Sunderland (A)

[Frogfish]

Can Benteke be trusted to start games, particularly away ones?

------------------Ming---------------------
Clyne----Lovren----Sakho---Moreno
-------------------Can--------------------
-------Henderson---Teixeira-----------
----Ibe---------Firmino-------Coutinho

I don't think it's a case of home or away, more whether we will dominate possession or not. There's a good chance we will against Sunderland and if that's the case then having a bona fide goalscorer in the box should help us.

 

[Mamma Mia]

They are NOT big numbers when taken in relation to any one team. It only needs us to gain 5 points more in the 2nd half of the season than the 1st (after Sunderland) and, for example, Leicester to gain 5 points less in the 2nd than the 1st, to see us finish above them. Both likely scenarios when everything is taken into consideration. That's highly unlikely to happen for all of the current Top 4 teams but for us to finish in the Top 4 is not unlikely at all. I also say it is more likely Liverpool will improve in the 2nd half of the season than Palace, United or Watford.

I have a feeling we are going to finish the season stronger than anyone else.

 

[rurikbird]

I don't think it's a case of home or away, more whether we will dominate possession or not. There's a good chance we will against Sunderland and if that's the case then having a bona fide goalscorer in the box should help us.

Exactly. Also when he was at Villa, Benteke scored roughly equal number of goals home and away.

 

[Frogfish]

I have a feeling we are going to finish the season stronger than anyone else.

Yep, me too. Klopp effect, players returning from injury, superb 2H schedule and maybe a player or two in January. It could be a very exciting end to the season if we can stay in contention in all competitions long enough.

 

[Hansern]

Allardyce saying that they'll approach the game like Newcastle did when they beat us 2-0.
If it pans out in similar fashion, lets hope we've learned a thing or two.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

They are going to play direct, route one roughhouse tactics against us. You just know it's gonna come ala Fat Sam style.

Let's hope we'll be ready.

 

[Buddha]

They have a recent habit of conceding early goals (though we do too somewhat). If we can blitz them early and get in front the crowd will turn.

 

[mark1975]

Exactly. Also when he was at Villa, Benteke scored roughly equal number of goals home and away.

But they played one way, to his strengths. We generally don't, we want to play a high pressing game with fluidity, and he struggles to adapt/contribute to that at times.

 

[Dreambeliever]

A blind pig still finds an acorn occasionally.
🙂

Indeed

 

[Jack D Rips]

Benteke has scored 5 times against Sunderland. His best record against any premiership side apparently.

Only saying.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I have a feeling we are going to finish the season stronger than anyone else.

Makes sense, even without Klopp you'd have to have bet on that, Rodgers sides always started the season poorly but had an excellent second half to the season.

 

[mom]

I think we will sneak a win. 1-2

 

[Buddha]

I think we will sneak a win. 1-2

That'll do nicely

 

[ILD]

Haven't had a drink since St Stephen's day so I want pints and points served up tonight.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

We're gonna get thumped.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Pack the midfield and hope we take our chances.

 

[cloggypop]

Can't see Big Sam using the midfield much at all.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Haven't had a drink since St Stephen's day so I want pints and points served up tonight.

I just had to Google what St Stephen's day is.

Which is funny, cos Bex dad's name is Stephen & he was born on boxing day, so that makes sense as his mum's a fanatic god botherer.

 

[Holle]

Haven't had a drink since St Stephen's day so I want pints and points served up tonight.

I've been on the lash since then and will celebrate our 3 points with loads of water and paracetamol!

Teehee!

 

[FoxForceFive]

I've had the lurgy since boxing day & it's still not gone!

Good news is it's saved me a fortune in ale. My mates home from Oz so I'll be out a few times in the coming weeks as it is!

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

Any team news yet? I'd like the same 11 as against Liecester except with Adebayor replacing Origi.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Any team news yet? I'd like the same 11 as against Liecester except with Adebayor replacing Origi.

Ha! He wouldn't be late for training anyway. He's got enough fucking watches. All of which are fucking hideous.

 

[the count]

LFCTS ‏@LFCTS 47s48 seconds ago
No changes

 

[the count]

1. Liverpool FC ‏@LFC 45s46 seconds ago
   Confirmed #LFC team v @SunderlandAFC: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho, Benteke
   
2. Confirmed #LFC subs v @SunderlandAFC: Bogdan, Toure, Lucas, Ibe, Randall, Smith, Teixeira
   
   

 

[Skullflower]

That bench be turd

 

[Gary25]

Scrappy game but we always looked in control for the most part and really should have scored a few more.

Ohwell 3 points is 3 points and in a busy Christmas/New Years period and considering the injury problems, we can't nitpick too much.

Lovren MOTM for me, rock solid and lead the backline. Clyne had a fine game too. Lucas was excellent when be came on also...after a few dodgy games lately.