schmuckdonald

What 08/09 had and what last year had was a fundamental belief that permeated through the fans and the players. We knew we could win. It's a hard thing to develop and harder still keep. We have to find that again.

Static Balotelli and a static Gerrard don't help matters. Two fixed points make us a lot less dynamic. Still, though, we have a lot of players who can be dynamic and we need to be looking to utilise them more. Basically, what I don't understand is: if Balotelli can't do the runs in behind then why aren't other players looking to do it? You've got lads like Markovic, Sterling and Lallana who are all capable of getting ahead of the ball and trying to go in behind but we've not seen that happen either. Feels like we're still figuring stuff out. I think we've been much better in the last couple of games and with a bit of confidence it'll click. At the minute we have a lot of players who don't have terrific goal scoring records from open play and it's looking like it. Still have every faith in Rodgers to figure it out and still think all our signings have looked good in spots.

Definitely feels like a game you grind out a win. Also think you look to rest Sterling and keep Markovic back as a substitute. Go the diamond with Coutinho and Henderson in the middle and Lallana behind Balotelli and Borini or Lambert.

Sure I saw someone tweet that the U-19 squad has gone with them. Would have no problem with trying for the draw here.

Also, It's Skrtel carrying a knock and there's no right back on the bench.

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Absolute b******s, that. Jagielka's strike is just one of those b******s that happen.

No Sturridge or Sakho.

Not travelled to Switzerland.

Henderson Lallana Balotelli

Thought Manquillo was a lot more positive on the weekend. Think he's under orders to be more reserved (like in first 20) because Moreno is mental. Once Moreno was a bit more conservative you saw Manquillo push on more. He's a full back, he knows his job is to get down the line and to get around the outside of the winger and provide width. When Moreno bombs on so much he seems to be under orders to be more restrained so we have a back three. He looks lost as to where to go and what to do when he's like this so is very conservative with the ball.

Different player with Sturridge next to him. In the mean time he's a lad who showed good touches and worked his socks off.

Don't think it's a *massive* problem but do agree. Always backwards and sideways. Looks like he can be bullied too. Lad has only played something like 10 games, though and has looked very assured considering. That being said, if fit, I'd play Johnson on Saturday.

Ditto.

Thought he was pretty good last night.

This "Markovic doesn't shoot" is going to become a thing, isn't it?

Hoping it's the necessity of him having to play all 3 games in 7 days that caused Saturday but he was dreadful.

Sterling Balotelli Lallana

Would imagine Rodgers doesn't want to risk being turfed out of a winnable competition to lowly opposition after a dodgy start. Play the lads who need games (Markovic, Toure, Lambert, Jones, Enrique, Lallana) and then play some first teamers that you sub for other first teamers. Don't want to go into the derby with 1 win in 4 after having played Villa, Ludogorets, West Ham and Boro.

Sky saying Allen defo out?

Still has Balotelli, Sterling, Moreno and Henderson. Lots of pace there. As for creativity, we played lots of them against Villa. Doesn't always work as a direct correlation. Draw them out, be better than them and batter them on the counter. We can solidify the diamond and have two full backs bomb on with two proper centre forwards to aim for and one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe. It's not like I'm saying let's play 9-0-1 here.

We have options now. We don't need to win it in the first 20. Plus West Ham are alright, you know.

Absolutely capable of that, though. Sterling gets space because the centre forwards occupy them while Henderson also has the freedom to push on because there's the security of Lucas and Gerrard. You've got a lot of lads who can nick the ball high up the pitch in that team and you've also got two physical threats and a lad they won't know what to do with in Raheem.

It's West Ham away. You go solid and battling. There's enough in that to win the game.

Mignolet Manquillo Skrtel Lovren Moreno Gerrard Henderson Lucas Sterling Lambert Balotelli For me, like.