Swansea Build Up (h) Gerrard out?

[SB]

Looks like Stevie is out for this one with fresh fears that he could be out for a while

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/977488/fresh-injury-fears-over-liverpool%27s-steven-gerrard?cc=3436

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could be set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after he was pictured leaving hospital with his right leg in a protective cast on Sunday.

Gerrard, 31, missed Liverpool's 2-0 win at West Brom on Saturday after contracting an infection in his right ankle during training. The skipper had only just returned from a groin injury (which was also complicated by an infection) that kept him out of action for six months.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed the cause of the problem after the game on Saturday, but refused to be drawn on his recovery time.

''Steven has got an infection in his ankle,'' Dalglish said. 'He was in our minds for the game and it just flared up. We will be more accurate next week (in terms of making a diagnosis).

''It's nothing to do with any injuries before. It's an infection. I suppose it's like having an abscess in your mouth.''

Liverpool will almost certainly be without Gerrard for their next Premier League game against Swansea next weekend, while England coach Fabio Capello will also be fearful that the midfielder will miss the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden at Wembley.

After the international break, Liverpool play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge twice - once in the Premier League, once in a Carling Cup quarter-final - and host table-topping Manchester City at Anfield, by which time they will hope that their influential captain has fully recovered.

[SB]

Would anyone honestly bring Carra back into the starting X1 for this one or go with Skrtel and Agger again? This isn't meant to start a war or anything just honestly keen to gage opinions on this. We've kept a rare clean sheet on the weekend away from home and do believe we should stick with S&A.

Johnson or Kelly
Carroll and Suarez should start this one together IMO
Bellamy / Downing or Maxi on the left?
Kuyt / Henderson or Maxi on the right ?
Lucas and Adam or Wee Jay ?

[Corndog]

I agree with starting Agger and Skrtel. It is true Carragher brings great experience to the back line and is definitely a leader in it when he plays, but skrtel is in-form and when fit Agger is the best centre back at the club imo. Daniel Agger leads Denmark and in the games i have watched both with us and his country he is more than capable of filling that "organisational' void that Carra brings to the squad. he's been with us for what? 6 years now? he knows how the club works and like most danish people speaks very good english, i hope to god he stays fit because if he does he is the perfect replacement for Carragher (not to say Carra doesn't have a role to play anymore, but we must start phasing him out, its just that time, united are doing a similar thing with Ferdinand, players don't last forever)

Anyways the team i would like to see goes like this:

----------------------Reina------------------------
-----johnson-----skrtel------Agger-----enrique--
------------------lucas------Henderson-----------
-----maxi-------------suarez------------bellamy--
-----------------------Carroll---------------------

the team i think kenny will play will look like this imo:

---------------------Reina-----------------------
-----johnson----Carra----agger--------enrique---
-----henderson--lucas-----adam-------downing
----------------Suarez------Carroll--------------

Both squads that are more than capable of beating Swansea provided they play to somewhere near their potential. Can't wait for the game already....something i wasn't feeling or saying this time last year, C'mon LFC

[Fredo]

Agger and Skrtel at the back. We should have enough to beat them without Stevie.

[RichC]

I'd play the same starting 11 from the West Brom game apart from looking to start either Maxi or Bellamy in place of Downing, he's not been great as of late and I think he needs a rest, re-group and come back in a game or two.

[JohnDoe]

I'd keep Downing in the team, it could be a game where he's able to build some confidence from.

Keep the same team.

[Exiled_red]

I'd keep Downing in the team, it could be a game where he's able to build some confidence from.

Keep the same team.

[The_weatherman]

Keep the same team, at least at the back, would like to see a settled back four given a good run together.

I''m somewhat inclined to start Maxi but can't see it happening we have to go to City after this one and I reckon Kenny will want Downing for that one as well, so he might see Swansea as a confidence booster for him.

[SB]

Anyways the team i would like to see goes like this:

----------------------Reina------------------------
-----johnson-----skrtel------Agger-----enrique--
------------------lucas------Henderson-----------
-----maxi-------------suarez------------bellamy--
-----------------------Carroll---------------------

I'd love to see that side go out for us too. Possibilities no

We'd probably need some subs though

[Arn]

I'd play the same starting 11 from the West Brom game apart from looking to start either Maxi or Bellamy in place of Downing, he's not been great as of late and I think he needs a rest, re-group and come back in a game or two.

Do you really believe that Kenny will bench Carra if he is fit? I simply don't believe that.

If Carra is fit then it will be Carra and Skrtel IMO. Agger on the bench.

[Chris]

Theres absolutely nothing to suggest Kenny prefers Skrtel though, quite the opposite infact given he played Agger all the time last season and Agger started this season in the team.

[Exiled_red]

If Carragher comes back, IMO it will be in place of Skrtel. Although I'd stick with the Skrtel and Agger partnership now.

[Chris]

If Carragher comes back, IMO it will be in place of Skrtel. Although I'd stick with the Skrtel and Agger partnership now.

Agreed, hopefully it stays as it is. They've earned the shirt and Carra or Coates get a chance again when one is injured or badly out of form.

[Mattshark]

Agreed, hopefully it stays as it is. They've earned the shirt and Carra or Coates get a chance again when one is injured or badly out of form.

Especially as Carra has been off form so far this season too.

[Mostar]

the team i think kenny will play will look like this imo:

---------------------Reina-----------------------
-----johnson----Carra----agger--------enrique---
-----henderson--lucas-----adam-------downing
----------------Suarez------Carroll--------------

I think so too.

Pretty much the same lineup as the one against WBA with exception of Carra for Skrtel even though I think it is unfair to Skrtel.

He deserves to start and Carra's phasing out should be on the way.