Portsmouth v Liverpool Match Thread 12:45

MementoMori

Early morning kick-off so here's a thread
On SkySports 1

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Reina

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--Johnson--Carra--Agger--Insua--

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Masch----Lucas

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---Kuyt----Gerrard----Benayoun---

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Torres

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Subs: Cavalieri, Darby, Skrtel, Aurelio, Aquilani, Babel, N'gog

Johnson and Babel back so Johnson back in the team and Babel on the bench.
Riera, Kelly and El Zhar still on the injured list.
Cant see Aquilani or Babel starting and would be shocked if Johnson and Torres don't.
Fingers crossed we build on the Wigan result and pick up a much-needed three points.

Portsmouth apparently played well enough against Chelsea away.
Looked decent going forward but dodge at the back so I would expect there to be goals in this one.

Duo back to boost Reds
18th Dec 2009 - Latest News

Liverpool have been boosted by the return of both Glen Johnson and Ryan Babel to the squad for this weekend's trip to Portsmouth.

Babel has been sidelined with an ankle injury sustained against Manchester City last month while Johnson missed the midweek victory over Wigan with a minor knock.

Both players have passed fitness tests in time to take their place in the squad for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Fratton Park.

Albert Riera, Martin Kelly and Nabil El Zhar will remain on Merseyside, however, to continue their rehabilitation from recent injury problems.

Portsmouth v Liverpool
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Premier League
Venue: Fratton Park Date: Saturday, 19 December 2009 Kick-off: 1245 GMT

TEAM NEWS
Portsmouth defender Younes Kaboul is available after serving a one-game ban for his sending off at Sunderland.

Goalkeeper David James has recovered from illness, while midfielder Michael Brown (groin) is close to a comeback.

Fernando Torres is set to return for Liverpool after starting on the bench against Wigan, with boss Rafael Benitez set to revert to a 4-2-3-1 system.

Glen Johnson returns from a hamstring problem, while Ryan Babel is fit again after an ankle injury.

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Portsmouth

Suspended: None Doubtful: Brown (groin)

Injured: Ward (groin)

Liverpool

Suspended: None Doubtful: None

Injured: El Zhar (ankle), Riera (hamstring)

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/duo-back-to-boost-reds

NabyLadistheman

0 - 1 Torres

Morzadec

Don't expect this to be at all easy, despite the fact Portsmouth are bottom. I'll predict 2-1 to Liverpool but it wouldn't shock me to see us drop points here

Kess73

Dropped points is not an option here. Back to back wins have to start happening, especially now that close to a fully fit squad is available.

The media can focus on Rafa's promise all they want, as far as I am concerned the players are the ones who are now running out of excuses for their dire performances so far this season.

All season there has been excuses made for them. Injuries, freak incidents, bad luck etc. They have got to start standing up and playing regardless of what is being said in the media now.

Some people say that Rafa has lost the dressing room. I don't know if this is true or not, but if there is some truth in it, and the players are giving less than 100% on the pitch because of something against the manager, then I don't want any player like that at the club.

I am sick of the excuses, and sick of sub par performances from players. Only a win will do tomorrow.

mike65

Whats the weather like?

kida

Portsmouth are better than their results suggest, they create lots of chances. Dindane could have a hat trick in most games but couldn't hit a barn door. The way pools season is going this will probably change tomorrow .

Portsmouth to win 3-2. Expect goals.

MementoMori

From the Portsmouth website at 11:15 this morning.
Sounds like they were well prepared and I don't think things are going to change that drastically overnight.

Pitch Perfect For Liverpool Clash
Snow may disrupt many people’s weekends, but Pompey and Liverpool fans can rest assured.

The groundsmen at Fratton Park, led by Bob Jones, were well prepared for the freezing temperatures – and snowy conditions.

Frost covers were laid over the turf on Wednesday afternoon, once the pitch had been marked, and then the water-proof covers that make up the inflatable dome were added in the evening.

The snow was swept from the upper covers this morning and, with temperatures of over minus 4°C being predicted overnight tonight, heaters are due to be turned on and the dome inflated later today to protect the pitch ahead of the big match against Liverpool on Saturday.

Lucius Peart, head of operations, said: “The pitch is in perfect condition for our match on Saturday.

“We took all the necessary precautions earlier this week and we will now be keeping the pitch warm and ready for the game.

“There is no risk of the game not going ahead at this stage.”

Kick-off for Saturday’s match is 12.45pm.

http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/LatestNews/news/Pitch-Perfect-For-Liverpool-Clash-396.aspx

That_Guy

2-1 Pompey.

Grr. I'll have to mute my tv due to that fcuker with that bell.

mayordenis

Liverpool LIVERPOOOL!

0-7

Torres with 4 and then another 3, Torres with 7.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

mayordenis wrote: »

Liverpool LIVERPOOOL!

0-7

Torres with 4 and then another 3, Torres with 7.

I'd settle for 5

mayordenis

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

I'd settle for 5

Torres won't :pac:

That_Guy

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

I'd settle for 5

You'd be doing well to get 1.

mayordenis

Who do you think you are commenting on premiership football, eh? :P

That_Guy

mayordenis wrote: »

Who do you think you are commenting on premiership football, eh? :P

That's it pal. The gloves are off.

I've seen Pompey a few times this season and their chance creation is extremely good and a few people have Pompey written off already.

Form suggests that Pompey should lose but I reckon Avram Grant can get the team working for him. What better way than to do it against Liverpool.

mayordenis

That_Guy wrote: »

That's it pal. The gloves are off.

I've seen Pompey a few times this season and their chance creation is extremely good and a few people have Pompey written off already.

Form suggests that Pompey should lose but I reckon Avram Grant can get the team working for him. What better way than to do it against Liverpool.

