Liverpool v Reading (a)- Build up Thread

[DaveC]

I'd play Carragher. If he gets booked Arbeloa can fill in for the manc game.

----------Reina
Finnan-Carra-Hyppia-Riise
-----Sissoko--Lucas
---------Gerrard
----Kuyt-Crouch-Babel

[desertscouser]

Id throw a hungry Hobbs in meself. The lad finally looks like he`s not in awe of the players around him and is ready to make a name for himself.

It's tempting but I still think we should play our best 11 against Reading as well as against Marseille and then the Mancs. Hobbs will get his chance but we simply have to keep this momentum going and the only way to do that imo is to keep playing our best players and Carra certainly comes into that category.

For what it's worth, I have a feeling we're going to demolish Reading on the weekend especially if Torres and Gerrard play. They're both looking unplayable at the moment.

[bigfooty]

he's a bit prone to giving away silly fouls this season.

He's also been booked for dissent a couple of times I think when decisions have gone against us.

[DaveC]

Think Torres will be rested ahead of the Marseille and manc games. He can't play every game, especially over Xmas. The only other game where could be rested is Pompey at home on the 22nd, but they're a decent side.

[Pablo]

I have a question: If Rafa does rest Carra and/or Torres will any of you moan if we lose?

I bet you there would be plenty who would.

I see the case for resting Torres, phyical tiredness over the festive period. But the Carra argument I disagree with, let the lad play he is sensible enough to avoid a silly booking and I would be seriously concerned with Hobbs and Hyypia at the back.

[desertscouser]

I have a question: If Rafa does rest Carra and/or Torres will any of you moan if we lose?

I bet you there would be plenty who would.

I see the case for resting Torres, phyical tiredness over the festive period. But the Carra argument I disagree with, let the lad play he is sensible enough to avoid a silly booking and I would be seriously concerned with Hobbs and Hyypia at the back.

I would moan like there's no tomorrow. They shouldn't be rested right now. Rest them perhaps when we play average sides at home but never in tough away games. Reading are a decent side at home and have to be treated with respect.

[Kloppster]

With Arsenal set to extend their lead over us to 9 points tonight, it is again key that we beat Reading and stay in touch, also my mate who supports Reading has tickets to this so we better win otherwise he will be bragging about it for ages!

Carra has 4 yellow cards and 1 more will mean he would miss the Mancs game...

Hobbs to play?

We have a good record against Reading, so hope that continues and Torres bags another hat-trick!

As for the starting XI, i would go for:

-----------Reina-----------
Finnan-Hobbs-Hyypia-Arbeloa
Yossi-Gerrard-Mascher-Kewell
-------Crouch-Torres-------

Newcastle to draw with Arsenal !

[Craig_H]

I have a question: If Rafa does rest Carra and/or Torres will any of you moan if we lose?

I bet you there would be plenty who would.

I see the case for resting Torres, phyical tiredness over the festive period. But the Carra argument I disagree with, let the lad play he is sensible enough to avoid a silly booking and I would be seriously concerned with Hobbs and Hyypia at the back.

If he rests Torres and we get beat, then yes.

Torres is fit and should play. IMO, we're capable of beating european sides with our pre-torres style more than we are league sides.

[Craig_H]

Think Torres will be rested ahead of the Marseille and manc games. He can't play every game, especially over Xmas. The only other game where could be rested is Pompey at home on the 22nd, but they're a decent side.

Well the Marseille game IS the game ahead of the manc game. I personally think torres needs to play all of the next 3 games. Take him off on 60 if we're comfortable, but he must start.

If he needs to miss one, it'd be marseille for me.

[Craig_H]

I would moan like there's no tomorrow. They shouldn't be rested right now. Rest them perhaps when we play average sides at home but never in tough away games. Reading are a decent side at home and have to be treated with respect.

[desertscouser]

Well the Marseille game IS the game ahead of the manc game. I personally think torres needs to play all of the next 3 games. Take him off on 60 if we're comfortable, but he must start.

If he needs to miss one, it'd be marseille for me.

He's on fire and I bet he's full of beans at the moment. Never ever rest players on top form....and Torres is approaching a level that none of us really expected him to reach so early on in his LFC career. Play Torres and the opposition sh!t themselves. Then they have to worry about Gerrard too. Then Babel. And then Benayoun. Before you know it they won't be able to cope with the quality and we'll crush them.

I can guarantee that Reading, Marseille and even United are worried about our run of form and we simply have to keep that momentum going.

[Craig_H]

He's on fire and I bet he's full of beans at the moment. Never ever rest players on top form....and Torres is approaching a level that none of us really expected him to reach so early on in his LFC career. Play Torres and the opposition sh!t themselves. Then they have to worry about Gerrard too. Then Babel. And then Benayoun. Before you know it they won't be able to cope with the quality and we'll crush them.

I can guarantee that Reading, Marseille and even United are worried about our run of form and we simply have to keep that momentum going.

Oh i fully agree.

Just pointing out though that if he really CANT play those three games in 11 days, then the game to rest him is Marseille.

[DaveC]

Knowing Rafa, there's no way he'll play him Saturday-Tuesday-Sunday. So if he is to miss out, I'd prefer that it was against the weakest side, in this case Reading.

I understand that he's on fire at the moment, but he's no good to us burnt out.

[Craig_H]

Marseille away will be far easier than reading away.

[desertscouser]

If I had a gun to my head I'd have to choose Reading as the game Torres should miss but I stand by my original comments, he shouldn't miss any of them.