Today's team

[Shaggy]

Even with a so-so, and at times threadbare squad over the past two seasons, second guessing Rafa's team selections has often been nigh on impossible.

Now we have a "skwad" packed with POSSIBILITIES, it is even more difficult. In this thread I want people to pick the team they think Rafa will go with - NOT the team you would pick. Bragging rights and football nous points go to anyone who guesses correctly - INCLUDING the five subs.

Here's a snippet of team news to help...

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has a near clean bill of health among his players for the lunchtime kick-off at Sheffield United.

Robbie Fowler and Stephen Warnock both came through a friendly at Lincoln on Wednesday to prove their fitness after minor injuries, while only Harry Kewell (groin) is definitely absent.

Liverpool are still awaiting Dirk Kuyt's international clearance, but boss Benitez admits he is highly unlikely to include the Dutch international at Bramall Lane.

Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant are likely to make their league debuts for the club, while Fabio Aurelio is a possible starter on the left of midfield, unless Benitez opts for the pace of Mark Gonzalez.

Here's my guess:

Reina

Finnan
Hyypia
Carragher
Riise

Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Gonzalez

Bellamy
Crouch

Subs: Dudek, Zenden, Aurelio, Pennant, Garcia.

[Los Rojos]

No Garcia Shaggy?????

Here's my team:

Reina

Finnan
Hyypia
Carragher
Riise

Pennant
Gerrard
Sissoko
Gonzalez

Garcia

Bellamy


Subs: Dudek, Zenden, Aurelio, Alonso, Crouch

[Shaggy]

No Garcia Shaggy?????

AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH I knew I'd forgotten someone! That's the problem with having so many possibilities!!

Hmmm. Okay I'll swap Garcia for Fowler....edit it in a sec.

I can see where you're coming from re Xabi. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see Rafa leave him out for this one.

[Red_Polo]

Reina

Finnan
Hyypia
Carragher
Riise

Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Gonzalez

Bellamy
Crouch

Subs: Dudek, Zenden, Aurelio, Pennant, Fowler.

Can't argue much with that

I can see Garcia in there somewhere though

[Los Rojos]

Yeah - Xabi looks off the pace at moment mate.

He'll be back on form by mid September.

[Shaggy]

Can't see the meticulous Rafa even bothering with Kuyt on the bench to be honest mate. He'll surely want to get him more integrated with the squad and become more familiar with how we play etc before picking him. Being ineligible for midweek will mean he'll have had a good week or so in training so leave him for next weekend I say.

[Shaggy]

I can see Garcia in there somewhere though

Swift editing rendering my last post entirely irrelevant!

[Red_Polo]

Swift editing rendering my last post entirely irrelevant!

Haha sorry I edited about a thousand times

I was thinking Kuyt had a shout at being on the bench if Robbie's knee is not quite 100% right yet. However it seems Robbie is defo OK, hence the edit. I can see Agger making the bench mind...

[Los Rojos]

I can't see us going 4-4-2 tomorrow. If we do, I agree it'll be Little and Large and Robbie will make the bench.

[RedDan]

It's still only 5 subs? It would be fantastic if we are allowed to have 7 subs on the bench.

[carrsim]

reina
stevie f
sami
carra
johny
stevie g
xabi (needs games, maybe an hour then pennant comes on when we're 3-0 up)
momo
fabio
crouchie
bellers

bench
kyut/fowler
pennant
luis
agger
dude

think speedy will be saved for home games to begin with
dirk depends on his clearance, but i wouldn't be surprised for him to get 20 minutes

with fabio's sweet left peg and stevie on the right we are solid across the middle with the option of pennant or luis if it opens up a bit

[Stevie M]

Is Hyppia fit, I presume it was a minor knock in midweek. So, there could be a possibility that Agger plays.

If Aurelio is fully match fit now, I suspect he's start on the left ahead of Gonzalez.

I reckon Crouch will play and either Bellamy or Garcia will partner him.

I reckon will play

GK - Reina
RB - Finnan
LB - Riise
CM - Alonso
CM - Sissoko
RM - Gerrard
LM - Aurelio
ST - Crouch
ST - Bellamy

Subs - Dudek, Agger, Pennant, Garcia, Kuyt

In saying that, knowing Benitez, we'll probably see Warnock, Paletta & Kromkamp play

[carrsim]

Is Hyppia fit, I presume it was a minor knock in midweek. So, there could be a possibility that Agger plays.

If Aurelio is fully match fit now, I suspect he's start on the left ahead of Gonzalez.

I reckon Crouch will play and either Bellamy or Garcia will partner him.

I reckon will play

GK - Reina
RB - Finnan
LB - Riise
CM - Alonso
CM - Sissoko
RM - Gerrard
LM - Aurelio
ST - Crouch
ST - Bellamy

Subs - Dudek, Agger, Pennant, Garcia, Kuyt

In saying that, knowing Benitez, we'll probably see Warnock, Paletta & Kromkamp play

no centre backs. ambitious

[darkknight]

Don t normally do prediction games - be interesting to see how I go:

Dudek

Kromkamp
Agger
Paletta
Traore

Kewell
Anderson
Zendon
Diao

Pongolle
Kuyt

Bench:

Reina
Gerrard
Alonso
Carra
Bellamy

[blacky]

I Reckon

Reina
Finnan
Hyppia
Carragher
Riise

Gerrard
Xabi
Momo
Aurelio

Crouch
Bellamy

Subs
Dudek
Fowler
Garcia
Pennant
Agger