Arsenal v Liverpool Carling Cup Wed [read mod note on 1st post]

MementoMori

Mod note: read this post: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=62743847&postcount=196 in full before posting on this thread, or risk infraction

Might be a tad early but so what.

A lot will depend on just how the respective managers treat this tie. Last time out Arsenal's side was composed pretty much entirely of players outside the first team squad whereas Liverpool's was more of a mixture of fringe squad players and first teamers, even including a couple of first teamers on the bench. Liverpool were a bit affected by injuries and also by the U20 WC [Gulacsi, Bouzanis and Kelly].

A fair bit of the look of the Liverpool team and bench will be affected by injuries/wanting to rest players/wanting to give players coming back from injury some game time.
Masch is definately serving his suspenion for the sending off Sunday.
Also Riera seems to still be out - I'm not sure of where Dossena is but I saw something last week which seemed to suggest he could be in contention. Kelly was at the U-20 WC last time out and if he is recovered from the ankle knock he picked up could also be in contention. Pachecho was supposedly in contention for the Leeds squad until he picked up a knock. He's now fit again and scored in his last two games for the reserves - stunning free kick in the last game. Aquilani played 15 mins for the reserves last week and came through it grand apparently. Can't see him starting but would be surprised if he wasnt on the bench and would expect him to make an appearance from there probably in the second half.

In terms of the first-teamers who I can't see being started I'd be surprised if Torres, Gerrard, Carra, Kuyt, Benayoun and Johnson were played.

Keeper I think is Cavalieri - don't know if it would be Reina, Gulacsi or maybe Bouzanis on the bench. Both Gulacsi and Bouzanis missed the Leeds game because they were at the U-20 WC, which was why I think Reina was on the bench for the Leeds game.I think Gulacsi is probably a better bet than Bouzanis from some recent Rafa comments and the fact that Gulacsi replaced Cavalieri on the bench when he was back in Brazil on compassionate leave. Reina probably could do with a rest after his amazing sprint Sunday.:)


LB - Aurelio, Insua, Dossena - Depending on whether they want to give Aurelio some game time and where Dossena is in his recovery. I think Insua might be due a rest. Don't think any of the reserve lads are in with a shout.

CB - I think Carra will be rested here. I think Skrtel will start with most likely Agger along side him. The Agger situation is dependent on where he is with regard to his fitness/state of his back versus giving him games to get his sharpness back. After that Kyrgiakos is probably next in line but I'm not so sure himself and Skrtel would make the best combo. Could one of Ayala or maybe even Kelly(fitness depending) be in with a shout here.

RB - I think Johnson will be rested after coming back from his injury on Sunday. If Kelly is fit I would like to see him start here, if not I expect it to be Degen. Cant see Darby making an appearance.

CM - With Masch out and Gerrard surely not going to be risked this is a bit of a tricky one. However I think Spearing is a shoe-in to start with probably Lucas his most likely partner. However I'm not confident Lucas won't be rested. Plessis might come in the reckoning as maybe could Aurelio (especially if Dossena is left back)

RW - With Kuyt most likely to be rested I think Babel could start here. Don't
know what stage El Zhar is at with his injury - could be in with a shout too, especially if Babel is on the left.

CF - I think Benayoun and Gerrard won't be considered for here. Looks like either Pacecho or Voronin with maybe Aquilani to offer sub options

LW - If Babel isn't on the right, then he is on the left. I think maybe Aurelio might be an option here

FW - I think Ngog is a decent bet to start upfront.

My guess at what the team might look like.

Cavalieri
Kelly Skrtel Agger Dossena
Spearing Lucas
Babel Voronin Aurelio
N'gog


Liverpool and Arsenal's previous line-ups for the Carling Cup games

Liverpool
01 Cavalieri
12 Aurelio
16 Kyrgiakos
23 Carragher
27 Degen (Johnson 71)
38 Dossena
11 Riera
20 Mascherano
26 Spearing
19 Babel (Skrtel 90)
24 Ngog (Gerrard 78)
Substitutes
25 Reina, 02 Johnson, 37 Skrtel, 08 Gerrard, 28 Plessis, 09 Torres, 10 Voronin

Arsenal
53 Szczesny
06 Senderos
18 Silvestre
28 Gibbs
30 Traore (Barazite 69)
42 Gilbert
16 Ramsey
19 Wilshere
35 Coquelin (Randall 58)
51 Sunu (Vela 58)
54 Watt
Substitutes
49 Shea, 34 Bartley, 37 Eastmond, 33 Barazite, 41 Frimpong, 48 Randall, 12 Vela

Holsten

Aquilani please.

