Liverpool v Boro match thread

[livvy145]

SKRTEL AND ALONSO RETURN VERSUS 'BORO

Jimmy Rice 23 August 2008


Martin Skrtel returns to partner Jamie Carragher at the heart of Liverpool's defence against Middlesbrough this afternoon – a game you can listen to live here on .tv from 3pm BST.

Xabi Alonso is also back in the starting XI to partner Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park.

The Reds line-up in full is:

Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Skrtel, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Benayoun, Torres, Keane.

Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Agger, Babel, Ngog, El Zhar, Plessis.

[johnly]

Good side, looking forward to seeing Skittles back in action and great to see Alonso starting. Was going to watch the game on a stream, but gotta go to work early, damn! 5 Live it is

[marcus50bucks]

Xabi back in the starting eleven.

[Big Dave]

Xabi back in the starting eleven.

Fully deserved after his performance against Sunderland

[Dirk07]

wonder what is going on with agger, was surprised to see him not playing last week and even more this week

That said middles. best area is their attackers, maybe we are easing him back in after all the injuries

[JPK]

Agger is really being eased back in. Nice to have Alonso in the team and big game for Yossi and Kuyt. Babel will keep pressure on the them today

[NicoBernetini]

Thinks Skittles is playing because of the pace of Alves and Allidaiere

[JPK]

Another clear message to Pennant, Finnan and Voronin that they are not wanted.

[Chris]

wonder what is going on with agger, was surprised to see him not playing last week and even more this week

Played against Standard, and played in midweek for Denmark, he's basically just missed a whole season it'd be crazy to start him off playing midweek, weekend, midweek, etc

[El Jefecito]

I don't think Rafa trusts an Agger & Xabi/Plessis combo

[JPK]

I don't think Rafa trusts an Agger & Xabi/Plessis combo

He trusted a Hyppia and Plessis combo last week.
Agger had a game midweek and maybe Rafa is protecting him after his injuries as he values him so highly.

[MrMichael]

Thinks Skittles is playing because of the pace of Alves and Allidaiere

Alves isn't pacey is he? I thought he had the turning circle of a tank?

[bigfooty]

Teams are out, kick-off soon.

Setanta reporting Barry deal is definitely off.

[bigfooty]

Boro fielding their reserve keeper as theirs got injured in the warm-up.

[Chris]

Setanta reporting Barry deal is definitely off.

Next they'll be reporting we've won the 2005 Champions League.