Team for Cardiff?

[disco]

I hope we don't go too OTT with changes - unlike other posters I do want to win this trophy.

Would be good to see Lucas and Barry play though

[dww]

To be honest I would like to see Hobbs start with an experienced partner (so at present that pretty much has to be Carra). Trouble is I think we have asked a great deal of Carra since his broken rib and risking him would be a downside to the plan for me.

Like Disco I think we should aim to be winning all competitions but the Carling cup has to be viewed as also a developmental competition. Our current circumstances unfortunately mean that we need to use it to develop the fitness of some experienced players as much as give competitive games to up and coming reserves. I still think though that we need to win and would like to see a few fit first choice players in teh starting team.

[AFII]

To be honest I would like to see Hobbs start with an experienced partner (so at present that pretty much has to be Carra). Trouble is I think we have asked a great deal of Carra since his broken rib and risking him would be a downside to the plan for me.

Like Disco I think we should aim to be winning all competitions but the Carling cup has to be viewed as also a developmental competition. Our current circumstances unfortunately mean that we need to use it to develop the fitness of some experienced players as much as give competitive games to up and coming reserves. I still think though that we need to win and would like to see a few fit first choice players in teh starting team.

The CC and FA Cup are probably our only realistic chance to win a trophy this season and that means that we need to play a stronger team than we would have done if we had been top of the league or top of our CL group.

I still think we have a chance to win the league but it isn't realistic anymore after our injury problems and dropped points.

[SB]

Peter Crouch seems set to start only his sixth game of the season for Liverpool at home to Cardiff in the Carling Cup fourth round.

The big striker impressed as a second-half substitute in Sunday's draw with Arsenal, and could be joined in the action by Harry Kewell.

The Australian is now back in full training after a groin problem, and could get his first run out of the season.

Boss Rafael Benitez is also likely to use second choice-goalkeeper Charles Itandje, Lucas, Sebastian Leto and Fabio Aurelio. Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano, Jermaine Pennant and Xabi Alonso are all injured.

Cardiff have several selection concerns ahead of their daunting Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool at Anfield.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is not allowed to feature for Cardiff under the terms of his one-month loan from Manchester City, who are still involved in the competition themselves.

The Bluebirds will also have to do without keeper David Forde, who is cup-tied having played for Luton earlier in the competition.

Michael Oakes looks set to reclaim his starting berth in goal, with young stopper Josh Magennis likely to make his senior bow on the bench in place of Forde.

Defenders Kevin McNaughton and Roger Johnson are also both doubts, as are experienced midfield duo Trevor Sinclair and Paul Parry.

Liverpool (from): Itandje, Finnan, Carragher, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Kewell, Lucas, Sissoko, Benayoun, Babel, Leto, Crouch, Voronin, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riise, Hobbs, Martin.

[SB]

Possibly this

Itandje,

Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Aurelio,

Benayoun, Lucas, Sissoko, Kewell,

Babel, Crouch,


Martin. Finnan ,Leto, Voronin, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riise,


Or Arbeloa and Hobbs in the centre and Finnan at RB?

Leto to start and Harry to replace him after an hour or so?

[-V-]

Nothing surprises me anymore. I guess both Carragher and Gerrard will play.

Guess Rafa's logic is just a million miles away from mine

[dww]

The CC and FA Cup are probably our only realistic chance to win a trophy this season and that means that we need to play a stronger team than we would have done if we had been top of the league or top of our CL group.

I still think we have a chance to win the league but it isn't realistic anymore after our injury problems and dropped points.

I don't think we can stop fighting for any competition. We are hardly out of contention in the league yet. We should always look to win all competitions we enter.

That doesn't mean giving equal weight to the CC and Cl or league just that we have to always put a team out which Rafa is confident can win each game.

[RaviAlonso]

i'd be happy with

Itandje

Arbeloa Hobbs Huth Insua


Lucas Plessis



Babel Benayoun Kewell


Crouch


Subs; Pepe, San Jose, El Zhar, Aurellio, Pacheco <, prob wont happen..but i hope it does

[Los Rojos]

i'd be happy with

Itandje

Arbeloa Hobbs Huth Insua


Lucas Plessis



Babel Benayoun Kewell


Crouch

I wouldn't be happy with that at all mate. Throwing in an inexperienced centre half partnership would be silly IMO, especially if we want to progress. I understand that you want to give Carra a rest, so put Arbeloa in the middle with Hobbs and bring in one of the other youngsters to play at full back (Darby perhaps).

I'd also rather start Spearing in place of Plessis but would expect Gerrard to play tonight as he is just getting his form back.

[thekop]

Riise? Centre half? I think you and Rafa need to stay off the communal wine.

[RaviAlonso]

I wouldn't be happy with that at all mate. Throwing in an inexperienced centre half partnership would be silly IMO, especially if we want to progress. I understand that you want to give Carra a rest, so put Arbeloa in the middle with Hobbs and bring in one of the other youngsters to play at full back (Darby perhaps).

I'd also rather start Spearing in place of Plessis but would expect Gerrard to play tonight as he is just getting his form back.

Yeah i see were your coming from....but with Arbeloa in the middle i can see them hitting it long and he is not that tall...but we will wait and see what Rafa has instore for us..he will prob surprise us all and play Sami and JC!!!

I want him to rest gerrard..keep him fresh for the blackburn game...if Mo is not ill still then i can also see him starting with Lucas...

All that matters really is a Liverpool win (and good performance) and a Robbie Fowler goal....

[friedk]

Riise? Centre half? I think you and Rafa need to stay off the communal wine.

Remember him playing there once against Villa in an end of season game, did a pretty decent job; but sure it's a one off.