Stoke Build Up

[anfieldanfield]

Assuming Masher and Xabi are fit I think....

-----------Torres
Riera------Gerrard----Kuyt
-------Masher--Alonso
Aurelio--Agger--Sami--Carra
------------Reina

[The_weatherman]

Assuming Masher and Xabi are fit I think....

-----------Torres
Riera------Gerrard----Kuyt
-------Masher--Alonso
Aurelio--Agger--Sami--Carra
------------Reina

IMO the only debate would be Keane/Torres and maybe Lucas in for Baxi or Mascher is they are not 100%, everyone else picks themselves. Cue Neil Young with a joke about players picking themselves.

[SB]

Liverpool will wait until the end of the week before deciding if Xabi Alonso is fit to face Stoke City on Saturday.
Click here to watch our exclusive interview with the boss>>

The Spanish midfielder is recovering from a foot injury sustained at Preston at the weekend which foced him to be substituted at half time.

Despite resuming training at Melwood, manager Rafael Benitez today revealed Alonso may need more time for the wound to heal before he can return to competitive football.

"Xabi trained yesterday but the problem is he had seven stitches so clearly it depends if he can put boots on and kick the ball," said Benitez today.

"For running and training I think he will be okay but we have to decide at the end of the week about his boots.

"If he can kick a ball he could be available for Stoke but we will have to wait and see."

Benitez expects Javier Mascherano to recover from an ankle knock in time for the trip to the Potteries, but Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to again miss out with a hamstring problem.

"Arbeloa is improving but I think he will need another week," added Benitez. "Hopefully next week he can train normally again."

[anfieldanfield]

Anyone think Martin might be prefered to Sami for this one ?

[Parr_Zee]

Nope - i think that big Sami will be a definite starter. He is the best we have at dealing with the Delap long throw!!

The team i'd play is:

---------------Reina--------------
-Carragher-Hyypia--Agger--Aurelio-
-------Mascherano--Lucas--------
--Kuyt--------Gerrard-----Reira---
--------------Keane--------------

Bringing Torres on after 60 if we are struggling for a goal, or if we are comfortable.

[Fierce]

Anyone think Martin might be prefered to Sami for this one ?

Would be the ideal game to blood him in after a spell out

I'm really looking forward to seeing Skrtl & Agger play together, but I think maybe they're too inexperienced just yet.

[The_weatherman]

Nope - i think that big Sami will be a definite starter. He is the best we have at dealing with the Delap long throw!!

The team i'd play is:

---------------Reina--------------
-Carragher-Hyypia--Agger--Aurelio-
-------Mascherano--Lucas--------
--Kuyt--------Gerrard-----Reira---
--------------Keane--------------

Bringing Torres on after 60 if we are struggling for a goal, or if we are comfortable.

This team should be comfortable in defence and should do the business IMO, means we have Babel, Torres and Benni on the bench to call on.

[slimbimjim]

I am travelling on Saturday so can I make my prediction here?

2-0 to Liverpool

Torres and Gerrard.

[anfieldanfield]

I'm really looking forward to seeing Skrtl & Agger play together, but I think maybe they're too inexperienced just yet.

Too inexperienced ?

Combined they have played 100 times for Liverpool football club. They are international footballers who have also played in Champions League semi finals.

I think the time has come for Agger and Martin to play together at the back.

If all goes well, it could be the partnership to see us through the next four or five years.

[ronanm]

Would settle for 1 nil and Torres in from the off.

[anfieldanfield]

Torres has to start.

[Marky]

Would settle for 1 nil and Torres in from the off.

So would i, a win is a win. This wont be easy.

[memzey]

Torres has to start.

Would settle for 1 nil and Torres in from the off.

So would i, a win is a win. This wont be easy.

Agreed allround. We need to be playing our strongest team for every league game from now on. When you are still in contention at this stage, you have to treat every league game like a cup final and go all out to win it, especially when it's as tight at the top as it is now

[Fierce]

Too inexperienced ?

Combined they have played 100 times for Liverpool football club. They are international footballers who have also played in Champions League semi finals.

I think the time has come for Agger and Martin to play together at the back.

If all goes well, it could be the partnership to see us through the next four or five years.

Thats what I mean. COMBINED they have played 100 times, how many of those have they been the central defence pairing?

I dont doubt that they are international quality footballers and that they SHOULD be able to play together at some stage, but my query is whether they're able to play at the same level as a pairing that would include either Carra or Sami

[Yozza]

We're ****ed - Mark 'not to name drop' Lawrenson has got us down for a win...

Stoke v Liverpool (1730 GMT)

Liverpool are on such a good run they will not slip up here. They are extremely hard to beat - even when they aren't playing well.

They also have Fernando Torres back and have plenty of strength in the centre. Stoke are also dealing with injuries and suspensions. An easy win.

Verdict: 0-2

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7814312.stm