LC Southampton @home Tuesday 23td Sept 8pm

[SB]

�� Team News Update from Arne Slot ��

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed we’ll see major rotation for the Carabao Cup third-round clash with Southampton at Anfield.

��️ “Yeah, we can go through all of them – Wataru Endo and a few more. These are the players that need a game and we’re happy that we have one. If we wouldn’t have had one, we probably would have arranged a friendly this week because they need to play games to stay ready whenever we need them.”
Slot added: “Yes, there will be a completely changed line-up.” ��⚽️

Big chance for the likes of Alexander Isak, Leoni, Mamardashvili, and more to show their quality under the Anfield lights!

#Lfc #football #liverpool #BallondOr #PremierLeague #Ynwa

[Scratch]

If Isak is starting, I'd like to see Wirtz get a start too, get them playing together. I know Pearce predicted Nyoni to start, but I'd rather we tried to get first team members to gel first. Give Wirtz at least a half with Isak, and then bring the youngster on for the second 45.

[memzey]

In what sense would it be an unnecessary risk? We want him to be match fit and playing eventually, don't we? At what point does playing him stop being a risk?

He wouldn't play the full game anyway. It would likely be 60 mins tops, like against Atletico. We are bringing him up to speed gradually.

I'm suggesting it's an unnecessary, or perhaps avoidable, risk for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, because of the relative unimportance of the competition. I think we'd all agree that, as much as we'd like to win the Carabao, we have bigger fish to fry this season. Some would say that this makes it a more appropriate match for him to regain sharpness in but that assumes a positive outcome and doesn't really take in to account the risks of a setback for the player.

Secondly, due to my belief that the opponent in this match should be dispatched relatively easily, that is to say, without the need for something special from Isak. Or to put it another way, with or without him on the pitch, we should have enough to get through the tie. This needs to be taken into account when assessing the risk/reward for his inclusion against the risk of him experiencing a setback.

Setbacks, in this scenario, could come in a number of ways not solely via an injury. As much as him taking a knock or pulling up with something bad would be a nightmare, it isn't the only possible bad outcome. Isak having a stinker against lower level opposition, in a disjointed team of fringe players and youngsters would be almost as bad and that type of performance occurs all too often in these types of games (see my Chiesa example from last season, which is definitely relevant).

Of course, to balance that all out, he might set the game alight, score a nap and be off and flying from then on. I'd be just as happy if getting Isak fully up to speed took 6 weeks instead of 5 but maybe that's just me. Others might see this matter differently, that's fine.

Just to be clear on a couple of other points points: I'm not suggesting he doesn't need game time. I'm not suggesting that other games won't present a risk of injury or that we should baby our new £125m man indefinitely.

There is a fine balance to be struck with these decisions and ultimately I trust our team to get it right.

Unless they get it wrong, in which case, they are all a bunch of cunts and should have listened to me instead. Obviously.

[Mark79]

I'm suggesting it's an unnecessary, or perhaps avoidable, risk for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, because of the relative unimportance of the competition. I think we'd all agree that, as much as we'd like to win the Carabao, we have bigger fish to fry this season. Some would say that this makes it a more appropriate match for him to regain sharpness in but that assumes a positive outcome and doesn't really take in to account the risks of a setback for the player.

Secondly, due to my belief that the opponent in this match should be dispatched relatively easily, that is to say, without the need for something special from Isak. Or to put it another way, with or without him on the pitch, we should have enough to get through the tie. This needs to be taken into account when assessing the risk/reward for his inclusion against the risk of him experiencing a setback.

Setbacks, in this scenario, could come in a number of ways not solely via an injury. As much as him taking a knock or pulling up with something bad would be a nightmare, it isn't the only possible bad outcome. Isak having a stinker against lower level opposition, in a disjointed team of fringe players and youngsters would be almost as bad and that type of performance occurs all too often in these types of games (see my Chiesa example from last season, which is definitely relevant).

Of course, to balance that all out, he might set the game alight, score a nap and be off and flying from then on. I'd be just as happy if getting Isak fully up to speed took 6 weeks instead of 5 but maybe that's just me. Others might see this matter differently, that's fine.

Just to be clear on a couple of other points points: I'm not suggesting he doesn't need game time. I'm not suggesting that other games won't present a risk of injury or that we should baby our new £125m man indefinitely.

There is a fine balance to be struck with these decisions and ultimately I trust our team to get it right.

Unless they get it wrong, in which case, they are all a bunch of cunts and should have listened to me instead. Obviously.

It's not about needing him to get past Southampton.

