Liverpool vs Stoke (league, home)

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Last 2 league games plus De Bruyne's return from injury for City have probably killed any lingering hopes we had of making the CL via the league route. Even if we win, it's going to be too little too late, unless it's the start of an unlikely 8-game winning streak. The bigger game is next week's return leg against Dortmund.

Can is suspended after picking up his 10th yellow card (2 game suspension) while Henderson and Lucas are both out, so our CM ranks are depleted again. I think we should just rest a few of the guys and break a few of the young lads out again from their shrink wraps. I really hope Ibe can start rebuilding his confidence through this game.

Some weird team like this, giving the CBs time to bond again on the pitch, while giving Firmino and Sturridge some minutes to try and get goals and get themselves wamed up for the Dortmund game:

-------------------- Mignolet ----------------
Flanagan -- Lovren -- Sakho --- Smith
------------ Stewart** --- Allen -----------
--- Ibe ------------ Firmino ------ Teixeira
------------------- Sturridge ----------------

Subs: Ward, Skrtel, Moreno, Brannagan**, Coutinho, Ojo, Origi

 

[rurikbird]

Lucas is back in training. Is Stewart back as well?

 

[Best Believe It]

Lucas is back in training. Is Stewart back as well?

Stewart played for the reserves the other day I think - not sure whether he completed the full game.

 

[Judge Jules]

Flanno would presumably skipper that side again. In which case we'll be kicking Stoke as much as they kick us, which will make a refreshing change.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Flanno would presumably skipper that side again. In which case we'll be kicking Stoke as much as they kick us, which will make a refreshing change.

Ha! The odd thing is, Stoke actually has fewer yellows and reds this season in the league than us. I think Hughes has really tried to transform them this season into a side less reliant on brute force, but I think as we saw in the Capital One Cup game at Anfield, when the chips are down, they'll revert to the old school ways. I suppose some of our youngsters probably need to be kicked a bit anyway as part of their learning and development process, so kick away, mighty tiny Shaqiri, Bojan and Afellay (assuming they aren't injured).

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Stewart played for the reserves the other day I think - not sure whether he completed the full game.

Didn't see that game but according to what I can find in transfermarkt, he did.

 

[mark1975]

-------------------Ming----------------
Flanno---Lovren--Sakho---Clyne
----------Stewart---Allen------------
---Lallana----Firmino----Coutinho
----------------Sturridge-------------

 

[Judge Jules]

I'd be inclined to swap Flanno and Clyne over. I like Clyne, but on the admittedly limited evidence we've seen so far I reckon Flanno's looked a lot better than Clyne on the left.

 

[HC]

I'd be inclined to swap Flanno and Clyne over. I like Clyne, but on the admittedly limited evidence we've seen so far I reckon Flanno's looked a lot better than Clyne on the left.

Clyne has been the definition of solid this seasons bar a few blips in the past month , that's no mean feat and I think you've undersold him there.

I also think your overselling flanno based on sentiment and the fact he's handed a few players an absolute mullering since his return 😉 ( I know flanno offers a lot more than that)

 

[Judge Jules]

I agree with your overall description of Clyne, who I think was an excellent signing, but IMO it applies somewhat less when he's been on the left, where at times he's looked a bit uncertain to me. Flanno is a no-frills player whose all-round game probably isn't the equal of Clyne's, but for me he adapted more quickly and confidently to playing on the left and I now regard him as an option for either flank more or less equally.

 

[Modo]

--------------------------Ming

Clyne----Lovren-----------Sakho-------Moreno

---------------Stewart-----Allen

---------------------Firmino
Milner------------------------------Coutinho
-------------------Sturridge

 

[Hansern]

--------------------------Ming

Clyne----Lovren-----------Sakho-------Moreno

---------------Stewart-----Allen

---------------------Firmino
Milner------------------------------Coutinho
-------------------Sturridge

Yep, I'd start that team. Maybe give Moreno a rest and play Flanno there

 

[Modo]

Yep, I'd start that team. Maybe give Moreno a rest and play Flanno there

A Firmino, Sturridge and Coutinho combo might be able to create some magic.

 

[mark1975]

Is Milner available then? I read the first post and automatically assumed he wasn't. I'd still be inclined to rest him though. He looked knackered against Spurs but rejuvenated against Dortmund. We need his tireless work at it's best next week, especially with Henderson struggling.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Is Milner available then? I read the first post and automatically assumed he wasn't. I'd still be inclined to rest him though. He looked knackered against Spurs but rejuvenated against Dortmund. We need his tireless work at it's best next week, especially with Henderson struggling.

