Merseyside Derby

citytillidie · 16-01-2011 2:08pm

With Andy Gray at the Lane does that mean we dont have to listen to his Everton bias co commentary

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:10pm

PaulieC wrote: »

I think it's a bit ridiculous if Spearing gets a start considering how utterly ordinary he's been for the reserves - there's two or three players ahead of him in the pecking order for a start.

At the same time - I don't want to put down a young player, I've stuck up for Lucas & N'Gog enough times to know I should give Spearing a chance but my heart sank a little bit when I saw that team because from what I've seen of him so far - he's not up to Premiership standard

My thoughts exactly.

I'm extremely disheartened to see him get a chance ahead of someone like Pacheco who has been lightyears ahead of him for the reserves. Kuyt doesn't deserve to be near a pool team at the moment

My gut tells me the only reason he has been picked today is for aggression and because he's a local and probably "gets" the derby or something. It just cannot be on ability. Shelvey is already a much better player.

ynwa_17 · 16-01-2011 2:11pm

That teama makes little sense on so many levels. Spearing is just returning from a serious ankle injury, add to that Shelvey is twice the player of Spearing. Not to mention we've much better options on the bench. Meireles could've done with a spell on the bench too.

MR NINE · 16-01-2011 2:11pm

whatawaster wrote: »

The Liverpool team in full is: Reina, Kelly, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Meireles, Lucas, Spearing, Maxi, Kuyt, Torres.

Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Cole, Aurelio, Shelvey, Pacheco, Babel.

Apparently.

Confirmed

Not that it really matters but wheres Brad Jones?

Also strange to see N'Gog omitted from the squad.

No surprise to see Poulsen or Jova left out.

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:12pm

MR NINE wrote: »

Confirmed

Not that it really matters but wheres Brad Jones?

Also strange to see N'Gog omitted from the squad.

No surprise to see Poulsen or Jova left out.

Jones is at the Asia cup with Australia

As an aside, it makes our spending 3m on him strange. Surely we knew he'd be missing for a good stretch of the season?

ilovelamp2000 · 16-01-2011 2:13pm

niallo27 wrote: »

Liverpool have being awful this season but yet still on the same points as everton, we are at home, kennys first game, the place will be rocking, what not be confident

Johnson at fullback, Lucas and Spearing in the middle. Maxi out wide.

We're going to get beaten again.

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:13pm

I'm reasonably happy with that team. I don't think Spearing will let anyone down. Certainly an improvement on treacle wading Poulsen.

D'Agger · 16-01-2011 2:15pm

ilovelamp2000 wrote: »

Johnson at fullback, Lucas and Spearing in the middle. Maxi out wide.

We're going to get beaten again.

Loving the positivity, get behind your team ffs

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:16pm

ilovelamp2000 wrote: »

Johnson at fullback, Lucas and Spearing in the middle. Maxi out wide.

We're going to get beaten again.

We are asking to be beaten with that team

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:17pm

whatawaster wrote: »

We are asking to be beaten with that team

Where would you improve aside from Aurelio coming in?

The Volt · 16-01-2011 2:17pm

Good 'ole Saha, finds his scoring boots then remembers he's made of glass.

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:17pm

PaulieC wrote: »

Loving the positivity, get behind your team ffs

you can get behind your team and still express bemusement or dismay at the team selection. I don't understand anything about that starting 11. Makes no sense to me.

Still support the team. Still hope we win

D'Agger · 16-01-2011 2:18pm

whatawaster wrote: »

My gut tells me the only reason he has been picked today is for aggression and because he's a local and probably "gets" the derby or something. It just cannot be on ability. Shelvey is already a much better player.

Perhaps he feels what with Gerrard and Carra out we need something like that in the Derby - I'm in agreement with you though - Shelvey is a far better player, he's enthusiastic, and as Flah pointed out - the type of physically imposing player we need today up against Fellaini

flahavaj · 16-01-2011 2:18pm

Voltwad wrote: »

Good 'ole Saha, finds his scoring boots then remembers he's made of glass.

Any line up Volt?

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:18pm

stumpypeeps wrote: »

Where would you improve aside from Aurelio coming in?

Aurelio in for Johnson at LB.

Johnson in for Kuyt at RW

Spearing out of the team and Pacheco in playing behind Torres.

