Arsenal first game of the season.

[TheElephantMan]

"we want to be careful this year to make certain that we prepare him - not just for August 15 but for the whole season"

I'd guess that he'll be unlikely to start the Arsenal game then.

[Bender]

So, with the side we currently have what team would you pick for the Arsenal game, ive been thinking about it and I came up with

GK Pepe

RB Johno CB Carra CB Agger LB Fabio


DM Macher

RM Dirk LM Jovan/Babel


AM Gerrard AM Cole


CF Torres.

Bench - Cavalieri, Aquilani, The Greek, Skrtel, Lucas, Jovan/Babel, N'gog


This is presuming nothing else changes before the end of the season, which i doubt but for now im guessing this would be it, if the Macherano transfer goes through i'd swap Macherano for Gerrard and play Aquilani more forward.

Has Twitter sorry i mean Babbel even featured in any of the pre-season games to get a starting place against arsenal ?

[TheElephantMan]

I don't think he will simply because he will have no chance of playing in any kind of competitive game before. The sports science guys wouldn't let him and to be honest, I wouldn't take the risk because of his history.

[TheElephantMan]

There's no way he could be ready for that game in just 2 1/2 weeks of preparation under his belt. Knowing Torres, he's rusty as **** for his first games anyway.

I always predict a Liverpool win in the prediction thingy, but I've got a bad feeling we're going to get a good hiding in this game. My hope is that Gerrard raises his game to the level we know he's capable of, I'm sure he wasn't putting in the effort for Rafa. Unless we purchase a new striker we're looking at N'gog up front or maybe Jovanovic?

[wiw]

Too soon for Kuyt I'd say. I'd play Maxi

Quite worried that, although I'm uber confident for the new season, Arsenal is a bit too soon for us and we'll get our pants pulled down

[Shaggy]

Same for them though innit.

[BrooklynRed]

Has Twitter sorry i mean Babbel even featured in any of the pre-season games to get a starting place against arsenal ?

He was a World Cup finalist and just came back to training this week.

[Rudo]

Too soon for Kuyt I'd say. I'd play Maxi

Quite worried that, although I'm uber confident for the new season, Arsenal is a bit too soon for us and we'll get our pants pulled down

Nah **** that ****...1st game of the season...full house at Anfield against one of the big teams...new manager...new faces...new start...****ing bring it on!!!!

[Bender]

He was a World Cup finalist and just came back to training this week.

A world cup finalist who didn't even play a single minute ......the lazy ass wipe doesn't / didn't need time off

[wiw]

Same for them though innit.

They always seem to win their preseason games though, and by comfortable margins. We fluff our way through and generally lose

Dunno, as er, Rodo/Rudo/Youknowwho says new season, first home game The crowd could get us through it

In fact I'll be one of the crowd Keep forgetting. Bring it on

[TheElephantMan]

It's ridiculous starting the season with practically no preparation. I don't want to sound like a miserable bugger, but the World Cup means sod all to me (although I'm sure Reina and Torres were made up collecting their medals). International football should be an amateur game IMO, it shouldn't have a negative impact on club football at this level. What's more important England embarrassing themselves on the international stage or us trying to get back into the CL where we belong?

The lower league supporters love international football, maybe that's where the players should come from?

[Fierce]

12 men? No Maxi?


-------------------Reina-------------------

Johnson----Carragher---Agger--------Aurelio

------------------Lucas-------------------

------------------Gerrard--------------------

Kuyt--------------Cole-----------------Jovanovic

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


Subs: Cavalieri, Insua, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Aquilani, Maxi, Ngog



Sort of a 4-2-3-1 (or 4-1-4-1) but with Gerrard playing more of a genuine CM role as opposed to holding. I really want to see Joe Cole in that free role behind Nando.

I like the look of that, although I think the midfield could perhaps be a bit weak. If you're discounting Masher though, I'd hope his replacement would be the one to take his place. Course Lucas has the experience and has done a great job at times, so possibly a close call

Also think it's too soon for Torres and Kuyt (only just), so if thats the case I'd go:

Reina

Johnson Carra Agger Fabio

Lucas/Replacement
Gerrard -------- Aquilani
Cole

N'Gog ---- Jovanovic


Subs: Cavalieri, Insua, Kyrgiakos, Lucas/Replacement, Maxi, Babel, Kuyt

Mate of mine has tickets and I can go, I did decide I'd not go whilst the leeches were still there tho

[Mostar]

I agree this is the only team he can put out in my opinion, would like to see Aquiliani in and gerrard dropping back for the lesser teams.

And poor old Babel, he tweets and tweets and you say you love him now......and when it comes to the crunch he doesnt even make your subs bench.

Same here. I'd like to see Aqua man and Maxi as well.

[SB]

12 players we will win every time.

epic fail

[Alex]

12 men? No Maxi?


-------------------Reina-------------------

Johnson----Carragher---Agger--------Aurelio

------------------Lucas-------------------

------------------Gerrard--------------------

Kuyt--------------Cole-----------------Jovanovic

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


Subs: Cavalieri, Insua, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Aquilani, Maxi, Ngog



Sort of a 4-2-3-1 (or 4-1-4-1) but with Gerrard playing more of a genuine CM role as opposed to holding. I really want to see Joe Cole in that free role behind Nando.

This is my thoughts