Southampton (a) pre-match

[rurikbird]

One of the biggest games of the season, I think. Only a win will keep us realistically in the hunt for top 4.

For starting 11, I would make a few changes. One, Coutinho needs a rest. I would rest him in Istambul too and unleash him on Man City. Two, Balotelli seems to be our most in-form striker at the moment, why not give him a start alongside Sturridge? Three, Sterling is back. Four, Allen's recent revival in form seems to be only good enough for Palace, he was no more than mediocre against Besiktas and I'm not sure how he will cope with Southampton's midfield away from home. Five, Lovren seems to be ideally set up for a proper comeback against his former team, after 3 solid substitute appearances at RCB with no issues.

Other issues to consider are whether Ibe can rest and recover in time for Sunday – if not we have Markovic fresh and ready to go. Also whether Lallana would feel too emotional playing against his boyhood club and whether it would help or hinder his performance.

With all that said:

(3-4-1-2)
-----------Mignolet-----------
--Lovren--Skrtel--Sakho--
Ibe-------------------Moreno
--------Hendo--Can---------
------------Sterling-----------
-------Sturridge--Mario----

Lallana, Markovic and possibly Allen to come on as subs.

 

[leftpeg]

I'm not sure this is the game to be messing with a formula that has worked so well in recent weeks.

 

[red_maradona]

I'm very worried about the strength and power of their midfield. Allen will get overrun. I would like to the Can step in the middle and provide some authority and power. Coutinho needs a break.

Ming

Lovren
Skrtel
Sakho

Ibe
Moreno

Can
Hendo
Lallana
Sterling

Sturridge

 

[rurikbird]

I think the "formula" is showing clear signs of fatigue in the recent few games. It was working well when Lucas was in midfield and Coutinho was at the peak of his form. Now we need to find another solution. Thanks god for Ibe, he has been carrying us from Everton onwards. Balotelli's cameos also helped to transform some draws into wins.

 

[doctor_mac]

When will Lucas be back? Remember the days when he was unbreakable? Back when a lot of fans wanted him to break?

 

[Athens]

When will Lucas be back? Remember the days when he was unbreakable? Back when a lot of fans wanted him to break?

It seems you can only have either a shit, unbreakable Lucas, or a good but susceptible to injuries Lucas.

You can't have a good and unbreakable Lucas.

 

[Frogfish]

I don't think this is a 'must-win' game, but it is a 'must not lose' game. With Arsenal odds-on for 3rd with their easier fixture list we can not afford to go 7 points behind Southampton. Obviously I'd take a win but I'd also be happy with a draw. That said Southampton may still be with Schneiderlin and with their strike force looking tired and off form there may not be a better time to face them away than now.

Out : Jones, Gerrard, Lucas, Enrique, Flanagan.

---------------------Mignolet-----------

-----Lovren ------- Skrtel ------- Sakho

Ibe --------- Hendo ----- Allen ----- Moreno

Markovic ------- Sturridge ------ Sterling
(or Lallana) (happy with either)

Just hope BR doesn't try to use the squaddies for this one. However there is a big decision awaiting us on Can. Was that abysmal performance vs. Besiktas a one off ? Or is he showing signs of tiredness, mental fatigue ? If so then Lovren or Toure needs to replace him, only BR will know this from the training pitch.

Southampton
M Schneiderlin Groin Strain 22nd Feb
M Targett Concussion 22nd Feb
L Isgrove Knock no return date
S Long Fractured Ribs 22nd Feb
E Mayuka Groin Strain June
T Alderweireld Hamstring Injury 28th Feb
S Gallagher Knee Injury no return date
J Rodriguez ACL Knee Injury no return date

 

[Buddha]

I do hope Schneiderlin is out.

 

[Portly]

I would favour playing Balotelli alongside Sturridge. Rodgers persisted with playing Balotelli on his own at the start of the season and refused to acknowledge that it wasn't working. However, in his two recent appearances as sub, Balotelli has looked very sharp. He is a class player and we just need to work out how to get the best out of him.

 

[rurikbird]

I do think it's a must-win. Yes, we would not lose mathematical chances of qualifying if we draw, not even close, but we would have to hope that no less than 3 teams in front of us implode and start losing points. Whereas if we win, we'll have cut down the deficit to Saints to one point (practically 2 points with their superior goal difference) and with our better squad depth I'm sure we'll edge in front of them at some point. Same goes for Spurs who are currently ahead of us by 1 point. So in this case we will only need to concentrate on making up the ground vs United, who coincidentally do look like they might start losing points at any time. That's a realistic scenario for us to get 4th. Anything else I feel involves too much wishful thinking.

 

[peterhague]

Sooner or later we're going to pay for picking the same fucking eleven 2 games a week. I think Rodgers is going to cost us the chance to finish top 4.

 

[Mystic]

Sooner or later we're going to pay for picking the same fucking eleven 2 games a week. I think Rodgers is going to cost us the chance to finish top 4.

Just like it costs Chelsea?

 

[peterhague]

Just like it costs Chelsea?

They're out of the cup - having rested a shitload of players, mind you.

