Man City buildup

[Reece]

Not sure how they could know that already, but thought I'd post it anyway.

[Shaggy]

They posted the team v Arsenal (although that was all over the net anyway) too.

[banditos]

Seems that Roy announces the team a lot earlier than rafa did.

[anfieldanfield]

If that is the team I think it's pretty defensive.

[Shaggy]

'Meet the new boss, same as the old boss'

[little dave hedgehog]

If that is the team I think it's pretty defensive.

you would think we were playing a side potentially full of attacking prowess away from home or something.

[Molby]

Torres and Poulsen to start against City; Ngog and Lucas miss out
Sunday, 22nd August 2010 · Share on Facebook

Fernando Torres, who is returning from injury, will start against Manchester City tomorrow away from home, we can confirm.

Pepe Reina will start in goal, with Brad Jones replacing Diego Cavalieri on the bench as back-up.

Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio will start as full-backs for Liverpool. Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel will also start at the back alongside the duo.

Daniel Agger has failed to make the starting eleven after suffering concussion last week, however he will be on the bench for the Reds.

New-signing Christian Poulsen and Javier Mascherano will be paired together in midfield, which means Lucas will be a substitute.

Dirk Kuyt returns to the side and will start on the right wing, next to Steven Gerrard, who is playing in the hole, and Milan Jovanovic on the left.

Fernando Torres, who came on for the second-half against Trabzonspor, will start alone up front.

David Ngog, Brad Jones, Daniel Agger, Martin Kelly, Maxi Rodriguez, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva are set to be on the bench, which has not yet been fully confirmed.

Starting eleven is subject to late change due to injuries.

Stream links to watch the full 90 minutes live will be available tomorrow, 2 hours before kick-off at 8pm (UK).

Starting: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano, Poulsen; Kuyt, Gerrard, Jovanovic; Torres.
Subs: Jones, Kelly, Agger, Lucas, Babel, Rodriguez, Ngog (not fully confirmed).

More here: http://lfcglobe.com/torres-and-pouls...#ixzz0xMlkmGMr

http://lfcglobe.com/torres-and-pouls...ucas-miss-out/

If this is the team, (which TBH, looks pretty good) it's gonna be a massive baptism of fire for Poulsen for his intro to the Premier League, hope he can step up to the plate......

He's not exactly blessed with speed, but he's most likely up against Nigel deYong or Barry that's not exactly a pairing that strikes fear?

I def think that Man City are there for the taking, to reiterate what others where saying, i'm glad this game is so early in the season

Can't wait to see TORRARD back up front together, espically seeing how sharp Nando looked on Thursday night.

[little dave hedgehog]

poulsen is no mug. his level of talent is debatable. but he has undoubtedly been around the block once or twice.

[Craig_H]

Never thought i'd say this....but Lucas should be in the team.

[Rudo]

Never thought i'd say this....but Lucas should be in the team.

I'm quite shocked.

With Roy saying he was going to put a like for like replacement in the team to replace Joe Cole, i expected Maxi to come in or possibly Babel with Kuyt or Gerrard playing in behind Torres.

Massive ask for Poulsen, bearing in mind he didn't have much of a pre-season...away at City and in a midfield battle with the likes of De Jong, Milner and Silva...welcome to the Premiership.

[anfieldanfield]

Never thought i'd say this....but Lucas should be in the team.

Why ? He offers nothing.

We've bought this Poulsen lad and he's not getting any younger. Let's play him.

Although to be honest if it was up to me I'd go for the throat and play Masher and Gerrard in the middle, two out wide and two up top.

[Mostar]

Never thought i'd say this....but Lucas should be in the team.

Never thought I will see you say that. Shocking

[little dave hedgehog]

I'm quite shocked.

With Roy saying he was going to put a like for like replacement in the team to replace Joe Cole, i expected Maxi to come in or possibly Babel with Kuyt or Gerrard playing in behind Torres.

Massive ask for Poulsen, bearing in mind he didn't have much of a pre-season...away at City and in a midfield battle with the likes of De Jong, Milner and Silva...welcome to the Premiership.

poulsen's a fighter. he'll be ready for it.

[Mostar]

poulsen's a fighter. he'll be ready for it.

It seems a big gamble to me as well.

Poulsen only played one match the entire summer after WC and I am not so convinced that he is a match fit for the game of this magnitude.

Also he hasn't gel yet and for that reason I personally would play Leiva instead.

Leiva is not my kind of player but between those 2 at this moment Lucas would get my vote.

[BigChief]

If this is the real team then I'm already impressed with Roy. He's dropped one of Rafa's inept favourites, Lucas, for a more skilful Poulson. I don't know what game the rest of you were watching but I remember seeing Poulson attempt a blaster with his right foot from more than 20 yards out. Then attempted a blaster with his left foot from nearly the same place. Both shots were not bad efforts. I don't think I've ever seen Lucas do anything of this sort. Granted Poulson is new to the league but he's been in these battles a lot more than we give him credit for.

I'm really looking forward to some decent distribution from Poulson to Gerrard/Torres which is often woefully lacking or just inept when Lucas usually plays.

I repeat, I salute you Roy. Though the same formation as Rafa's you've already improved its effectiveness which Rafa could never see beyond.