Man City game

[pondus]

Early news from liverpool.no

In addition to the attacking talent already available, in players like Robinho, Jo and Wright-Phillips, Mark Hughes might also welcome back Benjani, Petrov and Michael Johnson for this weekends clash with the mighty reds. Vassell and Bojinov are still out injured.

City will play their 2nd leg match against AC Omonia from Cyprus tonight, but already 2-1 up from the first leg away, it is expected they will rest a few of their 'star' players.

Time for us to show we are serious challengers, come on you redmen

[anfieldanfield]

I'd play...

-----------Torres
Riera------Gerrard-----Kuyt
------Masher---Alonso
Aurelio-Skrtel---Carra--Arbeloa
-----------Reina

[Pablo]

I'd play...

-----------Torres
Riera------Gerrard-----Kuyt
------Masher---Alonso
Aurelio-Skrtel---Carra--Arbeloa
-----------Reina

...and drop Robbie Keane who has just started to find his form for us? It is a tricky one as it seems criminal for Mascher to be out of the side but I would be tempted to play the same side we had out last night. Gerrard and Alonso have been brilliant together these last few matches.

[pondus]

Is Robinho played as an out and out attacker, or is he more a left winger/left forward? Maybe we will see Carra at right back for this one!

[Craig_H]

Going into this game without Mascherano would be suicidal.

[PTP]

I'd play...

-----------Torres
Riera------Gerrard-----Kuyt
------Masher---Alonso
Aurelio-Skrtel---Carra--Arbeloa
-----------Reina

wtf - torres in goal and four attacking midfielders behind reina as a lone striker

i'd go with

--------Reina----------

Arbeloa--Skrtel---Carra----Dossena

Kuyt----Masher----Gerrard----Riera

-------Keane----Torres

[rico1304]

City are either on or off, there is no middle ground. Mascher should play, surely he's played against him a few times in Internationals - anyone know how he's done against him?

[pondus]

My take:

---------------Reina
Carra-----Skrtl-----Agger-----Dossena
Kuyt----Mascher--Alonso-----Babel
------------Gerrard
------------------Torres

[Pablo]

Robinho has played as a support striker behind Jo so far for Citeh. He is basically in a free role.

I think we would have to play Mascherano to combat him, which would sadly mean resting Alonso for me, even though hes been in fantastic form. I would go for:

--------------Reina----------

Arbeloa--Skrtel---Carra----Aurelio

Kuyt----Masher----Gerrard----Riera

---------Keane----Torres

[Shaggy]

Mascherano will play – no question.

This is another huge game and with a fully fit squad it might provide a little insight as to what Rafa thinks is our strongest side.

[Nicey]

Drop Keane, play Masher have Stevie in the hole ... game on ... Someone needs to shut down Ireland .. he makes that team tick

[steveliverpool]

Alonso simply has to play.
Not gonna disguise the fact that i am a huge fan but he has been superb of late and fully deserves his place in the starting 11. For me the decision is Mascher or Keane.
And as at this moment, I'd go with the same 11 as last game with Mascher having to earn his place after being out.

[Nicey]

Naa you cant have a player of Mashers quality on the Bench ... more than happy to go 4 2 3 1 away from home against a dangerous attacking team .. its a tough one .. but a great problem to have

[hamshanks]

--------------Reina----------

Arbeloa--Skrtel---Carra----Aurelio

Gerrard----Masher----Alonso----Riera

---------Keane----Torres----

[Shaggy]

--------------Reina----------

Arbeloa--Skrtel---Carra----Aurelio

Gerrard----Masher----Alonso----Riera

---------Keane----Torres----

Got to say they are our strongest XI players...(left-back is debatable) but as we know that doesn’t always work out. I’m not Kuyt’s biggest fan but, despite some woeful attacking play last night (touch of an elephant), he scored (albeit courtesy of a howler) and at the moment is worth his place in the side. Moving Gerrard out to the right will open a nasty can of worms and we can do without that IMO.