Anfield
2nd February 2011 – 8PM
Tomorrow night sees Liverpool take on Stoke City at Anfield in our 25th game of the Premier League season. The reverse fixture at the Britannia Stadium in November ended in a dissapointing 2-0 defeat, in a game that saw Lucas sent off. Although Stoke are an opponent we shouldn’t underestimate, I think it will be a completely different type of game at Anfield.
I don’t expect Stoke to come and defend, and hold out for a draw, because that’s not their nature. They’ll be up in our faces and pushing for the win, like Blackpool and Wolves have done earlier in the season.
But I think with our new found confidence and belief under Kenny will see us through in this one, but it wont be easy. Stoke have bought in big front man John Carew during the transfer window and he’ll be Stoke’s key man tomorrow evening. But Stoke have also lost two attackers, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Tuncay have moved to Fulham and Wolfburg respectively.
As for the Liverpool line-up, if Suarez is given his debut (his transfer is still pending international clearance and work permit issues), I think he could start up front on his own. If you haven’t already read, Andy Carroll wont be pulling on the Red shirt for a few weeks as he recovers from a thigh injury. But there’s also some more good news – Jamie Carragher will be back to full fitness for this game after the shoulder injury he picked up against Spurs. Lucas is also fit after his injury. This is the line-up I think Kenny will go for:
Reina
Kelly – Carragher – Skrtel – Johnson
Kuyt – Meireles – Lucas – Maxi
Gerrard
Suarez
That’s my team, with Johnson still at left-back where he has impressed, Lucas slotting back in the midfield to replace Poulsen and Suarez replacing Torres. You can leave your own line-ups and predicted scores in the comments box below, I look forward to reading them.
My prediction: Liverpool 2 – 0 Stoke
I think liverpool will win 3-0
suarez twice
gerrard penalty
I’m inclined to agree with your line up apart from skrtel who I think will give way to Agger.
How about Agger at left back?
Then, when Kenny makes his 65+ substitution, he’ll replace Maxi with Johnson, instead of Aurelio?
Plausable, I think.
Is Lucas fit again?
Our strongest team at home is:
Reina
Kelly Carragher Agger Aurelio
Johnson Meireles Gerrard Maxi
Cole
Suarez
I do wonder if he will use Agger instead of Skrtel… 3-0 Liverpool. 2 for Suarez, 1 for Meireles
@Thomas: Agger is very popular with Kenny, so it could be either of them playing there, but I don’t mind who. They’re both strong players.
@Fawad Yes Lucas is fit for tomorrow. He’s confirmed a couple of times on twitter. (@LucasLeiva87)
but suarez has no permit to work yet
Agger has to start, Skrtel has not been in good form recently.
my line up would be..
reina
kelly carra agger johnson
gerrard lucas
kuyt raul maxi
suarez (4-2-3-1)
predictions….3-1 YNWA
team prediction
reina
kelly carragher skrtel johnson
maxi merieles gerrard aurelio
suarez kuyt
it is a possibility
Maybe it’s timeforNgogtobe called up and for him a chance to give a good account of himself….
Just wondering what you think will happen if Suarez doesn’t get clearance in time….. Kuyt up top on his own?
I think our current strongest team is :
Reina
Kelly Carragher Agger Aurellio
Johnson Miereles Gerrard Cole
Kuyt Suarez
Subs: Maxi, Wilson, Pacheco, Shelvey, Jones, Skrtel, Jovanovic.
When Carrol is fit he can take Kuyt’s place, who will in turn take Jovanovic’s place on the bench
i would play:
Reina
kelly carragher agger johnson
kuyt gerrard meireles cole
suarez ngog
I’m not sure we can expect Suarez to play because of the paperwork etc and if he does then I don’t think he’ll have that explosive Diouf and Torres home debut we’ve seen in the past as he will take a bit of time to settle in.
I hope he does though because Stoke are in my least five favourite teams in the prem!
Hmm, against Chelsea though I would prefer to see the formation:
Reina
Kelly-Skrtel-Agger-Johnson
Kuyt-Gerrard-Lucas-Maxi
Meireles
Suarez
I don’t think it would be right to include Carragher in this game as Skrtel and Agger have a good partnership going and it would be a shame to end it in such a big game for reputations sake.
Reina
Kelly Carra Agger Johnson
Kuyt Lucas Maxi
Gerrard Meireles
Saurez
pepe
kelly carra agger aurelio
jhonson raul lucas maxi
gerrad
suarez
Let’s start as we mean to go on 3-0 Suarez debut goals
And Agger instead of Skrtel
Reina
Kelly skrtl agger Johnson
Lucas meriles
Gerrard
kyut suarez maxi
reina
kelly – mad greek – carra – johnson
dirk – stevie – raul – maxi
joey cole
suarez.
liverpool win 4-1 – suarez (2), stevie, meireles.
Reina
Kelly Carragher Skrtel Johnson
Lucas Meireles
Kuyt Gerrard Cole
Suarez
Liv 2-1 Sto
Reina
Kelly Carra Agger Fab
Kuyt Lucas Maxi
Gerrard Raul
Suarez
Subs: Johnson, Jova, Gulasci, Cole, Shelvey, Skrtel, Pacheco
2-nil Liverpool
YNWA!
I’d be happy with a win, whatever the score. We need points, plain and simple. Let’s get the Stoke scuffle behind us to prepare for the battle with Chelsea. Keep in mind they will have one day more to prepare and freshen up, and they are playing at home.
http://www.footballuser.com/61511/Liverpool
Lineup and reasoning are in that link.
Hey, would you (LFC Liverpool base fans) do a favor for us (LFC International base fans), bring back the big nose at Anfield, shatter the Stoke players through their bones, remind them this is Anfield, don’t mess with us!
Mostly agree with your lineup Brad, but I prefer Agger than Skrtel. Kenny most likely will use 4-3-3 so it would be
Reina
Kelly-Carra-Agger-Johnson
Lucas-Meireles-Maxi
Gerrard-Suarez-Kuyt
Subs: Gulacsi, Skrtel, Aurelio, Shelvey, Spearing, Pacheco, Ngog
If Suarez doesn’t get his work permit, who’s going to play NGog or Pacheco or Jovanovic ?
Now i miss Babel
my line up//
reina
kelly,carra,agger,johnson
kuyt,raul,maxi
gerrard
suarez,andy caroll
(4,3,1,2)
that is a winning fomation trust!!