Liverpool - Wigan

[bobbyfallon]

-----------------------reina----------------------
arbeloa---------carra---------agger-------dossena
kyut-----------masher-------alonso--------riera
----------------------gerard----------------
---------------------keane-----------------

thats the team id go with

[dww]

Benni on the right and Kuyt up top with Keane, Gerrard just behind supporting.
Thought Kuyt and Keane partnership worked well against the Mancs but they need midfielders to get into the box with them.

Yeah the team against United worked really well.

I'd be tempted to put Gerrard and Mascher in the middle - use Mascher to allow both fullbacks and Gerrard to push forward when possible. I'd definitely have El Zhar or Pennant on the bench.

[Resu]

I keep forgetting we have Riera now.
He`ll keep them busy on the left hand side.

[jynormous]

Taking my mind of financial doom and food shortage for two minutes. Considering that Torres and Babel are out what would be your team against Wigan? I am hoping for something like this:

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

Arbeloa - Carra - Agger - Aurelio

Kuyt - Alonso - Mascher - Riera

------------Gerrard------------

------------Keane-------------

Possibly leaving Mascher out and put Benni on the right with Kuyt up top with Keane. We have a strong squad indeed.

I would start with this lineup, but ask Xabi to play in front of Mascher and provide another attacking option.

However, against the Chavs, i would play this lineup and try to boss their midfield as i think thats where the game will be won or lost.

In saying that, maybe Keane wont play as a lone striker very well as he likes to run all over the park and get the ball, if he was up front maybe he wouldnt feel liek he was in the game? On paper it looks fine, just not sure how it will go on Saturday.

EDIT - Just read that Mascher wont be playing as he only got back today! (Friday)

[billy_mac]

I'm expecting Agger to have big impact in this match, bringing the ball out of defence and maybe having a long ranger. Denmark didn't play on Wednesday night so he'll be chompin and the bit. More I think about this, mightn't be the worst thing that Torres isn't playing, not as if there will be space behind the back 4 and the 6 yards to the goals line for him to run into and it will put the onus on the other players to step up. Granted its always better for Torres to be playing.

[nevelator]

I would start with this lineup, but ask Xabi to play in front of Mascher and provide another attacking option.

However, against the Chavs, i would play this lineup and try to boss their midfield as i think thats where the game will be won or lost.

In saying that, maybe Keane wont play as a lone striker very well as he likes to run all over the park and get the ball, if he was up front maybe he wouldnt feel liek he was in the game? On paper it looks fine, just not sure how it will go on Saturday.

EDIT - Just read that Mascher wont be playing as he only got back today! (Friday)

Most likely that'll mean Gerrard and Alonso in midfield with Yossi coming on the RHS and Dirk up top with keane.

In this game I would like to see Pennant start though. With Riera on the left and Pennant on the right we would really stretch the game and allow more room for Gerrard to break into and Keane to drop into - with Dirk holding the line.

[pondus]

The view from a Wigan supporter:


Not so much that Rafa Benitez will be worried about Wigan as he will the Indian hoodoo that is Steve Bruce, but will that hoodoo be broken today? Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel are out for a start so that's an omen that may work in Latics favour.

That said, Latics have come so far in their four year stint in the Premier League that nobody should think of a game against the Latics as a potential three pointer though I'm sure most clubs would think of it as thus and its always nice when Latics spring a nasty surprise on them.

Anfield is such a tough place to go and get a result so I'm not going to be too distressed if we don't get the result we so require but one has to remain optimistic and Anfield is a place where a result is achievable but will they fall at the hands of Steve Bruce, Liverpool? After two weeks ago with Jeff Stelling's Soccer Saturday, I'm not sure the old ticker could tolerate that again so I'm going to wait until 1700 hrs until I tune in again.

Good news for Latics fans is that Amr Zaki is fit (lets hope he's fit enough this time because at Middlesbrough, it was plainly obvious he wasn't despite him giving 100% to the cause.) If Emile Heskey is fit, too, that's potent enough strike force to be doing with and should cause Liverpool problems.

Another thing acting in favour of the Latics is the goal-shy antics of Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt. Could this be the day the goal shy duo finally open their account, or will the infamous Stevie G pull off a masterstroke? All the things that make football exciting is the expected and the unexpected, so lets hope for the unexpected and that Latics get something from this match and that Titus has got his shooting boots on again. What a goal last year from Titus Bramble that secured a memorable point. He'll be a historical player for that reason alone, Titus Bramble.

With rumours of players being linked with Liverpool and if such is their desire to go they will want to put on a good show, most notably Emile Heskey and Luis Valencia. Maybe even Wilson Palacios, too. I for one hope they stay but the good news is if they go it won't be on the cheap, but at a high premium.

POSSIBLE STARTING LINE UP

========================

KIRKLAND

MELCHIOT

BRAMBLE

BOYCE

FIGUEROA

KOUMAS

CATTERMOLE

PALACIOS

VALENCIA

HESKEY

ZAKI

ROB'S PREDICTION


This is a really tough game to predict so I'm going for this result today:

Liverpool 0 Wigan 0

Just got a feeling this could be a very physical contest with nothing to show at the end of it all.




Couple of points:

- The fact that Fernando and Ryan is missing may cause the other players to raise their game, ala Scum at home

- No, Anfield is quite obviously not a fortress yet

- Don't think we are as reliant on Gerrard to pulling off a masterstroke as we were a couple of seasons ago

- Titus Bramble!!? Titus ****ing Bramble!!?? I had all but forgotten his "strike" against us last year, it is one thing being held at home by Wigan, but when Titus Bramble scores a goal, **** me, that can NEVER happen again! I'll say it one more time; Titus ****ing Bramble

[AFII]

----------------Reina
Arbeloa----Carra------Agger----Dossena
----------Alonso------Gerrard----------
------Benayoun--------------Riera-----
------------Kuyt-----Keane------------

That starting XI is good enough to beat whatever Wigan can come up with.

[badpiggy]

still think there's a possibility of sami playing in this one.