SWAR

Holsten wrote: »

Aquilani please.

Ye, really looking forward to seeing him although I don't think he will start. Could see him on the bench as it most likely won't be the most physical of games.

Eire-Dearg

From an unofficial Liverpool Twitter account (@liverpool)

Alberto Aquilani to make his long-awaited debut against Arsenal tomorrow night.

http://twitter.com/liverpool/status/5199591527

Roaster

Nasri and Fabinski to start apparently.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/preview/0,16374,1766_5654807,00.html

Fuzzy_Dunlop

My shtab at the likely Arsenal team seeing as Wenger said it'd be a bit of a mixture.

---

Fabianski

Gilbert/Eboue--Senderos--Silvestre--Gibbs/Traore

---

Ramsey---Coquelin---Nasri

---

Wilshere----Eduardo----Vela

Nasri might play in the front 3 with Merida in the midfield. Not entirely sure about Eduardo, good chance he'll just stick with Watt or possibly Bendtner

Roaster

playa3 wrote: »

My shtab at the likely Arsenal team seeing as Wenger said it'd be a bit of a mixture.

---

Fabianski

Gilbert/Eboue--Senderos--Silvestre--Gibbs/Traore

---

Ramsey---Coquelin---Nasri

---

Wilshere----Eduardo----Vela

Nasri might play in the front 3 with Merida in the midfield. Not entirely sure about Eduardo, good chance he'll just stick with Watt or possibly Bendtner

Not too far off there playa3 but I'd be very surprised if he doesn't start Merida. He might sub Coquelin or start him a right back.

DenMan

Can't wait for tomorrow night. Come on Arsenal.

I wouldn't think it would be a great idea for Liverpool to play Aquilani against Arsenal. He is short of match fitness and Arsenal are definitely one of the best conditioned teams in the league. He will be run ragged and might pick up another knock. Don't think he'll start in the Fulham or Lyon games either, possibly Birmingham on Nov 9 for him.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5655312,00.html

Frisbee

I'd Imagine we'll go 4-4-2 like we did in the last CC game

---

Fabianski

---

Gilbert

---

Senderos----Silvestre

---

Gibbs

Eboue

---

Coquelin

---

Ramsey

---

Nasri/Merida

---

Bendtner

---

Eduardo

---

Although Nasri is as easily interchangeable at CM.

According to the website Bendtner and Eduardo are both likely to start. Would have preferred for Vela and Watt to continue up front.

Wilshere and Traore are out through injury

Fuzzy_Dunlop

Frisbee wrote: »

Wilshere and Traore are out through injury

:mad:

Hope Vela still gets a start with Bendtner and Eduardo both playing

Arsenal1986

Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyriakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plesis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

word on the street is thats the pool team, is that 4 2 3 1 or 442?

Dont be at yourself

Kyriakos is out for months, he won't start!

Arsenal1986

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Kyriakos is out for months, he won't start!

nope, Benitez said: "Dossena has been training and will be in the squad. It was one or two small things with him.


"Kyrgiakos has been training. We had bad news when everyone was talking about him being out for six months after the internationals. It wasn't that bad because now he's training and he's available too."

mayordenis

Arsenal1986 wrote: »

Cav, Degen, Skrtel, Kyriakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plesis, Babel, Voronin and Ngog

word on the street is thats the pool team, is that 4 2 3 1 or 442?

if thats the team it's most likely set up the 4231 style

cavaliera
Degen Skrtel Krigger Doss
Spearing Plessis
Eccleston Voronin Babel
Ngog

but saying that I would be shocked to see that side out.

Fuzzy_Dunlop

According to Wilshere on Facebook(:pac:) the Arsenal team will be

---

Fabianski

---

Gilbert--- Senderos

---

Silvestre ----Gibbs

---

Ramsey ---- Coquelin

---

Nasri

---

---

Bendtner ---- Eduardo

---

Vela

---

RasTa

Senderos still at Arsenal?

whatawaster

mayordenis wrote: »

if thats the team it's most likely set up the 4231 style

cavaliera
Degen Skrtel Krigger Doss
Spearing Plessis
Eccleston Voronin Babel
Ngog

but saying that I would be shocked to see that side out.

I would be very surprised to see Ecclestone playing because he has done nothing in the reserves to deserve a chance ahead of either Pacheco or Amoo who have been our best players this season.
Kelly for Degen hopefully as well. I'd also rather see Ayala at CB

Edit: Damn, Kelly's still injured

Fuzzy_Dunlop

RasTa wrote: »

Senderos still at Arsenal?

