Bournemouth V Liverpool

[Frogfish]

------------------ Ming ----------
Kelly --- Skrtel -- Sakho -- Smith
------------------ Allen
----- Henderson --- Alberto
Ibe ----------- Aspas -------- Moses

Bench : Jones, Skrtel, Sturridge, Rossiter, Gerrard, Sterling, Sinclair.

Ming needs a good game for confidence
Sakho needs some minutes for match fitness (Toure & Sakho to start vs EFC)
Aspas is probably much better in his prefered position than out wide right.
Henderson only starts because he's a Duracell rabbit and we look a little light-weight there is we start Rossiter in his place.
With 10 players out on loan and 5 on the injury list our squad is looking more than a little light !
The rest should be more than good enough for this match !

Absolutely no doubt in my mind that we should not be chancing Suarez, Gerrard, Sterling, Sturridge or Countinho from the start, last 20 mins if at all and then only if desperately required (injuries or not winning).

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

The team has close to zero goals in it, we'd lose.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Aspas is good enough to provide a threat against these. I think playing will do Sturridge good though tbh.

 

[gkmacca]

Strongest side. We're not in Europe, we don't need a rest, we need to stop throwing away games in cup tournaments.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

Strongest side. We're not in Europe, we don't need a rest, we need to stop throwing away games in cup tournaments.

not in europe but we want to be in Europe next season so we should keep it balanced giving chances to others

 

[Pesam]

not in europe but we want to be in Europe next season so we should keep it balanced giving chances to others

It's easy to make a case for Brad Smith starting ahead of Cissokho but apart from that I don't think Bournemouth away is a job for kids. That said, if we're 2 up by half time or with 30 minutes to go then we should give Ibe a chance to show us what he can do.

 

[gkmacca]

not in europe but we want to be in Europe next season so we should keep it balanced giving chances to others

We need to win games and win trophies, full stop, and you do that being professional and ruthless, not constantly faffing about with a side that's already unsettled in some areas. If players aren't ready for league games they're probably not ready for cup games. Look at our tack record in cups during the last two seasons - hardly encouragement for playing weakened teams, is it?

 

[gkmacca]

It's easy to make a case for Brad Smith starting ahead of Cissokho but apart from that I don't think Bournemouth away is a job for kids. That said, if we're 2 up by half time or with 30 minutes to go then we should give Ibe a chance to show us what he can do.

Exactly: start strong, then bring on three young players if the job is done - not the other way round.

 

[StevieM]

I agree with Macca - although I'm all for giving Suarez a rest for Sturridge & giving Kelly a run at RB.

Sakho back in as well - if he's fit.

The rest - full strength, until we secure the game, then give smith. & Ibe a run out.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

Start strong and then get frustrated because we cant score because they are at home. Starting strong side doesnt mean we are going to score and win. It is about the starting 11 giving 100% and not underestimating them just because we are Shankly's spirits. I am saying that we should keep some surprise element on the bench if things are going wrong, and for me it is equally important that we should give some minutes to other players. I am telling you we need strong defence and a technical midfield to keep the ball and frustrate them to hell.
So Allen, Alberto and Coutinho is still a decent midfield.
I never commented about young defence because that is the most imp aspect of the game that we cant experiment in an away match. Front three is Aspas, Sterling, Moses/Ibe...that should give us something

 

[Pesam]

Unfortunately for us Bournemouth's most dangerous player is the right winger Ritchie who also takes most set pieces. No doubt he is relishing being "marked" by Cissokho.

 

[Brizzle]

I'd like to get players who are returning from injury playing, pref from the start but if not, as significant substitues. E.g. Flanno, Allen and Sakho.

Will Lucas be fit? I haven't seen reports of his injury from last game?


----------------Jones-----------------
Johnson--Skrtel--Sakho--Flanagan
----------------Lucas------------------
-----------Allen----Hendo------------
Sterling-----------------------Suarez
---------------Sturridge---------------

Another game to get the front 3 playing in unison. Sturridge needs this for sharpness and Suarez can come off at half time for Aspas or Moses. Sterling could maybe make way for Moses. and I would like to see Alberto but would prefer to get that midfield trio (our optimal trio, sorry Stevie) starting together.

