It's a bit nippy out at the moment, so that makes him doubtful for the game (same goes for Ledders as well...)
Well the weather forecast looks fine for the game, so that's good, as I wouldn't want a postponement.
Didn't we have a game against them called off 2 years ago? As I remember it was one of the first to be called off despite being on a Sunday(?) and they had the cheek to sell tickets for their stadium tour instead. Essentially it was called off because it didn't suit them/
Yeah, it was called off because of dodgy conditions around the stadium, YV. The stadium tours seemed to go ahead though, as you've suggested. Minor injuries to Torres, Gerrard and Benayoun had absolutely nothing to do with it...
I reckon this'll be a tough game - Liverpool will be buoyed by the return of Suarez (despite the fact I don't think he'll walk straight back into the starting XI). I hope Liverpool don't start Bellamy as he's been in fine form of late! Tottenham have the squad to beat Liverpool and we have a decent record at Anfield over the last few years so here's hoping we can Lennon back fit to stretch their defence on both sides and that we can come away with a win!
Tough one to call. Unbeaten at home at this stage of the season speaks of Liverpool's resolve, but so many draws at home speaks of it not generally lasting for 90-odd minutes. Saying that, there is not much between us over the last 10 games. If we play like we did against City, I can't see them living with us. But Anfield will be rocking (always prefer to play them there on a Saturay afternoon) and a win is going to be a tall order. A positive result for us puts us 3 points behind ManUSA and right back into the fight; A win for Liverpool also puts them in a great position to go for fourth, on present form they and Toon look like the ones to watch. I reckon 1-2 but it will be hard-earned.
Defoe and Adebayor are 'doubts' and lennon is struggling....Saha may be starting sooner then expected!
Hopefully we don't cobble together a team designed to win to get a point with the various players ruled out, as that's guaranteed to make things tougher on us by handing over the initiative, especially if we play VDV or Sandro as a right winger. Kranjcar on the right makes a lot of sense (not least because he played there in the 4-0 win), with Dos Santos coming on to stretch them late in the game.
I see no confirmation from Spurs that Ade is a 'doubt', so I expect him to start. The weather forecast looks fine, so I don't expect a postponement. To me it looks like Friedel; Walker Kaboul King BAE; Sandro Parker; Modric, VDV Bale; Ade With the exception of Lennon, that's arguably our best XI, and it's quite likely I would advocate that team, even if Lennon was fit. Still can't make up my mind on what's our 'best XI', somtimes I think the above, sometimes I think nah Lennon for Sandro.
In the return game we had: Friedel; Walker Kaboul King BAE; Krancjar Parker Modric Bale; Ade Defoe Switch Defoe for VdV and possibly that'll be the starting XI (i.e. Krancjar instead of Sandro)
That's not good. His power and aerial dominance would be important to keeping out Carroll and clearing crosses from the wingers. I know that Pool's wingers and Carroll have hardly excelled, but they do create opportunities for him so we need the personnel to nullify that. Looks like King + Dawson/Gallas/Nelson then. None of them are particularly fast so here's hoping Bellamy is benched. If Spurs play a high line (which they normally do), then Bellamy can exploit that, especially since our fastest defender is the one with the chronic knee problems! I believed that Spurs would beat Liverpool and predicted 1-3 Spurs. I still maintain that. Liverpool might have an unbeaten home record, but they haven't been prolific or strong. It is really papering over the cracks. Only 19 from 33 points. 11 of 20 teams (top 10 + Fulham) have accumulated 19 points or more, so the fact that they are one of two teams (along with City) to have an unbeaten home record is actually meaningless. The top 6 all have significantly better home records (23+ points). Should be an entertaining game. If Spurs play a high line, I believe it will be important to play Parker and Sandro in order to dominate the midfield and to prevent their midfield from feeding balls into Bellamy (assuming he plays). Hopefully Bale and/or Lennon (if he does play) can exploit Johnson who is weak as a cright back. An away win at Liverpool for Spurs would allow us the comfort of being able to drop points at Arsenal / Chelsea and not have it be too disastrous. COYS
Do you reckon Carroll will play, given Suarez is available? I hope so, as Dawson will be able to take care of him no trouble. He might struggle against Suarez though?
****. Kaboul's been our best defender this season. I wonder how the game against Wigan damaged his knee? I can't remember him clashing with anyone.
Ahh, I was thinking that Suarez would come in place of Bellamy rather than Carroll. Dawson would win a lot of aerial battles with Carroll I expect. Suarez will be a handful for any defender. King will have to stay on him every time he ventures near the penalty area, since he is so good at tackling and preventing people from getting past him. They have 3 very different forwards in Suarez, Carroll and Bellamy so it will be difficult to know which back pairing would be best to nullify the threat.
It's worrying because the swelling around the knee hasn't gone down properly. Is what King's got with his knees contagious?
Kaboul out is a massive blow, I think that will tip the game in Liverpool's favour. Just hope YK is back for the Toon game. We'll need him against Ba and Cisse.
With that, Liverpool become favourites for me If you offered me a draw right now I'd take it hands down I think. At least yesterday's result has taken some of the pressure off this match.
