Chelsea (h) build up

[SB]

Just because the fringe players worked well away to Madrid doesn't make them the right players home to Chelsea.
It puts pressure on the 'regular' starters and what I think we'll see is a mixture of 80% the team Rodgers had in mind for Chelsea with maybe 2 or 3 keeping their place after Madrid.

For example Toure may play when Rodgers planned to bring back Lovren.
Can or Lucas may play with Gerrard at the expense of 1 of Hendo or Allen (Allen probably seeing as Hendo missed last night)

Not a chance that Hendo, Gerrard and Sterling don't start imo.

Unfortunately a midfield of Gerrard & Lucas does not work. Lucas deserves a crack again so it's either one or the other or Stevie moved further forward where I think he could be more effective. Hendo for Joe Allen is like for like in energy terms & Kolo in place of Lovren IMO. Sterling will come in for Markovich & rightly so but I'd pick Borini before Ballo at present.

[RichC]

I'm sure Gerrard will be starting but I'd be sorely tempted to look at a Lucas, Henderson & Can midfield 3.

I'd also have a look at Kolo and Lovren at the back simply as it's a combo we've not given a go yet.

[Norbs]

Is Remy a nailed on starter in this one? That cunt Mourinho loves to rub noses in it and would also love to put out a weakened rotated team just to show he can

[SB]

I'm sure Gerrard will be starting but I'd be sorely tempted to look at a Lucas, Henderson & Can midfield 3.

I'd also have a look at Kolo and Lovren at the back simply as it's a combo we've not given a go yet.

except the Lovren bit. CB's need to know each other & not get chopped & changed all the time. Give Lovren a break & let Kolo & Skrtel form a partnership.

[RichC]

I just don't see it with Skrtel in an ideal world Sakho would be fit.

The money we've spent on that defence and it's still in such a poor state

[MrMichael]

Is Remy a nailed on starter in this one? That cunt Mourinho loves to rub noses in it and would also love to put out a weakened rotated team just to show he can

He's injured.

[The Birdman]

I just don't see it with Skrtel in an ideal world Sakho would be fit.

The money we've spent on that defence and it's still in such a poor state

I've repeatedly said for 2-3 years now that Skrtel is a liability.
Personally I'd never pick him again but Rodgers will, bizarre seeing as he was desperate to sell him before the start of last season.

[BobTheCharmer]

I don't remember him creating anything. I do remember some of his Hollywood passes wasting possession in good positions though.

No but he was trying to. If he didn't try we'd still be knocking it around the back four going nowhere.

[BobTheCharmer]

I've repeatedly said for 2-3 years now that Skrtel is a liability.
Personally I'd never pick him again but Rodgers will, bizarre seeing as he was desperate to sell him before the start of last season.

From day one when he got his arse handed to him by the mighty Havant & Waterlooville in the cup game, this guy had disaster written all over him. But because of his threat from an attacking perspective at corners, he has scored some important goals, I think he still needs to be considered and when he does have a good game its better than any of our other defenders. He's our best defender in the air without doubt. But he is a nightmare from a positional sense and needs a leader beside him to organise.

All our defenders have merits unfortunately collectively they are pure ****.

[Norbs]

He's injured.

I thought he was but I reckon Mourinho will wheel him out in Drogba's wheelchair for the last 5 mins if he can

[Lecter]

I think Johnson is more equipped to handle Hazard, he's also more disciplined whereas Manquillio will bomb on and leave space for Chelsea to counter into.

I think Rodgers will go with

Mingolet
Johnson Skrtel Toure Moreno
Henderson Gerrard Allen
Sterling Balotelli Coutinho (or maybe Lallana)

Dont think Johnson is equipped to do more than tie his boot laces these days

[Tribute]

if Brendan plays Johnson, I'll go ballistic. He's been far and away our worst player this season by a country mile. If Balotelli is played as lone striker again Ill go ****ing nuts as well... Borini offered more movement and opened up spaces for the midfield than Mario has done all season.

Watch him start both now on Saturday - now to be known as Sa-turd-ay

[Lecter]

I've repeatedly said for 2-3 years now that Skrtel is a liability.
Personally I'd never pick him again but Rodgers will, bizarre seeing as he was desperate to sell him before the start of last season.

There are lots of players Rodgers continues to pick that I would never pick ever again

[Lecter]

if Brendan plays Johnson, I'll go ballistic. He's been far and away our worst player this season by a country mile. If Balotelli is played as lone striker again Ill go ****ing nuts as well... Borini offered more movement and opened up spaces for the midfield than Mario has done all season.

Watch him start both now on Saturday - now to be known as Sa-turd-ay

Johnson is terrible

Roll on when Flanagan is fit because I'm hoping that eases Johnson further out (probably wont though)

I just dont get the confidence in Borini either, he cant tackle, pass, shoot or dribble but he shows "great movement". Just a pity he didnt get the hint in the summer and show such "great movement"

[Bender]

Johnson is terrible

Roll on when Flanagan is fit because I'm hoping that eases Johnson further out (probably wont though)

I just dont get the confidence in Borini either, he cant tackle, pass, shoot or dribble but he shows "great movement". Just a pity he didnt get the hint in the summer and show such "great movement"