Liverpool v Tottenham [Match Thread] Wed 20:00

MementoMori

So after the disappointment of Stoke, a quick return to action for Liverpool in this rescheduled tie.

Should be a real humdinger.

At a guess I would go for something like this is the squad

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Reina

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--Degen--Carra--Agger--Aurelio--

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Lucas---Masch

---

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Kuyt--Aquilani--Babel

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N'gog

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Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Spearing, Maxi, Riera

I think Aurelio will get the nod ahead of Insua in this one - not really basing it on anything just a hunch. I'd also be shocked if Aquilani and N'gog aren't two of the attacking four to start. Babel and Kuyt are most questionable calls and a lot would depend on how Rafa rates Maxi and Riera in terms of their fitness.
I think Pacheco and Darby might be the two who don't make the squad.
If Agger (who is the only player in the doubtful category) doen't make it then, I would except Skrtel to get the nod ahead of Kyrgiakos (even after Saturday) and Darby the one promoted to the benchas defensive cover. With Aquilani, Babel, Kuyt, Maxi and Riera all in the squad I think Pacheco might need to be a bit patient on the bench for a while yeat, especially when Gerrard and Benayoun are back.

Doubtful : Agger - groin problem; decision tomorrow
Injured : Torres, Gerrard, Benayoun, Johnson, Kelly, El Zhar

Ryan will be in the squad. We have 20 players ready for the training session and he is among these 20 players."

SuprSi

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Gomes

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Corluka - Dawson - Bassong - Bale
Krancjar - Jenas - Palacios - Modric

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Crouch - Defoe

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Subs : Alnick, Keane, Bentley, Rose, dos Santos, Pav, King

Huddlestone & Lennon are injured, otherwise both would start. Despite the fears of Liverpool fans I don't see Spurs winning this one as we just cannot buy a win against the Sky 4 away from home. Having said that, I don't expect us to roll over. We've had 5 clean sheets in a row in the league so our defence is definitely improving. The question is whether our midfield can provide the spark to put Crouch and Defoe in scoring positions, and of course whether or not Liverpool turn up on the night.

This is probably the best chance Spurs have of beating Liverpool in Anfield due to the problems with the home team.

1 - 1

everdead.ie

I see a draw or loss for spurs unless Liverpool are really really dire it must be a mental thing but we just can't win at anfield:o

BERBA

If managerless reading can win at anfield no reason why we cant , having said that i'd take a point now before a ball is kicked.

flahavaj

Quite frankly despite Liverpool's ongoing woes, I have no faith in Spurs to pull of a result tomorrow night, or make it into the top four. They simply haven't the balls or the brains for it.

internelligent

I have sooooo little faith in Liverpool scoring atm. I'm struggling to take positives out of what I see on the pitch. Creativity is at an all time low. A hatrick from Maxi would be nice.

Dcully

Taking my son to the game tomorrow night,fingers crossed for a decent result.
Im expecting a big atmosphere.

mike65

So then no-one has any confidence of either team winning, sounds about right. I wouldn't mind going with Kuyt and N'Gog up front, that way the former can't kill pace on the wing.

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Reina
Degan--Carra-Agger-Aurelio

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Masch
Maxi

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Aquilani

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Babel

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Kuyt

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NGog

Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Riera, Pacheco

everdead.ie

mike65 wrote: »

So then no-one has any confidence of either team winning, sounds about right. I wouldn't mind going with Kuyt and N'Gog up front, that way the former can't kill pace on the wing.

Well Gomes and back four in good form 6 clean sheets in a row never won a match where bale has started tho.


I'm terribly nervous about it tbh

MementoMori

mike65 wrote: »

So then no-one has any confidence of either team winning, sounds about right. I wouldn't mind going with Kuyt and N'Gog up front, that way the former can't kill pace on the wing.

---

Reina
Degan--Carra-Agger-Aurelio

---

Masch
Maxi

---

Aquilani

---

Babel

---

Kuyt

---

NGog

Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Riera, Pacheco

Would be surprised if we went with two up front ahead of two in midfield.

Spurs haven't conceeded since their game against Wolves on December 12.
Surely Spurs must be ready to conceed.
Really glad Lennon is out for Spurs as I could see his pace causing problems.
Also a bit wary of the curse of former players with one of Crouch or Keane to feature. Defoe will probably be the major threat though given how he has performed this season. Cant see him not being on the plane to South Africa unless he picks up a knock.

kincsem

Spurs must win this. Liverpool haven't played well for a while, and were poor against Reading.

