Liverpool Preview II: Expect squad rotations 4 April, 2008
Posted by lasagnechef in Premiership.trackback
Right, after the Scoucers sneaked a draw on Wednesday we need to beat them this time. This game is more important for us than it is for them; they’ve got 4th pretty much secured whereas we’re still trying to put the pressure on Man United. That said, it doesn’t mean Liverpool and going to bend over and let us spank them.
Out of the three games, this would probably be the one that either team would’ve picked to lose, if they have to in one of the three games; and with the Champions League tie still in the balance, you might expect someone to take the foot off the pedal.
I was quite certain from the beginning that Liverpool would rest players for this middle game. The Champions League means everything to them and I’m sure the Scoucers would forgive Benitez if he lost this one. Wenger’s also hinted at resting, he says he’ll make a decision on his team selection based on fitness and how the players came out of Wednesday’s game.
He did say that Adebayor is fit though, van Persie is out…obviously. I don’t know what this means though, what Arsene is saying. It’s hard for me to guess a team because I don’t have access to the training ground and I don’t know what condition our players are in. Toure could be tired? Clichy could be tired? Fabregas could be tired? Hleb could be tired, I don’t know. So here’s my basically random guess at tomorrow’s team:
Hoyte - Senderos - Gallas (c) - Clichy
Walcott - Flamini - Fabregas - Diaby
Adebayor - Bendtner
I’m guessing Wenger will use this opportunity to try Hoyte out at right back and maybe give Hleb a little rest. I’m almost certain that Bendtner will start though. It’d be nice to see Theo start but I don’t want that to make him fatigued for Tuesday night’s game.
It’s rare that we talk about resting players for a Liverpool game, but I don’t want you to take that thinking I’m underestimating Liverpool. I have confidence in our back up players that they wont spoil our performance. We’ll still need to be at the top of our game. You can’t really tell what sort of Liverpool side might play tomorrow lunch time but whoever it is we have to play the same.
Liverpool have a big squad and if Benitez does decide to rest one or two then it’s still going to be a good side. In his press conference today he gave pretty much the same answer as Wenger: it depends on fitness.
I think we’re going to win, I’m confident. We played much better than them the other night and had the more chances but we’re also angry that they held us to a draw; we deserved AT LEAST a goal more on Wednesday. Also, we need the three points more than they do, if we don’t win then it’ll be a massive blow to our title challenge.
Right I’m off now, enjoy the game people. Don’t forget to wake up; it’s an early 12:45pm kick off (UK time!). I’ll write the match report as soon as possible; I’m quite busy this weekend, until then.
Diaby is suspended so wont play
Isn’t Diaby suspended for 3 games mate?
http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/SuspensionLists/
yes it means the invisible man”eboue”will play-i so badly want him to do the business but time & time again he flatters to decieve-give me strength to keep the faith!!!
For me this sequence of games sums up my annoyance with wenger at times, he does talk s*** when ready ( will see who’s available)Under normal circumstances a supposedly big top club would want to rest several 1st teamers, we cannot, the same spine has to play.
The team is tired full stop. Injuries are a part of any season, wenger knew like we that at least 5 players are continuously injuried ie.. rvp,ro- sicky, diaby, denilson, johan, walcott. the list goes on. To only add a 15yr old striker and lose a midfielder in jan window is laughable. Now I see we are going to haggle with flamini and lose him, can we not keep players? Wenger knows, for all you eboue haters, arsene will have him playing the holding midfield role next season. Finally you can criticise your manager at times and still love your club, Rant over!
As a Liverpool fan… are you never happy?
keeping the same spine has been your strength. Liverpool had Gerrard, Alonso, Lucas, Sissoko and Mascherano. All full internationals. One worth prob £30m, a near £20m for Mash, £15m for Alonso, nearly £10m for Sis and £6/7m for Lucas. Sounds good but thats why Rafa rotates so much. You cant keep them all happy. Lucas is young, so keeps quiet.. momo didnt and buggered off and Alonso probably had the hump, which might be why the formation changed to suit 3 main midfielders.
If (and it wont happen) Liverpool signed 2 more £20m forwards, he would HAVE to rotate Torres etc too.
I know I am waffling but if Arsenal were to have signed a shit load of players in the window.. you would have struggled to keep them all playing and happy.. then what would happen to your fluent instinctive passing etc.. takes time to get to know the system etc..
Oh yeah I forgot about Diaby, Eboue then I guess.
REPLY TO “Uk bubbler - 4 April, 2008 ”
uk bubbler’s original text…..
“for all you eboue haters, arsene will have him playing the holding midfield role next season. Finally you can criticise your manager at times and still love your club, Rant over!”
u idiot eboue will be our goalkeeper next seasson.
If diaby hadn’t been a dumb-ass, he might have even gotten a berth in hte midfield, but this season we seem to be having zero luck with injuries and suspensions.
I’d love to see Song in the midfield.
The spine of every team always plays. Ronaldo, Vidic and Ferdinand have played more games than Fabregas and Flamini this season. Having said that, I think Wenger will play Denilson, Gilberto and Song tomorrow. Maybe Djourou.
i think he will play the first team he has to if he wants to win and keep the league alive for another week.
lets hope theo starts!!! Pleaseeee
bollocks
http://tinyurl.com/4mjy7b
watch all the highlights and goals here
http://srohit.blogspot.com/2008/04/arsenal-v-liverpool-bpl.html
you can also download the whole match!!
who the f*ck is damien plessis (no. 47 for lfc)?
bring on the champions league
R.I.P
Premier League
Title
yes man u drew to boro 2-2
i think now that vidics injured they will struggle. i know we need them to lose two matches and draw one but it is possible. they can lose to chelsea and us and draw to everton.
gunnerguy
it isnt over till its over