown his character

I feared for Joe Allen after what happened in the derby at Goodison but he has bounced back from that brilliantly.

Allen got his chance against Norwich in midweek and deservedly kept his place in midfield for the win over West Ham.

He produced a very solid performance. He used the ball really well.

He’s a confidence player – you can see that in games.

When he makes a few mistakes his head goes down a bit.

But when things are going well for him he’s really positive and looks to push the team forward.

He’s an established international with a lot of experience and is starting to show what a good player he is.
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Thoughts? Any other specific players that you think need to stand out?
 
Should probably go in the match thread <ok>

I'd like Coutinho to have a greater impact, he's been overshadowed this season by Sturridge and now Suarez
 
astroturfnaut said:
Should probably go in the match thread <ok>

I'd like Coutinho to have a greater impact, he's been overshadowed this season by Sturridge and now Suarez
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I can merge it later, but want to get people's thoughts on players that need to step up. We know Suarez will, but good shout on Coutinho, starting to get back to his best but still waiting for him to get back to the level he was at last year. Teams are more focused on him and I think he can adapt.

I think Lucas can be huge in these upcoming fixtures, it has been a while now since he has recovered from that horrible injury and he needs to start to get back to that player who could take on the likes of Yaya with no problem.
 
like to see Alberto step up, not sure if he will, but hope so.

Allen hopefully will thrive in midfield, still not sure on him though.

maybe with the absence of Gerrard that could help him, any one reckon he could be the type of player that likes to hide behind others and let them do all the work ie Gerrard, maybe the absence of him could be good and he cant hide and have to perform, seen it done at other clubs with players performing better as the star is missing, we probably have with players as well but cant think of any off top of head.
 
From the reds stepping up thread....

I agree Jenners about Alberto. I just want to see him given a chance first and foremost!!!
 
StJohn_Red_Legend said:
I'm game for this - What injuries do you think the Spuds will pick up tonight against Anzhi in the Europa? Any key players we're looking to get crocked by the Russians?
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Tonight? None.

We can afford to rest everyone since we qualified top already, although it might be that we give Rose a run out tomorrow before Sunday and if Chiriches is a doubt I can see AVB giving the Dawson/Capoue centreback partnership another go. It could go the other way and we field absolutely no one that could be inline to start on Sunday but that doesn't seem like a very AVB thing to do.
 
Yid Vicious said:
Tonight? None.

We can afford to rest everyone since we qualified top already, although it might be that we give Rose a run out tomorrow before Sunday and if Chiriches is a doubt I can see AVB giving the Dawson/Capoue centreback partnership another go. It could go the other way and we field absolutely no one that could be inline to start on Sunday but that doesn't seem like a very AVB thing to do.
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You can't "rest everyone", your club named an EL squad and can only choose from that squad?

Which includes your best hitters.
 
Page_Moss_Kopite said:
You can't "rest everyone", your club named an EL squad and can only choose from that squad?

Which includes your best hitters.
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I can't remember what the rules are exactly but I'm pretty sure we can field whatever homegrown youngsters that we want. When we went to Tromso are travelling squad only had players that were going to play and like 5/6 kids from the development squad.

As I said, it's unlikely AVB will go for resting everyone that might be involved on Sunday but it's possible.
 
Yid Vicious said:
I can't remember what the rules are exactly but I'm pretty sure we can field whatever homegrown youngsters that we want. When we went to Tromso are travelling squad only had players that were going to play and like 5/6 kids from the development squad.

As I said, it's unlikely AVB will go for resting everyone that might be involved on Sunday but it's possible.
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What's your opinion on the merge mate?

Agree or disagree?
 
BCR said:
From the reds stepping up thread....

I agree Jenners about Alberto. I just want to see him given a chance first and foremost!!!
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Our big problem is losing Gerrard and Hendo.

Last week we ended with Lucas Allen Hendo, plenty of energy to make up for that loss in craft from Gerrard.

Imo we have to change the formation with those 2 out, Suarez up top by himself diamond midfield and yes (waits for stick) back 5.

------Lucas-----
Coutinho--Allen
-----Alberto-----

Not ideal with Coutinho playing deeper but it means we have bodies in midfield.

I think Rodgers will go with Sterling though other than Alberto.
 
We will certainly miss Gerrard's set pieces.

But I hope we do not lose Henderson - his energy is vital if we have a chance of winning the midfield battle.

Will be very interesting to see how Lucas, Allen and Henderson will do - I've waiting for this for quite a while but I still understand what a big loss Gerrard is.

Personally, I think this three will do a better job of controlling the midfield as they will press and hound. At the same time, we may lack that one killer ball which Gerrard is renowned for.

I'm actually quite confident in this game. I would have thought Spurs would steam roll us but they look a little disjointed at the moment and they have their own injuries to deal with. However, they're only 3 points behind despite their 'slow' start which is great credit to them.
 
"I think Rodgers will go with Sterling though other than Alberto."

sadly agree, just don't see enough of an impact from Sterling in games, great for the pace for counter but thats it for me.

like to see Alberto given a chance as we need ball players for this game.

If Sterling,Allen,Moses are playing, just hope they get their finger out their ass and do well for us.

we can but hope lol.
 
jenners04 said:
"I think Rodgers will go with Sterling though other than Alberto."

sadly agree, just don't see enough of an impact from Sterling in games, great for the pace for counter but thats it for me.

like to see Alberto given a chance as we need ball players for this game.

If Sterling,Allen,Moses are playing, just hope they get their finger out their ass and do well for us.

we can but hope lol.
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Sterling decision making needs to improve but that will come with time hopefully. You can sense he is getting more and more confident which is only a good thing.

Personally, I think he needs a loan.
 
luvgonzo said:
Our big problem is losing Gerrard and Hendo.

Last week we ended with Lucas Allen Hendo, plenty of energy to make up for that loss in craft from Gerrard.

Imo we have to change the formation with those 2 out, Suarez up top by himself diamond midfield and yes (waits for stick) back 5.

------Lucas-----
Coutinho--Allen
-----Alberto-----

Not ideal with Coutinho playing deeper but it means we have bodies in midfield.

I think Rodgers will go with Sterling though other than Alberto.
Click to expand...

Wow a midfield that'll strike fear in any opposition.....
 
luvgonzo said:
Our big problem is losing Gerrard and Hendo.

Last week we ended with Lucas Allen Hendo, plenty of energy to make up for that loss in craft from Gerrard.

Imo we have to change the formation with those 2 out, Suarez up top by himself diamond midfield and yes (waits for stick) back 5.

------Lucas-----
Coutinho--Allen
-----Alberto-----

Not ideal with Coutinho playing deeper but it means we have bodies in midfield.

I think Rodgers will go with Sterling though other than Alberto.
Click to expand...

FFS...<doh>
 
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