Line Up vs Villa

[Brizzle]

If Sturridge is ready to start, then Brendan has a bit of a selection problem.

I think we need to start all of the power 4 and that means either Lucas or Gerrard need to miss out.

--------------Mignolet---------------
Johnson--Skrtel--Sakho--Cissokho
---------------Lucas-------------------
----------Hendo--Coutinho----------
Sterling--------------------Suarez---
--------------Sturridge----------------

Suarez and Sturridge to float around, interchange etc with Coutinho to also drift out wide if required. I would play Lucas over Gerrard in this role as it is his bread and butter but I don't think Brendan will drop Gerrard so we will see Raheem drop out unfortunately.

---------------Mignolet--------------
Johnson--Skrtel--Sakho--Cissokho
----------------Gerrard
------------Lucas--Hendo
----------Suarez------Coutinho
----------------Sturridge

IMO, once we take out Raheem we will lose ALL width so he needs to start and I think we need to keep Coutinho playing as even when not on top form his interplay with Suarez and Sturridge is key.

 

[rurikbird]

I would actually consider resting Hendo for this game. He played too many games in a row over the Christmas period and doesn't look as sharp now.

And for the love of God, give a chance to Kelly at RB. I'm sick of Johnson being consistently our worst player for months now and still starting every single game.

---------Suarez---Sturridge-------
Coutinho-------------------Sterling
---------Lucas----Gerrard----------
Cissokho--Sakho--Skrtel--Kelly
--------------Mignolet---------------

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Same team as started against Stoke please.

 

[rurikbird]

Same team as started against Stoke please.

Even if Sakho is fit?

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Even if Sakho is fit?

IF he passes fitness test, then he should start. But as our squad is a bit thin, I don't want to rush Sakho & Sturridge ... We should be able to win without them if they're not 100% (though Studge can make another 20-25 minute cameo)

 

[Markeh]

I didn't watch the match last night but match reports have Villa playing wingbacks last night, is that correct?

--------------------------------- Guzan
--------------------- Vlaar --- Clark --- Baker
Lowton ------------------------------------------------------- Luna
-------------- El Ahmadi --- Delph --- Westwood
----------------------------- Agbonlahor
------------------------------- Benteke

Hull played with wingbacks too and they were one of the tougher opponents we've faced. I fear a difficult match but I'm equally hopeful that a returning Sturridge, either from the bench or starting, will give us far too much for Villa to handle and we'll spank them.

 

[Modo]

Villa will try to hit us on the counter, we need to be careful.

I'd start with the same team.

Edit I'd replace Touré with Sakho.

 

[Squiggles]

Agree with resting Henderson.

----------------------Mignolet--------------------
--Johnson----Skrtel------Toure-----Cissokho---
------------------Lucas-----Gerrard----------------
-----Sterling-------------------------------Coutinho
----------------Sturridge----Suarez----------

 

[Mystic]

Agree with resting Henderson.

----------------------Mignolet--------------------
--Johnson----Skrtel------Toure-----Cissokho---
------------------Lucas-----Gerrard----------------
-----Sterling-------------------------------Coutinho
----------------Sturridge----Suarez----------

Problem is that midfield is slow, and Villa are fast.
Definitely need to bring Sakho back into the team as well.

 

[SummerOnions]

coutinho doesn't track back enough and they play 5 a the back I could see him being dropped to the bench

Mig
Johnson Skrtel Sakho Cissokho
Sterling Gerrard Lucas Henderson
Sturridge Suarez

Obviously its interchangeable but I got the impression from Rodgers sub on Sunday that's how he would approach it.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

I think it will be:

--------------Mignolet--------------
Johnson--Skrtel--Sakho--Cissokho
----------------Gerrard----
------------Lucas--Henderson
----------Sterling------Suarez
----------------Sturridge

 

[Mystic]

coutinho doesn't track back enough and they play 5 a the back I could see him being dropped to the bench

Mig
Johnson Skrtel Sakho Cissokho
Sterling Gerrard Lucas Henderson
Sturridge Suarez

Obviously its interchangeable but I got the impression from Rodgers sub on Sunday that's how he would approach it.

Works for me, maybe Coutinho could use a rest.

 

[Leo]

Crucial game.
Spurs,Blueshite and Scum could all drop points this weekend so 3 points here is a must.