Spiritoftheseventies

mike65 wrote: »

So then no-one has any confidence of either team winning, sounds about right. I wouldn't mind going with Kuyt and N'Gog up front, that way the former can't kill pace on the wing.

---

Reina
Degan--Carra-Agger-Aurelio

---

Masch
Maxi

---

Aquilani

---

Babel

---

Kuyt

---

NGog

Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Riera, Pacheco

I cant see Rafa dropping Lucas tbh

I'd love to see Maxi starting

Spiritoftheseventies

rarnes1 wrote: »

I'd love to see Maxi starting

I think he will to be honest. the time for caution is gone. This a big six pointer for us.

Holsten

Dreading this game, I expect Spurs to walk all over Liverpool.

0-2.

Tusky

What I think we will see:

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Reina

Carra

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Agger----Skrtel

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Insua

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Lucas----Mascherano

Kuyt

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Aquilani

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Aurelio

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N'Gog

What I would like to see:

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Reina

Degen

---

Carra----Agger

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Aurelio

---

Lucas----Mascherano

Maxi

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Aquilani

---

Riera

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N'Gog

Spiritoftheseventies

Tusky wrote: »

What I think we will see:

---

Reina

Carra

---

Agger----Skrtel

---

Insua

---

Lucas----Mascherano

Kuyt

---

Aquilani

---

Aurelio

---

N'Gog

What I would like to see:

---

Reina

Degen

---

Carra----Agger

---

Aurelio

---

Lucas----Mascherano

Maxi

---

Aquilani

---

Riera

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N'Gog

Has Rierra's injury cleared?

Tusky

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Has Rierra's injury cleared?

Well he was on the bench against Stoke so I assume so. I'm sure he could play 60 odd minutes.

Spiritoftheseventies

Tusky wrote: »

Well he was on the bench against Stoke so I assume so. I'm sure he could play 60 odd minutes.

Oh only saw the brief highlights on Saturday. yeah good to have him back although he hasnt been firing on all cylinders this season

Bandit12

Team i'd like to see tomorrow.

Pepe

Degen

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Carra----Agger

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Aurelio

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Lucas----Mascherano

Maxi

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Aquilani

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Riera

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N'Gog

MementoMori

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Has Rierra's injury cleared?

Been back training for almost two weeks , would be surprised to see him start, given his lack of game time. Strong bet for a sub appearance though.

ShamoBuc

like the look of that team, fairly well balanced. Just like before the stoke game, Any kind of a win will do, I don't particularly care about the performance. 3 points is a must. It would put us in a very good position given how poorly we have played so far this season.
If we can keep close when our top 3 scorers are missing, we will be sorted for 4th by the end of the sesason

BERBA

ShamoBuc wrote: »

If we can keep close when our top 3 scorers are missing, we will be sorted for 4th by the end of the sesason

Hasnt rafa guaranteed 4th spot this season ?

mike65

He has.

We need no luck.

All shall be right come end of May

(the sound you hear could be me whistling past the grave yard)

mayordenis

BERBA wrote: »

Hasnt rafa guaranteed 4th spot this season ?

Yep, point?

Chardee MacDennis

internelligent wrote: »

I have sooooo little faith in Liverpool scoring atm.

we've only failed to score four times in the league this season and only twice in the last three months, i dont see why you should be worried about us scoring, you should be worried about our defending though...

Dont be at yourself

Tusky wrote: »

What I think we will see:

---

Reina

Carra

---

Agger----Skrtel

---

Insua

---

Lucas----Mascherano

Kuyt

---

Aquilani

---

Aurelio

---

N'Gog

What I would like to see:

---

Reina

Degen

---

Carra----Agger

---

Aurelio

---

Lucas----Mascherano

Maxi

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Aquilani

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Riera

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N'Gog

I'd say your first line-up is a cert, with the possible exception of Maxi coming in for Aquilani.

I think Rafa will go with Carra and Kuyt on the right, because Spurs have a very dangerous left-flank.

I don't think Babel will get near the team, but hopefully Riera will at least get off the bench.

kida

has aquilani ever palyed behind the striker for pool? Rafa is not going to try something new in a game like this?

