Liverpool v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Is Bannan injured for this one?

Times say

Brad snr

L Young
Mr. Creosote
Collins
Warnock

Pires
Ireland
Hogg
Downing

Carew
Gabby

[Monty]

Bannan is doubtful. You're surely not suggesting going to Anfield and playing 4-4-2 there, Ace? Considering as well that to play that the very least you need is a combative, tight midfield without too much width (Pires, Downing and Ireland don't fulfil that requirement), and two strikers who work harder than a Nike-employed child (Carew is not that).

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Bannan is doubtful. You're surely not suggesting going to Anfield and playing 4-4-2 there, Ace?

No.
The Times are.

[pauliewalnuts]

Is Bannan injured for this one?

Times say

Brad snr

L Young
Mr. Creosote
Collins
Warnock

Pires
Ireland
Hogg
Downing

Carew
Gabby

How lightweight is that midfield? The thought of Pires starting scares me.

[Monty]

Oh right. That's because they don't understand that Young isn't a striker I suppose. It must be difficult for the poor lambs to keep up with the tactical nuances of the little provincial teams like us. Easier for them to pidgeonhole us into a stereotypical formation than to give any actual thought to how we'll play.

[Merv]

I'd forgotten Ash was suspended. Bannan doubtful too, so the bones get barer and barer...

I'd go with this. It's a bit of a mish-mash but then that's what we're down to. I'm going to assume Bannan is out, but that Cuellar is fit enough. If not, obviously replace him with Dunne (sigh). Heskey fit enough for the bench, not to start.

                      Friedel

Young        Cuellar     Collins     Warnock

         Ireland      Hogg       Clark

         Agbonlahor  Delfouneso    Downing


Subs: Guzan, Dunne, Lichaj, Herd, Pires, Carew, Heskey

It's a narrow midfield three, verging on Hogg and Clark playing deeper and screening the back four with Ireland just in front. Gabby reprises his wide right/right sided striker of two seasons ago, Downing wide left. Both have to be up and down, tracking back when needed. Fonz gets the centre forward nod over Carew (doesn't have the legs/heart for this role anymore IMO) and Heskey (not fit enough to start).



   

[Mazrim]

What about something a bit out of left field/desperate?

...............................Friedel

Lichaj..........Cuellar.............Collins.........Young

................Hogg........Clark......Warnock

.......Ireland.................................Downing

...........................Agbonlahor


I would however play 4-4-2 like so...

.............................Friedel

Young...........Collins.........Cuellar..........Warnock

.....................Hogg...........Clark
Ireland...............................................Downing

..............Agbonlahor........Delfouneso

Carew does not deserve a start and Fonz does. If Bannan makes it, he plays instead of Hogg and we play a fluid system with Ireland tucking in and Downing getting forward more and maybe Gabby dropping off wide right when needed.

[pr_N'villa]

strangely looking forward to this game, liverpool not the force rhey used to be and also missing key players. The game is for the taking 2-1 villa ireland and the fonz to get the goals,

                freidel
young cuellar collins warnock
gabby clark hogg downing
          ireland
                 the fonz

[TimTheVillain]

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,15205_6550969,00.html

Merse going for a draw.

[Monty]

The lop-sided 4-4-2 occurred to me as well, Maz, but definitely with Bannan starting if he's fit. If not, I imagine Ireland would come inside and Gabby drop wide every now and again.

[nick harper]

I like the look of Merv's team - makes the best use of what remains of our depleted squad.

[pedro25]

Maz's second line up for me, I do like Gabby through the middle though, so on occassions I'd rather it was Fonz dropping wide right, like he did effectively at home to Blackburn in the league cup, he also has a trick up his sleeve to do a full back, Gab doesn't really for me.  Gab's pace right through the middle should trouble Skrtel and Kyrgiakos who aren't great.  Centre mid will be even weaker without Barry.  If we had NRC and Stan in there i might fancy us.

[Blackcountry Villa]

3-0 defeat

[itbrvilla]

3-4 past us. 

[eastie]

Surprised houllier hasn't tried warnock in midfield as many Blackburn fans reckon that's his best position- I don't expect anything tonight to be honest and watching west brom play a lovely passing game yesterday leaves me less than hopeful on Saturday- we need reo - coker and heskey back asap!