Liverpool vs Spurs (Wednesday)

Hi Antoine,

I’ve been reading EOTK for about a year now and this is my first go at posting, so I just wanted to throw in my (albeit pointless) two cents in for this upcoming (exceedingly important) match.

I’m an American, living in Michigan, a state that has seen its fair share of sports-related woes. Especially considering I’m a true University of Michigan Wolverine. My other biggest love (and probably moreso to be honest) is our Reds. I’ve got my Torres jersey on every game, my YNWA scarf, and a “This Is Anfield” poster on my closet door. To be clear, I still support Rafa, and would give him the 2010-2011 season to put this team back together; I also hate Hicks and Gillett for what they’ve done to the club. It’s a disgrace to them and to the fans.

I think there is no way we can come out with the same line-up we showed against Stoke. We need to attack, and recklessly if it’s required. For that reason, I think Rafa would be served well with this lineup:

Reina
Degen—Carra—Agger (if fit)/Kyrg—Insua
Masch—Aurelio
Maxi—Kuyt—Riera
Babel/N’gog

I.M.O. I think Rafa should START Babel. Now, I’m not stupid, I know he’s been inconsistent and hardly deserving to wear the shirt; he’s disrespectful, immature, lacking confidence, and hot in temper. BUT, we are dealing with the fact that if we want to BUY, we need to SELL. And teams will be hard-pressed to buy a player not good enough to make the first squad on a team that has been struggling as much as ‘pool this year. So, that being said. If we let him play the first half, maybe, just maybe, he’ll muster up the guts to go out and show that potential everyone is bickering about. If he doesn’t, we bench him, and N’gog comes on to the play or we sub in Aquilani and move Maxi or Kuyt up top.

This system would seem to fit Rafa’s (stubborn) 4-5-1 formation and seems like a smart and more attacking-oriented squad. With Aurelio playing LDMF with Mascherano, I think we could see a little more creativity and some brilliant long passes from Aurelio, not to mention, a threat on set pieces where playing Kyrgy would be very threatening.

If we ran a 4-4-2, I’d like to see this lineup.

Reina
Degen—Carra—Agger/Kyrgy—Insua
Maxi—Masch—Aquilani—Aurelio
Kuyt—Babel/N’gog

This would leave us with an attacking sub, Riera, if the game requires it. And additionally, Babel would get the start, to prove his worth. This is risky, but I think at this point that getting within one point of a CL spot is going to require some risk.

Last point: as I talked about how we need to play Babel, so that we may sell him, I believe a swap for Arda Turan would be our best option. He’s dangerous in the attacking third and shows real quality in terms of his skill set. Not-to-mention, he’s already oozing confidence from the way he dominates the Turkish league.

Here’s our starting XI for tomorrow, you heard it here first! haha (guessing a Liverpool starting XI is about as easy as guessing the winning lottery numbers)

Reina
Carragher Skrtel Kyrgiakos Aurelio
Mascherano
Maxi Aquilani Lucas Babel
Kuyt

Subs: Cavalieri, Riera, Insua, Ngog, Degen, Darby, & Pacheco

Agree with you Cory D. , but for me, sometimes it may be frustrating seeing new line ups consistently, but other times its exciting and you never know what that brilliant man will write on the team sheet.. i think the fans are worried with his future, but fascinated over his ways and outlook on the sport.
Tomorrow will be a tough match like always, but we will sneak a few in from some unlikely scores like kyrgiakos did, and we will all love the new scores the next morning! I hope babel gets one to boost his support and confidence, and i hope kuyt gets one to make up for his post header.. help him recover! Other than that, be nice if Aquilani or Maxi get their first at home!

Excited, and ready, Brandon.