Build-up v Debrecen 16-09-09

[RedReet]

Please dont play Mascherano and Lucas together against no mark teams at Anfield.

Please!

Surely it would be beneficial for them to get as many games together as possible. At the minute, the pairing is a work in progress and a game like this is perfect for them to work on their partnership.

I am probably in danger of slightly underestimating Debrecen, but if the unthinkable happened and we couldn’t break them down and drew, it would hardly be the end of the world with five other games to come.

Don’t think Mascherano will play though by the way.

[RedReet]

Please dont play Mascherano and Lucas together against no mark teams at Anfield.

Please!

Although Gerrard played very well against Burnley, let’s not forget we also scored 4 past arguably a better team in Stoke, with Lucas and Mascherano.

[BrianF80]

I think he will play, especially given that he was at the PC yesterday.

Actually there have been a couple of times where the player at the press conference hasn't played. Xabi once and I think Mark Gonzalez too.

[Marky]

Debrecen are an unknown quantity, they may rise to the occasion or they may fall to pieces.
I expect us to win by at least two anyway. Hopefully keep a clean sheet as well.

[dww]

firstly it is vital we get the win and get the champions league off to a good start.

I can't see Debrecen posing too much of a threat, but at the same time i don't want to see us play a 'weakened' XI - ideally i'd like to see a stron starting XI and **** debrecen from the first minute, so that during the second half we can make changes etc

I would go with

-------------------reina----------------------

Johnson-----carra------skrtel-------Aurelio (good game for him to get back into it and rest for insua)

----------Lucas-----------Gerrard------------

Kuyt---------------Yossi-----------------Riera

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


Look to get a couple of goals up and take of Gerrard/Torres and another, prob Johnson.

I agree that playing a weakened team would be a mistake. For me though I think what we play has to be determined by how we want to play for the rest of the season. If (at least until Aquilani is fit) we will be playing Mascherano and Lucas as the main CM pairing then they have to start as it tonight.

The real dilemma for me comes in whether Riera or Benayoun should play. The only vaguely interesting thing I might do with the selection might be to 'rest' Kuyt and give them both a game.

[the rev leeroy brown]

i'd happily start the game

reina

johnson
kyrigakos
skrtel
aurelio

mash
gerard
kyut
benni

babel
torres

4-4-2 attack them from the off. it's not taking the game lightly but we should be pissing all over these guys. a chance for babel to get some confidence. a chance to rest our only real fit centre half. a chance to get aurelio fit.

[Kenneth]

i'd happily start the game

So would I, but I doubt either of us are good enough.

[MrMichael]

I have a feeling this could be tighter than expected.

Having said that, I officially suck at predicting anything footy related, so we'll probably win 10-0.

[DannyMan2006]

I would start the same team as Saturday. But without having the benefit of how fit Mascher is I couldn't say for sure. If he is fine then I would start him with Lucas, IF that is the way Rafa continues to see us playing. Every game they all play together will help at this stage.

I'd also be looking to bring of Gerrard and Torres early doors, both have played every game so far and played in the international breaks. We have Babel until at least January so I'd be looking to give him some first team football and if all goes well get Jay Spearing some minutes on the pitch again.

I think Jay's chances will be limited when Aquilani gets fit so I would like to see him get some run outs now so we can assess if he's ready. If he isn't we then have the option of sending him out on loan to bring him along.

What ever happens, the idea should be to start with the strongest team possible and then if the game is won early on take the right players off.

[DannyMan2006]

I have a feeling this could be tighter than expected.

Having said that, I officially suck at predicting anything footy related, so we'll probably win 10-0.

Judging by their past results I would say the game will be comfartable, with the score very dependant on the time of the first goal as always. But I think a score of around 3-0 would be a more realistic aim than the 5 or 6 nils people are thinking of. CFR Cluj were a suprise team last season in the Champions League yet beat Roma in Rome and got a draw with Chelsea.

[Scratch]

Please dont play Mascherano and Lucas together against no mark teams at Anfield.

Please!

Indeed, leave Mascher out for matches like this...he will be needed against clubs like Madrid, United etc, teams that will look to attack. Against teams that will look to sit back, he is wasted.