THE DERBY....pre match gubbins

[Liverpel]

But didn't Flanagan make one of his 1st ever appearances against a man city side who went on to win the league ?. He played outstanding!. With little experience and at a young age.

Wiki:

Jonathon Patrick "Jon" Flanagan (born 1 January 1993) made his debut for Liverpool in a 3–0 win against Manchester City on 11 April 2011 at the age of 18.

2013/14 season
Flanagan made his first start in the Premier League for 18 months in the away visit to Arsenal on 2 November after illness forced Glen Johnson out of the squad. Johnson's illness, coupled with Jose Enrique's injury, led to Flanagan starting in the left back position in a reshuffled defence.

[DannyMan2006]

Team wise:

I think it'll be a 4231. Can't say I have too many opinions either way. Without Sturridge we haven't looked good in any formation.

RB: Manquillo
CB: Skrtel
CB: Lovren
LB: Moreno
DM: Gerrard
DM: Henderson
RAM: Sterling
CAM: Coutinho
LAM: Lallana
ST: Balotelli

I think it may be that. Rodgers quite rightly is obsessed by his creative players posting up goals & assists, so we may see Suso sneak into the team. Likely at the expense of Coutinho.

Personally I'd be tempted to put Lucas at DM with Hendo and have Gerrard as the CAM. Gives us a solid foundation and a bit of experience & toughness in Gerrard further up the pitch. Can always revert to something more attacking if needs be. What I do not want is Everton crawling all over Gerrard as he sits in front the back 4 with Lucas & Hendo trying to help him out.

[OConnor_LFC]

Wiki:

Jonathon Patrick "Jon" Flanagan (born 1 January 1993) made his debut for Liverpool in a 3–0 win against Manchester City on 11 April 2011 at the age of 18.

2013/14 season
Flanagan made his first start in the Premier League for 18 months in the away visit to Arsenal on 2 November after illness forced Glen Johnson out of the squad. Johnson's illness, coupled with Jose Enrique's injury, led to Flanagan starting in the left back position in a reshuffled defence.

He was superb in that City game, looked very composed like so many of our young talents. Look forward to him getting fit and challenging Manquillio for a place in the starting line-up.

[DannyMan2006]

I'm with OConnor. I have no issues with playing Rossiter against Everton

He's not good enough yet IMO. And playing him and having him swallowed up by the Everton midfield would be a big hindrance to his development IMO. All for playing kids but he's not got the physical statute that makes up for being a small lad just yet.

[DannyMan2006]

He was superb in that City game, looked very composed like so many of our young talents. Look forward to him getting fit and challenging Manquillio for a place in the starting line-up.

Wish Flanno was fit as I'd definitely have him in the side ATM, not as good as Manquillo going forwards, but would help us be more solid.

[Slinky Skills]

Mario in Training Today
A 'magnifico' free-kick by Mario Balotelli - YouTube

Not doing much of a job that wall was it.

[dom9]

Nothing wrong with playing young lads week in week out as they're fit enough to cope. What does **** players up is playing them when they're carrying knocks or injured - just as we did with Torres, Fowler & Owen. Giggs played all the time for United, but he wasn't in the side when he wasn't fully fit. That's the difference.

The problem LFC had with the young Fowler & Owen was that they became important figures so early that it was judged by the managers that they couldn't be rested when carrying knocks. Slightly understandable as you could imagine now how desperate many of us would be to play Sturridge on Saturday...... But it's the wrong decision if not fully recovered and able.

I disagree with this too.

I read a piece somewhere recently (I wish I could remember where) which referenced a study which found a correlation between the number of professional games played in the teenage years and burn out in the 20s. It's a real problem and you shouldn't be waiting for the kids to get injured before resting them. Playing them whilst injured is clearly a no no though, and I'm not sure that happened with Fowler or Owen.

I do agree that we become over reliant on the kids. And I understand why. In order to break through they have to be pretty exceptional at their age. If they are exceptional, they become pivotal. It's the nature of the game. But that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be appropriately managed.

Giggs was the anomaly. At the beginning and the end of his career. And all the way through. He is the exception that proves the rule.

[Mike]

Thought Williams played better than Rossiter against Boro.

Same here

The goal made Rossiter look like he played very well, when in fact he was "one of many" which I'm sure he would have taken beforehand.

Williams looked very composed and didn't put a foot wrong.

[Bender]

Joseph Musker @Musker_LFC 2m
Jordan Henderson has been passed fit for tomorrow's Merseyside Derby.

[Bender]

[Roboklopp]

Really hope Brendog is eyeballing that useless freeloader Markovic before the derby. Threatening him with te dreaded flush.

[baitman]

There is a bar by the beach where im staying called the sportsman, I noticed a sign saying its a Liverpool bar. I went back to check if they have the match on tomorrow.
Its a yes. With mrs and kid on the beachin the morning, a quick slice of pizza then in to the bar.

[Liverpool]

go eddd

[Slinky Skills]

This is how think we'll line up today.

Mig
Moreno skertl lovren manquillo
Lucas
Hendo gerrard Lallana sterling
Balloteli

[Camble]

This is how think we'll line up today.



Mig

Moreno skertl lovren manquillo

Lucas

Hendo gerrard Lallana sterling

Balloteli

4-3-3?

I think we'll go for the 4-1-2-1-2 with Borini again.