Sunderland Build Up

[PTP]

So is gerrard defo out?

I'd be shocked if mascher plays as rafa never plays him after international duty - though Lucas seems to feature if doesn't get a game for brazil. If gerrard is out we will have to gamble witlh mascher. - plus insua has been away too, and didn't torres get a knock, **** is there anyone left


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

Johnson-------Carra-----------Skrtel-----------Aurelio

----------------Er...............er.............

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

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

[Roboklopp]

Total Bull****.

Man for man we are better than them in every position on the park. A couple of guys may have knocks but they will still play. Dossena comes into left back if Insua out, Gerrard-Aurelio in the middle or even lucas. Torres up top with Benni behind him.

We win, sunderland cry and you all feel like fools for even doubting it

I always look like a fool, so I'll take that.

[MrMichael]

Dirk Kuyt has declared himself fit for the match

From liverpool.no

I get the feeling Dirk would declare himself fit with a broken leg though, hope he really is fit.

We should try this sometime.

Carling cup preferably

I'm amazed at how many people are defeatist about this game actually. In fact it's not so much the defeatism that surprises as the fact that people think we should set the team up to go for a draw. If Rafa said or even hinted at any such thing he would be pilloried on here.

Aye.

If we play to our potential we'll beat them, injuries or no. It might be a close game/scoreline though.

I always look like a fool, so I'll take that.

[saveferris]

I think we will get a scoring draw, Bent and Jones have been playing well, but we have scored in most games.

Also in the league we havent won a lot against Steve Bruce, he is a manager who knows how to contain us (apart from the Brum FA cup game)

[Galb]

Guardian breaking news headline is showing Gerrard and Torres out.

I have a bad feeling about this one.

[dww]

GERRARD AND TORRES OUT - KYRGIAKOS BOOST
Jimmy Rice at Melwood 16 October 2009 [.tv]

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were today ruled out of this weekend's trip to Sunderland - though Rafael Benitez has received better news on the injury to Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
Both Gerrard (groin) and Torres (muscle) have failed to recover from knocks sustained on international duty, but both may return for our midweek Champions League clash with Lyon.

Kyrgiakos, meanwhile, limped out of Greece's World Cup qualifier in midweek, and initial press reports suggested he could be out for several months. However, Benitez expects the centre back to be available within a week to ten days.

The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Both Steven and Fernando still have some problems. They will need more time and won't be available this weekend. I think they could be available for next week.

"With Kyrgiakos we were really worried because people were talking about maybe six months, but after the scan we think one week to ten days. That's very positive."

There was also better news on Dirk Kuyt after his injury scare during the international break.

"Kuyt is okay. He was training normally with the team and will be available," added Benitez.

South American trio Javier Mascherano, Emiliano Insua and Lucas Leiva have all returned to Merseyside following their long-haul international flights over the past week. All three are available for the clash at the Stadium of Light.

[dww]

SUNDERLAND v Liverpool: Kieran Richardson suspended for Reds test

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:38 PM on 16th October 2009

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will be without Kieran Richardson through suspension for the Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who has been playing at left-back in recent weeks, was sent off for a second bookable offence during the 2-2 draw at Manchester United a fortnight ago and must serve a one-match ban.

However, Northern Ireland international George McCartney, the club's only specialist left-back, is fit, while Lee Cattermole (heel) and John Mensah (calf) are also available.

Manager Steve Bruce will assess striker Kenwyne Jones following his return from international duty in the Caribbean, while Dutch midfielder Boudewijn Zenden could also be included against his former club, provided his international clearance comes through in time.

Provisional squad: Gordon, Fulop, Bardsley, McCartney, Ferdinand, Turner, Nosworthy, Da Silva, Mensah, Cana, Cattermole, Reid, Malbranque, Henderson, Zenden, Bent, Jones, Campbell, Murphy, Healy.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz0U6Tn0JOp

[dww]

Zenden joins Sunderland
Edinburgh Evening News Published Date: 16 October 2009
FORMER Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden has joined Sunderland until the end of the season after impressing while training on Wearside.
The 33-year-old Dutchman has been signed as a free agent after leaving Marseille in the summer.

The Black Cats are now awaiting international clearance to allow Zenden, who has 54 caps, to go into the squad for tomorrow's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Zenden, whose other former clubs include Barcelona and Middlesbrough, will provide cover in midfield for Sunderland, who also have the option of extending his deal until the summer of 2011.

The Black Cats are short of numbers in the middle of the park after Dean Whitehead, Grant Leadbitter and Carlos Edwards were sold in the summer while Teemu Tainio was allowed to join Birmingham on loan.

[Vermilion]

Great, juuuust great, this has all the hallmarks of being a catastrophe in the making, or maybe it's just my feelings about the game are wrong, which if you check the prediction game will see that's not unusual.

[S-RED]

Saving Stevie & Torres for lyon & the Mancs

[-V-]

...............Reina
Johnson Carra Skrtle Dossena

Yossi Lucas Aurelio Riera

...........Kuyt Babel

[PTP]

hmm

no torres and gerrard is a blow

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

Johnson----------Skrtel----------Carra------------Aurelio

Benayoun----------Mascher--------Lucas----------Riera

--------------------Kuyt-----------N'gog

[dww]

I think we will have to see at least two of Insua, Mascherano and Lucas.

Looks like it will be a big game for Babel or Ngog.

[S-RED]

hmm

no torres and gerrard is a blow

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

Johnson----------Skrtel----------Carra------------Aurelio

Benayoun----------Mascher--------Lucas----------Riera

--------------------Kuyt-----------N'gog

Babel will start & Voronin will be close also.

[-V-]

Can't see mascherano playing. He just played 2 massive games then travelled back to argentina and then back to england. He's probably just got back a couple of hours ago so I can't see anyway how he will be ready to go to sunderland for another game

Lucas im sure will play as he has hardly been involved