KopTalk.com Forums Football Liverpool FC Forum CFC v LFC League cup take it serious

First of all, an apology to Faz - he started this thread and feels it's been spoilt. It wasn't my intention to do so - sorry mate.

Just to explain, I don't think we're nervous and it's not that we don't want a strong team or to win. Here's my perspective:

- field the strongest team possible tonight taking into account condition of players, risks to injury etc.

- even if we change quite a few players, I think our team is just as good

- it's only Suarez that would make a big difference. So his is the only position where starting, being on the bench or not playing any part at all could make a significant difference and/or send a particular signal

- as for all the fun, well we're just off the back of two big games in which we did well, another big game just two days away, and there was already another thread set up to discuss teams selection, strategy for that game. So a little fun to break the intensity seemed no harm.

- likewise, I bet the players will not have been in full training yesterday. They'll need to have relaxed too to recover in time for today - have a laugh, think of something other than football to release the tension, refresh their minds etc. They'll be better off for it today.

I don't this to come out the wrong way - I mean nothing to do with Gary Speed, but Bellamy being unable to play against City could prove to be a blessing in disguise for us. He'll almost certainly start tonight, and will hopefully have a purpose about him and an eagerness to do well as a tribute to his buddy. I hope that doesn't sound insensitive in any way, because it's intended to be anything but.

I think we should maintain as much of the lineup from the last game as possible. I hear that Carra is likely to start, which i'm a bit disappointed about. I don't think the Skrtel-Agger partnership should be broken up. I'd like to keep the back 4 together for this one, and also keep Lucas & Adam in midfield, although it's likely Spearing will come in. I think Maxi deserves a start after being unlucky not to play a part against City.

I really can't call the starting lineup for this one. It'll probably largely rest on how fresh certain players feel.

I know what you are saying Bar - in times like these players don't know whether to play or not - a lot of the other players did probably have to get it out of their system - only a pro footballer could understand really how hard it must be not just to go out infront of thousand but in front of cameras

Well I don't rate this competition against the premiership position or even against the FA or Europa Cups, however we want to win any and every game we are in, therefore I want to win today. Another reason I want to win today is to hole the Chelsea ship below the waterline, as I think a good hiding on their home ground by us today would do just that. On this basis I want Kenny to put out the strongest team he can without risking overplaying anyone. The only one I would be too concerned about is Suarez, because as Thundyr says he is doing two players jobs since he came in, - playmaker and striker, and he expends much energy in every match, at which rate he won't last a full season, I fear, therefore I'd rest him and play Bellamy with either Kuyt or Carroll.

By the way, following some disgraceful petty behaviour from one or two of the players initially selected, which may I add was not in line with what one expects from a Liverpool player, all of you have been dropped. The team for tonight will now be:

----------- Reina --------------------
--------------------------------------
Kelly----Carra -----Skrtel ---- Enrique
---------------------------------------
Downing -- Henderson -- Spearing -- Maxi
---------------------------------------
------------ Carroll-- Bellamy --------


subs: Suarez, Kuyt, Johnson, Agger, Doni.


difficult choice: only 5 subs allowed i think. Lucas? Adam?

this is a big shock to me,but ill accept it,good choices but is it a winning one? your sacked if we dont! just to add, im off to kick the door in

You could have left one on - see if anyone noticed on the telly

Ah gee boss thats a bit harsh,. Anyway I don't care you didnt pick me, despite a good offer! next time it's a horse's head in your bed...boss!!

On a serious note, not a bad shout there Mighty, except i'm not sure Downing plays as well on the right, but then Maxi wouldn't either. Interesting pairing there, Henderson and Spearing, but again hardly as strong as Adam and Lucas but maybe they need to be rested. Interesting team but your midfield looks vulnerable I think.

Why downing on the right and maxi on the left? - Too risky to put carragher on for me - another t est of KD's will power .
But thats what team line up i would have - but id give carrol a rollicking just to go in and rough up the defenders he would have been good against JT if he had been playing - i think JT has a klan meeting tonight htough morei mportant for him than this match, spearings not a bad call ( i didnt see that in your post) he will be raring to go and get stuck in , but lucas is a must if availbale

in fact i dont agree with your team at all !