Team for Bolton

[DannyMan2006]

Reina
Johnson-carra-agger-insua
Mascher-veloso (moutino)
Srna-gerrard-silva
Torres

Subs:
Joe hart
Skrtel
Riera
Lucas
Benayoun
Aguero

I think Joe hart is on loan at Birmingham so wouldn't be available.

[little dave hedgehog]

dang.

[Fierce]

**** me we've got a **** team.

You think?

[Shaggy]

Gary Megson has expressed his sympathy for Rafael Benitez as Bolton prepare to host under-fire Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Merseysiders' title credentials are already under intense scrutiny after they suffered two defeats in their opening three games - as many as they lost in their entire league campaign last season on the way to finishing second.

The knives are out once more for Benitez, but Megson believes Liverpool's critics are wide of the mark and is under no illusions as to the quality of the team his side will face at the weekend.

"They seem to be getting a bit of unjust and unfair criticism," said Megson. "They've lost a couple of games, which they're not used to and you can see the furore that it seems to have caused.

"But what I know is that they will put at least four world class players out at the Reebok on Saturday. They'll be right at it because they've publicly come out and said that it's a game they must win and that they can't afford to lose another game all season if they are going to win the Premier League. It's going to be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big big, big test for us."

[dww]

Other that Skrtel possibly, and only then as a precaution, I would probably keep the same team. I'm not sure anything is fundamentally wrong with the team. they just haven't quite clicked yet and the best way for that to happen is consistent selection IMO.

[DannyMan2006]

Other that Skrtel possibly, and only then as a precaution, I would probably keep the same team. I'm not sure anything is fundamentally wrong with the team. they just haven't quite clicked yet and the best way for that to happen is consistent selection IMO.

I think there is. But I also think we might be able to muddle through the next four games in much the same way we did against Stoke. Well, 6 now with the CL games. Then we play Chelsea and that's the real test.

Hopefully around that time we'll start getting Agger and Aquilani back, just in time for Lyon x 2 and Man Utd.

[Shaggy]

Rafael Benítez has questioned his Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's form after two defeats in the opening three games of the season. Benítez pointed to a lack of collective responsibility among his senior players after the home loss to Aston Villa on Monday, but today went further, saying that Gerrard was not currently playing at his "best level".

The Spaniard has generally shied way from criticising Gerrard, but expectations of his performances are such that Benítez has apparently felt the need to further motivate the England midfielder. Reverses against Villa and Tottenham, on the opening day of season, mean Liverpool require a morale-boosting display away to Bolton on Saturday.

"We have seen Steven playing really well for a while now," said Benítez. "He is one of our big names, a key player. He will continue to be that. He will know that he has played a couple of games that are not up to his best level. But because he so often plays really well, people maybe can see the difference.

"I know he will be ready now. The players are not stupid, they know when they are not playing well and not up to their best standard. He knows, everybody knows here, that we have to improve."

Benítez dismissed the theory that Gerrard's form has suffered after a difficult summer for the midfielder, involving a court case and acquittal following a night club incident last term.

"For Steven that has not been a problem," he said. "I was not naming any particular player when I was critical after the defeat by Villa. But it is clear that everyone has to improve, we have analysed things and we have talked to all the players. The reaction from them has been very good.

"They have to show character and they have been working really hard during the week because that is the only way to change things. The team wants to show that we are good enough [to challenge for the title]. But we know we can improve and I can guarantee that the players will be fighting hard from the very first minute.

"The team and staff know we are not doing well and have to improve. This is very clear. The players have responded by training hard to try to rectify the situation. The attitude has been good and we have to play well at Bolton and start the game well.

"We have lost two games and we are very disappointed, but now we have the chance to change everything. We have lost to two of the clubs who will be chasing the top four, Villa and Spurs, and there are good teams now trying to get into the top four. It will be more difficult for top sides now to win every game."

New signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos played for the reserves on Thursday and is in line for his league debut at Bolton. Benítez, who is concerned that critics have picked on soft targets like teenager Lucas rather than highlighting the failings of senior players they are friendly with, believes a couple of wins will change the atmosphere at Anfield.

"We have a problem because we are losing matches," he added. "People can be critical of our system and suggest we have been worked out. But everybody knows all the systems, it is nothing really new. It is not systems, it is the players out on the pitch. Maybe we do not have squad depth at the moment and there were youngsters on the bench, but we have three key players to return – Fabio Aurelio, Danny Agger and Alberto Aquilani – and that will make a difference.

"The commitment of the players and the training sessions have been very good. That is the most important aspect. Players will retain their confidence, they will change certain things and go out and prove the squad is good.

"The players accepted my words in the right spirit. They have experience and they know they can improve. They have been listening to me for five years so they know what I feel. They are just waiting now for the chance to play well in the next match."

[Marky]

Well said Rafa. Pull the finger out Stevie, sharpish.

[super_xabi]

Rafael Benítez has questioned his Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's form after two defeats in the opening three games of the season. Benítez pointed to a lack of collective responsibility among his senior players after the home loss to Aston Villa on Monday, but today went further, saying that Gerrard was not currently playing at his "best level".

The Spaniard has generally shied way from criticising Gerrard, but expectations of his performances are such that Benítez has apparently felt the need to further motivate the England midfielder. Reverses against Villa and Tottenham, on the opening day of season, mean Liverpool require a morale-boosting display away to Bolton on Saturday.

"We have seen Steven playing really well for a while now," said Benítez. "He is one of our big names, a key player. He will continue to be that. He will know that he has played a couple of games that are not up to his best level. But because he so often plays really well, people maybe can see the difference.

