Volante wrote:

Every time you do some motivational type post before a match we seem to lose. Do us a favor mate.

Who are you anyway?

Volante wrote:
Captain wrote:

Was very flat in the second half, clearly not fit for 90mins yet. Maybe not even an hour in centre-mid.

His passing technique is weird. Seems to lack balance and under-hits them too often.

actually agree with you. it's like he has a stiff leg and can't hit the ball properly.

it's his inability to defend that worries me more, because he's horrible out wide.

The team picks itself apart from one of the wide choices: Wilshere v Rosicky. Both played 90 mins today. We have players out injured but the XI that will play are all fantastic players. We have our first choice GK, our first choice defence, our first choice CM-pairing, our first-choice and in-form striker supported by an attacking midfield of Cazorla, Ozil and Wilshere.

The way the press and fans are talking about us missing Flamini, Walcott, Ox, Podolski, you'd think we're fielding cack. I am worried about another sluggish start and the same tired performances but if we find some energy I think we'll be alright. Every player in midfield and attack that you're passing to is experienced, has great control and is inventive.

I think he's less of a liability wide than he is in the middle at the moment. Wilshere will come good eventually though, I've no doubts over him.

having arty for this game helps a lot

We have struggled to keep clean sheets this season even when Arteta and/ or Flamini have played. Liverpool have a strong forward line, I am not confident about us keeping them out although to be fair Chelsea had a decent forward line themselves and they didn't get a sniff through the 90 minutes and yet scored two goals.

We are disciplined and well organized for most of the game, I just hope individuals don't let the manager and the team down. Ramsey cost us against Dortmund and then Jenkinson last night.

We also lack a top quality striker, even though Giroud has been good and we are missing Walcott's pace and penetration. We need to score somehow though. This will be a real test.

Well apparently this game is easier than Swansea so I guess we can relax...

I think this has become a must win game due to circumstances and our recent results at home. Don't want it to become a thing.

I'd be tempted to play Gnabry. Only option who plays remotely wide.

I agree Otf. Not to mention has shown his willingness to run at the box - penalty might be a decent hope of a goal.

Trouble is you then have to drop one of Wilshere, Ozil and Cazorla all of whom have different reasons they should play. Selecting both Arteta and Ramsey seems like a no brainer.

I would play Gnabry at the start with Wilshere as a replacement for any midfielder who isn't performing. He is probably the guy most capable of covering all of Ramsey, Arteta, Cazorla and Ozil.

The instructions must be simple. Go at them early. We need to wrap up this game at half time.

We're not going to wrap up this game by half time unless it is literally 3-0 by then.

We should be a little more confident for this, our record at Anfield is pretty good recently. We'll have Arteta, Gibbs, Sagna and Per back to help defensively, our midfield boys are still young so will have plenty of energy. As long as we keep their two forward men quiet we stand a good chance of getting something out of this.

IBL wrote:

We should be a little more confident for this, our record at Anfield is pretty good recently. We'll have Arteta, Gibbs, Sagna and Per back to help defensively, our midfield boys are still young so will have plenty of energy. As long as we keep their two forward men quiet we stand a good chance of getting something out of this.

Yes, but we just lost our last two games at the Emirates 😉

IBL wrote:

We should be a little more confident for this, our record at Anfield is pretty good recently. We'll have Arteta, Gibbs, Sagna and Per back to help defensively, our midfield boys are still young so will have plenty of energy. As long as we keep their two forward men quiet we stand a good chance of getting something out of this.

This game is at the Emirates.

oh bullox, all this time I had it in my head it was away!

Defensively I think the main issue this match is keeping a good shape while we're attacking in order to control their counter attacks. Since moving to 3412/352 Liverpool seem most dangerous in transition, hitting long balls out to the flanks to one of the strikers who have pulled wide (Gerrard particularly good at those). From there Suarez/Sturridge are very difficult to stop for most CBs who end being driven into their own box. Have no doubts Koscielny can deal with them, slight worry about Per though. Reckon it may be wise to attack more down the left so that Sagna can tuck in on the other side.

Liverpool will likely go for Lucas, Gerrard, and Henderson as the middle trio though. Can't see Rodgers using Moses or Coutinho from the start. We should be able to control the match.

We need monster games from Szczesny, Sagna, Per, Kos and Gibbs here.
I want to see them clean up and take Suarridge (puke) out of it.

Haven't seen LFC v WBA yet, but in the previous matches Liverpool didn't look nearly as comfortable when they were the ones in control of the ball. Looked much better soaking up pressure and attacking from there.

I feel a little guilty for being slightly fearful about facing Liverpool, even if half of it is nervousness on account of the importance this match assumes. They are a good side, nothing special and we are better. Arsenal doesn't inspire confidence considering past history in big games but still.