Probably Babel on for Maxi as well.

ilovelamp2000 · 16-01-2011 2:18pm

PaulieC wrote: »

Loving the positivity, get behind your team ffs

Sorry.

We'll beat them 8-0. Lucas hattrick, Torres with four and Reina will score from his own box.

We'll have all the possession as well with the steely midfield we've put out and we'll bully Fellaini out the game.

How's that ?

It's retarded isn't it ?

flahavaj · 16-01-2011 2:20pm

Kuyt will score today, he always scores in these games.

D'Agger · 16-01-2011 2:21pm

whatawaster wrote: »

you can get behind your team and still express bemusement or dismay at the team selection. I don't understand anything about that starting 11. Makes no sense to me.

I get that, really do - we're all bemused & disheartened by the team selection - but writing off that team for a loss before a ball's been kicked isn't what I want to see on here - it just grinds my gears a little.

Xavi6 · 16-01-2011 2:22pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Any line up Volt?

Howard, Neville, Baines, Distin, Heitinga, Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Arteta, Beckford, Anichebe.

D'Agger · 16-01-2011 2:22pm

ilovelamp2000 wrote: »

Sorry.

We'll beat them 8-0. Lucas hattrick, Torres with four and Reina will score from his own box.

We'll have all the possession as well with the steely midfield we've put out and we'll bully Fellaini out the game.

How's that ?

It's retarded isn't it ?

Oh....I see what you did there.....hilarious

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:23pm

whatawaster wrote: »

Aurelio in for Johnson at LB.

Johnson in for Kuyt at RW

Spearing out of the team and Pacheco in playing behind Torres.

Probably Babel on for Maxi as well.

Pacheco starting in a mersyside derby? Not so sure about that. I can see the reasoning for Aurelio coming in for Johnson but I don't see why Johnson would be playing as an attacking right midfielder having never played there before?

As for Babel? Surely we've watched enough of Babel to realise he makes little impact starting.

We seem to be playing a proper 4-3-3. Therefore we need 3 midfielders in midfield, can't see Pacheco performing there.

flahavaj · 16-01-2011 2:24pm

Xavi6 wrote: »

Howard, Neville, Baines, Distin, Heitinga, Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Arteta, Beckford, Anichebe.

Looks a bit blunt up front, no Saha or Cahill.

Liverpool 2-0 Everton.

tok9 · 16-01-2011 2:24pm

Pretty disappointed that Aurelio isn't starting. Spearing will still be an improvement over poulsen and maxi is an improvement over Jova so i'm relatively happy.

Come on the Pool!!

joepenguin · 16-01-2011 2:24pm

Xavi6 wrote: »

Howard, Neville, Baines, Distin, Heitinga, Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Arteta, Beckford, Anichebe.

Is this the confirmed starting XI yeah?

Chucky the tree · 16-01-2011 2:27pm

Johnson shouldn't be in a left back but apart from that no real complaints. At least Kenny understands the need for a DM, just a shame Hodgson left us with no good ones at the club.

SlickRic · 16-01-2011 2:30pm

4-5-1?

is that right?'

i don't think Spearing will let anyone down, but i honestly believe that Pacheco behind Torres would've been a far better option at home.

Spearing & Lucas in the same team at home is asking for trouble IMO.

ilovelamp2000 · 16-01-2011 2:30pm

PaulieC wrote: »

Oh....I see what you did there.....hilarious

If you want a positive it's that Jovanovic, Poulsen and Konchesky aren't in the squad. Presumably we must be trying to offload them.

We're still getting beat though

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:31pm

stumpypeeps wrote: »

Pacheco starting in a mersyside derby? Not so sure about that. I can see the reasoning for Aurelio coming in for Johnson but I don't see why Johnson would be playing as an attacking right midfielder having never played there before?

As for Babel? Surely we've watched enough of Babel to realise he makes little impact starting.

We seem to be playing a proper 4-3-3. Therefore we need 3 midfielders in midfield, can't see Pacheco performing there.

It's ok to play spearing in a Derby but not pacheco. Despite him having so much more quality

SlickRic · 16-01-2011 2:31pm

Chucky the tree wrote: »

just a shame Hodgson left us with no good ones at the club.

he can be blamed for Poulsen, not the entire depth of central midfield.

it's also unfortunate that Masch was set on leaving when Roy arrived.

i'm still going to do 2-1 Liverpool, somehow.