"I know he will be ready now. The players are not stupid, they know when they are not playing well and not up to their best standard. He knows, everybody knows here, that we have to improve."

Benítez dismissed the theory that Gerrard's form has suffered after a difficult summer for the midfielder, involving a court case and acquittal following a night club incident last term.

"For Steven that has not been a problem," he said. "I was not naming any particular player when I was critical after the defeat by Villa. But it is clear that everyone has to improve, we have analysed things and we have talked to all the players. The reaction from them has been very good.

"They have to show character and they have been working really hard during the week because that is the only way to change things. The team wants to show that we are good enough [to challenge for the title]. But we know we can improve and I can guarantee that the players will be fighting hard from the very first minute.

"The team and staff know we are not doing well and have to improve. This is very clear. The players have responded by training hard to try to rectify the situation. The attitude has been good and we have to play well at Bolton and start the game well.

"We have lost two games and we are very disappointed, but now we have the chance to change everything. We have lost to two of the clubs who will be chasing the top four, Villa and Spurs, and there are good teams now trying to get into the top four. It will be more difficult for top sides now to win every game."

New signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos played for the reserves on Thursday and is in line for his league debut at Bolton. Benítez, who is concerned that critics have picked on soft targets like teenager Lucas rather than highlighting the failings of senior players they are friendly with, believes a couple of wins will change the atmosphere at Anfield.

"We have a problem because we are losing matches," he added. "People can be critical of our system and suggest we have been worked out. But everybody knows all the systems, it is nothing really new. It is not systems, it is the players out on the pitch. Maybe we do not have squad depth at the moment and there were youngsters on the bench, but we have three key players to return – Fabio Aurelio, Danny Agger and Alberto Aquilani – and that will make a difference.

"The commitment of the players and the training sessions have been very good. That is the most important aspect. Players will retain their confidence, they will change certain things and go out and prove the squad is good.

"The players accepted my words in the right spirit. They have experience and they know they can improve. They have been listening to me for five years so they know what I feel. They are just waiting now for the chance to play well in the next match."

he is 22, no?

[DannyMan2006]

RAFA BENITEZ is considering moving Steven Gerrard back into central midfield as he strives to kick-start both Liverpool and their skipper’s season this afternoon.
Benitez’s side travel to pointless Bolton Wanderers aiming to bounce back from the shock 3-1 home defeat against Aston Villa on Monday night.

Gerrard was among several poor performers on the evening for Liverpool, with the England international responsible for giving away the penalty from which Villa scored their third.
With the Anfield outfit chasing the game, the 29-year-old dropped into a more conventional central midfield role as Benitez sought more creativity from the middle of the park.

And the Liverpool manager may start with Gerrard in that position at the Reebok Stadium as he contemplates a change in his team’s approach.
“I was asked on Monday if teams had worked out our tactics,” said Benitez. “But the most common system in England is 4-4-2, most teams use that. So most teams are using the same tactics against each other, and still lots of goals are scored.

“But we have to change something if it’s necessary. We’re trying to do this. We have to work together and push harder, and I’m sure we will start winning games again.
“Moving Steven back into central midfield is an option, we have done that in a few games. The other day, because we needed different movements in the middle and attack we put him there.
“It’s an option we have, but I still have confidence in Lucas and Javier Mascherano.”

Benitez accepts that Gerrard has so far this season been below the exceptionally high standards he has set himself in recent years.
“We have seen Steven playing really well for a while now,” said the Liverpool manager. “He is one of our big names, a key player. He will continue to be that.
“He will know that he has played a couple of games that are not up to his best level.
“But because he so often plays really well, people maybe can see the difference.
“I know he will be ready now. The players are not stupid, they know when they are not playing well and not up to their best standard. He knows, everybody knows here, that we have to improve.”

However, Benitez does not believe Gerrard has been affected by the summer court case and acquittal following a nightclub incident in December.
“For Steven that has not been a problem,” said the Spaniard. “I was not naming any particular player when I was critical after the defeat by Villa.
“But it is clear that everyone has to improve, we have analysed things and we have talked to all the players.”

New signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who played 45 minutes for the reserves in their 3-2 defeat to Blackburn Rovers on Thursday, could make his debut today with concerns persisting over Martin Skrtel’s jaw injury.
“Kyrgiakos is in the squad,” said Benitez. “We wanted to play him for 45 minutes for the reserves as it would be good for him to have experience with English referee and players.
“He hasn’t got much experience of it, but at least he has some knowledge now.”

Fabio Aurelio has returned to training while Daniel Agger and Nabil El Zhar are improving following their back and knee problems respectively.

Benitez, meanwhile, admitted his surprise that Liverpool physio Dave Galley has been barred from working with the England squad in next week’s double-header with Slovenia and Croatia.
Galley has worked with the under-21 squad for more than a decade and was promoted last month to the senior set-up.
But Manchester United chief executive David Gill raised concerns over the inclusion of a non-independent member of the national team’s medical staff.
Referring to a policy introduced by the Football Association last year designed to ensure that only independent medical staff are appointed to work with the national team, Gill is unhappy about the prospect of a rival club’s physiotherapist having access to valuable information about the fitness of players from other teams.
But Benitez said: “We are surprised with what happened but it’s up to the FA, we can’t manage this situation.
“I prefer if the FA can manage the situation, then it will be better for everyone concrned.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport-news/liverpool-fc/2009/08/29/liverpool-fc-skipper-steven-gerrard-to-return-to-central-role-55578-24559224/

[kingfunk]

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

Johnson ------ Cara --- Chabal --------- Insua

Kuyt ------- Gerrard ----- Masch -------- Riera

-------------------- Benayoun

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