Liverpool v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[paulcomben]

Oh for a very dull lethal 30-a-season goalscorer with any selection he wishes of Mr Potato Head noses and taches.

[danlanza]

Oh for a very dull lethal 30-a-season goalscorer with any selection he wishes of Mr Potato Head noses and taches.

Would be nice. Shaun Teale had a better tache than Rush though. Better by far.

[WarszaVillan]

It is hard to guess the team. Last season's win caused the 4231 discovery. Guzan - Lowton, Clark, Baker, Lichaj - Westwood, Herd - Andi, Holman, Bannan - Benteke. If Lambo was logical... Guzan - Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand - Westwood, Delph - Bacuna, Weimann, Gabby - Benteke.

Didn't Herd play as part of the back five in this game?

[OCD]

It is hard to guess the team. Last season's win caused the 4231 discovery. Guzan - Lowton, Clark, Baker, Lichaj - Westwood, Herd - Andi, Holman, Bannan - Benteke. If Lambo was logical... Guzan - Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand - Westwood, Delph - Bacuna, Weimann, Gabby - Benteke.

Didn't Herd play as part of the back five in this game?

Yes he did. Baker, Clark and Herd. We played 5-3-2.

[paulcomben]

It is hard to guess the team. Last season's win caused the 4231 discovery. Guzan - Lowton, Clark, Baker, Lichaj - Westwood, Herd - Andi, Holman, Bannan - Benteke. If Lambo was logical... Guzan - Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand - Westwood, Delph - Bacuna, Weimann, Gabby - Benteke.

Didn't Herd play as part of the back five in this game?

Yes he did. Baker, Clark and Herd. We played 5-3-2.

Blimey. How in hell did we win?

[The Left Side]

3-1 them

[brontebilly]

Aside from their forwards, Liverpool are pretty ordinary. Henderson is getting good reviews but he is an athlete really not much of a footballer while Gerrard is a shadow of the player he was. Lucas too hasnt been the same since injury a couple of years ago. I watched Everton outplay them a while back particularly in midfield. They were able to get at their back four very easily and Lukaku's physical power was too much for them.

What worries me is that Lambert will see that and go for Benteke and Holt up top and try to physically batter them. Ideally we would play more mobile players in midfield than Gerrard and Lucas and get at them that way. Gabby might get some joy from Johnson on the left, both players are notoriously inconsistent but if Gabby got on top there we might have a chance.

at the other end of the field, bertrand in is a plus though this is a very tough first game for him. honestly think there is a very good chance of one of our defenders getting a red card tomorrow. Both Lowton and Clark have niggly streaks in them and no recovery pace which could be a recipe for disaster. Vlaar too looked to be blowing out his arse towards the end of the Arsenal game so would wonder how fit he is. Have a feeling we will be humiliated to be honest. 6-2 or a crazy score like that. we wont be able to control their forwards and their movement.

guzan
lowton, vlaar, clark, bertrand
albrighton, bacuna, westwood, delph, gabby
benteke

maybe give sylla a chance during the game

[*shellac*]

Them 3 - 2 Us

Hannibal Lecter (3).  I have him as captain of my fantasy team.

Benteke & Vlaar.  Oh, these two players too.

[Clampy]

Another result like last year would be superb. I've got a sneaky feeling Holt will score.

See you all up there (whoever's going that is).

[eastie]

The addition of holt and Bertrand have brought a feeling of optimism this week , I originally thought we could be in for a heavy beating but who knows .....

[cdbearsfan]

I reckon it'll be:

Guzan

Lowton
Plastic
Vlaar
Clark

Delph
El-Ahmadi
Westwood

Benteke
Agbonlahor

Would like to see Bacuna in midfield but doubt it.

[dicedlam]

3-2 the Villa.

This game is made for Grant to come off the bench and grab a late winner.

C'mon you Villa boys!

[UK Redsox]

Its blowing a gale at Albert Dock and its supposed to rain later. This game has villa hoof-fest written all over it

[Dante Lavelli]

Good analysis of us from a Liverpool website.

http://www.thisisanfield.com/2014/01/opposition-analysis-aston-villa/

I really wish I hadn't read it. Can't really fault it which is the problem. The truth hurts.

I don't mind people saying we're shit when it's backed up with acute observations, statistics and a good chunk of evidence.
I think he's called it spot on.  I'd love to see a similar analysis of spring last year as I remembered us a team which hustled and always put pressure on the ball.  Okay it didn't always work but it was good to watch.

[villa kicks]

Firstly Christian Benteke 4/1 just to score a goal anytime !! is what i am sayin.
3 goals in 3 apps !
Granted Liverpool have a lot of fire power but Suarez and Sturridge have to get use to playing again and we can not only frsutarte but be dangerous on break.

The on loan signings have given me some optimism so i like to think it has been psoitive for the villa team !! Gabby and Benteke are a handful against liverpool who are error prone and not kept many clean sheets.
1-1 or 2-2

Holt can come on and bully defence and i would actually start Bertrand on left side. supporting Luna at left back.  delph and westwood with bacuna tucked in with Gabby wide right and Big ben up top.

Sterling will add the width to pools game as wil suarez and sturridge who will drift out to flanks. Hederson and Gerard will be key . I say we can hold our own as record of 3 wins in last 4 matches at anfield is awesome.. 1-3 1-1 1-3
 Capable of making comeback if we go behind we ll be ok
UTV