Sunderland Build Up

[RedReet]

Dunno. We've often played three at the back and wing backs under Rafa. He hasn't done it for a while now but I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again. As you said though we'll have to wait and see what the injury picture is like before getting a proper idea of what hand we have to play on Saturday.

One note on that formation 112 - I really don't see Babel playing in a three in midfield. Plessis or Spearing would be a better fit for that position with maybe Babel up top.

Have we really? Newcastle obviously stands out, but bar that I wouldn’t imagine that we’ve played it more than five times under Rafa.

Why is everyone counting out Torres anyway? His injury wasn’t supposed to be that serious and he was on the bench against Bosnia H.

[Baracus]

Have we really? Newcastle obviously stands out, but bar that I wouldn’t imagine that we’ve played it more than five times under Rafa.

Why is everyone counting out Torres anyway? His injury wasn’t supposed to be that serious and he was on the bench against Bosnia H.

My Guess is simply playing 3 centre backs, as Rafa likes to contain rather than attack away from home, like at Chelsea. With Jones and Bent, power and pace and aerial ability, I would go for a 3 man set-up, especially as Agger played well against the 'ibra' on saturday.

[Scratch]

112...why you dropping Torres...was he not on the bench last night, as an unused sub??

[Baracus]

112...why you dropping Torres...was he not on the bench last night, as an unused sub??

if everyone is injured, at this moment in time, unless news comes out otherwise

[RedReet]

My Guess is simply playing 3 centre backs, as Rafa likes to contain rather than attack away from home, like at Chelsea. With Jones and Bent, power and pace and aerial ability, I would go for a 3 man set-up, especially as Agger played well against the 'ibra' on saturday.

If we defend as well as we did for most of the Chelsea game, then I don’t think we need the security of an extra CB. Although we conceded two, we contained Chelsea pretty well and only conceded because of a stupid mistake in midfield and then when we were chasing the game.

I also think 5-3-2 is better suited with 3 CM’s, which creates even more problems with the multiple injuries to our midfield at the minute.

If Torres is passed fit, I’d keep the same formation with Benni playing off him and Riera and Babel on the wings (although Voronin for Gerrard and Benni for Kuyt is more likely). I’d keep the same back four as against Chelsea, maybe swapping Aurelio and Insua depending on fitness. CM is anyone’s guess as I see weaknesses in every possible pairing.

Either way, it’s gonna be a very tough game. If we hadn’t already dropped nine points, I’d have been happy with a draw.

[Marky]

0-0 written all over it.

[flyboy]

its a joke that we have to rely on torres and gerrard for ALL games and cant count on anyone else.we wont score thats for sure.0-0.extremely naive of rafa not buying a backup striker...oh wait we have the kid and the pornstar

[Deano]

Torres and Gerrard didn't train today but the games not till Sunday so here's hoping that tomorrow or Sunday they will join in

[Dirk07]

Torres and Gerrard didn't train today but the games not till Sunday so here's hoping that tomorrow or Sunday they will join in

I hope your not planning on going to the match because I think you might be late turning up

[dww]

its a joke that we have to rely on torres and gerrard for ALL games and cant count on anyone else.we wont score thats for sure.0-0.extremely naive of rafa not buying a backup striker...oh wait we have the kid and the pornstar

Johnson 2
Kuyt 3
Benayoun 3
Gerrard 3
Babel 2
Torres 8
N'Gog 1

I'm not sure our reliance is as complete as people make out. Benayoun and Kuyt are pretty regular scorers if you look at last season and the start of this.

[Bender]

Liverpool have confirmed that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were withdrawn from training today after picking up injuries whilst on international duty this week.

Torres suffered a minor adductor problem whilst with Spain that limited him to the substitutes' bench for his country's game with Bosnia.

Gerrard missed England's victory over Belarus at Wembley with a groin strain. Both players are to be further assessed by the Reds' medical team.

"Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will not train with the rest of the squad today, but will continue to receive treatment and will be assessed again tomorrow."

[Vermilion]

Could be a tough game this.

[ELNINO 9]

the game is sat not sunday

[Deano]

I hope your not planning on going to the match because I think you might be late turning up

I could have sworn it was on Sunday

[Lee]

Very worried about our depleated squad at the moment - no idea what formation or team Rafa will use on Saturday. This is a ****in' HUGE game though.

Could be:

---------------Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Aurelio
---------------?? ??
-------Babel Benayoun Riera
----------Voronin/NGog?

or:

---------------Reina
-------Skrtel Carragher Agger
Johnson--------------------Dossena
----------??--------Aurelio
Babel--------Benayoun------Riera
----------Voronin/NGog?

Suppose it depends on Kuyts, Gerrards & Torres' fitness over the next few days and if he thinks Lucas, Insua and Mascherano are fit enough to play after getting back late on Friday. Also I'm not entirely sure of Dossena is fit - wasn't he injured recently? I guess we'll see Degen on the bench though