I actually like Pompey alot and honestly watching the games they've lost it's hard to think bar finishing how much they can really improve, they are a very decent side and if they get a run of winnable fixtures together I think they still have a very reasonable chance of staying up.

However liverpool must win and as such torres to score 7.

Boggles

Fiver on 1-3, Torres hatrick.

Headshot

Boggles wrote: »

Fiver on 1-3, Torres hatrick.

Will he start?

mayordenis

I'm fairly sure he's going to start, not 100% but it looks like he will.

Boggles

Headshot wrote: »

Will he start?

God Knows with Rafa.

NukaCola

I have a feeling Portsmouth will get a hiding
A large win for Liverpool

4 or 5-0

everdead.ie

All portsmouths games have been very close with a striker better then dindane they wouldn't be in this situation he's almost as bad as jason scotland i'm going for 2-2

NukaCola

everdead.ie wrote: »

All portsmouths games have been very close

They all haven't been that close. Three results spring to mind,
Arsenal and ManU beat them 4-1 and Blackburn beat them 3-1....

magma69

The Pool will scrape a win in another ****e performance. 2-1. Gerrard and Torres to score.

Headshot

Boggles wrote: »

Fiver on 1-3, Torres hatrick.

ill go for 2 or more goals

MementoMori

Aquilani might have an injury:eek::eek:

Benítez confirmed that Fernando Torres, who scored the winner against Wigan, is ready to start at Fratton Park, although he added that the striker would need to be "managed" through the next few weeks. Alberto Aquilani, however, is unlikely to feature against Portsmouth because of a calf injury which will doubtless increase the frustrations surrounding Liverpool's costliest summer signing.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/18/rafael-benitez-premier-league-fixtures

Boggles

MementoMori wrote: »

Aquilani might have an injury:eek::eek:



http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/18/rafael-benitez-premier-league-fixtures

How, did he fall off the bench?

MagicMarker

mike65 wrote: »

Whats the weather like?

Well when seeing the place on Soccer AM it looks like you'd be pissing icicles.

anplaya

MagicMarker wrote: »

Well when seeing the place on Soccer AM it looks like you'd be pissing icicles.

was it live or pre recorded though?saw it meself ,jamie o hara i think it was was shivering like mad with the cold when he was being interviewed,if thats today it must be fecking freezing.

That_Guy

anplaya wrote: »

was it live or pre recorded though?saw it meself ,jamie o hara i think it was was shivering like mad with the cold when he was being interviewed,if thats today it must be fecking freezing.

It's live.

daithijjj

mike65 wrote: »

Whats the weather like?

http://uk.weather.com/weather/today-UKXX0115?par=iac&site=www.ask.co.uk&promo=0&cm_ven=IAC&cm_cat=www.ask.co.uk&cm_pla=smartanswers-uk&cm_ite=wx-cc

mike65

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Reina,
Johnson-Carra-Agger-Insua,

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Masch-Lucas,
Kuyt---Gerrard---Dossena

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Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Skrtel.

MagicMarker

anplaya wrote: »

was it live or pre recorded though?saw it meself ,jamie o hara i think it was was shivering like mad with the cold when he was being interviewed,if thats today it must be fecking freezing.

Looked live to me.

Headshot

ah good

torres is starting

anplaya

MagicMarker wrote: »

Looked live to me.

ah,wasnt sure.lack remarked to me whats that poor fella standing around in the cold for being interviewed,why not interview him inside.i suppose she does have a point looks like he was dressed for training.

anplaya

Headshot wrote: »

ah good

torres is starting

few bets on?bro in law has backed torres to score the first and second,double the odds at 7/2

Tusky

Dossena and Kuyt on the wings - zZzZzZzZ

Sir Gallagher

Wheres Aquilani?

daithijjj

Tusky wrote: »

Dossena and Kuyt on the wings - zZzZzZzZ

Attacking line up imo, we started 6 defenders at pompey last season, only 5 today :rolleyes:

anplaya

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Wheres Aquilani?

injured i think,calf injury?

mike65

In a crate marked FRAGILE this end up /\

That_Guy

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Wheres Aquilani?

Who?

~Rebel~

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

Wheres Aquilani?

Here;


Like this;

Sir Gallagher

daithijjj wrote: »

Attacking line up imo, we started 6 defenders at pompey last season, only 5 today :rolleyes:

I think at this stage you'd actually agree with me in saying Dossena is anything but a defender.

mike65

Begovic, Finnan, Kaboul, Ben-Haim, Hreidarsson, Yebda, Brown, O'Hara, Belhadj, Boateng, Piquionne. Subs: Ashdown, Mullins, Utaka, Hughes, Dindane, Kanu, Wilson.

ilovelamp2000

Boggles wrote: »

How, did he fall off the bench?

He hurt it in the canteen at Melwood

Reganio 2

Or training maybe... Your jokes are quite shocking lads. You should work for Soccer AM.

ilovelamp2000

Am the only one who has a bad feeling about this today ?

Pompey have won 2 of their last 3 at home and we have a team containing Dossena, Insua and Lucas.

PHB

It's Portsmouth. If Liverpool don't beat these I'd be beyond shocked.

SlickRic

the continued lack of Aquilani still bothers me.

a lot.

daithijjj

Sir Gallagher wrote: »

I think at this stage you'd actually agree with me in saying Dossena is anything but a defender.

Personally speaking i think a deaf, dumb and blind steve finnan could handle him no bother today.

Congrats to carra on the 600th.

ilovelamp2000

PHB wrote: »

It's Portsmouth. If Liverpool don't beat these I'd be beyond shocked.

You're right.

But equally the way you say "It's Portsmouth" , we haven't exactly been Liverpool this season if you know what I mean.

That said any team with Torres in it should really destroy Pompey