Vs Sunderland (A): Build-Up

[-V-]

What's all this 5-3-2 bullocks?? We won the first 3 without conceding and then starting ****ing about playing extra centre backs. **** that, let's go back to 433 please and use toure and Enrique as fullbacks

[G]

3 centre backs is coming about because it would be harsh to drop any of them on the basis of play so far, and going out of the cup so early won't allow for squad rotation so with the players that are fit now, 3-5-2 in attack and 5-3-2 when we lose possession is probably the best way to go for now.

[The Birdman]

Same as vs Man U, if Allen is fit then play him instead of Moses

They must have someone who hasn't scored for 6 seasons who'll get his only goal of the season against us though.

[danperkins]

Same as vs Man U, if Allen is fit then play him instead of Moses

They must have someone who hasn't scored for 6 seasons who'll get his only goal of the season against us though.

Niall Quinn will score again us.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

They must have someone who hasn't scored for 6 seasons who'll get his only goal of the season against us though.

There's plenty to choose from those ranks!

[poorscousertommy]

3 centre backs is coming about because it would be harsh to drop any of them on the basis of play so far, and going out of the cup so early won't allow for squad rotation so with the players that are fit now, 3-5-2 in attack and 5-3-2 when we lose possession is probably the best way to go for now.

Football is harsh sometimes. You don't just change formation to keep players in the team.

It will be interesting to see how we line up though.

[dww]

What's all this 5-3-2 bullocks?? We won the first 3 without conceding and then starting ****ing about playing extra centre backs. **** that, let's go back to 433 please and use toure and Enrique as fullbacks

I think it comes from the fact that with Johnson and Coutinho out the back 4 hasn't worked well. Personally I would prefer us to stick with it but I do think there is a real issue with the players available.

In the first two matches we had Agger and Toure at CB, both of which are comfortable coming forwards past the deepest midfielder both with the ball and to close people down. If we play Skrtel in there we don't have that but Toure is probably the most suited of our players for the right back slot. I guess if Agger and Sakho are fit and have trained at playing together that would work.

[G]

Football is harsh sometimes. You don't just change formation to keep players in the team.

It will be interesting to see how we line up though.

No you play your strengths so like I also said, that formation suits the players we have fit at the moment.

[Norbs]

Here's my team to face the Mackems:

THE MIG
Kelly - Toure - Skrtel - Sakho - Enrique
Henderson - Gerrard
Luis Alberto
Sturridge - Suarez

Biggest gamble being Alberto, admittedly, but I think we need someone who can play AM and while it might be tough on Moses he didn't look very comfortable playing through the middle IMO. Alberto's passing might just unleash Suarez and Sturridge, Moses tends to want to run with the ball, which can negate the good movement on offer from the front two.

We need Henderson playing through the middle and not stuck in an unfamiliar position and who better to play against than your previous club, so I'd play him alongside Gerrard. Lucas could do with a breather.

No place for Rossiter?

[G]

I think it comes from the fact that with Johnson and Coutinho out the back 4 hasn't worked well. Personally I would prefer us to stick with it but I do think there is a real issue with that players available.

In the first two matches we had Agger and Toure at CB, both of which are comfortable coming forwards past the deepest midfielder both with the ball and to close people down. If we play Skrtel in there we don't have that but Toure is probably the most suited of our players for the right back slot. I guess if Agger and Sakho are fit and have trained at playing together that would work.

It's been forced on us but it worked quite well certainly much better than playing 4 centre backs in a make shift back 4.

I think when everyone is fit we'll have a back four of Johnson, Kolo, Sakho and Agger at left back. Or Johnson left back and Kolo right back but that would be playing two players out their best position.

[Chazza]

The issue with a back 3 comes when the opposition only play with one striker. If that happens then one of the CB's needs to move a little further forward or we need to have the players to be flexible and go to a back 4.

[frank the tank]

i would play a back four to be honest. Toure at right back or else take Skrtel out and play Toure next to Sakho in defense and stick Wisdom at right back (prefer Kelly but don't think he is 100% fit)

3 midfielders of Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson...... Joe Allen to hopefully come in if any of them needs a rest....

And then I would put Suarez, Sturridge and Sterling up front.

That way we have Moses to come on and make a possible impact if required...

[Bender]

Daniel Agger could return for Liverpool FC's Premier League clash with Sunderland - but Joe Allen will once again be missing for Sunday's trip to the Stadium of Light.

The Danish centre-back played a full part in training today after missing Wednesday night's Capital One Cup defeat to Manchester United with a rib injury.
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However, Allen is still undergoing treatment on the hamstring problem he suffered against Notts County a month ago.

“Daniel obviously struggled with his breathing and had to come off against Southampton last weekend but he has trained the past few days and has looked well in training,” confirmed boss Brendan Rodgers,

“We will see on Saturday if he's going to be available for selection but Joe Allen won't be available in the near future.

“He was trying to work on the field with the rehab team but he had a tightness there.

“The news wasn't quite as good as we thought. He still has a strain in his hamstring and that recovery process is taking a bit longer than we thought.”

Aly Cissokho, who has been out since damaging ankle ligaments on his home debut against Notts County last month, will return to full training tomorrow.

The on-loan left-back won't feature against Sunderland but could make a comeback against Crystal Palace next weekend.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

i would play a back four to be honest. Toure at right back or else take Skrtel out and play Toure next to Sakho in defense and stick Wisdom at right back (prefer Kelly but don't think he is 100% fit)

If it were the Wisdom of seasons past I'd be for a back four too. But the Wisdom this season is looking surprisingly very shaky and I believe his performances so far (and an unfit Kelly) have contributed to Rodgers switching to a back three.

[Mostar]

Here's my team to face the Mackems:

THE MIG
Kelly - Toure - Skrtel - Sakho - Enrique
Henderson - Gerrard
Luis Alberto
Sturridge - Suarez

I personally think we'll see the same lineup vs Sunderland as it was vs Mancs with possible exception of Kelly for Toure or Sakho depending who BR wants as a CB.