So, its cup time. We have an interesting fixture this week as Brendan Rodgers takes on Swansea for the first time since leaving them to become Liverpool manager. It will be interesting to see what team Rodgers puts out. Will he rotate or go strong? Will he pick a strong team out of determination to defeat his old club? Or will he keep his priorities on the League games? One thing I know for sure is that he will show Swansea respect. Personally I'd go for some rotation in a mixed strength side. Reina may come in for Jones. -------------------Reina----------------- --Johnson--Carragher--Coates--Robinson-- ----------------Henderson---------------- ----------Shelvey--------Allen------------ -----Downing----------------Assaidi------- -------------------Yesil------------------- Subs: Jones, Skrtel, Sahin, Gerrard, Suso, Pacheco, Suarez. I think this is a good game to experiment with the front three. Assaidi was impressive on Thursday and I dont know why he has played so little in the league. I can see Suarez starting ahead of Yesil.
This will be a difficult game and I think that Rodgers will play a fairly strong side. -------------------Reina----------------- ---Wisdom---Skrtel---Coates---Robinson-- -------------------Allen---------------- ----------Gerrard--------Sahin------------ -----Downing----------------Assaidi------- ------------------Suarez-------------------
Bit worried about Assaidi getting a start actually...our right back Rangel is suspended because of a ridiculous decision in the Man City game. Whoever starts for you on the left will most likely be up against either Jazz Richards (young and inexperienced), Alan Tate (too slow and suspect positionally, but committed) or someone playing out of position. If it was the league I think Lauds would go with Chico at RB and the experienced Monk in the centre....might want to rest Chico though. Personally I hope he goes as strong as possible in this one and rests a few against Chelsea, as it's less likely we will get a result in that one whereas (if you play your reserves/kids) we have a good chance of getting to a quarter final.....if we got a bit of luck and ended up in a cup final it would be a big deal for us and a money spinner.
This for the most part but can see Shelvey in for Sahin or Gerrard, Carra in, and Possibly Morgan, Yesil, or Pacheco in for Suarez like we had at WBA>.
Yeah, good young player as well. He's from Swansea and is a lot like Joe Allen in style (not in his league yet though...and let's face it, is unlikely to ever be). He played some games in midfield for us in the Championship and the cups and did well, earning his place in the Welsh squad (was part of an excellent Wales U-21s team also)... but, has ended up having to be a utility player for us...he has covered both full-back positions for us. For some reason he gives me the heebie geebies at right back, although most Jacks think he did well when Rangel was out for 4-6 weeks last season. From what I've seen of Assaidi, Jazz would seriously struggle....but being a local boy will give everything and might surprise me.
Did you even see it? Rangel kicks it past the defender into the box and gets body checked...the commentators even said it was the wrong decision.
Can't remember to be honest, don't think so....he should! Might raise his profile, we might sell a few more shirts to impressionable young kids
-----------------------Reina--------------------- ---Flanagan---Carragher---Coates---Downing -------------------Henderson---------------- ------------Shelvey---------Cole------------ ------Suso-----------------------Assaidi------- ---------------------Morgan------------------- Bench Jones-Robinson-Agger-Wilson-Sahin-Suarez-Gerrard PLenty of cover available on the bench, experience and game changers. A chance for the bit-parters to show some what they can do for the team...
I don't think we can take chances with what will be a full strength Swansea team, we need to be at nearly full strength ourselves if we are to beat them.
Swansea are the type of team that I would be happy for us to test our youngsters against. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they coped against a physically imposing West Brom side (though they weren't full strength)
I reckon there will be changes. Here's my team Reina Wisdom Carragher Coates Enrique Henderson Shelvey Suso Assaidi Suarez Downing
Its ****ing Swansea not Chelsea. Were given mediocre, small teams like this far too much respect this season. Small club mentality is creeping in. Their not playing as good as last season and have lost a couple of their better players and another 2 of their best players are out injured. Were at home. We'll play our kids and ressies and we'll beat them. And if people inside the club and outside the club aren't thinking like this then I'm worried about our club. We should all be confident in thinking this is a home banker. Wheres the ruthlessness gone that we used to have?
I disagree, unless we take them seriously then we could get turned over. With Vorm, Williams and Rangel out it does give us even more of an advantage. If you look at my team it is still giving squad players a game Coates Robinson Wisdom Assaidi and Downing are all in there. If we play too many youngsters we may lose and personally while we are in this cup I want to win it. Your small club mentality quote is just crap!
I'd expect a youthful squad. He put a youthful team out against WBA (who are arguably as good if not better than swansea) so I don't think he would have a qualms about sticking a strong team out tomorrow night. I would expect Brad Jones to retain his place in goal, I wouldn't risk Reina pulling his hamstring again in a League Cup tie.
I wish people wouldn't refer to the second string as a youthful side. It isn't just youngsters and the average age of the team won't be that much different to the first team. The likes of Carragher, Coates, Henderson, Assaidi, etc are seasoned professionals. Others such as Shelvey, Sahin, Suso, etc aren't exactly from the youth team either are they...?
With Newcastle on the weekend I would play a 2nd string type side, I would much prefer the 3 points against Newkie. Our young players and carra, downing, types have shown they can play up to the standards ( WBA, Young Boys) so can see that given a go. Unfortunately but fortunately we will see Assaidi in this game. But I would love to see him on the weekend. Just a joy to watch.
I was under the impression that every player at Liverpool FC was a good player otherwise they wouldn't be a Liverpool player to start with.