The CL doesn't require you to play once a week like the EL, either.

They have a big lead in the league - they can afford a few risks. We can afford precisely none.


Finally, even if it were the case that their example was absolutely equivalent, Mourinho is well-known for completely hammering his teams to squeeze every ounce of achievement out of them, and tends to leave them physically ruined after a couple of seasons. Which isn't something we can really afford to do in the long term, even if it did produce results in the short term.

 

[Frogfish]

I think we should hammer Stevie, Borini, Lambert and possibly Lucas and Balotelli then.

 

[tony]

I would favour playing Balotelli alongside Sturridge. Rodgers persisted with playing Balotelli on his own at the start of the season and refused to acknowledge that it wasn't working. However, in his two recent appearances as sub, Balotelli has looked very sharp. He is a class player and we just need to work out how to get the best out of him.

Agreed and add a somewhat different attitude as well and he looks like the player we thought we were signing. It was very noticeable how much more he was engaged defencively in these recent sub appearances, credit to Rodgers if he has turned him around. I hope he starts.

 

[SummerOnions]

Balotelli to come on and set up the winner again

 

[SummerOnions]

We look much better 2 up top though. And sterling is back

 

[Frogfish]

Even Merson is tipping us now ! Is that good or bad ? I forget.

Southampton have got a few injuries and, with Liverpool on a bit of a roll at the moment, Brendan Rodgers’ side can take advantage with a victory that will blow the race for the top four wide open. With Manchester United struggling, I really believe Rodgers can guide Liverpool into the top four and reach the Champions League again. On the other hand, if Southampton can win this they will have a huge chance of finishing the season in the top four, but for me they are not as fluent as they were at the start of the season. The goals have dried up a bit and they’ve picked up injuries to some key players. Liverpool are flying and I see them picking up a vital win. PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

I'd keep Balotelli as an impact sub for now. Still don't trust him to be focused and committed right from the start. I'd rather throw him on after half time and let him run at more tired defenders.

I'll go with this:

-------------- Mignolet ----------------
---- Can ----- Skrtel ----- Sakho ---
Ibe --- Hendo ---- Allen --- Moreno
----- Lallana ---------- Sterling -----
-------------- Sturridge ---------------

subs: Ward, Lovren, Manquillo, Coutinho, Markovic, Lambert, Balotelli

 

[Fallon]

I don't think this is a 'must-win' game, but it is a 'must not lose' game. With Arsenal odds-on for 3rd with their easier fixture list we can not afford to go 7 points behind Southampton. Obviously I'd take a win but I'd also be happy with a draw.

Given we've gained one point on them in the last 6, I would say that this certainly is a must win. If we don't gain 3 on them here we may not get the chance again before the end of the season.

 

[Frogfish]

Given we've gained one point on them in the last 6, I would say that this certainly is a must win. If we don't gain 3 on them here we may not get the chance again before the end of the season.

Southampton are starting to feel the pressure .. win or draw and we'll still overhaul them.

 

[localny]

2-0 to us. My prediction.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

2-0 to us. My prediction.

Why so pessimistic? 3-0, Sturridge with the brace.

 

[Frogfish]

Since our last defeat :

 

[Frogfish]

LFC are on their longest run of PL away clean sheets in 1 season since March 2002. If they keep one today it'll be longest run since 1985!

Only Bayern Munich (6) from the big 5 Euro leagues have had a longer run of away clean sheets than Liverpool currently have (4) this season

Southampton have only conceded 17 league goals so far this season. No team has conceded as few at this stage of the season since 2008/09.

Southampton have won 13 of the 14 games where they have scored first this season (and drawn the other 1) which is the best record in the PL.

Southampton complete just 5.2 dribbles per game, the fewest of all 98 teams in Europe's big five leagues. Raheem Sterling averages 3.1

Today's is LFC's 42nd game of 2014/15; they played 43 in 2013/14. Sterling, Sakho & Coutinho have already played more mins than last season.

 

[Hansern]

After Uniteds loss yesterday I'm nervous about this game. A win would be so important if we're going to get 4th.

Soton will look a bit different with Schneiderlin and Wanyama back. Will be a good game I think. Fingers crossed for 3 points.

 

[Frogfish]

After Uniteds loss yesterday I'm nervous about this game. A win would be so important if we're going to get 4th.

Soton will look a bit different with Schneiderlin and Wanyama back. Will be a good game I think. Fingers crossed for 3 points.

IF Schneiderlin is back (and IF Koeman throws him straight back in after a spell out with hammy strain issues), good that Alderweireld is still out too.

 

[doctor_mac]

I am a bit concerned about the amount of pundits predicting us to win 'by the odd goal'.

 

[Frogfish]

I am a bit concerned about the amount of pundits predicting us to win 'by the odd goal'.

Known fact. Consensus from a basket of pundits = truth.

 

[doctor_mac]

Known fact. Consensus from a basket of pundits = truth.

Lawro has predicted we'll lose 'by the odd goal'. Carl 'Foggy' Fogarty has predicted we'll win 'by the odd goal'.