Carling Cup Stoke City Build Up Oct 26/11

[Lee]

This thread has taken a turn for the better.

[Neil Young]

And then Bender arrived.

[Neil Young]

hello to all by the way

[The Joker]

yes the green hair.

[Bender]

And then Bender arrived.

I aim to please.....nice pics from your family album oh come on man laugh it's diwali

[Mostar]

I like that too.

Although would like to have seen Aurelio at left back. Will he ever play again?

Same here.

If he is fit and healthy why not play him instead of Johnson who is not LB?

[Exiled_red]

If the team posted earlier is correct it will be interesting to see what happens. Obviously in recent games Suarez has been creating alot of chances, it will be interesting to see how many chances we create without him. It will also be intersting to see how Carroll does, having Downing and Maxi in the side should be playing to his strengths somewhat, although Stoke are a physical team it will be interesting to see how he does.

[Mostar]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/reina-i-love-the-noise

Reina: I love the noise

Pepe Reina claims a partisan atmosphere like that which Liverpool are likely to encounter at the Britannia Stadium this evening always helps him produce top form.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis yesterday called on Potters fans to set an intense tone when Reina and co visit for the Carling Cup fourth round encounter.

But there is little chance of our Spanish custodian being intimidated as the club's quest to reach a first cup final since 2007 continues.

"It's enjoyable," Reina told Liverpoolfc.tv. "When you are involved in this kind of atmosphere you find yourself in your best mood, with the supporters shouting right at you, the opposition players running a lot and a lot of noise in the stadium."

Reina classes the FA Cup win of 2006 as his finest day in a Liverpool jersey - and he knows another final is overdue.

He said: "It's always important to be involved in those types of games. To be a Liverpool player is about being in finals and being competitive for those kinds of games and to win titles.

"That's our aim and hopefully we'll find ourselves in a final at the end of the season.

"It's still a long way and we have a really, really tough game at the Britannia Stadium. We know how difficult it is to beat them there but we trust ourselves. We know we're doing better in this competition this year and hopefully we'll get to the final."

[Mostar]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/7266495/

Kuyt - Time for silverware

Dirk Kuyt has admitted he is desperate to avoid an unwanted Liverpool record and end his long wait for a trophy.

The Dutchman arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2006, just after the Reds lifted the FA Cup, and has yet to win any silverware with the club.

If Liverpool endure another barren season, Kuyt will become the longest-serving Liverpool player in 40 years to have never won a trophy at the club.

The Reds are not in Europe this term and Kuyt accepts their best chance of success may lie in the Carling Cup, ahead of Wednesday's trip to Stoke in the competition.

"In all my time as a Liverpool player I have been close to winning trophies," he said.

"There was the Champions League final, the semi-final and coming second in the Premier League.

"We have been close but it is now time to get some silverware.

Watch West Brom v Liverpool live on ESPN from 5.30pm on Saturday.
."Not being involved in Europe is a major blow to the club so the Carling Cup is a great trophy to win because we're all desperate to win something.

"Last season was such a disappointment, this one is all about improvement and we can achieve that by doing well in this competition.

"The Carling Cup is being taken very seriously and hopefully we can use the bad taste we have in our mouth, because of our frustration in the league, in a positive way."

Kuyt recognises that it will be difficult to get past Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, but insists Liverpool can compete physically with Tony Pulis' side.

"We're not the only team that struggles there. It is because they are such a strong, physical team," said Kuyt.

"There are a lot of long balls and second balls, and good throw-ins from which they score a lot of goals.

"It makes it one of the most difficult games in the league, but we can be a strong, physical team as well.

"If we create as many chances as we have been doing, we will be happy, but the only thing that has to change is the number of goals we score."

[Mostar]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/7265740/

Dalglish welcomes Johnson back

Kenny Dalglish is delighted to have Glen Johnson back in his plans, with the full-back having made his Premier League return on Saturday.

With just nine minutes of top flight action under his belt prior to the weekend, Johnson came through a 90-minute outing against Norwich unscathed.

The England international has handed Dalglish something of a selection dilemma at right-back, with Martin Kelly having shone in his absence, but the Scot is delighted to have such strength in depth.

"It's great to have him (Johnson) back," the Reds boss told the club's official website.

"It's a wee bit unfortunate on Martin Kelly that Glen went in and played, but it just shows you the quality of people we have in the squad and that's what we want.

"Glen certainly did well and it might have been a wee bit of a risk to put him back in as early as that, but he had around 65 minutes at Ibrox (against Rangers) and that helped him.

"We're delighted to see him back and also have a wee bit of heavy heart for Kells as well."

Johnson and Kelly will be vying for a starting berth once again in midweek, with Liverpool set to face Stoke in the Carling Cup fourth round on Wednesday.

The Reds have seen off Exeter and Brighton in the competition so far this term and Dalglish is planning to stick with a winning formula.

He said: "I think we've said after both games about the players' attitude and commitment.

"We've made several changes for both games - and the way they went about their work was a great reflection on the pride they have in themselves and also the football club.

"It will be the same for us at Stoke. They are a Premier League club and we'll put a very strong team out again - and we expect the same level of commitment and effort from the players.

"We cannot guarantee anything other than we're going to work hard to try and get a result - and we don't try and kid anybody that we're trying to underestimate the tournament.

"We take it seriously and we'll be going to try and get a result. It's a trophy - and we'd love to win a trophy at some stage."

Liverpool are close to full strength ahead of their date with the Potters, with back-up keeper Alexander Doni set to figure despite dislocating his finger in a friendly date with Rangers last week.

The Scot said: "It's more or less the same as what we had before. Danny Wilson and Jack Robinson are the only two, and Brad Jones has a thigh injury.

"Although Doni's finger is not quite right, it's great credit to him he was prepared to sit on the bench (against Norwich) and we'll see how he is tomorrow."

[Neil Young]

Oh great, another slaphead.

[danperkins]

I'd have Kelly starting at RB ahead of Johnson every time. But Johnson is goos squad option.

[The Birdman]

Kelly was fit for the Norwich game but not even sub???

[Shaggy]

Think we're being careful with him.

[Fernandinho]

How many hours till kick off?