Team for Stoke

[Kenneth]

does nobody expect a recall for Riera?

Don't think he's expected to be fit. If he is, he will play, yes.

[The_weatherman]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that We should play like this as an attacking 6:

Kuyt Gerrard Macherano Yossi

####Voronin
#########Torres

Hopefully we'll stick with Lucas and Mascher, need to have some faith in our players. Put Gerrard behind Torres and Voronin on the bench, I agree with the rest. Although maybe put Dossena instead of Yossi to have some presence on the left. Arrgghhh, We can't leave out Yossi can we.....I don't care who plays, I give up.

[Fierce]

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say that We should play like this as an attacking 6:

Kuyt Gerrard Mascherano Riera

####Yossi
#########Torres

For me




Although I dont think Lucas did much wrong on Sunday, so it would be harsh to leave him out. Then again, Yossi deserves a start and he's seemingly on form, so maybe it should be Riera that misses out after all:

Kuyt Lucas Mascherano Yossi

####Gerrard
#########Torres

[Pablo]

Time to push Gerrard back into CM for a few games. I wouldnt play him as deep as Mascherano though or ask him to contribute as much defensively, just get on the ball more:

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

Johnson Carra Skrtel Insua

-------Mascherano

---------Gerrard

Kuyt------------------Reira

--------Benayoun

---------Torres

[Kenneth]

For me




Although I dont think Lucas did much wrong on Sunday, so it would be harsh to leave him out. Then again, Yossi deserves a start and he's seemingly on form, so maybe it should be Riera that misses out after all:

Kuyt Lucas Mascherano Yossi

####Gerrard
#########Torres

Lucas was pretty good, I agree, but in the search for creativity, I think he needs to step aside until we get reinforcements.

[Mattshark]

Lucas was pretty good, I agree, but in the search for creativity, I think he needs to step aside until we get reinforcements.

I think if we keep a more compact shape we will see more creativity. We were far too isolated up front in Sunday, more compact shape will prevent that.

[dww]

I think if we keep a more compact shape we will see more creativity. We were far too isolated up front in Sunday, more compact shape will prevent that.

Aye. The problem is that we need to give Lucas options as he doesn't have the range of passing of Alonso and has a tendency to drop too deep to keep the ball when options ahead look limited. I think both Yossi and Riera are capable of doing that but Yossi is the better option as he moves more intelligently between the lines.

[pondus]

Worried about our central defense for this one, but seeing that Torres isn't match fit I really worry that Rafa will rest him for this one. It would be good for Torres, but I fear it will be tough for Rafa if we lose or draw.

[Gray]

Worried about our central defense for this one, but seeing that Torres isn't match fit I really worry that Rafa will rest him for this one. It would be good for Torres, but I fear it will be tough for Rafa if we lose or draw.

Rest him! How does he get match fit then?

[Shanks]

Worried about our central defence for this one.

Delap will have a field day and I wouldn't be surprised to see Stoke use this tactic as much as possible.

[Lee]

Can't see too many suprises from Rafa here, and I think Skrtel will play (he was training this morning according to todays press conference).

Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Insua
Mascherano Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Benayoun
Torres

[shelly]

Who do people think it the better of the two Ayala or Kelly? I've never really seen either properly, I know alot of people on here seem to prefer Kelly is this because he's local or because he's better?

I'm guessing Rafa favours Ayala given the choice between the two on sunday and he went for Ayala

I thought he went for Ayala because the lad is supposed to be better in the air than Kelly (can't remember where I read that and it might have been better than San Jose anyways) and they had/were about to have Crouch on - not sure though.. if that's true, I would expect Ayala and not Kelly against Stoke at CB again

[Shaggy]

Fernando Torres has been told to wise up by Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez after becoming distracted by petty feuds with opposing defenders.

The £21million striker was ordered to cut out the backchat after a series of niggly clashes in the 2-1 defeat at Spurs on Sunday, culminating in an angry confrontation with Tom Huddlestone.

Benitez has spelled out his concerns ahead of Wednesday's home match with Stoke.

'I've told him he has to stop arguing with defenders,' said the manager.

'This has to stop, for his good and the team's. He accepts that the best way of getting back at opponents is by scoring.'

[-V-]

We will score atleast 2 or 3 tonight. We will win

[The_weatherman]

Torres will definately score tonight, I can feel it.