Arsenal Build-up

[lucas]

Rafa will attend the game against doctors orders

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article5375903.ece

[frank the tank]

right ****ers......i know this isnt in the correct place but please bear with me mods....

i am in london for the game and my ticket fell through.....i was supposed to be sittin with the arse fans anyway......

basically, if anyone has a spare ticket then please pm me - no matter how close to the game cos i will have access via my iphone.....i can meet outside the ground.....will pay top wack but not stupid money..... please guys.....any help would be appreciated.....YNWA

[Marky]

Come on to **** liverpool!!!!!!!!

[Mattshark]

4-2-3-1 for me too. Only problem is that neither Keane nor Kuyt are effective enough as the lone striker. I really think that the only option we have in the absence of Torres is to play Babel up top, but he seems to be on Rafa's naughty list at the moment

That is because he keeps playing ****.

[JPK]

Talk is that Mascherano is out with flu. If that is the case I would go with this team:

____________________ Reina ____________________
Arbeloa _____ Carra ________ Agger ____ Anybody bar Dossena
__________________ Xabi _______ Stevie __________
Kuyt _____________ Keane __________ Riera ________
_________________ Babel ________________________

Have a feeling that Lucas will play beside Xabi though and Stevie will play behind Keane and Babel will sit out. This game will suit Lucas in fairness. If Dossena starts I honestly cant see us getting anything. He is a disaster and has to go. Insua always performs better.

[JPK]

That is because he keeps playing ****.

That is because he plays him out wide. He always comes to life when he gets the ball centrally

[Parm]

I think we should look at the differences in those two games though. United went out with a very open midfield and both teams should have scored about 10 goals - I don't think we can afford that sort of game as Arsenal have more pace than us. Chelsea should have won and were very unlucky to concede the first goal which reignited Arsenal. They controlled the midfield and made it hard for Arsenal in the middle of the pitch and consequently the Arsenal team created very little.

As such the midfield would seem to me the most important thing for us. The question is balancing what I see as the necessary base of Alonso and Mascherano with a link to attack. Gerrard really needs to get closer to whoever we choose in attack.

I suspect we will see Benayoun and Riera on the flanks and Kuyt up front but despite my misgivings I think it would be a good game to look to Babel.

A big question is whether we should go for Hyypia as an attacking threat in the air against their midget defense or go for Agger to give us slicker passing and better possession. I think it is a tough call. I'd definitely keep Carra central and Arbeloa on the right.

I think we'd be better off with yossi playing off the front man and Kuyt on the right, he would give us much more threat that way and Yossi would be able to thread some intricate passes through.

Yes Arbeloa has to stay at RB, he has been superb of late and really is starting to give us balance and support in attack.
Think Agger could deal with an arieal attack just as well as sami.

[Parm]

Rafa will attend the game against doctors orders

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle5375903.ece

Rafa mans the **** up.

[rage]

Rafa will attend the game against doctors orders

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle5375903.ece

i hear from the horse that he's driving down. i can see it now.. mrs rafa to mr rafa 'please dear there's no need to plan the tactics for the drive down. iit'll not make any difference in what seats the children sit as long as you don't have them strapped to the roof' he of course replies 'possibilities no'

[JPK]

I am looking forward to the team selection today. Keane surely has to start especially because it's his old enemy Arsenal. He should be totally fired up today.
I have a feeling though that Rafa/Lee will meke a crazy selection or two.
Dossena would be a crazy selection for me!Ngog up front too!

[JPK]

Radio saying Rafa was taken back into hospital lastnight again. Hope he makes it.
It would be weird not having him there.

[Marky]

Talk is that Mascherano is out with flu. If that is the case I would go with this team:

____________________ Reina ____________________
Arbeloa _____ Carra ________ Agger ____ Anybody bar Dossena
__________________ Xabi _______ Stevie __________
Kuyt _____________ Keane __________ Riera ________
_________________ Babel ________________________

Have a feeling that Lucas will play beside Xabi though and Stevie will play behind Keane and Babel will sit out. This game will suit Lucas in fairness. If Dossena starts I honestly cant see us getting anything. He is a disaster and has to go. Insua always performs better.

****ing gutted if Mascherano is out of this one. This is his type of match.

[-V-]

Rafa didn't travel but i don't think its a big deal. He will still be in full control and it might give the players an added incentive to win for him

[poorscousertommy]

Anyone heard anything about Reina being ill?

I have read he is not playing and that Lucas may be in for Masch?

This is on football 365's forum.

I sincerely hope this is wrong.

[poorscousertommy]

Cavalieri
Arbeloa
Insua
Agger
Carrragher
Alonso
Lucas
Kuyt
Ngog
Gerrard
Riera

That's the team being reported elsewhere.

I hope this is wrong.