Liverpool v Sunderland build up....

[frank the tank]

Big game - as much for the momentum factor as for the crucial 3 points at stake.

I know we always say this, but Brendans line up will be very interesting - especially with the game at home to Basel to come 3 days later. Sunderland will be wounded after their hockeying from Man City last night but having said that, they proved against Chelsea last weekend that on their day they can match any team. Their game plan will surely be to frustrate us, keep it tight and hope to work positions where they can get set pieces and hurt us with the likes of Seb Larssons delivery. For me, it would be ideal to get out of the blocks at high tempo and grab an early goal as that will effectively put them on plan B straight away.

Brendan has a big problem though. Now that Kolo Toure and Lucas are 2 of our more important players, can they both play against Sunderland and also be ready for the crucial champions league game 3 days later? I'm not so sure. Does he select for this game with the Basel and Man United games in mind? I'm not so sure - because if Lovren gets back into the team and makes his obligatory **** up again, then surely he goes back another step or two in his progress into being trusted to play. For me, Brendan would be better off playing his best available team against Sunderland. If this means that Kolo isnt fit to play against Basel, then that is when Lovren / Sakho get their chance to get back in the team - and if they play well they then keep their place.

I would like to see the same defense getting a run out as well to be honest - we have chopped and changed for too long - it is no surprise to see the best defenses in the league - Chelsea and Southampton - being the same personnel each week.

I would like to see:

--------------------------------MIGNOLET---------------------------

JOHNSON----------SKRTEL------------------TOURE-------MORENO

---------------------------------LUCAS------------------------------

---------------HENDERSON-----------------EMRE CAN--------------

-------------------------------COUTINHO---------------------------

--------------LAMBERT---------------------STERLING--------------

[The_weatherman]

--------------------------------MIGNOLET---------------------------

JOHNSON----------SKRTEL------------------TOURE-------MORENO

---------------------------------LUCAS------------------------------

---------------HENDERSON-----------------EMRE CAN--------------

-------------------------------COUTINHO---------------------------

--------------LAMBERT---------------------STERLING--------------

I could agree to that team, sub Gerrard on for the last 30 if needed and have him ready to start against Basel in place of Coutinho. Maybe Borini should be on the bench to rest Lambert if we can for some minutes.

[BigChief]

Another league game. We'll win it no probs. Leicester was the threshold for me and we crossed it successfully.

Gerrard starting and then subbed on 60 mins might be better than bringing him on for the last 30. But either way is fine. We definitely need Gerrard's nous and finishing up front against Basle though.

[The Birdman]

The Utd game is largely irrelevant as it's 4 days after Basel so that's enough recovery time, we're fortunate that we play Tues/Sun not Wed/Sat like it could have been, also that we're home to Basle so no travel to factor in.

I'd definitely rest Gerrard, Sterling, Lucas and Lambert from Sunderland, maybe even Hendo.
We've got Lallana, Can, Markovic, Coutinho and Borini all of whom should be fresh, also Allen to come back in who missed Leicester.

Mingolet
Johnson Skrtel Toure Moreno
Allen Can
Markovic Coutinho Lallana
Borini

[danperkins]

I don't think we have the luxury to rest the trio Skrtel/Toure/Lucas & Lambert has been on a good run of form. Definitely think Can be start vs Sunderland though & Lallana needs games... I think Lallana should be a starter regardless though.

[The_weatherman]

The Utd game is largely irrelevant as it's 4 days after Basel so that's enough recovery time, we're fortunate that we play Tues/Sun not Wed/Sat like it could have been, also that we're home to Basle so no travel to factor in.

I'd definitely rest Gerrard, Sterling, Lucas and Lambert from Sunderland, maybe even Hendo.
We've got Lallana, Can, Markovic, Coutinho and Borini all of whom should be fresh, also Allen to come back in who missed Leicester.

Mingolet
Johnson Skrtel Toure Moreno
Allen Can
Markovic Coutinho Lallana
Borini

I'd prefer to see no more than two/three changes to the team. We need to keep our momentum and we can give them a good break after Man Utd. Lambert may need the rest but I think the others should cope until after United.

Unchanged back four from that which finished the last game. We seem to be playing a 4-4-1-1 / 4-2-3-1 lately but our squad is not really built for that (too many CM's but too few wingers).

Henderson - Can - Lucas - Lallana
Coutinho
Borini

Something like that. We could introduce Gerrard, Marko, Lambert, Allen, Sterling depending on how it goes.

[CAD]

But Rodgers hates him. I think Borini started dating his X-wife and the children now call him Dad.

[Maxiedge]

Could we have date/KO time for these build up threads. Even some club logos, if that's not too much to ask. The game could be on 4am on a Thruesday as far as I know. Makes my piss boil.

[Muddled]

I don't think we have the luxury to rest the trio Skrtel/Toure/Lucas & Lambert has been on a good run of form. Definitely think Can be start vs Sunderland though & Lallana needs games... I think Lallana should be a starter regardless though.

I think we need to keep the same back five, or at least the same central defensive partnership if only for some continuity for Mignolet.

Could we have date/KO time for these build up threads. Even some club logos, if that's not too much to ask. The game could be on 4am on a Thruesday as far as I know. Makes my piss boil.

Standards are slipping.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Wonder if Toure can play 3 games this close together? I hope so but I think he may be rested with Basel in mind.

[Bender]

Could we have date/KO time for these build up threads. Even some club logos, if that's not too much to ask. The game could be on 4am on a Thruesday as far as I know. Makes my piss boil.

The Robot who did the last two build up threads did a good job but he was warned of by Evil T-1000 Terminator Mod

[Muddled]

Robokop is a good egg. He knows what is required to make a good thread.

[ChrisDR1968]

But Rodgers hates him. I think Borini started dating his X-wife and the children now call him Dad.

After turning down moves to Sunderland and QPR that would have given Liverpool good money doesn't everyone here hate him too?

[Bender]

Robokop is a good egg. He knows what is required to make a good thread.

Wrong Robot

[Maxiedge]

The Robot who did the last two build up threads did a good job but he was warned of by Evil T-1000 Terminator Mod

This robot's attention to detail was second to none, no denying that, but often the build up thread would come after the match has been played