Liverpool vs Norwich

[Rory Fitzgerald]

 

 

Norwich went on an 11-game unbeaten run from 20-Oct to 15-Dec beating such teams as Utd, Arsenal, Stoke and Swansea (we have 1pt from those 5 teams this season). However, they have had a perfect record of a different kind recently, 4 games over Christmas and 4 defeats - consistency if nothing else. They ended this run with a 0-0 draw against Newcastle at home at the weekend.

 

However, whilst they were on a roll, most of their strenght was demonstrated at home. Their away record is weak in comparison. They have picked up 6 of their 26pts away from home with a record of W1 D5 L5 F11 A21 and just 1 clean sheet on the road. Only once have they scored more than 1 goal on the road which was their only win on the road - a 3-4 win at Swansea in December.

 

Their first XI are all injured;

Gunn

Culverhouse Bowen Butterworth Prior

Crook Goss Fox

Sutton Fleck Ekoku

 

Given the above injuries, they're likely to line up with just 1 front man with Hoolahan playing an advanced role from midfield with Snodgrass and Pilkington joining from wide areas. Their back line is pretty constant with Bunn taking over in goal since Ruddy's injury though despite its consistency it has only kept 1 clean sheet in 9. Holt has been out recently with an injury but should be back in the frame for Anfield after his sub appearance against Newcastle, if not, there is Jackson or Kane.

 

Bunn

Martin Bassong Turner Garrido

Snodgrass Tetty Johnson Pilkington

Hoolahan

Holt

 

Tetty and Johnson and likely to sit quite deep and Martin and Garrido wont be caught too far forward as I expect their back 4 and 2 DM's to be well drilled in maintaining discipline to try and squeeze out another draw.

 

Hoolahan is likely to play close to the striker though he may be given more defensive responsibilities to try and be more solid, perhaps try sit on one of our deep midfielders to slow our build up though thats not really his game and it certainly isnt Grant Holt's game to be pressing the center halves.

 

They've conceded 45% of goals from 70th min onwards. However, 45% of their away goals were scored after the 80th minute. It suggestive that goal action occurs late in the games when they play away - though you might remember, Sunderland generally kept things tight until half time and we were cruising early in that game so its only stats.

 

Top Scorers:

5 Snodgrass

4 Holt, Pilkington

3 Bassong, Martin

 

The wide men have chipped in with goals so the full backs have to be wary of their threat. The 2 defenders have also scored a few so we need to take care at set pieces. Hoolahan is more a play maker rather than a deep lying goal scorer so we need to acknowledge his threat as he'll play off of Holt most likely. Given that they are unlikely to commit many men forward, one of our players should be able to keep an eye on him when they do get some possession.

 

In their away games they have picked up 8 yellows in 11 games so it suggests they havent been chopping down the opposition - perhaps Hughton might want to promote a more cynical approach on the road !

 

If things aren't going well at half-time we could get John Henry down to the pitch to rally the fans.

"This is a message for possibly the best supporters in the world. We need a 12th man. Where are you? Where are you? Lets be having you ! Come on !"

 

Conclusion

They're on a rotten run and whilst they got a clean sheet against Newcastle, it was 2 dismal teams in a dismal game, we have to go for them.

 

Reina

Wisdom Skrtel Agger Johnson

Gerrard Allen Henderson

Sterling Suarez Sturridge

 

Play a high defensive line because Holt and Hoolahan aren't going to burn our centerbacks. Our full-backs just need to be wary of the wide men because their crosses to Holt could be the problem. Press men forward and continuously work their back line, they will try to remain disciplined and regemented and I don't see them breaking that even if a counter-attack is on.

[drvegapunk]

I'd go same as you but with Lucas in for Allen

 

Edit: Unless Borini is fully fit, in which case I'd play him instead of Sterling

Edited January 13, 2013 by drvegapunk

[RBM]

Henderson and Lucas as a pair, with Gerrard ahead of them in midfield, then Suarez, Sturridge and Borini up top. Sterling could do with a rest, he's done well under difficult circumstances, but it's time to start using him more sparingly.

 

I think we'll win this one big 6-1

[Clay Davis]

Henderson and Lucas as a pair, with Gerrard ahead of them in midfield, then Suarez, Sturridge and Borini up top. Sterling could do with a rest, he's done well under difficult circumstances, but it's time to start using him more sparingly.

This.

[CarraLegend]

Get Borini, Hendo and Sturridge in, got to perfect things before the Manc filth and Arsenal.

[stressederic]

Yep go with Suarez, Sturridge and Borini.

[RBM]

This.

 

The front 3 need to start playing together as soon as possible and Norwich is the ideal game to start.

[Billy Dane]

Henderson and Lucas as a pair, with Gerrard ahead of them in midfield, then Suarez, Sturridge and Borini up top. Sterling could do with a rest, he's done well under difficult circumstances, but it's time to start using him more sparingly.

