Spurs build up

[Chazza]

I think we need to start with our strongest front line.

Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho.

Downing has done well recently but the three above are better.

More threat in those 3 with clever movement and passing.

[BigChief]

And outright pace + goals. Something we've lacked for too long in the past. We'll win.

[SB]

I think we need to start with our strongest front line.

Suarez, Sturridge and Coutinho.

Downing has done well recently but the three above are better.

And as others have pointed out, downing has done nowt vs the big teams so he'll come off the bench maybe

[The_weatherman]

haha yeah.

My guess would be we would go back to the same lineup vs Swansea (Gerrard, Lucas, Downing, Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge). It's quite attacking but at the same time, Coutinho and Downing should do their fair share of tracking back.

Don't we need Allen or Henderson in midfield against Spurs though? We really need to control the midfield.

[CJ]

i think this match will show us how how far we have or need to progress.

[The Birdman]

I hope Rodgers picks this team -
Reina
Johnson Carra Agger Enrique
Gerrard Lucas
Downing Suarez Henderson
Sturridge

[Fernandinho]

I have little doubt that we will start with 3 proper midfielders. Allen or Henderson will play surely. I think downing will make way for Sturridge. We will still have Raheem and downing from the bench to stretch the game later on

[Maxiedge]

Don't we need Allen or Henderson in midfield against Spurs though? We really need to control the midfield.

The team I posted has the most in-form players but if we wanted to tighten the midfield and let Gerrard go forward a bit more then I can see Coutinho being sacrificed for either Allen or Henderson. I know some people aren't big fans of Downing but he's played pretty much every game recently on that right and I can't see him being dropped.

[Norbs]

Downing should be given the brief to kick Cornelius out of the game. A starting 11 including a red carded Downing against a Spurs side without the Doctor is our best chance of winning

[Tee]

Downing should be given the brief to kick Cornelius out of the game. A starting 11 including a red carded Downing against a Spurs side without the Doctor is our best chance of winning

Downing jumps out of the way of 50-50s, you got the wrong man there Norbs.

[kalesh]

Downing certainly gives more solidity ahead of Johnson which might be useful against Bale. He likes to cut inside which allows GJ to overlap - this also seems to work well.

As a side point, I can't believe I'm advocating the inclusion of Downing. It shows how much he's improved over the last few months.

[BigChief]

Downing certainly gives more solidity ahead of Johnson which might be useful against Bale. He likes to cut inside which allows GJ to overlap - this also seems to work well.

As a side point, I can't believe I'm advocating the inclusion of Downing. It shows how much he's improved over the last few months.

Downing's fitness levels seem to have hit the roof as well. He's constantly moving and always tracks back. If anything Johnson is looking a better defender as he trusts Downing.

Its a tough one, drop Allen or Downing for Sturridge?

[AnfieldForever]

Who ever plays will have to play a portion of the match at full back. I'd rather Downing.

[spider-neil]

I doubt Rodgers is going to go with 4 out and out attackers so it's a choice of Coutinho or Downing unless Sturridge is going to be eased in. We play with 4 attackers and that is effectively 4-4-2 and I think Dembele and Parker would over run Gerrard and Lucas. I predict Downing over Coutinho and Henderson over Allen.

[RedReet]

Downing's fitness levels seem to have hit the roof as well. He's constantly moving and always tracks back. If anything Johnson is looking a better defender as he trusts Downing.

Its a tough one, drop Allen or Downing for Sturridge?

If anything, I thought Johnson played better earlier in the season. He's been very good all season, can't be faulted really, but I certainly haven't seen any improvement playing regularly behind Downing.