Chelsea build-up

[DannyMan2006]

Might work with Kuyt. They link up well, but that means playing Benayoun on the right again and suicide watch.

Been said a million times, but if only Stevie would accept playing off the right side. Not only because it's his ideal position, it would just solve a lot hassle with regards to team selection.

He's better in the centre. If we actually bought a class RW we wouldn't be having this discussion. For the Chelsea game I'd be tempted to put him on the right though.

[Skunk]

People only see the driving runs and Roy Race thunderbolts when he plays centrally. They don't see the inconsistancy, poor positional play and tactical indiscipline that has had Rafa struggling to accomodate him in his time here.

Great player that he is, playing him centrally just hinders his game, which is all about attacking these days. He, like Babel, needs to influence the game in spurts, and from the fringes where he has less defensive and tactical responsiblity.

[wiw]

Is that you, DJS?

[pondus]

Might work with Kuyt. They link up well, but that means playing Benayoun on the right again and suicide watch.

Been said a million times, but if only Stevie would accept playing off the right side. Not only because it's his ideal position, it would just solve a lot hassle with regards to team selection.

If he accepts it?! If he is told to play there he will play there, how much are they paying him again?

Don't think Rafa has any problem telling him to play on the right if he feels the team would benefit.

[Lee]

Mm, tough one. I'd like us to go for their throats but have a feeling Rafa will be more conservative

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Hyypia Aurelio
Alonso Mascherano
Kuyt Gerrard Reira
Torres

Depends if Torres, Gerrard & Keane are fit really. I'd also like to see El Zhar get his chance over Pennant. Babel is still more effective coming off the bench at the moment.

[El Jefecito]

But he is fast. Very fast. And that could force back their back 4. Lets say we only start Kuyt, this will enable their whole team to push up and force themselves upon us. With their full backs in superb form that is a situation that we can not allow.

Which is why you DON'T play him as a central striker. You put those types of players on the wing where they tie up the defenders that actually get forward, i.e. the full backs.

[El Jefecito]

People only see the driving runs and Roy Race thunderbolts when he plays centrally. They don't see the inconsistancy, poor positional play and tactical indiscipline that has had Rafa struggling to accomodate him in his time here.

Great player that he is, playing him centrally just hinders his game, which is all about attacking these days. He, like Babel, needs to influence the game in spurts, and from the fringes where he has less defensive and tactical responsiblity.

I agree. Although he has definitely matured this year and the "ill-disciplined" tag is beginning to lose some of it's luster.

But like you, I want him playing in the final 3rd not the middle 3rd. Xabi aside goals come from players in the final 3rd, so that's where you put your best attacking players. Simple really.

[Rich]

I think we need to restrict their fullbacks, that's how Chelsea are attacking teams; by stretching them. I'd be tempted to play a VERY cagey 4-2-3-1 or i.e. 4-5-1

Reina
Arbeloa - Hyypia - Agger - Carragher
Kuyt - Mascherano - Gerrard - Alonso - Reira
Torres (if 100%)

I don't think Dossena has a grasp of his defensive duties in the LFC backline, and could really struggle with Bosingwa running at him. Reira and Kuyt will really need to do a shift to help their fullback, with Gerrard breaking from deep to try and help the striker, which should be Torres is 100%, otherwise Keane if 100%, otherwise Ngog. Babel should be used in the last 20minutes to grab a goal if required.

[frank the tank]

i dont think torres will be fit for the starting line up to be honest. I feel that if he was going to make it, then rafa would have starte kuyt last night. By starting dirk on the bench, i think it was pre-cautionary and he only needed him cos keane got a knock....

I would like if el nino made the bench to be honest and maybe was good for 10 mins at the end.....hopefully he wouldn't be needed though...

I would like to see...

-------------------REINA---------------------

ARBELOA----CARRA-------AGGER-----DOSSENA

---------MASCHERANO---ALONSO-------------

KUYT------------GERRARD---------------RIERA

-----------------KEANE-----------------------

I would have been tempted to put Babel on the wing because of his pace but i feel that riera is playing well enough to keep his place and also i feel that babel might not be as used to playing with dossena and could be the recipe for a ****-up....

i really feel that if we are to win, then we need a clean sheet.

Hope to **** there is no cock-ups in defense like against atletico but to be fair, kuyt should protect arbeloa more than benny the other night....

i actually think that we have the potential to win the game with our subs....our bench is as strong as i can ever remember and with a bench of Cavaliera, Hyypia, Lucas, Torres, Babel, Benny and possibly Pennent - rafa will have a lot of options...

it will be very interesting to see Scolari v Rafa....

[Skunk]

Is Dossena the official scapegoat now?

Apart from some minor sloppy play against Wigan, I can't say he's ever worried me defensively any more than Aurelio, and looks the part going forward.

[DannyMan2006]

Is Dossena the official scapegoat now?

Apart from some minor sloppy play against Wigan, I can't say he's ever worried me defensively any more than Aurelio, and looks the part going forward.

He's not up to speed with the Premier League at the moment in my opinion, but I think he's got the ability to get to the level we require.

[Nicey]

Is Dossena the official scapegoat now?

Apart from some minor sloppy play against Wigan, I can't say he's ever worried me defensively any more than Aurelio, and looks the part going forward.

Hes a Liverpool Left Back so obviously he is ... I think he is the best provider of the ball in the box we have at the club .. love him .. for all the attack he offers you pay a little defensively .. stands to reason

[friedk]

A question for the stattos: when was the last time Liverpool were involved in a top of the table clash?

I haven't got a clue.

[friedk]

Is Dossena the official scapegoat now?

Apart from some minor sloppy play against Wigan, I can't say he's ever worried me defensively any more than Aurelio, and looks the part going forward.

I see Dossena going from strength to strength, with him and Riera on the left I see our attack down that flank the strongest its been in many years.

[Jimbob]

I have a feeling for a 0-1 away win...Kuyt with the goal.