Liverpool v Wigan- Build Up Thread

[Red Chilli]

Ouch

It could have been worse, he could have said Momo

[REDSCOUSER]

A couple of changes will do well for the REDS in this hectic time of the season. Wigan are no muggs but at the same time of the season we are on a good run so theres no reason why will be not batter them.

[REDSCOUSER]

I'd rest players against Wigan and play a full strength side away at Luton.

Agree. 13 points behind. Can't see it myself.

There's always hope but I can't see it. I've seen nothing from the reds this season to suggest that we could put on a championship winning run from now until the end of the season. And if Gerrard or Torres get injured we'd really be shafted.

Realistically I just want to challenge this season, ie. stay in contention until the last 3-4 games of the season. That's probably our level at best.

Thanks for your support lads, now move along to Boro or Spurs or even Neverton.

[Shaggy]

Chris Kirkland insists he harbours no bitterness towards Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as he prepares for his first return to Anfield since leaving the club 18 months ago.

Kirkland, the Wigan Athletic goalkeeper, spent five years on the Liverpool books following a £6 million move from Coventry City in August 2001, but managed a total of just 45 appearances, primarily due to a string of injuries.

The 26-year-old did play 14 times under Benitez shortly after the Spaniard’s arrival at the club, prior to suffering a back injury which led to him dropping out of the first-team picture completely.

A season-long loan spell at West Bromwich Albion that was again wrecked by injury followed, prior to Kirkland moving to Wigan in the summer of 2006, again initially on loan before signing permanently.

Although his last game for Liverpool was three years ago, Kirkland has not played at Anfield since for either of the sides he subsequently ended up at.

But despite being dumped by Benitez, tomorrow’s Premier League match will still be a special one for him.

“I’ve nothing to prove in going back to Anfield,” he said. “I enjoyed my time there, but had to move on. That’s football, although I don’t think the Liverpool fans will remember me too well as I was injured quite a lot.

“But I still played around 50 games for them. What happened is one of those things. I had a lot of injuries, and when I was fit, the gaffer thought it best for me to move on. He said 'Chris, you are a nice lad but you are always injured, and you are a bit **** - I'm selling you'. So I left.

“But I’m not bitter about it and I certainly don’t regret leaving. I went to West Brom, now I’m with Wigan, and I love it.

“You never know what might have happened but for the injuries, but the facts are they happened and my time was hindered.

“As I say, I’m not sour. I just hope I get a good reception from the Kop, that would be nice. “But the most important thing is I simply play well for Wigan. As I say, I'm not bitter. Or sour. Definitely not.”

[desertscouser]

Thanks for your support lads, now move along to Boro or Spurs or even Neverton.

Come off it Art. Just telling it how I see it. I'm hopeful but deep down it's a massive long shot. I'll be there at the game tomorrow getting behind the side like everyone else. But I think we should be allowed to air our honest views in a forum such as this without anyone questioning our support.

[tommyg]

I think Rafa will go for something like;

Reina
Finnan Arbeloa Carragher Riise
Benayoun Gerrard Alonso Babel
Torres Voronin

That looks about right

[Lee]

That looks about right

Can never be too sure though!

However after posting that, I have a feeling that Lucas may start or maybe even (sadly) Sissoko. Not together though.

I dunno!!

[NicoBernetini]

Cannot watch Voronin play.
Not physically possible.

[AFII]

I doubt that Rafa will risk any player that may be off in the transfer window, like Sissoko, Riise and Crouch.

[REDSCOUSER]

Come off it Art. Just telling it how I see it. I'm hopeful but deep down it's a massive long shot. I'll be there at the game tomorrow getting behind the side like everyone else. But I think we should be allowed to air our honest views in a forum such as this without anyone questioning our support.

I'll never do that esp to someone as you WHO travels all across to follow the REDS.

[Shanks65]

Rafael Benitez enters the new year knowing Liverpool's destiny, and his own, rests on the next few months.

The Liverpool manager sends his team out to face relegation-threatened Wigan at Anfield tonight aware that only victory will keep his side in touch with the Premier League leaders.

Rafael Benitez must stay in touch to keep job
Anyone? Rafael Benitez knows Liverpool must keep winning

Just as important for the Merseysiders is keeping themselves clear of the chasing pack of Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa, who want to take fourth place.

Whatever is being said publicly about Benitez by the club's American owners or chief executive Rick Parry, the Spaniard's future is still uncertain.

If Liverpool fail to stay in the top four, Tom Hicks and George Gillett will see their already-strained financial plans seriously damaged.

And that would see Benitez under even more pressure. He is not going to be allowed to spend big this month, with the future of Javier Mascherano no nearer a conclusion, with his loan ending in the summer.

The Americans will not spend £17?million now, and that could see Mascherano's agents touting the Argentinian around Europe, with Barcelona waiting to pounce.

The level of uncertainty on several fronts at Anfield - ownership, the new ground, finances and transfer budgets - will only heighten as the season unfolds.

Benitez made it clear results must be maintained and improved. "We must beat Wigan and then keep on winning," he said.

And Benitez will also have to improve Liverpool's overall record to continue to impress the Americans.

# Premier League Transfer Talk

Benitez expects to sign defensive cover in the January transfer window. But he is focusing on the cheaper, younger options, and expects to again be without Sami Hyypia (ankle) and Daniel Agger (broken metatarsal) against Steve Bruce's side.

It means full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, a stop-gap centre half against City, is likely to partner Jamie Carragher again.

Peter Crouch returns to the squad after a three-match suspension, and it is likely Xabi Alonso will also be back in the starting line-up after being on the bench against City.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/sport/2008/01/02/sfnliv102.xml

[breffniboy]

Fathead almost always gets 'good' results at Anfield - which means showing zero ambition and getting a nil-nil or spawny 1-0.

These are the types of games I dread, where teams pack the defence and we either struggle to break them down or choke on the chances we do create. Whether we win or not as regards a 'title challenge' is somewhat moot. I think we all know there's less 'West Ham results' left in United & Co. than there is Reading and Birmingham results left in us. Over the course of the next few months I expect us to cement fourth and be closer than last year, but not by nearly enough. We could win tonight but whether through occasionally muck performances or just an element of bad luck like against Citeh, I think we all know we'll drop too many points between here and May to be at the business end of a league thrust.

[Mattshark]

We're out the title race. Even if we win the next five games...

Bollocks.
What if Arsenal and Utd lose 2 in that time or draw? If we win our game in hand?
Pessimistic nonsense.

[desertscouser]

Bollocks.
What if Arsenal and Utd lose 2 in that time or draw? If we win our game in hand?
Pessimistic nonsense.

If that happens, fantastic. But do you think that's a realistic possibility? Of course United could lose their next 5 games and be completely out of the title race but...

We just have to basically win the majority of our remaining games as well as beating our rivals at their place and then we'll be in with a shout because I can't see United dropping too many points.

[paulcooper4]

cant wait to see what torres does to titus