It's an opportunity to get him needed minutes. If the backroom team are happy he can do 45, 60 or whatever tonight, then the rest is just over thinking.

All those possible negative outcomes are risks that come with any game. They're not reasons to be scared of putting a player on the pitch. Unless we're talking about an existing injury/issue, fatigue or loss of form/confidence. Non of which are the case here.

[rudedog]

If Isak is starting, I'd like to see Wirtz get a start too, get them playing together. I know Pearce predicted Nyoni to start, but I'd rather we tried to get first team members to gel first. Give Wirtz at least a half with Isak, and then bring the youngster on for the second 45.

I think Wirtz was attending the Ballon d’or with the other players that had nominations so might not be available for this.

[SB]

It's not about needing him to get past Southampton.

It's an opportunity to get him needed minutes. If the backroom team are happy he can do 45, 60 or whatever tonight, then the rest is just over thinking.

Agree. If Ekitike was injured early on in the next few matches & we had to bring Isak on out of necessity & he got injured cause he’s not match fit we’d regret not giving him the match to improve his fitness.

[labourRed]

I think Wirtz was attending the Ballon Dor with the other players that had nominations so might not be available for this.

Good. There'll be plenty of time for Isak and Wirtz to learn how to pass the ball to each other. I want non of the first team near this game. I'm OK with Isak getting some minutes as he missed preseason but as for the rest leave them out and if we end up with egg on our faces then whatever.

[rudedog]

Good. There'll be plenty of time for Isak and Wirtz to learn how to pass the ball to each other. I want non of the first team near this game. I'm OK with Isak getting some minutes as he missed preseason but as for the rest leave them out and if we end up with egg on our faces then whatever.

Just checked and think it might have only been Virg and Ali that attended

[BigChief]

Anyone watched Southampton this season? Are they going to be trouble for our second XI? I would really like to progress to continue giving Endo, Leoni, etc, game time.

[Buzzo]

Anyone watched Southampton this season? Are they going to be trouble for our second XI? I would really like to progress to continue giving Endo, Leoni, etc, game time.

Nope but they are WDLDDL and are 19th in the Championship.

[RedReet]

If Isak is starting, I'd like to see Wirtz get a start too, get them playing together. I know Pearce predicted Nyoni to start, but I'd rather we tried to get first team members to gel first. Give Wirtz at least a half with Isak, and then bring the youngster on for the second 45.

I'd defibitely play Wirtz. If he steps up and puts in the type of performance we've been waiting on, sub him early and unleash him against Palace, with Mac maybe taking a rest.

If he's still adapting and getting to grips with English football, easier to bench him again, then give him a other chance against Galatasary.

[RedReet]

Also think we need the LC to get the likes of Leoni, Mama, Chiesa, Rio, Endo valuable minutes and to a lesser extent Jones, Frimpong and some of the 3rd/4th players like Nyoni, Danns, Bajcetic etc.

[labourRed]

Anyone watched Southampton this season? Are they going to be trouble for our second XI? I would really like to progress to continue giving Endo, Leoni, etc, game time.

Anyone that says yes to this is lying.

[Scratch]

I think Wirtz was attending the Ballon d’or with the other players that had nominations so might not be available for this.

Just checked and think it might have only been Virg and Ali that attended

Anyone know for certain?

Personally, I think this is a game for those players who haven't featured much, the likes of Mama, Gomez, Gio, Rio, Chiesa. And for those seeking full match fitness, so Isak and Frimpong. In my mind it's a second 11 competition, not a second string. Give the players who have been riding the bench some minutes, not those who have been appearing for the U21s etc. There may be a few of them involved, but they should not be starting. Going far in this competition, whilst using our second 11, would be great for the morale.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Anyone know for certain?

Personally, I think this is a game for those players who haven't featured much, the likes of Mama, Gomez, Gio, Rio, Chiesa. And for those seeking full match fitness, so Isak and Frimpong. In my mind it's a second 11 competition, not a second string. Give the players who have been riding the bench some minutes, not those who have been appearing for the U21s etc. There may be a few of them involved, but they should not be starting. Going far in this competition, whilst using our second 11, would be great for the morale.

Would be of the same opinion. The second eleven and those seeking fitness.

As things stand we could put out a pretty tasty XI for each league cup game.

Mama in goal.

Whichever RB is not going to start the following PL or CL game

Gomez and Leoni at CB

Whichever LB is not starting the next PL or CL game.

Whichever three from Wirtz, MacAllister, Jones, Szobo, Gravenberch and Endo that are not starting the next PL game.

Chiesa and Rio out wide.

Whichever of Isak and Ekitike is not starting the next PL game.