He is. I just think he needs to be rested after looking really tired against Spurs and running all game against Dortmund. I don't think the remaining league games are that important anymore as the CL is very likely out of reach - 1 point in the last 2 games basically killed the hopes. I'd rather we kept the guys we need for the EL games fresh and also give some youngsters the games they crave and deserve (if they deserve them). Some senior guys can still get games to enhance their familiarity in partnerships or to improve their confidence / match sharpness but a few of the seniors have played close to or well over 40 games at this stage so maybe it's good to ease the minutes a bit to keep them fresh for the games that matter.

 

[rurikbird]

Maybe something like this:

--------------------------Mignolet----------------------
Flanagan-------Lovren--------Sakho-------Smith
-------------------------Stewart-------------------------
-------------Brannagan---------Allen----------------
Sturridge-----------------------------------Teixeira--
-----------------------Firmino---------------------------

Subs: Ward, Skrtel, Clyne, Lucas, Milner, Lallana, Origi

 

[Gary25]

Definitely need to be playing Flanno, Ibe, Firmino, Sturridge here.

Rest a few for next Thurs.

 

[cloggypop]

Seriously weak midfield for this. I'm expecting us to get proper snotted. Hopefully not 6 this time.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Charlie Adam is available. If he starts or comes on as a sub, we should immediately withdraw the key players we need for the Dortmund game.

 

[Frogfish]

Dortmund is make or break for our season now. After that it's fight for an EL slot. With that in mind I'd be resting key players or players that expend a lot of energy, and giving others a 50-60 mins run out. I really want to see Ojo start a match too.

Dortmund have their massive derby match vs. Schalke so don't have that luxury and that lack of fatigue over 90 mins (or more) could give us the edge we need on Thursday.

-------------------Ming----------------
Randall---Skrtel---Toure---Flanno
----------Stewart---Allen*------------
--Ibe---------Firmino*-------Ojo
--------------Sturridge*-------------

* 50-60mins

Ward, Caulker (starts if Skrtel is unfit), Clyne, Lucas, Brannagan (for Allen),Teixeira (for Firmino), Origi (for Sturridge)

Stoke actually have 9 injuries though 6 of them due for possible consideration tomorrow. Butland definitely out though, so that's a big plus.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

From the Echo's summary of Klopp's press conference:

• Henderson’s injury serious - but he could play again this season and in the Euros
• Lucas and Stewart back, both played in a closed-doors game with Burnley

 

[Modo]

Then it's settled it'll be Lucas and Stewart in midfield.

 

[Glen C]

Then it's settled it'll be Lucas and Stewart in midfield.

More likely lucas, Allen and milner as the midfield 3.

 

[Esoteric]

--------------------------Ming

Clyne----Lovren-----------Sakho-------Moreno

---------------Stewart-----Allen

---------------------Firmino
Milner------------------------------Coutinho
-------------------Sturridge

I'd go with this, but would swap Moreno for Flanagan to add a bit of grit.



Sent using my Nokia 3210 using twitterbook.

 

[Hansern]

Lucas and Allen hasnt worked yet and probably wont against Stoke.

Stewart, Allen and Milner

 

[mark1975]

Lucas and Allen hasnt worked yet and probably wont against Stoke.

Stewart, Allen and Milner

Yeah, it's a pretty horrible partnership. I hope Stewart starts. That said, I don't personally think we should risk Milner.

 

[cloggypop]

We are going to get proper bummed. I should probably watch Spurs v Mancs instead really.

 

[Hansern]

We are going to get proper bummed. I should probably watch Spurs v Mancs instead really.

I think the fake Ibrahimovic is out. That might help us.

 

[Hansern]

Dortmund resting loads of players. A bit weird since they're playing Schalke (probably the biggest derby in Germany) and were 5 points off Bayern before this weekends game.

Lineup: Bürki - Ginter, Sokratis, Hummels, Durm - Leitner, Bender, Sahin - Pulisic, Ramos, Kagawa. #S04BVB FULL ROTATION

Doubt we'll rest as many.

 

[gkmacca]

Neither Stewart not Lucas is up to playing a whole game, so I'd play one in each half, hoping that Stewart's energy will be positive in the first half and Lucas's caution will suit the second half.