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Liverpool v Stoke
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19-09-2008 4:20pm#1Alright folks - this one has me confused as regards the team selection. Need help after a miserable 7 out of 11 for the Marseille game in the old Fantasy Rafa. This is potentially a tricky one. Vital that three points are picked up this week with either Chelsea or Utd or both dropping points. This is one of the occasions where players might be rested given that it's the third game in seven days. Also with the upcoming Crewe, Everton, PSV and Man City games within the next fourteen days it surely has to be time for some rotation. I'm expecting a pretty much second string side for the Crewe game but I think there are a couple of players who could do with a bit of a rest - main one is Masch. Kuyt could maybe do with one too but I can see him playing.
At the moment I'm going for
Reina
Arbeloa Agger Hyypia Dossena
Kuyt Alonso Gerrard Riera
Keane Torres
I think Riera is likelier to start over Babel as I think in a congested midfield/defence he is probably a better option than Babel - in a more open game Babel would probably be a better bet. On Riera one of the things that has impressed me most so far is that he doesn't seem to lose possession wastefully i.e. it only tends to be those occasions when he takes on a player that he loses it - I have no problem with him doing this - I'd prefer he never did :P but this is in a sense this is the right way to lose the ball - on the attack, around the edge of the square and looking to create things. I noticed a couple of times that he got possession of the ball around the middle of the field and retained it well - laying it off, finding another Pool player with a simple but effective pass - while not the most flashy of skills it's an invaluable one. However both of these have been playing so well tis a tricky one. Great problem to have though.:)
For the defence - might be a bit of a gamble but I'd bring in Hyypia and Agger for Skrtl and Carragher - I'd assume that there would be a number of occasions where Agger's better footballing ability might prove useful in this game as I'd assume Liverpool woulf have a fair share of the possession. Hyypia is in for Delap's long throws. Also a cheeky fup you to Stoke for trying to buy him in the summer. Also no harm to give Carra and Skrtl a rest before the Everton game. I thought they looked a little tired midweek (completely understandable given how immense they were in the Utd game) Dossena gets in ahead of Aurelio as I would imagine he would get a chance to get forward and fingers crossed would like to see him l play behind Riera. Also for stability. Arbeloa retains his place as he has been playing well - might be a bit harsh on Degen but would imagine he'll get 90mins against Crewe. Might see Degen as a sub depending on how things are going. I think this has to be considered one of the games where Rafa will be looking for width from the full-backs as I can imagine Stoke being rather defensive (not massively so but definately more than they have been so far) Interesting aside goals have been scored for and against Stoke in all four games so far this season. So they will be looking to score and won't be massively surprised if a goal goes in against them. Expect there to be goals in the game.
Kuyt gets the nod on the right even though he could probably do with a rest. With Pennant playing midweek in the reserves surely JP will be sold at Christmas. In a way the fact that Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, El Zhar, Pennant, Babel and even Keane could play on the right of midfield means there is no blantantly obvious second choice right-sided player in the squad after Kuyt. Could see this one being filled by all of the above players on occasion over the season. Gerrard in the middle along with Alonso to pull the strings. Torres and Keane up-front. Both to get off the mark.
My main worry is that Gerrard may have to play a bit deep in midfield alongside Alonso as I can see Stoke having a relatively packed midfield. From what I've seen they have played 4-4-2 in all their games so far this season so fingers crossed they will stick to this - if they switch to 4-5-1 I could see us having problems in the centre of the park. In that case I'd sacrifice either Keane or Torres for Lucas or even Plessis and tell Gerrard to push a bit forward.
From the BBCLiverpool v Stoke
Venue: Anfield Date: Saturday, 20 September Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 MW and DAB, BBC Radio Stoke 94.6FM, 1503MW and DAB, BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day
Liverpool full-back Fabio Aurelio hopes to recover from a calf injury in time to play, and striker Robbie Keane may be recalled to partner Fernando Torres.
Winger Albert Riera could replace Ryan Babel and Sami Hyypia may be brought in to help deal with Stoke's long throws.
Stoke defender Andrew Davies is sidelined and Amdy Faye is suspended.
Boss Tony Pulis could move Abdoulaye Faye back into defence and hand Glenn Whelan a starting place in midfield with Leon Cort missing out.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Kuyt, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Alonso, Babel, Riera, Torres, Keane, Ngog, Agger, Deggen, Cavalieri.
Stoke (from): Sorensen, Griffin, Sonko, Abdoulaye Faye, Higginbotham, Lawrence, Whelan, Olofinjana, Delap, Kitson, Fuller, Simonsen, Cort, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Tonge, Cresswell, Sidibe, Soares, Diao.0
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unless he is injured again 
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