Arsenal build up

[Scratch]

I think it will close to this, only question mark is Maxi for Riera. Maybe Rafa will go for Kuyt up top with Maxi, Riera and Gerrard behind though? Babel can come on for the last 20 or so.

Don't think Maxi will play, cos he did pretty much the full 90 against Everton and looked shattered at the end of it. Just my thinking on the way Rafa looks at things.

[The_weatherman]

Don't think Maxi will play, cos he did pretty much the full 90 against Everton and looked shattered at the end of it. Just my thinking on the way Rafa looks at things.

Yeah, I guess so, and Riera has the record and experience of facing the big clubs, he is more likely to start. I am absolutely dreading this, getting nerves already

[Carras_Shin_Pads]

Come on this is surely a game for Aqualani, especially if we're flooding the midfield. My Arsenal mates (yeah i'm sorry) said what ever happened to that aqua man that came on against us. They all thought he was cracking, and not in a bad way! I just don't get why he's not playing, far better then Lucas IMO and showing a lot more hunger then stevie g at the moment!

[gerbin11]

Would like to see

---------Reina------------
Carra-Skrtle-Agger-Insua
-------Masch----Aqui------
Gerrard-------------Maxi
-------Kuyt-N'Gog--------

Mainly to see us have a go at that Arse left back area. It seems their week spot at the back

[The Birdman]

Will be the same team as against Everton except Skrtel for Kyriakos imo.
Kuyt will play on the right to exploit Clichy defensively and to track his forward runs, Agger will play a lot of diagonal left to right balls either to Kuyt's head or over the top of Clichy.
Carragher and Insua will play tucked in close to the Centre Backs to try and stop Arsenal playing through, we will try to force them wide so they cross for the giants of Arsharvan, Nasri etc...
I think Maxi or maybe Aurellio will play instead of Riera purley because they will keep a shape and track back better, Maxi was annonomous in an attacking sense on Saturday but put a great performance in defensively for the team.

[the rev leeroy brown]

I think Maxi or maybe Aurellio will play instead of Riera purley because they will keep a shape and track back better, Maxi was annonomous in an attacking sense on Saturday but put a great performance in defensively for the team.

i wouldnt say maxi put in a great performance defensively as IMO he was annonymous throughout the whole game and barely had a sniff at the ball. but you cant judge the guy on his early games as he hasnt played much footy and is still getting used to the EPL.

i'd still drop him but not for aurelio as two left backs on the left hand side is so negative so i'd plump for riera as if i suggest babel i will get shot down again. besides, reira due a good game for us.

[RedReet]

I agree that he wasn’t involved much, but showed a few decent touches and a few encouraging signs, with the dribble early on and the ball to N’Gog springing to mind. I also agree with a few of the other posters, that he did get stuck in defensively.

I didn't think he was just as small as he was though until I seem him beside one of the Everton midgets.

[Craig_H]

Aquilani's been ruled out of this one

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/rafa-reveals-aqua-absence

[Craig_H]

Are suspensions immediate now? I thought they used to take a week to come through (I can never keep up with changes to FA rules).

Kyrgiakos is definitely suspended:

One man who won't face Arsenal is in-form defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who starts a three-game ban following Saturday's dismissal for a foul on Marouane Fellaini.

[Kinell]

Aquilani's been ruled out of this one

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/lates...s-aqua-absence

Wish we would hear something about Johnson!

[Reece]

Wish we would hear something about Johnson!

In 2007, Johnson set up the Glen Johnson Soccer School alongside Sam Taylor, a former player of West Ham United. The soccer school is based in Dartford, Kent, and its primary focus is training and development within local schools and one of his students is currently at West Ham United.

[Kinell]

In 2007, Johnson set up the Glen Johnson Soccer School alongside Sam Taylor, a former player of West Ham United. The soccer school is based in Dartford, Kent, and its primary focus is training and development within local schools and one of his students is currently at West Ham United.

So i have 2 more wishes, yeah?

[Bender]

Wish we would hear something about Johnson!

Glen Johnson is not expected to return to action until March at the earliest.
"Glen is still progressing," added Benitez. "It's looking like he will be back in another three or four weeks. When he was first ruled out, it looked like he would be out for two months and it has been a month so far.

[Bender]

Liverpool have not won at Arsenal in the league since 2000

[SK]

i'd be tempted to go with a 3412, as i think the reason for our stability at the back 4 in recent games was kyrgiakos so having someone like carra to act as cover can't hurt. we need to flood the midifield, but can leave some space down the flanks as arsenal seem harmless with their crossing.

my team would be
...............reina
.......škrtel-carra-agger
..degen-masch-lucas-insua
...............gerrard
...........kuyt-n'gog

there might seem a lack of creativity in that team but i'm confident stevie in a free roll can inflict a lot of damage to any team, and it can't hurt to have players like riera and maxi on the bench to change the course of the game if neccesary.