Gerrard injury

[Kindred]

LIVERPOOL are likely to face Sunderland without skipper Steven Gerrard this weekend.

 

Gerrard missed last night’s international with a broken toe, and despite playing through the pain barrier against Chelsea, he’ll need rest to make a full recovery.

 

It’s expected the captain will be out for at least ten days, ruling him out of the trip North East and making him a doubt for the return Champions League tie with Toulouse on Tuesday.

 

A reassessment of Gerrard’s injury will be made when club doctor Mark Waller returns from his international duties.

 

here

 

Xabi & Masch then? or will Sissoko get a look in?

[Sion]

Babel/Benayoun have to play now. A midfield with Riise, Alonso, Masch/Momo, would take about 10 hours to create a chance.

 

I'd play

 

Babel - Masch - Alonso - Benayoun

Edited August 23, 2007 by Sion

[Ben 23]

Babel - Masch - Alonso - Benayoun

 

So would I...

[Bo Benn]

Would be nice for Xabi to play a bit further upfield for once. Think he can create a few chances with his trickery.

 

Time introduce Lucas?

[MarkD]

Assuming fitness;

 

 

 

Same back five as last week

 

Mascherano for Gerrard

 

Torres and Kuyt

[Stevie H]

play babel and pennant out wide. alonso and mascherano or momo in the middle. nae bother.

[Sion]

Would be nice for Xabi to play a bit further upfield for once. Think he can create a few chances with his trickery.

 

Time introduce Lucas?

 

Would like to see what he's capable of, maybe from the bench though.

[Bo Benn]

Assuming fitness;

Same back five as last week

 

Mascherano for Gerrard

 

Torres and Kuyt

 

You meant back FOUR surely?

 

Can only agree that we need to play Babel more from now on. He has by far been our most impressive wide player so far this season. So Benyoun hasn't really done it for me, but it's early days yet...

[Guest Finnan3]

Gonna be a tough game

[Guest Finnan3]

You meant back FOUR surely?

 

Can only agree that we need to play Babel more from now on. He has by far been our most impressive wide player so far this season. So Benyoun hasn't really done it for me, but it's early days yet...

 

 

Four plus Reina = five

 

And Benyoun has played in ONE game ffs.

Edited August 23, 2007 by Finnan3

[Rimbeux]

Was always the plan was it not

[Cunny]

play babel and pennant out wide. alonso and mascherano or momo in the middle. nae bother.

 

 

agree with that

[Bo Benn]

Would like to see what he's capable of, maybe from the bench though.

 

What I was thinking. He is probably our only central mid who can really threaten the opposition back line in the absence of Gerrard

[jimmylibel]

Would be nice for Xabi to play a bit further upfield for once. Think he can create a few chances with his trickery.

 

Time introduce Lucas?

 

Could see Rafa throwing him in there.

 

Bit of my mate's, mate's girlfriend heard type source but apparently the senior players have been very impressed him in training.

[McBain]

Lucas might make the bench. I can see Momo coming in for this one

[Cunny]

a lot of it will depend on how many minutes each of the internationals played in midweek.

 

Pennant wasn't involved so should be a certainty I'd guess.

[fred milne]

Reina

Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

Benayoun Alonso Mascherano Riise

Torres Kuyt

 

Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Sissoko, Babel, Crouch.

[Knox_Harrington]

Reina

Finnan Carragher Agger Arbeloa

Benayoun Alonso Mascherano Riise

Torres Kuyt

 

Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Sissoko, Babel, Crouch.

Babel in for Riise.

[crisps]

-------Reina-------

agger--hyypia--carragher

benayoun-masch-xabi-babel

---voronin---torres--kuyt------

[fred milne]

Babel in for Riise.

I thought you might say that. However, that would be three changes from the midfield that started against Chelsea.

 

For all his limitations on the ball, Riise carries a useful goal-threat from LM away from home. Babel can come on after 60 minutes.

[yellow jumper]

babel and benayoun offer even less defensively than pennant. if sunderland do have a threat it lies with carlos edwards and richardson. i'd just add mascherano. with the other two as options on the bench.

[Guest Kaizer]

a lot of it will depend on how many minutes each of the internationals played in midweek.

 

Pennant wasn't involved so should be a certainty I'd guess.

 

I think so as well.

 

This is what I have found out.

 

Riise- full match

Mascherano- full match

Reina- full match

Hyypia- full match

Agger- full match

 

Finnan- went off after around 60 minutes

Voronin- started, dont know how long he played

Benayoun- started, dont know how long he played

 

Torres- first half

Kuyt- second half

Babel- second half

Alonso- came on after 65 minutes

Lucas- came on after 60 minutes

Crouch- came on after 56 minutes

[Cunny]

Carlos Edwards is out injured.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

From the evidence of pre-season it appeared that Sissoko was trying to get beyond the ball and play higher up the park. He also tried a few penetrating runs. Mascherano and Alonso appear to play the same type of game when we have the ball and that is to rarely move too far ahead of the ball when in possession.

 

They almost act like a 'get outta jail' card for the player in possession in that if someone cant find a forward pass and are pressured, they turn their back and invariably Masch/Xabi is free to receive the pass.

 

Still, would not be surprised nor disappointed to see Xabi and Masch - both good players but if Rafa is looking for someone to get ahead of the ball from central midfield I would think it will be Momo (though obviously still learning to be effective from that position )

[Woodsyla]

Sunderland is very much a Momo game. I'd play either Alonso or Masch with him with Pennant and Babel