Leicester V Liverpool Build Up

[chadrtc]

Lalllana is a good call for Coutinho, we'd keep better possession for one thing which will improve our overall attacking as we'll not be turning around so much to track back another one of Coutinho's missed passes.

Man Utd are starting to pull away now and are posing a real threat for that 4th spot (all other teams aren't worth worrying about). If Rodgers hasn't lost the love affair with Gerrard then we could drop 8 points behind them and we might as well give Utd the spot now. Season over, Rodgers' career over.

Unfortunately, I think United are going to get 4th place... If not third.

[Trippendicular]

Unfortunately, I think United are going to get 4th place... If not third.

Arsenal will finish above United.

[frank the tank]

i think that it will either be arsenal or us that miss out on the top 4...... long way to go in this league season but i think United will be very strong after xmas - the lack of games we had last season, they will have this year....

[BobTheCharmer]

If Rodgers hasn't lost the love affair with Gerrard then we could drop 8 points behind them and we might as well give Utd the spot now. Season over, Rodgers' career over.

wow. that is quite the claim right there.

[Pablo]

I've a feeling there will be no Kolo for this one. Rodgers mentioned something a while back about him not being able to play too many games in repetition.

[BigChief]

wow. that is quite the claim right there.

There's only one spot we can fight for. And it's between Utd and us.

If we went 8 points behind Moyes Utd I wouldn't worry. But we don't have Suarez and will hardly have Sturridge. Utd don't have Moyes and have bought decently. 8 points at this stage will be a crucial yet self inflicted blow if Gerrard starts.

It's not a claim I made lightly nor without considered thought.

[The_weatherman]

I've a feeling there will be no Kolo for this one. Rodgers mentioned something a while back about him not being able to play too many games in repetition.

When is Sakho back? I'd love to see him in the side.

If Kolo can play, otherwise Sakho, otherwise Lovren.

Mig
Johnson - Skrtel - Kolo - Enrique
Henderson - Lucas - Allen
Sterling - Lambert - Lallana

Keep the core of the side unchanged for now, give Markovic, Moreno or Can some minutes and have Borini on the bench.

Keep changes to a minimum so only maximum two changes for me.

[BigChief]

I love that team* and its way too strong for a confidence lacking Leicester. There's a 2-1 or 3-1 victory to us written right there. Exactly the team I would pick (Johnson just about deserves his spot now).

*not gonna happen as we all know

[Reece]

Sakho and Balotelli both still out for this one according to the Echo.

[Alex]

Mid Week League fixtures

[Lee]

I've a feeling there will be no Kolo for this one. Rodgers mentioned something a while back about him not being able to play too many games in repetition.

I think you're probably right. It's a shame as he's done well since his return to the team.

I reckon we'll see a similar starting lineup to Saturday's. Lovren will probably come in for Kolo and possibly Gerrard for one of the midfield three.

[BobTheCharmer]

There's only one spot we can fight for. And it's between Utd and us.

If we went 8 points behind Moyes Utd I wouldn't worry. But we don't have Suarez and will hardly have Sturridge. Utd don't have Moyes and have bought decently. 8 points at this stage will be a crucial yet self inflicted blow if Gerrard starts.

It's not a claim I made lightly nor without considered thought.

I'm missing the part that means by starting Gerrard we automatically end up 8points behind Utd? Are we suggesting that we only got 3 points against stoke because Gerrard didn't start?

Secondly why are we fighting for one spot? I think the top two are sorted but the 3rd and 4th are wide open.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Assuming everyone is fit enough to play 2 games in quick succession I'd keep the back defence and Lucas the same, a clean sheet is a massive step forward for us.

My only change would be Can! He deserves a chance and still can't get my head round why a) he was subbed vs Chelsea and b) we haven't seen him since. I'd take Allen out for him.

[Muddled]

Because this thread is only a 6.5er, allow me to tell you all that it is live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 1 HD.

The Bender for Mod campaign has clearly been allowed to go to his head.

[BigChief]

I'm missing the part that means by starting Gerrard we automatically end up 8points behind Utd? Are we suggesting that we only got 3 points against stoke because Gerrard didn't start?

Secondly why are we fighting for one spot? I think the top two are sorted but the 3rd and 4th are wide open.

Gerrard in DM essentially equates to a game loss nowadays. Defenders panic, midfielders around him stop expressing themselves and simply ready themselves to cover for him. Opposing teams like Crystal F*cking Palace under Warnock work us out and Jedinak/Downing seemingly become world class players. But mainly, Warnock outsmarts us.

Sorry, went off on one. The answer to your first question is simply yes.

I've said it in the Arsenal thread and I'll say it now. We lost a Suarez, Arsenal gained a Suarez. Arsenal also have a better goalie, defence and midfield than us with which they will end the season strongly. On what planet are we going to finish above Arsenal? Only 4th spot is achievable for us this season. Drop points against Leicester (i.e. pick Gerrard in DM from the start) and its a-sackin'-time.