Spiritoftheseventies

kida wrote: »

has aquilani ever palyed behind the striker for pool? Rafa is not going to try something new in a game like this?

Aquilani from what i have seen of him is a link up player. plays short 1-2 passes to speed the play. Will be curious to see what Rafa does with him now that Masch is back

kryogen

No way i can see Liverpool losing this game


(boards curse FTW!)

i really dont think Spurs have the ability to go there and win, well maybe the mentality is a better word

Spiritoftheseventies

kryogen wrote: »

No way i can see Liverpool losing this game


(boards curse FTW!)

i really dont think Spurs have the ability to go there and win, well maybe the mentality is a better word

league form hasnt been bad in the last few weeks to be fair. 10 from our last twelve. Think we will win tonight.

Dont be at yourself

Isn't there some crazy stat like Spurs haven't won away against the big four in 10+ years?

Spiritoftheseventies

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Isn't there some crazy stat like Spurs haven't won away against the big four in 10+ years?

shsh. You'll jinx us. We don't need bad karma on us at the moment

kida

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

Aquilani from what i have seen of him is a link up player. plays short 1-2 passes to speed the play. Will be curious to see what Rafa does with him now that Masch is back

not what I asked - was wondering has he played in that pistion yet?

Spiritoftheseventies

kida wrote: »

not what I asked - was wondering has he played in that position yet?

No has been playing in cm but has been getting into the box the odd time as well

SuprSi

kryogen wrote: »

No way i can see Liverpool losing this game


(boards curse FTW!)

i really dont think Spurs have the ability to go there and win, well maybe the mentality is a better word

This is the issue with the Spurs team in its current and previous incarnations - they just don't have the guts to win in a match like this. Things have changed and our away record is excellent this season (second best in the league I think) but it's the crunch games, like this one, that we rarely perform in. I'm hoping things change tonight and I'd take a draw, though as I said earlier we'll never have a better chance to beat Liverpool at home than tonight, so hopefully the lads are up for it.

SuprSi

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

Isn't there some crazy stat like Spurs haven't won away against the big four in 10+ years?

Yup, this is embarrassingly true. Plus, Gareth Bale hasn't won a Premiership game that he's started in 2.5 years with Spurs, and he starts tonight!

kida

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

No has been playing in cm but has been getting into the box the odd time as well

exactly - thats why I can't see Rafa playing him somewhere he has not played yet in such a big match - will be tried and tested tonight

PiE

SuprSi wrote: »

Yup, this is embarrassingly true. Plus, Gareth Bale hasn't won a Premiership game that he's started in 2.5 years with Spurs, and he starts tonight!

Spurs a cert to win so.

everdead.ie

PiE wrote: »

Spurs a cert to win so.

He has been very unfortunate to be honest hampered by injuries and BAE good form but in 22 starts no wins which is a really annoying stat because he's actually a fantastic attacking full back even if his defensive abilities are lacking a bit

daosulli

Dunno why people try & predict Rafa's teams

Johner

I like a little bit of 2/1 for a Spurs win, depending on how funds are after backing a few nags today. Defoe better score for fantasy football purposes. He's my cpatain.

Spiritoftheseventies

daosulli wrote: »

Dunno why people try & predict Rafa's teams

because we clearly know better than him

jaykay74

Sorry if this has been asked but is it on tv ?

Spiritoftheseventies

jaykay74 wrote: »

Sorry if this has been asked but is it on tv ?

live on sky sports AFAIK and the usual sopcast channels as well i would assume

everdead.ie

Ya sky sports 1

Boggles

2-4

100/1

5 big ones.

Spiritoftheseventies

by all means go for that bet boggles

Boggles

Spiritoftheseventies wrote: »

by all means go for that bet boggles

It's done, Paddy power will honour it too. you know what that means?

Did you join the witness protection program?

Or was the name change to deflect from the bet you renegade on?

MementoMori

kida wrote: »

has aquilani ever palyed behind the striker for pool? Rafa is not going to try something new in a game like this?

Pretty sure he played there in the reserve game he made his first appearance in. Not quite a first-team appearance but looked well suited to it and I wouldn't be surprised if he played there tonight.

everdead.ie

Does anyone else think this match could be cat Liverpool don't play with much width and spurs-lennon means the two croats will be both cutting in from the wings Gareth Bale will provide the only real width for spurs to be honest