Bournemouth V Liverpool Build Up

[Yozza]

It does seem like he wants his payday. Probably lined up for QPR or Crystal Palace as soon as he's shown the door.

Starting to hope so....

[RedRum]

Going by form, Sakho, Toure, Manquillo, Can and Markovic would all be in my starting 11, but alas, none of them. What/who has possessed Rodgers? This cannot be the same guy. Must be one of them reptilian shape-shifter fellows.

[BigChief]

Going by form, Sakho, Toure, Manquillo, Can and Markovic would all be in my starting 11, but alas, none of them. What/who has possessed Rodgers? This cannot be the same guy. Must be one of them reptilian shape-shifter fellows.

Sterling needs a rest and we can do worse than putting Ojo up front (if you want form and like for like ability). Its ok for Man Utd to put Wilson on without batting an eyelid but we mustn't heap too much pressure on our youngsters. The ones dying to play for the senior team for at least one match.

I'd also take Gerrard out and put Rossiter next to Can and Lucas. He's actually very accomplished, like 19 year old Derby MOTM Hughes was against Chelsea tonight.

I'd go with
Jones
Skrtel Traore Sakho
Hendo Can Lucas Rossiter Moreno
Markovic
Ojo

[Ams12]

Need a win otherwise it gets worse for many reasons! So with that in mind, and one eye on the game vs arsenal i would start with as strong a side as possible & aim to get the game won by 60 mins. Then rest a few who would be more important for the weekend.

Jones
Skrtel Toure Lovren
Manauillo Moreno
Lucas Can
Lallana
Markovic Lambert
Bring on a youth striker 2nd half in place of Lambert. Rositter for Lucas/Can. Save one sub for emergency or bring in Gerrard last 10 or so mins to close out the game. Gives a few a rest & game time to those who need some & brings in some youth too. But it probably won't happen & allen will get another 90 mins & lallana taken off after being our most creative player!

[Ams12]

So i dreamt yesterday that we lost 3-2! Were 1-0 down most of the game, 80 mins it was 1-1 after an own goal from them from a headed back pass attempt. Went to wash my dinner plate & came back & the game was over 3-2 to Bournemouth!

[Reece]

I was really hoping we'd see Can, Markovic and Sakho start tonight, so I hope the suggested team is wrong

[Pablo]

I was really hoping we'd see Can, Markovic and Sakho start tonight, so I hope the suggested team is wrong

100% agree, playing those three is an absolutely no brainer tonight surely!

[dww]

If Rodgers really thinks a new system is the way forward then there is a good argument to play the people he will be using in the games to come to bed it in. I'd at least rest Gerrard though (and probably bring in Can).

It's an interesting gamble to decide that Sterling is going to kick on and learn to finish like a forward. If it works then he's earned his corn as a manager. I have my doubts though.

I'd like to see Markovic given the Coutinho position too but perhaps players who performed last year do deserve a chance to play themselves into form.

[BigChief]

If Rodgers really thinks a new system is the way forward then there is a good argument to play the people he will be using in the games to come to bed it in. I'd at least rest Gerrard though (and probably bring in Can).

It's an interesting gamble to decide that Sterling is going to kick on and learn to finish like a forward. If it works then he's earned his corn as a manager. I have my doubts though.

I'd like to see Markovic given the Coutinho position too but perhaps players who performed last year do deserve a chance to play themselves into form.

Thierry Henry took a little time adapting to the extra pressures of being the main goalscorer. Not much time, but still he didn't click straight away if I remember.

I think Sterling has it in him, he just needs to take that next mental step up. A more apt example would be Walcott, from an overrated Lennon to a deadly finisher when he made his mind up that's what he wanted to be.

[Pablo]

Thierry Henry took a little time adapting to the extra pressures of being the main goalscorer. Not much time, but still he didn't click straight away if I remember.

I think Sterling has it in him, he just needs to take that next mental step up. A more apt example would be Walcott, from an overrated Lennon to a deadly finisher when he made his mind up that's what he wanted to be.

Bit of a myth that one. He scored 26 goals in 47 games in his first season with Arsenal.

[wiw]

Thierry Henry took a little time adapting to the extra pressures of being the main goalscorer. Not much time, but still he didn't click straight away if I remember.

I think Sterling has it in him, he just needs to take that next mental step up. A more apt example would be Walcott, from an overrated Lennon to a deadly finisher when he made his mind up that's what he wanted to be.

Good point re Henry. It's a lot on such a young fellas shoulders but I think he has it in him too - take his goal against City at home for example, he showed great composure to sell a dummy (and get 2 players and Joe Hart to buy it) and slot it in. Everything just seemed easier last season though. We need someone to step it up.

[dww]

Thierry Henry took a little time adapting to the extra pressures of being the main goalscorer. Not much time, but still he didn't click straight away if I remember.

I think Sterling has it in him, he just needs to take that next mental step up. A more apt example would be Walcott, from an overrated Lennon to a deadly finisher when he made his mind up that's what he wanted to be.

It's not so much that Sterling might not improve more that the team is over relying on that working out. When Henry came to Arsenal they had 3/4 other goal threats in the team (even if one of those was Kanu, it was peak Kanu). At the minute we often seem to have none.

[Darkon]

I would like to see some rotation in this tournament, giving Lallana, Can, Markovic, Sakho etc. a chance for some game time. Don't really care if we go out of the tournament, we will be plenty occupied with Europe and FA cup with the current squad.

It will be a very though game no doubt.

[BigChief]

It's not so much that Sterling might not improve more that the team is over relying on that working out. When Henry came to Arsenal they had 3/4 other goal threats in the team (even if one of those was Kanu, it was peak Kanu). At the minute we often seem to have none.

Was just going to reply to Pablo with this but seems like the point's been made. When Henry was surrounded by Bergkamp, Kanu (who was a great striker before his heart op) Wright, etc, he did the business.

Similarly when Sterling was surrounded by Suarez and Sterling he did too.

The reason I think Raheem can take that mental step up is because he's taken every other mental step, i.e. needed to be stronger = got stronger. Needed more game intelligence = got more game intelligence. Needs to score tons more goals = ???...shouldn't be long now.

[DannyMan2006]

If Sterling consistently gets chances he will start to put them away.

As of late our team hadn't been creating chances, so it is huge pressure to take the ones that come your way, especially when you have a defence behind you that is so porous.

On a flip side, it works both ways. If the team isn't creating or scoring, it's huge pressure on the defence not to make a mistake. The two go hand in hand, but the team is going to have to step up in one area of the field pretty soon. If it happens, I feel the rest will slowly click into place.