MATCH PREVIEW Glass half full or half empty? That's the question for Sunderland fans heading for the Stadium of Light this weekend, having witnessed six home draws already this season. In all four divisions, only Charlton and York have more home draws, but accentuating the positive must be getting harder after just one league win in 10, even if that win was at Newcastle. A month ago, these two teams drew 0-0 at Anfield, so is it odds-on another dividing up of the spoils? Well, don't be too sure - Liverpool haven't drawn at all away from home this season, one of only two teams among the 92 league clubs who can say that. Simon Mignolet and Jordan Henderson return to their former club with their careers having taken very different courses since moving to Anfield. Henderson has improved so much over the last 18 months, after a hesitant Liverpool start, that he is now the captain-in-waiting with Steven Gerrard LA-bound. In contrast, Mignolet is on borrowed time, and he knows it. Only injury to Brad Jones handed him a place back in the side after he was dropped "indefinitely"; he's done nothing since to suggest that he's worth a reprieve for any other reason than a lack of alternatives. In mitigation, Mignolet could reasonably suggest that he's playing behind a defence so brittle that the greatest goalkeepers in the world would do well to keep a clean sheet; as it is, he has only four of them in his last 32 games. Gus Poyet had a similar decision to make when he felt he had to drop Vito Mannone following the Italian's own crisis of confidence. Poyet's go-to man was Costel Pantilimon, who has since kept an impressive six clean sheets in 12 appearances, including that shut-out at Anfield. Another draw might frustrate both Sunderland and Liverpool, but the goalkeepers would probably gladly take 0-0. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Sunderland have won just one of the last four times they have hosted Liverpool (W1, D1, L2). Liverpool are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Sunderland (W3, D2). Sunderland Sunderland have only won one of their last 10 league games (W1, D6, L3). Their only league victory at the Stadium of Light this season was against Stoke at the beginning of October. The Black Cats have drawn 11 of their 20 league matches this season. They have won just three league games, the joint-lowest tally in the top flight. Gus Poyet's side have failed to score in nine of their 20 league matches this season. Only Aston Villa and Burnley have scored fewer than Sunderland's 10 home goals. They have accrued a league-high 52 yellow cards this season. Liverpool Liverpool have lost just one of their last eight league matches, a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United in December (W4, D3, L1). The Reds have conceded an average of 1.78 goals in their away matches this season (only Burnley and QPR have conceded more). Four times in this league campaign, Liverpool have conceded three goals away from home. While Sunderland are the Premier League's draw specialists, Liverpool are one of only two top-flight teams not to have drawn away from home this season. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30663770
Mignolet Can Skrtel Sakho Manquillo Moreno Lucas Henderson Markovic Balotelli Sterling That's how I'd line up today. The formatting is ****ed on the new forum, so imagine Manq and Moreno as WB's, Lucas and Hendo in a 2 man Midfield, with Lucas just behind Hendo. Then Markovic as a CAM with Balotelli and Sterling up top. A 5-2-1-2 if you will. No way BR is going for that though. I expect Gerrard to play, Hendo at RWB and Markovic not on the field.
Would like to see the diamond back if Gerrard is to play: Mignolet Manquillo Skrtel Sakho Moreno Gerrard Henderson can Coutinho Sterling Balotelli
Coutinho for Markovic and I'd agree if we are sticking with that formation. Tempted for also go Can for Hendo.
Rumoured team is to have Gerrard, Coutinho and Borini up front. Markovic RWB Lucas and Hendo midfield. The rest is as normal I think.
Strange one, didn't play last weekend so should be fresh as a daisy? If borini gets a game ahead of Mario I really am going to start losing patience with Rodgers
He's played a lot of football and I think he needs more of a rest to be honest. We do have to protect him but it's a farce that we're in a position where we're relying on a 19 year old and an injury prone striker. Agreed on Borini/Mario - however, Mario is useless as a lone striker so I can understand including Borini in that case. However, I would still prefer to see Mario ahead of Borini or even as a two.
Would be very happy to see Balo up top with Borini to be honest. Couthino in behind and Sterling given a rest so he can come on and make an impact if needed.
Migs Can Skrtel Sakho Hendo Gerrard Lucas Moreno Couthino Borini Markovic Annoyed Henderson has been pushed out wide again when Manquillo is so much better there. Squeezing in Gerrard again. Aside from that happy with the team and very glad Borini has finally got a start. No Sterling in the squad apparently
Not sure how we'll play this. Maybe Markovic as RWB with Lucas and Hendo in the middle? If it's Gerrard, Coutinho and Borini up front - then god help us all. No pace whatsoever. And leaving Manquillo out is criminal - I assume he wasn't badly injured against Wimbledon else he wouldn't be on the bench.
Sterling has been or is on a break in Jamainca, Rodgers wanted him to have a Christmas break to recharge. Anyway, what a disappointing team, 2-0 to Sunderland
all i know is this is bullshit really.... this says a) sunderland are **** we can send players on hols b) balotelli can never get a game (he is a sulker so well done) c) lambert can go to palace d) borini can get i nthe shopping window e) henderson can do whatever but gerrard is undroppable. its a bit mad and i for one admit that if he gets handed his head rodgers only has himself to blame
Not certain how this'll line up. If Gerrard's up top, we might have a chance. If he's in the middle with Lucas, we'll lose. I'm glad it's Borini over Balotelli though! At least he'll run and give space/options to Coutinho - he's got to score sometime soon!