Yep, his contract runs out at the end of the season though and i don't know if he'll be getting a new one.

MementoMori

Masch, Gerrard, Riera, and Kelly definately not going to feature tomorrow.
Dossena and Kyrgiakos may feature.
Would be well surprised to see either Johnson or Torres start - might be on the bench.

GERRARD INJURY LATEST FROM MELWOOD
Jimmy Rice 27 October 2009

Rafa Benitez is hopeful of having Steven Gerrard back for Saturday's trip to Fulham.

The skipper won't feature against Arsenal on Wednesday night due to a groin injury sustained on international duty.

But Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Gerrard will not be available for this game but he is improving, so hopefully he can be ready for Saturday."

Martin Kelly (ankle) and Albert Riera (hamstring) are also out and will not be available for one or two weeks.

There is better news for Benitez in that both Andrea Dossena and Sotirios Kyrgiakos could feature in the Carling Cup fourth round clash after recovering from knocks.

Benitez added: "Dossena has been training and will be in the squad. It was one or two small things with him.

"Kyrgiakos has been training. We had bad news when everyone was talking about him being out for six months after the internationals. It wasn't that bad because now he's training and he's available too."

Meanwhile, both Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres came through Sunday's victory over Manchester United without troubling previous injuries.

Benitez said: "It was difficult for both especially because it was a tough game, but they were training and we were taking care of them.

"Now they are training and I think they'll be available for the next games."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N166235091027-1413.htm

Mr Alan

shame about kelly

Pepe LeFrits

It'll be a shame if Merida doesn't start. Too bad that Wilshere is out too. Those two are amongst my favourite young players at the club; I love the style of football the CC team produces when they're in the side. Vela-Bendtner-Eduardo has a lot less creativity as a front trio, so Nasri and Ramsey will have to play very well.

Kirnsy

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

It'll be a shame if Merida doesn't start. Too bad that Wilshere is out too. Those two are amongst my favourite young players at the club; I love the style of football the CC team produces when they're in the side. Vela-Bendtner-Eduardo has a lot less creativity as a front trio, so Nasri and Ramsey will have to play very well.

agreed however it definitely has a goalscoring edge about it. any chance and eddie or vela will take. looking forward to this very much.


arsenal 2-1.

anyone know if it on telly?

Green Hornet

Kirnsy wrote: »

agreed however it definitely has a goalscoring edge about it. any chance and eddie or vela will take. looking forward to this very much.


arsenal 2-1.

anyone know if it on telly?

Yep. It's on Sky Sports 1.

Kirnsy

Green Hornet wrote: »

Yep. It's on Sky Sports 1.

sound. stream it is so

MementoMori

Arsenal squad for tonight below.
No confirmed word on Liverpool side of things yet.

Arsenal name 18-man squad for Liverpool clash

Arsenal Football Club have announced the following squad for the Carling Cup tie with Liverpool this evening at Emirates Stadium:

Wojciech Szczesny
Lukasz Fabianski
Philippe Senderos
Kyle Bartley
Mikael Silvestre
Kieran Gibbs
Kerrea Gilbert
Fran Merida
Francis Coquelin
Craig Eastmond
Emmanuel Frimpong
Aaron Ramsey
Mark Randall
Samir Nasri
Eduardo
Gilles Sunu
Nicklas Bendtner
Sanchez Watt

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-name-18-man-squad-for-liverpool-clash

Eire-Dearg

Can't wait for this one, strangely. I think we'll get a right schooling, but I'm hoping we get to see Aquilani and some of the youngsters.

Frisbee

Feck sake Vela isn't even in the squad...

Dublin_Gunner

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3203881,00.html


Aquilani will at least make the bench (only link I could find right now, but read it elsewhere earlier).

..Italian arrived injured with a knee problem...

FFS SSN. Laughable that they cannot even get his injury correct. (especially considering its been well publicised).

yahoo_moe

Pepe LeFrits wrote: »

It'll be a shame if Merida doesn't start.

I'd be very surprised if he doesn't - he had a very good U-20 World Cup and I think he'll be given the chance. Plus Wenger was quoted on the official site praising him which I'd reckon would mean he'll start.

Nasri and Ramsey will have to play very well.

Whatever about Nasri (only just back), I'd expect Ramsey to play very well tonight (as he has done in his limited gametime so far) and keep pushing for more first-team action.

