LFC V BLACKBURN - Build up thread

[Yozza]

V



Sunday 8th Mar 2015, KO: 16:00 GMT

Live

Liverpool continue their attempt for FA Cup glory with a quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Victories over AFC Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace have carried Brendan Rodgers' side into the competition's last eight.

The Reds' last home meeting with Rovers was on Boxing Day 2011 - a 1-1 league draw.....

[Shaggy]

Changes for this one I think. I know we have an 8 day break but the odd change at least reduces the risk of injury.

I'd go something like:

Mignolet

Toure
Skrtel
Sakho (if fit)

Johnson
Allen
Gerrard (if fit)
Enrique (!)

Lallana
Markovic

Balotelli

[BigChief]

Changes for this one I think. I know we have an 8 day break but the odd change at least reduces the risk of injury.

I'd go something like:

Mignolet

Toure
Skrtel
Sakho (if fit)

Johnson
Allen
Gerrard (if fit)
Enrique (!)

Lallana
Markovic

Balotelli

Enrique and Johnson covering for Gerrard's lack of match sharpness? I might as well start now "Allen is sh*t, can't fight his way out of a paper bag".

Edit: I'd go:

Mig
Toure Skrtel Sakho/Lovren
Manquillo Gerrard Allen Markovic
Lallana Coutinho
Sturridge

Sturridge still needs match fitness, but no more than 60 minutes. Balotelli to replace him.

[Maxiedge]

The Enrique shout is a good one. He's part of our squad, on the payroll, and this is just the sort of game that he could put in a pretty good performance against a quite obviously lesser team.

If he played for Blackburn, he'd be their best player.

I actually think he's a good player too.

[Boogs]

Enrique and Johnson covering for Gerrard's lack of match sharpness? I might as well start now "Allen is sh*t, can't fight his way out of a paper bag".

Edit: I'd go:

Mig
Toure Skrtel Sakho/Lovren
Manquillo Gerrard Allen Markovic
Lallana Coutinho
Sturridge

Sturridge still needs match fitness, but no more than 60 minutes. Balotelli to replace him.

Enrique down as knee injury no return date on Physio Room.
Love sick would be more appropriate now Suso has left

[chadrtc]

I suspect we'll go strong for this game again, though Gerrard will probably start.

[BigChief]

Enrique down as knee injury no return date on Physio Room.
Love sick would be more appropriate now Suso has left

Poor guy has been seriously injured...with a broken heart.

[danperkins]

I reckon Can will be rested and maybe Coutinho. Can see Toure/Johnson & Gerrard coming in. Balotelli will definitely get mins.

[Muddled]

What a good looking thread. Five stars.

I agree with Dan. Can and Coutinho out with Johnson and Gerrard in.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I think Coutinho and Can would benefit from a break from this one, probably best as options from the bench.

GK- Mignolet
CB- Toure
CB- Skrtel
CB- Lovren
RWB- Markovic
CM- Gerrard
CM- Allen
LWB- Johnson
AM- Sterling
AM- Lallana
ST- Sturridge

Possibly a tweak of the front 3 with Sturridge drifting wider and Balotelli in for Lallana.

[meffin]

There's 8 days with no games after this- I don't think we'll see anybody rested for it.

[Rich]

I wouldn't let Enrique anywhere near our match day squad, let alone the first team!

I'd pick a very strong team. Something like:

Mignolet
Can - Skrtel - Sakho
Markovic - Allen - Henderson - Moreno
Lallana - Coutinho
Balotelli

[Fierce]

There's 8 days with no games after this- I don't think we'll see anybody rested for it.

Time for a Sturridge / Balotelli trial?

Mignolet
Can - Skrtel - Sakho
Markovic - Allen - Henderson - Moreno
Lallana
Sturridge - Balotelli

[Lee]

Time for a Sturridge / Balotelli trial?

Mignolet
Can - Skrtel - Sakho
Markovic - Allen - Henderson - Moreno
Lallana
Sturridge - Balotelli

Yep, looks good to me.

Coutinho and Sterling on the bench just in case they're needed. Perhaps bring in Kolo for Can (perhaps moving Can into midfield even).

This really is the strongest squad that we've had in a long time. Options.

[Yozza]

What a good looking thread. Five stars.

I agree with Dan. Can and Coutinho out with Johnson and Gerrard in.