Man City Build-up

[Craig_H]

I would nearly go along with that team,Aurelio did enough against Pompy to warrant a start in midfield, I also think Insua will come back in considering he was playing really well before joining up with Argentina

If Insua is fit, i'd have him on the bench. Prefer Arbeloa's experience, against Robinho. I dont want any of Carra, Skrtel and Agger dropped - Agger needs to be playing games, or he wont sign a new deal.

[DancingRobot]

We have 4 matches in the next 10 days, so I'm prepared to see some rotation for this one.

For me, Aurelio is a must start against Madrid considering his experience in Spain, so I feel Rafa will stick with Lucas in the center and Dossena on the left. Same about Riera, I wouldn't mind seeing Babel on the left either. I don't think it would be Aurelio-Riera on the left.

[Matt]

We have 4 matches in the next 10 days, so I'm prepared to see some rotation for this one.

For me, Aurelio is a must start against Madrid considering his experience in Spain, so I feel Rafa will stick with Lucas in the center and Dossena on the left. Same about Riera, I wouldn't mind seeing Babel on the left either. I don't think it would be Aurelio-Riera on the left.

It's a good point on Aurelio being the preferred choice in Madrid and history has shown it's unlikely he'll play twice in four days.

I don't fancy Dossena against City though - is Wright-Phillips suspended?

[andrewces38]

It's a good point on Aurelio being the preferred choice in Madrid and history has shown it's unlikely he'll play twice in four days.

I don't fancy Dossena against City though - is Wright-Phillips suspended?

Yes wright-phillips is suspended after a review by the Prem lge last week got a 3 match suspension

[andrewces38]

If Insua is fit, i'd have him on the bench. Prefer Arbeloa's experience, against Robinho. I dont want any of Carra, Skrtel and Agger dropped - Agger needs to be playing games, or he wont sign a new deal.

Am i right in thinking Robinho plays mostly from the left if thats the case Arbeloa needs to be rb is that your thinking?

[Craig_H]

Am i right in thinking Robinho plays mostly from the left if thats the case Arbeloa needs to be rb is that your thinking?

I think Robinho will drift all over and Hughes sometimes has the inclination to switch him from one side to another, if he's not having much joy. I'd have Carra at RB to deal with the threat there and if Robinho moves across, i'd rather have Arbeloa's experience to deal with him, than Insua.

[Matt]

I think Robinho could tear Carra apart at right back if given the chance - lesser players did it for England when he was stuck out there.

[andrewces38]

I think Robinho will drift all over and Hughes sometimes has the inclination to switch him from one side to another, if he's not having much joy. I'd have Carra at RB to deal with the threat there and if Robinho moves across, i'd rather have Arbeloa's experience to deal with him, than Insua.

I can see your point I remember him keeping a certain mr messi quiet but i cant see rafa playing him there to be honest,im all for us watching certain players but we at anfield let them worry about us,

[Joe King]

The obvious threat and in my opinion their best player: Stephen Ireland. Very intelligent movement off the front, their pace up front will give us something to think about however they lack heading threat. I would stand off their wingers and allow them to cross from deep positions like how the full backs did against Chelsea.

Gerrard and Alonso will be huge losses but I believe we can still beat them providing Benitez picks his best available side and doesn't play rotation at a critical stage in the season.

Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Agger Aurelio
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Benayoun Riera
Torres

[Kenneth]

Babel will start in place of Torres :guess:

[Joe King]

No point in resting Torres after a week and half rest to anyone who thinks he might be rested. Start him, if we are winning after 65 mins- take him off.

[Kenneth]

No point in resting Torres after a week and half rest to anyone who thinks he might be rested. Start him, if we are winning after 65 mins- take him off.

Well I think he might be rested, but I would start him so don't start lecturing me.

[RedReet]

I think Robinho will drift all over and Hughes sometimes has the inclination to switch him from one side to another, if he's not having much joy. I'd have Carra at RB to deal with the threat there and if Robinho moves across, i'd rather have Arbeloa's experience to deal with him, than Insua.

I though you were one of the ‘pick our best team and let the opposition worry about us’ group?

With a strong possibility of Mascherano and Lucas in the middle, we’re gonna need as much support for the attack as possible from other positions. Although Carra and Arbeloa will get forward at times they are not gonna have the same quality in attacking positions as Aurelio/Dossena and Arbeloa at RB (I know he got his first goal from LB). If as someone suggested Aurelio is rested, then I definitely would risk Dossena.

As for worrying about Robinho, he’s been anonymous away from home all season, I can’t see him suddenly turning things around on a cold February afternoon at Anfield.

[dww]

Could well be that line up but deployed a bit differently:

The defense picks itself. The midfield onwards:

--------Masch----Lucas--------

Kuyt--------Benayoun-------Riera

-------------Torres-------------

I'm not sure it does you know. I'd go with Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio but I suspect Skrtel is favourite in the middle and there are arguments for any of our left backs playing in my opinion.

[magicalbarnes]

Whatever team we play, this is simply a must-win.

ManU play Fulham tommorow and then Blackburn on Saturday. So in effect by the time we kick-off we could be trailing them by 8 points.

If they win their two games and we slip up, its all over im afraid. However iv got this sneaky suspicion that Big Sam will do us a favour on Saturday.