 

[Frogfish]

Well I'm obviously in the minority in this thread but I'll stick to my guns.

Of course we want to win games & trophies but if we want that to stop with the FAC and LC and to hell with the CL and PL then sure, go ahead and play your best players, let's tire them out or better still get them injured (I remember this argument just before the game Agger was injured in, when I said the same thing) then when we fail to make the Top 4 and regain CL football, Suarez leaves and most other top players won't want to come to Anfield .. as has happened in the past few seasons.

I'm looking at the next few seasons, when a stronger squad (having evolved from making the CL this season, that being the catalyst for real squad strengthening) will have us playing in the CL, challenging for the PL, FAC and LC. Or alternatively of course just play your strongest team every match and to hell with the the CL.

 

[Frogfish]

The team has close to zero goals in it, we'd lose.

Zero goals ? Seriously ? Virtually every one of those players could score against non-PL opposition ..... I don't want to underestimate Bournemouth after Pesam's warning .. but there is a reason they are 16th in the Championship with a home record of 5-3-5 (only 1 win in their last 7 home league matches, against Yeovil who are next to bottom), whilst every one of those players below have played in our 1st team (or been on the bench in the case of the two youngsters), they should be good enough.

Kelly --- Skrtel -- Sakho -- Smith
------------------ Allen
----- Henderson --- Alberto
Ibe ----------- Aspas -------- Moses

 

[gkmacca]

Like the teams last season should have been good enough in the two cup competitions we were sent packing from. We need to lose the old arrogance of bygone years. We haven't earnt it these days. We're not that good. Wait until we've won the league a couple of times before we start to treat these games with such contempt. Until then we need to have a bit of humility, learn from past mistakes and get the job done.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Zero goals ? Seriously ? Virtually every one of those players could score against non-PL opposition ..... I don't want to underestimate Bournemouth after Pesam's warning .. but there is a reason they are 16th in the Championship with a home record of 5-3-5 (only 1 win in their last 7 home league matches, against Yeovil who are next to bottom), whilst every one of those players below have played in our 1st team (or been on the bench in the case of the two youngsters), they should be good enough.

Kelly --- Skrtel -- Sakho -- Smith
------------------ Allen
----- Henderson --- Alberto
Ibe ----------- Aspas -------- Moses

I wish they were, and its possible some of them could be. But from what we've seen of them so far theyll struggle. I know you dont care about the cups, but for me we should try and build a winning mentality and that should extend to all games.

Rest Gerrard and maybe Suarez and we should win this easy.

 

[Frogfish]

Like the teams last season should have been good enough in the two cup competitions we were sent packing from. We need to lose the old arrogance of bygone years. We haven't earnt it these days. We're not that good. Wait until we've won the league a couple of times before we start to treat these games with such contempt. Until then we need to have a bit of humility, learn from past mistakes and get the job done.

It isn't arrogance Macca. I value that CL 4th spot beyond winning the FAC or LC because of the massive effect it will have on the club. Winning the FAC won't do that and IMHO we should be resting our top players instead of gambling with their fitness and availability to face Everton. Beat Bournemouth at the risk of losing to Everton ? No contest. If we can win both without risk to our stars - even better. We won't be winning the league a couple of times for the next decade at least if we don't qualify for the CL and retain Suarez.

 

[Fallon]

Mignolet

Johnson
Skrtel
Sakho
Smith

Allen
Henderson
Sterling

Coutinho
Aspas
Sturridge

I'd be tempted on Kolo, but Sakho needs minutes with his most likely partner, otherwise Suarez and Gerrard rested, along with the liability dropped.