Redzer7

Looking forward to this .

Roaster

3-1 Gunners

yayamark

Any Pool fans hoping the Pool will make a dignified exit from this competition?

We have too many injuries at the moment to be risking the rest of our squad.

joe123

yayamark wrote: »

Any Pool fans hoping the Pool will make a dignified exit from this competition?

We have too many injuries at the moment to be risking the rest of our squad.

Nope It will give the younger/fringe players a chance to get some games and prove themselves.

Hope to see Aquilani play some part and Pacheco.

Mr Alan

yayamark wrote: »

Any Pool fans hoping the Pool will make a dignified exit from this competition?

not really bothered either way tbh.

Boggles

Mr Alan wrote: »

not really bothered either way tbh.

Odd attitude to have. At the end of the day it is silverware up for grabs, better than nothing come the end of the season.

Tusky

Id definitely like us to progress as it gives the younger players a chance to impress, and keeps fringe players happy.

whatawaster

I want us to go through, because i want to see Pacheco for instance, in the next round (on international duty atm). It's great for the younger players.
Hopefully Ecclestone does well tonight.

bUILDERtHEbOB

I think Rafa has already said that he wants to win the League Cup, obviously I don't know whether he meant it or not, but still, it's a trophy and we haven't had one of them in a while.

jesus_thats_gre

I want us to win this trophy but if we get knocked out, I won't spend too much time in mourning. Really hope that Pacheco and Aquilani put in an appearance tonight.

Irishpimpdude

Link to a perfect stream i just posted in the match thread i think this will go 2-1 pool

Eire-Dearg

Cavalieri, Degen, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Dossena, Eccleston, Spearing, Plessis, Babel, Voronin, Ngog

Exactly the same as whoever posted it yesterday.

MonkeyTennis

Babel on the left?

Holsten

Is Aquilani on the bench?

mike65

Subs: Reina, Aquilani, Benayoun, Darby, Dossena, Eccleston, Ayala.

bazzman

Just after getting this form liverpoolfc.tv

Liverpool: Cavalieri, Degen, Insua, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Plessis, Spearing, Babel, Kuyt, Voronin, Ngog. Subs: Reina, Aquilani, Benayoun, Darby, Dossena, Eccleston, Ayala.

MementoMori

KUYT THE SKIPPER V ARSENAL: LISTEN LIVE
Paul Hassall at the Emirates 28 October 2009


Dirk Kuyt skippers the side as Rafael Benitez makes nine changes for tonight's Carling Cup clash with Arsenal - listen live from 7.15pm GMT.
Alberto Aquilani remains on course to make his debut and will take his place among the substitutes.

Liverpool: Cavalieri, Degen, Insua, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Plessis, Spearing, Babel, Kuyt, Voronin, Ngog. Subs: Reina, Aquilani, Benayoun, Darby, Dossena, Eccleston, Ayala.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N166247091028-1856.htm

Presume the formation is this

---

Cavalieri

---

----Degen----Skrtel

---

Kyrgiakos--Insua---

---

Plessis

---

Spearing

---

----Kuyt

---

Voronin

---

Babel

---

---

Ngog

---

Pachecho is away at some underage thing with Spain apparently

Redzer7

---

Fabianski

---

----Gilbert----Silvestre

---

Senderos--Gibbs---

----Nasri----Ramsey----Eastmond---Merida

---

---

Bendtner----Eduardo

---

MementoMori

Surprised Reina and Benayoun are on the bench.

Thought Gulacsi or Bouzanis would be on the subs bench.

Don't know if playing Kuyt is the wisest as we're not in a great situation on the RW if he picks up a knock.

So basically
Gerrard,Torres, Johnson, Agger, Carra, Lucas(rested)
Masch (suspension)
Kelly and Riera (injured)

Anyone know what the situation with El Zhar is currently?

Frisbee

Redzer7 wrote: »

---

Fabianski

---

----Gilbert----Silvestre

---

Senderos--Gibbs---

----Nasri----Ramsey----Eastmond---Merida

---

---

Bendtner----Eduardo

---

Very surprised Coquelin isn't starting

MonkeyTennis

Liverpools line up has a lot more first team experience (correct me if im wrong Arsenal fans) I think they could shade it.

Frisbee

---

Fabianski

---

----Gilbert----Silvestre

---

Senderos--Gibbs---

---

Ramsey

---

Eastmond---Nasri

---

---

Bendtner----Eduardo

---

Merida

---

Apparently we are going to go 4-3-3...