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:31pm

SlickRic wrote: »

4-5-1?

is that right?'

i don't think Spearing will let anyone down, but i honestly believe that Pacheco behind Torres would've been a far better option at home.

Spearing & Lucas in the same team at home is asking for trouble IMO.

4-3-3 I believe. A la barcelona:o

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:33pm

whatawaster wrote: »

It's ok to play spearing in a Derby but not pacheco. Despite him having so much more quality

I think Spearing is better defensively and probably better operating in midfield. Pacheco would be vying with Maxi or Kuyt for a spot in my opinion.

Hoki · 16-01-2011 2:37pm

Lads be realistic about Pacheco ffs - the guy has only a handful of appearances for us mostly in the Europa League/Carling Cup . Yet ye all seem to be complaining that hes not playing today . Throwing him straight into the deep end in a derby against Everton is not the time to be giving a player like him his opportunity. This game is always fiercely contested & his lack of height/muscle would be clearly shown up.

monkey9 · 16-01-2011 2:37pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Kuyt will score today, he always scores in these games.

I stuck €20 on Kuyt as first goalscorer at 15/2. As you say, he always scores in these games!

whatawaster · 16-01-2011 2:42pm

Hoki wrote: »

Lads be realistic about Pacheco ffs - the guy has only a handful of appearances for us mostly in the Europa League/Carling Cup . Yet ye all seem to be complaining that hes not playing today . Throwing him straight into the deep end in a derby against Everton is not the time to be giving a player like him his opportunity. This game is always fiercely contested & his lack of height/muscle would be clearly shown up.

Quality trumps physique any day

flahavaj · 16-01-2011 2:42pm

Hoki wrote: »

Lads be realistic about Pacheco ffs - the guy has only a handful of appearances for us mostly in the Europa League/Carling Cup . Yet ye all seem to be complaining that hes not playing today . Throwing him straight into the deep end in a derby against Everton is not the time to be giving a player like him his opportunity. This game is always fiercely contested & his lack of height/muscle would be clearly shown up.

Yet Spearing, who also lacks height/muscle has been thrown in for only his second league start ever.

monkey9 · 16-01-2011 2:43pm

SlickRic wrote: »

4-5-1?

is that right?'

i don't think Spearing will let anyone down, but i honestly believe that Pacheco behind Torres would've been a far better option at home.

Spearing & Lucas in the same team at home is asking for trouble IMO.

Seems to be 4-4-2 to me.

I'd say Spearing is in there for the local element with Carragher and Gerrard missing!

Chucky the tree · 16-01-2011 2:45pm

SlickRic wrote: »

he can be blamed for Poulsen, not the entire depth of central midfield.

We had Macherano, Aqulani, Lucas, and Gerrard as midfield options when Hodgson was hired, now we have Poulsen, Lucas, Meireles and Gerrard.

flahavaj wrote: »

Yet Spearing, who also lacks height/muscle has been thrown in for only his second league start ever.

Spearing is far more physical then Pacheco.

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:46pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Yet Spearing, who also lacks height/muscle has been thrown in for only his second league start ever.

He's a bit more combative to be fair. Consistently good for the reserves, deserves a shot at it. He's mobile at least, unlike Poulsen.

Hoki · 16-01-2011 2:49pm

flahavaj wrote: »

Yet Spearing, who also lacks height/muscle has been thrown in for only his second league start ever.

Spearing doesnt lack muscle & he doesnt shirk a tackle. Pacheco played a Europa League game this season - cant remember which one but he was anonymous due to the physical nature of it - think it was against Napoli.

monkey9 · 16-01-2011 2:49pm

The important question is............Is Mrs Henry there today??

stumpypeeps · 16-01-2011 2:51pm

monkey9 wrote: »

Seems to be 4-4-2 to me.

I'd say Spearing is in there for the local element with Carragher and Gerrard missing!

No definitely 4-3-3. As against United and Blackpool.

Blatter · 16-01-2011 2:54pm

Anyone have a good link for the match?

bookie basher · 16-01-2011 2:55pm

this has to be the worst liverpool midfield ever, i would prefer to go back to back to the roy evans era, at least they tried to play football back then