***The Derby build up thread**

[WILF]

Mate, if we don't beat Derby it would be a disgrace. I doubt we'll underestimate Derby but they are gash and are easily the worst side in the premiership.

Agreed, and therefore it is the right time to rest any players who need it (Sami) . Play Hobbs and let Sami be fit for Citeh

[AFII]

Benitez shuffles his pack for trip to Derby

Dec 24 2007

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is likely to shuffle his side for the trip to bottom club Derby on Boxing Day with a tough away trip to fourth-placed Manchester City on the horizon next Sunday.

Benitez has already made 223 000 alterations to his sides this season, on a match-to-match basis, and used 77 000 substitutions, making it a remarkable 300 000 changes in player personal in 28 matches so far.

And there will be more of the same at Pride Park, with Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas all in the running for a starting berth. Youngster Jack Hobbs could also get another run-out in defence while Xabi Alonso could also continue his comeback from injury.

Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kewell, Babel, Lucas, Sissoko, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...4375-20284665/

[AFII]

So something like this then....

--------------------Reina
Arbeloa-------Carra--------Hobbs-------Aurelio
-----------Alonso---------Lucas--------------
------Babel---------Voronin-----Kewell--------
--------------------Torres--------------------

Crouch isn't in the squad, he is banned. Eh, scrap the above starting XI, if the journo don't even know that Crouch is banned then he really don't have a clue about anything.

[WILF]

Benitez shuffles his pack for trip to Derby

Dec 24 2007

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is likely to shuffle his side for the trip to bottom club Derby on Boxing Day with a tough away trip to fourth-placed Manchester City on the horizon next Sunday.

Benitez has already made 223 000 alterations to his sides this season, on a match-to-match basis, and used 77 000 substitutions, making it a remarkable 300 000 changes in player personal in 28 matches so far.

And there will be more of the same at Pride Park, with Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas all in the running for a starting berth. Youngster Jack Hobbs could also get another run-out in defence while Xabi Alonso could also continue his comeback from injury.

Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hobbs, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kewell, Babel, Lucas, Sissoko, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/...4375-20284665/

Eeerrrr , have I drunk too much tequilla or are those numbers just feckin ridiculous ???

I mean 77 000 subs, !!!!

Or is AF11 employing skando wit here ??

[dww]

Eeerrrr , have I drunk too much tequilla or are those numbers just feckin ridiculous ???

I mean 77 000 subs, !!!!

Or is AF11 employing skando wit here ??

He is the numerical Shaggy.

[Mattshark]

WERE GONNA **** 'EM

[FatTony]

They did alright against Newcastle, I hope Rafa doesn't rest half the squad and we don't take them seriously.

We can beat them in 1st gear as long as we're in the right mindset, if Rafa fields and experimental side, we might shoot ourselves in the foot. 10 points behind the top is not the time to be fecking around with rotation.

[Armchairkopite]

Agreed we don't want another Reading debacle.

[Howard_lfc]

They did alright against Newcastle, I hope Rafa doesn't rest half the squad and we don't take them seriously.
We can beat them in 1st gear as long as we're in the right mindset, if Rafa fields and experimental side, we might shoot ourselves in the foot. 10 points behind the top is not the time to be fecking around with rotation.

100% agree

Agreed we don't want another Reading debacle.

and again.

[Joe King]

---------Reina----------
Arbeloa Carra Hobbs Aurelio
--------Sissoko-----------
------Lucas Alonso-------
Babel------------Voronin
---------Torres--------

In this weird hybrid of systems, Rafa will play Sissoko in order to shut his mouth up and rest Gerrard in order for the Man City game. Torres will come off if we are winning after 65/70 mins. Hobbs to start so Hyypia is rested for the tricky Man City game.

We won without Gerrard at home against them, we can win without him again.

[AFII]

I doubt that Rafa will risk any player that he probably want to sell in January, like Sissoko for example.

[Joe King]

I doubt that Rafa will risk any player that he probably want to sell in January, like Sissoko for example.

Maybe Gerrard for Sissoko in my formation?

[AFII]

Maybe Gerrard for Sissoko in my formation?

Alonso as the holding midfielder and Gerrard in the Alonso position.

[Lee]

Fair enough, I'm not 100% convinced myself yet but I thought he did okay against Chelsea and wouldn't hesistate to play him against Derby.

I think we'll all agree that Hyypia is a must for Citeh and so Hobbs will probably play against Derby or Wigan. Personally I'd play Hobbs at Pride Park but it could go either way.

Think theres a good chance of seeing Hobbs against Luton on the 6th anyway so by then with a bit of luck we'll have a well-rested Sami and Agger on the comeback trail.

Anyone know when Agger is back?? He seems to have been out for an eternity.

What game did he last appear in? vs Sunderland??

[Joe King]

Anyone know when Agger is back?? He seems to have been out for an eternity.

What game did he last appear in? vs Sunderland??

Pompey game