Liverpool v Fulham- Build up Thread

[Maestro]

-------------------Reina
Finnan-------Carra----Hyypia----Aurelio
---------Mascherano-----Lucas--------
------Benayoun----Gerrard----Babel---
------------------Crouch-------------

I bet you type those team line-ups one-handed...

[Jayesh87]

I'd make two changes:

Reina

Arbeloa
Carra
Sami
Aurelio

Benayoun
Gerrard
Mascherano
Kewell

Crouch
Torres (if available - if not Babel)

you just picked the same team as me

[DeeTheDog]

I wouldn't risk Torres, why not keep the team from Wednesday?

International break coming up, so less need to rest players, especially considering the bench time of some of the starting 11 on Wednesday.

[REDSCOUSER]

Finnan back to take Aurelios place, Arbeloa switches to left back.
If Torres is fit he will start alongside Crouch, if not Kuyt will take Voronins spot. Thats it really.
Rafa must not rest any star players as we dont have a match for another 2 weeks, so no fook ups please.

[Jayesh87]

RAFA: LET'S CARRY ON SCORING
Steve Hunter 09 November 2007

Rafael Benitez said his team are full of confidence after their 8-0 midweek thrashing of Besiktas and he wants his team to continue that scoring form against Fulham.
Traditionally Liverpool have scored a lot of goals against Fulham at Anfield over the years, and the Reds boss wants his team to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after two successive draws in the top flight.

"The team have confidence from the other night," said Benitez. "It shows people we can score goals and we need to continue that.

"We have got the squad to win trophies, but we need to give our young players the confidence to believe they can do it.

"If you don't win games in a row there is always pressure on young players. But now we have the result that will help us to do that.

"It's like Manchester United. They were creating chances but not scoring at the start of the season. Now they are scoring in every game, and it could be the same situation for us if we carry on playing well."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...71109-0957.htm

[Jayesh87]

FULHAM BOSS RELISHING REDS TEST
Paul Eaton 09 November 2007

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez admits Rafael Benitez's rotation system makes preparing to face Liverpool an almost impossible task.
Sanchez brings his side to Merseyside this weekend still searching for a first away victory of the season, but he's aware of the size of the task after watching the Reds' eight goal demolition of Besiktas in midweek.

"Liverpool are probably the most difficult team in the Premier League to prepare for," he said. "I've got no idea what their team will be but you've got to give credit to a man who has won the UEFA Cup, was a Champions League finalist and has won the Spanish League twice – he obviously knows what he's doing.

"He doesn't fit in with what people do in this country but at the end of the day, they've just won a game 8-0.

"We've got to come away from Anfield with something. Everybody saw on Tuesday night how good Liverpool can be. It's no coincidence that on their day the top four teams have put eights, sevens and sixes away against other teams. It's a good test for our players and I'm looking forward to it."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...71109-1133.htm

[Jayesh87]

VORONIN: I'LL DO IT FOR YOU, SON
Jimmy Rice 09 November 2007

Andriy Voronin admits he was gutted at not bagging a goal during the 8-0 mauling of Besiktas.
The Ukraine striker wanted to hit the net for his new son, born on Merseyside last Saturday.

He's now desperate to make amends against Fulham on Saturday.

"The labour went well and both the mother and child are fit and healthy," the father of two told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I am delighted and I hope to dedicate a goal to him this weekend.

"I had a hand in four or maybe five goals on Tuesday, but I really would have liked to have scored because I wanted a goal for him. Unfortunately I wasn't able to realise this ambition, but it was still lovely to take part in this game."

The Liverpool number 10 was pleased to see the floodgates open on Tuesday after a difficult few weeks in front of goal for the Reds.

However, despite four-goal victories in both of Fulham's last two visits to Anfield, Voronin doesn't expect another mauling come 5.15pm on Saturday.

He explained: "We need to gain three points – we don't have to win 8-0 every week. It did feel like the floodgates opened on Tuesday, but Besiktas aren't here now, they've gone home.

