Liverpool v Chelsea 4:00pm

Knex*

Right, first match thread so we see how it goes.

Big game today for the occasion that's in it. Hillsborough memorial last week and the passing of Anne Williams just a few days ago. A truly remarkable woman who can be read about here. There will be a minutes silence for her today.

For the football side of things, Rafa is back and has the peculiar position of being cheered by the opposition and jeered by his own fans. All of this, plus Chelsea looking for revenge for the 4-1 loss here last season, should make for a cracking atmosphere and hopefully a great game.

Referee is Kevin Friend.

Probable lineups nicked from the Guardian below.

klose

@LFC: Confirmed #LFC team: Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Lucas, Gerrard, Henderson, Downing, Coutinho, Suarez

@LFC: Confirmed #LFC subs: Jones, Skrtel, Coates, Shelvey, Coady, Assaidi, Sturridge

Suso is injured so coady makes the bench which is good to see, solid player imo

Happy with that team, no harm dropping Sturridge.

Probably our bext XI atm

Ganymede Glow

Suarez 5/1 to score first

:eek:

michael999999

3-2 liverpool.

Gerrard suarez and hendo!

Knex*

Yeah, on form anyway Sturridge doesn't deserve to start. Seems to be lacking a bit since his injury.

Downing actually helped improve our tempo when he came on last week against Reading.

As usual bookies have Liverpool priced way too low.

Oranage2

chelsea desperate for top four, Liverpool desperate for top goal scorer, golden gloves and the fair play award.

a lot of emotion in Liverpool so hopefully they'll be fired up, hoping for a pool win but I think chelsea will have too much for them.

2-1 chelsea.

super_furry

Rafa, Rafa, Rafa, Rafa, Rafa, Rafa....BATMAN!

Sky are going to milk the arse off this.

Gbear

super_furry wrote: »

Sky are going to milk the arse off this.

That sounds unpleasant.

super_furry

Depends who's doing the milking.

peteeeed

Torres starting not BA

wandatowell

Come on the 'Pool!

G.K.

Surely he'll bring on Assaidi today?

Kylo Ren

That Rafa is home stuff from Sky Sports.

DrumSteve

G.K. wrote: »

Surely he'll bring on Assaidi today?

Somehow I doubt it.

Going to go 2-1 to the pool here today and for rafa to get a better reception than brendan.

adox

Well over 30 years of hating Liverpool but I think I'll still cheer for them against Chelsea. :pac:

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

hots

With City just rolling over to Spurs becomes even more of a must win for Chelsea... Hoping to see Hazard and Torres run at Carragher all match long.

Panthro

Last time I seen Luiz and Ivan both play CB, they didn't look great.
Hopefully they get it right today!

Here Precious2

Gwan the pool

G.K.

Character assasination of Rafa by 5 live there.

mayordenis

G.K. wrote: »

Character assasination of Rafa by 5 live there.

what happened?

Anyone

Agger to take Batman out of it in under 10 mins.

barone

redknapp is pure bbc match of the day quality

G.K.

mayordenis wrote: »

what happened?

Calling him 'arrogant', saying he thought he was 'bigger than the club' towards the end of his tenure, and said he had less success than he likes to think he did. Also ripped into him about Alonso.

Cantona's Collars

G.K. wrote: »

Calling him 'arrogant', saying he thought he was 'bigger than the club' towards the end of his tenure, and said he had less success than he likes to think he did. Also ripped into him about Alonso.

Doesn't Rafa think like that all the time?

Will I Amnt

Good move with the applause rather than silence.

Saab Ed

Come on Liverpool ....

From every Spurs fan today :-)

Rekop dog

The Alonso/barry saga was worst managerial misjudgment in premier league history for me.

monkey9

Wouldn't be surprised to see Torres make it one nil

niallo27

I can't see how liverpool can lose this game after that.

hots

cambo2008 wrote: »

Good move with the applause rather than silence.

Agreed, less chance for a few arseholes to ruin it.

WoollyRedHat

I have to say, there's something so calming and beautiful about the song You'll never walk alone by Gerry and The Pacemakers... it's timeless.

davycc

I feel dirty saving this but come on Liverpool!

Oranage2

Rekop dog wrote: »

The Alonso/barry saga was worst managerial misjudgment in premier league history for me.

Andy Carroll perhaps?

Cantona's Collars

niallo27 wrote: »

I can't see how liverpool can lose this game after that.

Sometimes the occasion can affect the performance & hamper a team rather than boost it.

Kylo Ren

davycc wrote: »

I feel dirty saving this but come on Liverpool!

You should do. Ejaculating on a whole football team is a bit much.

mike65

Agger over eager to impress there! :mad:

Morzadec

That doesn't look good for Agger...

klose

Never good when aggers on the ground

retalivity

some jolt from agger

adox

Torres didnt touch him. Awkward fall but never a free

googled eyes

Nearly glenjo.

Aggers fall looked very sore in slow motion replay

DDC1990

Glen Should have scored.

Lovely pass from Coutinho

Rekop dog

Oranage2 wrote: »

Andy Carroll perhaps?

I mean obviously shocking too but over rating young potential is one thing, but Alonso and Barry had been around for years, Rafa's thought process on that issue was beyond baffling.

klose

Henderson always looks so confused

barone

ya can tell suarez is revved up for this game

citytillidie

On the gates of Celtic park after their game today

Anyone

Rekop dog wrote: »

I mean obviously shocking too but over rating young potential is one thing, but Alonso and Barry had been around for years, Rafa's thought process on that issue was beyond baffling.

4 years ago now, not sure why you are discussing it in a match thread.

Knex*

Rekop dog wrote: »

I mean obviously shocking too but over rating young potential is one thing, but Alonso and Barry had been around for years, Rafa's thought process on that issue was beyond baffling.

Alonso had been playing poorly for a year or two and had a bad injury to boot. Barry went to City and won an FA Cup and the League.

Not the best idea he's ever had, but hardly baffling.