 

[Spaghetti Legs]

If Sturridge is ready to start, then Brendan has a bit of a selection problem.

I think we need to start all of the power 4 and that means either Lucas or Gerrard need to miss out.

--------------Mignolet---------------
Johnson--Skrtel--Sakho--Cissokho
---------------Lucas-------------------
----------Hendo--Coutinho----------
Sterling--------------------Suarez---
--------------Sturridge----------------

Suarez and Sturridge to float around, interchange etc with Coutinho to also drift out wide if required. I would play Lucas over Gerrard in this role as it is his bread and butter but I don't think Brendan will drop Gerrard so we will see Raheem drop out unfortunately.

---------------Mignolet--------------
Johnson--Skrtel--Sakho--Cissokho
----------------Gerrard
------------Lucas--Hendo
----------Suarez------Coutinho
----------------Sturridge

IMO, once we take out Raheem we will lose ALL width so he needs to start and I think we need to keep Coutinho playing as even when not on top form his interplay with Suarez and Sturridge is key.

We really won't, putting aside how shite our full backs are for a minute, do you see where they are positioned when we have the ball?

 

[Hansern]

Fuck it, I'd have Sterling as right back vs Villa

Ming
Sterling Skrtel Sakho Cissokho
Gerrard lucas
Hendo Coutinho
Sturridge Suarez

 

[Dreambeliever]

----------------------------Ming-----------------------------
Kelly---------Toure----------------Skrtel-----------GJ
------------------Henderson----Gerrard---------------
Sterling-------------------------------------------Suarez
----------------------------Coutinho----------------------
----------------------------Studge---------------------------

 

[StevieM]

Bearing in mind we have Bournemouth away in the cup next followed by the derby - I'd rest a couple against Villa & a couple against Bournemouth.

Same basic team against villa as started against Stoke.

Sturridge in for Suarez, Aspas or Moses in for Coutinho or Sterling & Kelly in for Johnson in the cup.

 

[gene hughes]

I think I'd be tempted to give Sturridge the first 60 minutes in place of Coutinho. Or rest Henderson and drop Coutinho to deep.

 

[Oncy]

Mignolet
Cissokho
Skrtel
Toure
Johnson
Lucas
Gerrard
Henderson
Sterling
Coutinho
Suarez.

 

[doctor_mac]

Mignolet
Cissokho
Skrtel
Toure
Johnson
Lucas
Gerrard
Henderson
Sterling
Coutinho
Suarez.

Sturridge?

 

[Mystic]

I think I'd be tempted to give Sturridge the first 60 minutes in place of Coutinho. Or rest Henderson and drop Coutinho to deep.

I'd also play him instead of Coutinho, Coutinho needs a rest, maybe he can start the cup game as a CAM, let him do some damage and up his confidence there.

 

[Hansern]

Onkys team is the one we should go for as Studge need a bit more time before starting.
Lets build his fitness up and take it slow so he doesnt get injured again. Great option to come off the bench around the 60th minute.
Then he'll start in the FA cup game.

 

[Oncy]

Sturridge?

Bench.
Last 20.
Back in the cup game.

 

[Hansern]

But Sakho for Toure obviously!

 

[Ryan]

----------------------------Ming-----------------------------
Kelly---------Toure----------------Skrtel-----------GJ
------------------Henderson----Gerrard---------------
Sterling-------------------------------------------Suarez
----------------------------Coutinho----------------------
----------------------------Studge---------------------------

Lucas Leiva.

Owner of the' most interceptions won' title in the entire fucking league, the best pass completion rate in our side, and we're coming up against a side that sets up to counter attack dicked us doing exactly that last year at Anfield. And you don't have him in your side.

I actually think some of you believe the ball just magic's it's way out of thin fucking air and ends up in our possession and at Suarez's feet.

Truly remarkable.

 

[Whirly]

Benteke is going to have a field day if Sakho isn't fit to start...

 

[Modo]

Benteke is going to have a field day if Sakho isn't fit to start...

yep

 

[Whirly]

yep

I can see Benteke dragging Skrtel around the penalty area, while Skrtel clings on for dear life, and then hurdling over Kolo to win a free header and score.

 

[Modo]

Cant let them have the ball.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Cant let them have the ball.

Considering our tactic seems to be to let players have shots from distance & concede possession until that happens. Then we can get the ball up to the attack in order to simply outscore teams I think they'll see a fair bit of it.