05 Jan 2021 15:52:01
Friday night is close but let's not get too excited, yet.
Yes 'pool are on a bad run at the moment and look ready for beating.
However a wounded animal can be more dangerous than a fit one. They are looking at playing Henderson at C/ H and this could leave gaps in the middle of the pitch
We disposed of them in style with Klopps comment of "Wow" earlier this season.
This time they will be aware of our ammunition and will try to ensure we fire blanks.
If we keep tight at the back and show adventure with some long balls the result could be the same, perhaps not the score.
The question is "do we leave Mings on the bench? " Konsa and Hause look solid.
Pool play with Salah on their right and Robertson down the left, both with pace.
What about Konsa on the right, Hause in the middle and Mings on the left.
Play them as the old fashioned right back, centre half and left back.
Cash just if front on the right and Targett on the left. This would give 5 when needed at the back. Douglas Luiz in the middle as he is at present with McGinn.
Trez or El Ghazzi front right, Jack on the left and Watkins in the middle. With Henderson at C/ H Watkins will keep him very busy not allowing him to venture forward.
We have to ensure that we cover the pace of Pool down the wings while we are pushing forward.
Lets make it happen. Beat the cup favourites then onwards towards Wembley.
05 Jan 2021 16:15:46
I say we should rest Watkins, Grealish and Martinez. See how good our squad really is.
05 Jan 2021 17:04:11
I'd play our youth players, with a mix of 1st team players who rnt playing, that way then momentum won't be lost, we're not going too win cup anyway.
05 Jan 2021 17:04:21
With the congested fixture list for January, there must be a real risk of certain players burning themselves out.
For me, and I appreciate some will not agree, the league games should take priority. Ultimately our progress for this season will be assessed on where we finish in the table, and progressing to the last 8 or even last 4, will not be remembered by many supporters or onlookers.
In terms of strength in depth, our squad is lacking compared to the league’s top performers, who are more able to rotate their players without compromising performance for cup matches and subsequent league matches. Hopefully over the next few seasons our squad quality deficit will be addressed and we will be better equipped to go full tilt for cup competitions as well as the league.
With that in mind then, I would be looking to rest the likes of Jack, MgGinn, Watkins and Luiz for the Liverpool game, and replacing them with Ramsey, Hourihane, Davis and Nakamba respectively.
05 Jan 2021 17:05:28
Personally I would play all of the second string, and have 9 of the first team on the bench.
Lets find out how good we really are, if we are struggling we can bring on 5, and let's see how it goes.
Nothing to lose guys, and it would give our back up players some much needed minutes.
Team:
Heaton
Guilbert
Hause
Engels
Taylor
Nakamba
Hourihane
Barkley
Trez / Traore
Ramsey
Davis
Bench:
Martinez
Cash
Watkins
Grealish
Mings
Targett
Luiz
El Ghazi
McGinn.
05 Jan 2021 17:56:25
We aren’t going to win the premier league and we aren’t going to get relegated so our best chance of success and to potentially attract better quality players is to qualify for European competition by winning the cup. I would therefore play my strongest side if we end up having to utilise the squad in some of the other premier league games so be it. We have a real chance of doing something in this competition so let’s go for it.
05 Jan 2021 18:20:21
Can see both sides of this for the cup fixture. I suppose a lot depends on what side klopp puts out, will he go strong- which may see Henderson and Fabinho at centre half again or change it round with the kids? The fact that 5 subs plus an additional one if it goes to extra time really throws things up in the air.
If players are sufficiently rested and wanting to play I'd be inclined to stick with close to our strongest XI, then depending on how the game is going, make full use of the subs earlier than our usual 65-70 minute mark. We then have 5 days before the Spurs game to recover. Beating liverpool could prove to be a further confidence booster after being robbed against Utd.
I'd also like to see a couple out of Bidace, Barry and Kesler on the bench, if only for the experience, who knows if we have another 5 goal cushion they may even get some minutes ðŸ˜.
05 Jan 2021 18:53:40
I’d go same team as you Dave, no need to injure the first team.
05 Jan 2021 19:05:35
Yeah chris, I think it would probably suit all concerned to be fair.
I think we would still have a really good chance of winning the game as well.
05 Jan 2021 19:41:51
Does anybody know if yellow/ red cards given in cup matches count towards the cumulative total already received in league games, or if they’re treated separately.
{Ed002's Note - Not any longer, it changed a couple of years ago so they only apply to the competition they were given in. So if Grealish gets a yellow card for diving in the FA Cup it does not matter for the Premier League.}
05 Jan 2021 19:49:51
That`s good news Mark, I was not sure on that one, thanks Ed.
05 Jan 2021 20:32:20
If he does get a yellow card for diving it will be his first, informed journalism at its best.
05 Jan 2021 19:54:12
Ok thanks Ed, very amusing 😂
Does the same rule apply for red cards?
{Ed002's Note - Yes, if Grealish gets two yellows for diving resulting in a red then it does not impact the PL.}
05 Jan 2021 20:54:29
I bet Salah will be relieved as well 😉ðŸ˜.
{Ed001's Note - Ed002 isn't a Liverpool fan, he favours Chelsea.}
05 Jan 2021 20:55:51
I sense some bitterness from the last time we mauled Liverpool lol. I guess jack might dive but at least he doesn’t bite😂😂.
{Ed001's Note - why would that bother Ed002? He is not a Liverpool fan.}
05 Jan 2021 20:59:46
Whatever happens on Friday the history books will forever say that we beat Liverpool by 5 goals twice in 2 seasons!
05 Jan 2021 20:57:26
Will he have Mark's out of 10 on them cards to Ed?