Build up for Burnley game

[Scratch]

What chance Aurelio playing the DM role, like he did on one occasion last year, to great success?? That's if Mascher can't play, i mean.

[-V-]

Aurelio is playing his first practice game tonight I believe so there is almost zero chance of his starting against Burnley

Why rush aurelio back? Insua is fit and ready for Burnley and we can play Gerrard CM

[Guest]

Mascherano has been fairly average so far this season. He's been good in the game against Stoke but that's it. He should be rested. Stevie should be brought back in central midfield for that one, with Plessis moping up in front of the defence.

[red g]

Aurelio is playing his first practice game tonight I believe so there is almost zero chance of his starting against Burnley

Why rush aurelio back? Insua is fit and ready for Burnley and we can play Gerrard CM

he played yesterday ......

Spearing was on target yesterday as the first team squad members not on international duty and the reserves battled out a 1-1 draw in a practise match at Melwood.

Nathan Eccleston fired the reserves ahead from the penalty spot but Spearing equalised.

Left-back Fabio Aurelio came through unscathed and is set to make his comeback from injury against Burnley.

Goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri was also involved after returning to Melwood. The Brazilian spent some time back home in Brazil following the recent death of his father.

[-V-]

Interesting thanks.

Eccleston is starting to make an impression

[Craig_H]

The Reds manager will be particularly concerned about Mascherano's condition as the 25-year-old suffered a calf injury shortly after returning from international duty last season.

Although he picked up that problem playing for Liverpool, Benitez believed the fatigue of travelling thousands of miles to play for his country was a contributory factor.

Wasnt aware of any injury.

If he picked up an injury playing for us, what the hell were we doing allowing him to go and play for argentina?

[Craig_H]

Mascherano has been fairly average so far this season. He's been good in the game against Stoke but that's it. He should be rested. Stevie should be brought back in central midfield for that one, with Plessis moping up in front of the defence.

That could be said of virtually everyone though, not just JM.

[dww]

I have to say last season Mascher seemed to suffer badly early in the season from tiredness and it affected his game quite badly. I can see the argument that he could still be our best option though and ideally I would like to keep as consistent a team as possible.

I'm not a big fan of Gerrard deep although this is the sort of game where it could be more or less immaterial. That said again I'd ideally like to see us keep as many players in the same positions as possible and underestimating Burnley did for United.

I think Lucas would work well as the deepest CM in a game like this. Burnley play nice football and look to attack a lot so moving the ball forward quickly could be key to us. While neither Lucas or Mascherano are ideal for this I think Lucas has a better range of quick passing that could set someone else free. So I might rest Mascher and play Lucas in that role then have a straight choice between Spearing and Plessis for the other role. Spearing would be more progressive but Plessis has the physical attributes that mean he is more likely to be useful to us over the season. It would be a tough call.

I hope Riera plays he surprised me with the quality of his play making against Bolton. Benayoun is more of a goal threat though.

[red g]

Torres apparently had a couple of stinkers mid week and Saturday.....on Wednesday i heard he was alomost heskey-esque in his missing of chances!!!!

[Tee]

Torres apparently had a couple of stinkers mid week and Saturday.....on Wednesday i heard he was alomost heskey-esque in his missing of chances!!!!

Blasphemer. Burn!!!

[Nicey]

god just play steven with lucas, and use benny in the hole behind torres. simple stuff

Yep .. whats the time difference between the UK and were ever that game was played ?

[tsb]

Torres apparently had a couple of stinkers mid week and Saturday.....on Wednesday i heard he was alomost heskey-esque in his missing of chances!!!!

Saving the goals for his employers surely.

[Ben_Itez]

I'd go for this team:

Reina

Johnson
Carra
Skrtel
Insua

Lucas
Gerrard

Riera
Kuyt

Benayoun

Torres

Subs: Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Aurelio, Babel, Voronin, Spearing, Ngog

[Delinquent]

I think Lucas will play as he hasn't been involved in the Brazil games. I'd say it's more likely we'll have Plessis in instead of Mascher.

That would be a horrifying scenario.

[BFG]

That would be a horrifying scenario.

I think they'd do just fine against Burnley. Good experience, no?