 

[SummerOnions]

The bench will be interesting, hopefully Rossiter can get some minutes

Jones (If we have a makeshift defence it might not give good confidence before the derby to Mig)
Kelly Skrtel Sakho Smith
Allen Alberto
Ibe Coutinho Moses
Aspas

Bench: keeper, Kolo, Cissokho, Rossiter, Brannagan, Sturridge, Flanagan (give him enough of a run out for fitness)

 

[gkmacca]

I won't keep on about it, but when fatigue isn't an issue, selections should be down to merit. Take the keeper: I dare say about 90% of people on here don't rate him as a keeper, and yet whenever a cup game comes up it's always '1. Jones...' It's like ordinary reason goes out the window. And of course when we have humiliating defeats with much-changed teams there's no 'Oh well, we did urge that kind of team,' no, there's days of angst and ranting. It's like watching heavily bandaged toddlers totter towards a pan of boiling water, yet again, with a great big grin on their faces.

 

[Mersey86]

Hopefully the bandages will prevent us getting hurt as much this time.

 

[SummerOnions]

I won't keep on about it, but when fatigue isn't an issue, selections should be down to merit. Take the keeper: I dare say about 90% of people on here don't rate him as a keeper, and yet whenever a cup game comes up it's always '1. Jones...' It's like ordinary reason goes out the window. And of course when we have humiliating defeats with much-changed teams there's no 'Oh well, we did urge that kind of team,' no, there's days of angst and ranting. It's like watching heavily bandaged toddlers totter towards a pan of boiling water, yet again, with a great big grin on their faces.

Aye I get your point but A: if Mignolet gets injured Jones will be playing and it's good for him to maintain match fitness/experience

And with Mignolets confidence seemingly shaky a chance of a fuck up right before the derby when we'll need him to be at his mentally strongest isn't a good idea imo

 

[Fabio]

Aye I get your point but A: if Mignolet gets injured Jones will be playing and it's good for him to maintain match fitness/experience

And with Mignolets confidence seemingly shaky a chance of a fuck up right before the derby when we'll need him to be at his mentally strongest isn't a good idea imo

1 match every month is not keeping him match fit.

I'd rather play Mignolet in the line up as he needs the confidence

 

[red_maradona]

Mignolet needs to be dropped - the kick up the ass that he needs. I would love Ibe and Rossiter to feature.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

Like the teams last season should have been good enough in the two cup competitions we were sent packing from. We need to lose the old arrogance of bygone years. We haven't earnt it these days. We're not that good. Wait until we've won the league a couple of times before we start to treat these games with such contempt. Until then we need to have a bit of humility, learn from past mistakes and get the job done.

as I had said in the last game also, I dont give a fuck about FA cup because we have Suarez this season and this is our best chance to get to top 4 and teams around us are screwing up big time. FA cup can be won next season also or in next 10 seasons also. With such a thin squad, my preference will be always EPL, to get top 4 and build up a brilliant squad from there on by actually getting some good signings.

 

[gkmacca]

If you think this squad can't stretch to one game a week, more or less full strength, forget about the top four.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

I am worried about injury more than fatigue, specially when Agger got injured in the last game. Just imagine one of the CM getting injured when Lucas is already injured

 

[Mystic]

If you think this squad can't stretch to one game a week, more or less full strength, forget about the top four.

We play Everton 3 days after, that why people are eager to rest them on Saturday.

 

[Hansern]

No way we should play a full strenght team with only two days rest before arguably the biggest game of the season so far.

Ming
Kelly Toure Sakho Smith
Allen Hendo
Aspas Coutinho Moses
Sturridge

 

[StevieM]

And if we loose to Bournemouth, even if is is a team filled with fringe players - is that going to fill the squad with confidence and a sense of purpose for the Derby.

Winning encouraged winning.

Look at City FFS - 6-0 from the first leg against West fucking Ham - did that stop them playing Negredo & Aguero up front.

Suarez should be rested & Sturridge should start. Someone other than Johnson should be at RB, but apart from that - everyone that's fit and ready should be starting.

If Henderson, Allen & Gerrard are to be our regular midfield for he next 6 weeks, the sooner they start playing together the better.