There’s been a lot of talk in the press about this game, for the obvious reason that if we manage to beat Pool at Anfield, then it might well mean Brendan Rodgers will get the bullet on Monday.
And if you look at our record at Anfield over the last few years, it’s quite impressive. Without checking the facts, I can only remember one defeat in the last four or five times we’ve played them there. There was also the memorable win over them in the FA cup semi.
So we have a very good record of getting a result, quite often when it wasn’t expected.
Liverpool have twice the points we do (8) from the first six games and sit 13th in the league. Of course that’s not on a par with the Liverpool fans lofty ambitions and while I almost felt a slight dig at them coming on then, the reality is that for a club like Liverpool, it simply isn’t good enough. I don’t know where you rate them, but to my mind they ought to be top six, with more of a claim than we have.
Especially when you consider the money they’ve spent.
The very good news on our part is that Christian Benteke won’t be involved.
Can you imagine him against our defence, if he’s on fire?
Like I said, good news.
Roberto Firmino has a cracked bone in his back, Dejan Lovren has done a ligament and Jordan Henderson has had an operation on his foot. That’s a fair loss this early in the season, I reckon.
On the plus side for them, Daniel Sturridge is back in after being rested for the narrow defeat of Carlisle midweek.
Did Liverpool really have 45 shots without scoring in that game?
If so, that sounds like a team desperately down on it’s luck.
As for us, the good news is Gana’s back in training after a bit of “Paul Daniels” type treatment in France and could be fit.
Gabby’s a doubt, but as I’ve previously suggested, I think he’ll get a start if he’s anywhere near ok.
Traore and Okore are back in training, but this game might be too soon.
And Gardner starts training on Monday.
So it could be worse.
So, what to think?
Well, liverpool have had a poor start and the manager is under severe pressure, isn’t he?
And we have that very good record at Anfield of late.
I find this one difficult to call for a few reasons.
First off, liverpool’s defence can be as dodgy as ours can’t it?
Which means if the likes of Grealish and Gil/Ayew get at them, we have plenty that can open them up.
Likewise, our defence, where Sturridge is always dangerous and they have plenty who can hurt us.
If that 45 shots is true, I’d suggest we need them to stay out of luck.
But the biggest thing is going to be how Sherwood approaches the game.
I’m guessing he’s going to try to maximise our pace and trickery, which is why I think he’ll be hoping for Gabby to at least start.
I’d expect Ayew to come straight in, although if Traore does happen to be fit, he’d get the right-wing slot first.
A straight back four, with Clark back on the bench.
And Sanchez and Westwood as the centre mids.
I doubt there’s much to be debated there and the usual applies, in the Gestede/Bacuna/Hutton merits or otherwise.
It’s definitely good that the team sheet doesn’t write itself these days and we do have realistic options.
So ultimately, the truth is I don’t know.
It could be a single goal win either way.
Then again, if either side gets their shooting boots on, it could be a shoeing.
So I’ll plump for 1-1.
UTV
Awful start and again I am a bit confused by the starting line up, but we’ll see at half time how this plays out. Right now it is far to easy for Liverpool – we are losing the flanks and the middle isn’t doing much better with Sanchez, Westwood, Gueye all sharing the same space.
I am finding it slightly frustrating that no one is challenging and closing down towards the center circle.
Better there.
It shows we can hurt them, if we can get the bloody ball in their half.
Wow….how long did it take you to wok out we have to get the ball in the opposition half to be able to hurt them? You’re knowledge is remarkable 😉
work*
4 points out of 21 and some people on here still think Sherood is as better than Kamberk. I said ages ago he would never sustain it he was a good short term app but long term he is useless. He has to go and go now
Agree oohah, A few Deadwood worshippers are more than likely praying for their fallen leader right now. Thing is though Fox won’t sack him yet, well not until a league 1 or 2 manager becomes available that will fit nicely into the budget.
Frighteningly true B6 but we need to act now before we get cut adrift. They should just break the bank and get Klopp or someone the amount of money it’s cost in sackings would easily pay for a big name manager
We’e had a shot on target!!! I’m going to celebrate by putting myself a meat feast pizza in the oven 🙂
stick your head in it, while you’re at it 😉
It’s electric.
For anyone not watching the game. We are playing a flat 4-5-1, with the 5 midfielders basically sitting in front of our 18 yard box. This is why we have struggle to get out of our own half
Westwood, Gestede and Sinclair off
Traore, Ayew and Gil on. 442 with Gil off Ayew. Defo cant worse than we’ve been
Nice move.
He won’t take Westwood off, that would be the ultimate betrayal to his love child! If any of the midfielders come off it’ll be Sanchez or Gana due to his lack of match fitness.
It’ll be interesting to see how Sherwood changes this up.
Traore would be a good bet, to give them something to worry about on our right, as they’ve battered us there.
We need to get Grealish further up the field too.
Tricky, because if we go to bold, we’ll leave ourselves too open at the back.
Their pressing has impressed me.
We need to do the same.
No subs!
Changes – no changes. Still playing super deep.
With this set up we have no attacking players. Sinclair, Gestede, and Grealish have all been playing defensively most of this game.
Constant fucking about and nowhere near quick enough, hence getting caught in possession again.
That’s really annoying!
Lucky this isn’t 3/4-0 right now – no idea why Sherwood is parking the bus.
Because he’s clueless that’s why
I can’t argue with that.
Amavi turned his back then and got lucky.
Goal coming up?
Game over
He’s beginning to get to me now, worst start in 29 years and still failing us fans with his selection of players, again other teams are helping us out in not winning games, when will this start to be Villas year, where is my mucker Giddy .?
2 now fuck it.
2-0 we’re doooomed!
🙁
Yep, game over now 🙁
Oh look a sub who isn’t a defensive midfielder…
Went are we never brave in defeat? Why don’t we ever make it difficult for teams. We are Fucking shit. I’ve had enough.
Only one team wants this. We were defeated before a ball was even kicked.
So you’re saying the manager didn’t do his job?
Just look how not arsed we started. Pathetic.
Looking at the team and tactics he clearly hasn’t done his job!
Get gestede off and Ayew on.