"On Saturday we will be up against an English team, so it will be a different type of game."

The Champions League record books had to be re-written following the Besiktas massacre, not that Melwood will be ordering any copies. Down there, says Voronin, it was back to business from the moment the doors opened on Wednesday morning.

"The atmosphere has been pretty much the same. Of course it's pleasurable to play in an 8-0 win, but we still have two big games remaining in the Champions League and now we have to look to a very important league game against Fulham.

"It's very important for us to win on Saturday – we must win. We haven't played as well as we should have done and it's important we go into the international break on a high.

"We don't want to allow our rivals to go any further ahead in the table. We want to be at the top of the league and need to get as many points as quickly as possible."

Voronin admits too many games have been drawn at Anfield this season, with just one win sandwiched between four league stalemates.

However, he believes Fulham's attacking style means another Birmingham bore draw is unlikely.

"It is true that most of the teams come here to defend, because we are a top club. It will be nice if a team came to play attacking football. Obviously that would allow us to create situations where we can score."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...71109-0651.htm

[Dan]

I really could see us going on a run of scoring 4/5 goals over the next few games just like the Scum do regularly

[El Jefecito]

I bet you type those team line-ups one-handed...

[kopirish]

My God, another match on Setanta, on that Channel, its been woeful stuff in most part, Wigan (apart from Yossi), Brum and Blackburn.

Get into them early and 4-0 win

Reina

Finnan
Carragher
Hyppia
Arbeloa

Yossi
Gerrard
Masher
Babel

Torres
Crouch

I suspect though that Kuyt will start along with Fabio with Babel and Crouch riding the pine

[Dan]

--------------Reina-------------
Finnan-Carragher--Arbeloa--Aurelio
Benayoun-Gerrard-Mascherano-Riise
---------Crouch--Babel---------


Sami needs a rest.
Aurelio and Riise switching and Torres only coming on if we`re not winning after 60 minutes.

Although Sami did get a rest on Tuesday so I dont think Rafa'll drop him

[Shaggy]

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 4th
Lowest could fall: 7th

1. One of two remaining unbeaten clubs in the Premier League, with Arsenal, and one of six still to be beaten at home in the highest league.

2. Undefeated in 12 league games; won five and drawn seven since losing 1-0, away to Fulham on 5 May.

3. Their Premier League games this season have produced the joint lowest aggregate, with West Ham of 23 goals; 17 for, six against. That's 2.06 goals per game.

4. One of only two teams to have conceded six Premier League goals, at one every 165 minutes (two hours 45 minutes). Manchester United are the other club to have shipped just six, at one every 180 minutes (three hours) on average.

5. An opposition player is still to open the scoring in a Liverpool Premier League match this season, although an own goal from Sami Hyypia did give Everton the lead in the Merseyside derby on 20 October.

6. Not conceded a Premier League goal earlier than the 38th minute, and only shipped two in the first half; fewer than any other club.

7. Recorded three goalless draws in the Premier League this season; more than any other club.

8. Five of Liverpool's 10 league defeats last season followed midweek Champions League ties.

9. Drawn their last four league games against London clubs.

10. Of their five league wins this season, only one has been at Anfield. Drawn four of their five home Premier League matches; more than any other club, and unbeaten in nine league outings at Anfield. Won four and drawn five since the 0-1 reverse to Manchester United on 3 March; their only defeat in 40 home league games since October 2005.

[desertscouser]

If Rafa plays the strongest side available to him then we will batter Fulham. I think if we score an early goal, Fulham may well be on the end of a good old proper hiding.

[FT9]

We'd beat Fulham with our ressies - ****ness all through the Fulham team - can't think of one of their players that would get a game in our reserve games.

Doesn't matter who we put on the pitch tomorrow - we'll destroy them.

Its a good chance to rest Gerrard and give Lucas a game

6 - 0

[paulcooper4]

Im a ****in knobhead