[COC] Stoke (A): Build Up

[Buzzo]

So... Picture a cold, wet, windy away game on a Tuesday evening in January at Stoke... Just the sort of scrap our lot will be right up for...

Tues 5th Jan 8pm

The games are coming thick and fast and despite spending £200 million our squad looks threadbare.

Time to blood a few youngsters in what has to be the least of our priorities, despite being a cup semi?

May as well, the first team look knackered.

[Bender]

Stoke win ...THREAD CLOSED.

[Gibbo]

I disagree Buzzo (someone disagreeing on the Internet shock ), I think we need to go for it, and I think Klopp will if the last rounds the the Europa are anything to go by.

I expect to see *some* of Sturridge I think Origi has a couple of weeks doesn't he?

Id go with;

-----------Mignolet
Clyne Lovren Sahko Moreno
----------Can Lucas
-----Ibe Coutinho Lallana
------------Firmino

With Sturridge at ~60 minutes. I admit its not ideal, but I think its the best we have at present.

[Buzzo]

I put my play the kids statement out with zero conviction. It seemed a decent place to start discussions.

[Chris]

I cant wait for this and expect a big performance. This is massive! What an opportunity. I'd leave Benteke out, Shawcross would dominate him. Other than that theres not really many changes we can do, Allen in for Lucas maybe who's looked horrendous lately.

Gotta feeling that despite selling out on a zillion credits our end will be filled with loads of meatheads. Hopefully some straighteners and pyro!

[Buzzo]

If Bentekkers starts on the bench with Sturridge, Origi and ings injured I think we will have the answer to what will happen to him in the summer.

[Chazza]

Got to be Sturridge in for Benteke at the very least.

I would get Lallana in for either Ibe or Firmino and drop Lucas.

[Exiled_red]

Regardless of what anyone says about Benteke, with all our other strikers out him and Coutinho are our only credible goal threats, leaving him out seems like cutting your nose off to spite your face. He may not help our style of play but of all the players likely to be available he has contributed over a third of all the goals. Unless Sturridge is back he has to start.

Regarding like up I would go with:

Mignolet
Clyne Lovren Sakho Smith
Lucas Can
Ibe Coutinho Moreno
Benteke

I'd like to push Moreno further forward as he carries a significant attacking threat and I'd like to see him further up the pitch, Smith has put in a couple of decent performances so I'd give him a go at LB.

Lallana and Firmino have been very hit and miss so I'd give Ibe another go and put those two on the bench. Ibe and Moreno in those attacking roles give us a bit of pace and width, and Moreno will hopefully add a bit of aggression to those attacking roles which hopefully will prove catching to those around him.

[Phoenix07]

Pushing Moreno further forward is something Rodgers would've done (and did with Enrique vs Swansea).

He needs to run into space, and at left wing, he'll have far less. Furthermore, his crossing and ability to pick a player is shocking. He was far better at Sevilla than what we've seen since he's moved.

We could see Firmino in the false nine role again, but I'm not sure if Klopp would try something like what you've suggested.

[Exiled_red]

Pushing Moreno further forward is something Rodgers would've done (and did with Enrique vs Swansea).

He needs to run into space, and at left wing, he'll have far less. Furthermore, his crossing and ability to pick a player is shocking. He was far better at Sevilla than what we've seen since he's moved.

We could see Firmino in the false nine role again, but I'm not sure if Klopp would try something like what you've suggested.

It's not an ideal option admittedly I just think that Lallana, Firmino and perhaps even Coutinho haven't been creating much in those roles, we need a bit more pace in those areas and this is really the only way I can see to shake it up. Moreno is one of the few people who at least look to have some drive and desire and looks like he could make something happen, I'd give it a try for that reason.

[Phoenix07]

I can see your thinking, and it would certainly add width to the side, while allowing a much better crosser in Smith to play.

I'd even try Lallana in the false nine (like Rodgers did in the second half of the home game against Real Madrid last season). He'd do a lot more pressing from the front, and open up space.

[Exiled_red]

I can see your thinking, and it would certainly add width to the side, while allowing a much better crosser in Smith to play.

I'd even try Lallana in the false nine (like Rodgers did in the second half of the home game against Real Madrid last season). He'd do a lot more pressing from the front, and open up space.

I'm not convinced either Firmino or Lallana have the finishing ability to play as a false 9, in that role they need to take on the responsibility of goalscoring and between them they have 3 goals in almost 40 appearances. I think Benteke has to start because even if he plays badly he presents more of a goal threat than anyone else in the squad (assuming Sturridge isn't fit to play).

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I think Moreno will be dropped in place of Smith, Klopp seemed very unhappy that crosses came in from his side.

[redmike65]

Well the good news is that Stoke also lost today so they are fallible. Its a two legged affair and its away so the obvious tactic is the play possum in terms of possession and look to counter with that in mind a straight 4-4-2 with Moron as a winger and Brad Smith at left back appeals. Play Ibe as a winger ahead of Clyne. Up front er.....Sturridge and Firmino if at all possible with Milner and Can in the middle.

Stick Benteke, Lallana, Coutinho, Allen, Lucas on the bench.

With the 3rd round of the FA Cup it seems its best to throw everything at the League Cup and play as weak a side a possible while having a chance against Exeter.

[Gibbo]

I really hope Moron was an autocorrect and not a ****house nickname.

We could have a new signing for this for all we know!