 

I think we'll win this one big 6-1

 

This for me as well.

[Dan]

Brendan says Sturridge fit to start next week.

[Davvo]

Yep go with Suarez, Sturridge and Borini.

 

Be interesting to see if he goes that way, with 3 CM's, or with the set up we started the 2nd half with today, 2 CM's with Suarez in a free role, Borini(in place of Downing) and Sterling either side of Sturridge. I thought it worked, getting more people into the box, and Saurez had someone centrally to work with up there instead of being isolated, although potentially puts a big strain on the 2 CM's.

[DJS]

Need to win this, come what may. A good healthy 3-0 would be lovely, but a win is a must regardless. We're capable of going and winning at Arsenal. Then just take whatever comes away at City, as we've got a decent run of fixtures after the Etihad.

[Epic Swindle]

Feel much more confident going into games like this with the strikers we've got now. Think Luis and Danny will create plenty of chances.

Edited January 13, 2013 by Epic Swindle

[Earl Hafler]

Yep go with Suarez, Sturridge and Borini.

 

Borini on the left, going central with Johnson getting forward

[DJS]

What's the general feeling regarding Robinson? With hindsight, i'd have put him at LB today and Glen at RB.

 

Worth giving Robinson a go vs Norwich at home? Main crux is i want Glen Johnson playing in his proper position.

[Davvo]

What's the general feeling regarding Robinson? With hindsight, i'd have put him at LB today and Glen at RB.

 

Worth giving Robinson a go vs Norwich at home? Main crux is i want Glen Johnson playing in his proper position.

 

Agree re Johnson, but I've actually got a little more confidence in Wisdom than Robinson. Wisdom made a couple of errors today, but like most he improved greatly 2nd half I thought.

[Cam]

Unleash Sturrez!

[smithdown]

Unleash Sturrez!

 

 

STURREZINI

[Cam]

STURREZINI

I would imagine there'll be hundreds of shirts with this on at the game.

[growler]

STURREZINI

 

Pub talk:

1. you guys should go with s-club 7 given your players.

2. No

1. You've got enough players

2, who

1. Suarez sterling Sturridge suso sahin shelvey..... And Stevie g.

2. Sahin's gone

1. Still got Stewart downing?

2. Don't remind me.

 

All sorts watch our games.

[Swan Red]

a RBM post about football I agree with and growler amused me, in the same thread.

[Red Yoda]

With the ball 4-1-2-3

 

 

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

 

Wisdom Skrtel Agger Johnson

 

----------------Lucas

 

-------Gerrard----Henderson

 

Borini------Sturridge-----Suarez

 

 

 

Without the ball 4-2-3-1

 

 

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

 

Wisdom Skrtel Agger Johnson

 

-----Henderson----Lucas

 

Borini------Gerrard-------Suarez

 

-------------Sturridge

 

Allow Borini to run himself out and then look to replace him with Downing or Sterling or Suso

[Ombudsam]

Be interesting to see if he goes that way, with 3 CM's, or with the set up we started the 2nd half with today, 2 CM's with Suarez in a free role, Borini(in place of Downing) and Sterling either side of Sturridge. I thought it worked, getting more people into the box, and Saurez had someone centrally to work with up there instead of being isolated, although potentially puts a big strain on the 2 CM's.

 

Yeah. i don't see it as a long term fix because of this. although I spose it's just 442 reall and it's not like that's never worked. In Brendan's best ever prem XI he does pick 4231 with Zola in the hole. Interesting stuff.

 

Suarez did instantly come alive with Sturridge up there creating a hole for him to work in. Brendan did say it was always the plan to get someone up there with Suarez so maybe he won't be playing from wide

 

Maybe that's why stevie has been deeper thos whole time too. that's just where Brendan sees him

Edited January 13, 2013 by sammya

[Davvo]

Yeah. i don't see it as a long term fix because of this. although I spose it's just 442 reall and it's not like that's never worked. In Brendan's best ever prem XI he does pick 4231 with Zola in the hole. Interesting stuff.

 

Suarez did instantly come alive with Sturridge up there creating a hole for him to work in. Brendan did say it was always the plan to get someone up there with Suarez so maybe he won't be playing from wide

 

Maybe that's why stevie has been deeper thos whole time too. that's just where Brendan sees him

 

Yeah, there were some bells going off seeing that 2nd half set up, following on from his interview the other week and that best XI you mentioned. It's not like it's revolutionary I guess, the Mancs have played similary for years. The way our midfield's been lately, you do worry about a 2 centrally, they have to be on their game 100%, but it might actually improve things. Might also explain the willingness to allow Sahin to go (and Henderson back in the Summer), and the gossip about Milner, who's a bit of a hybrid wide mid/forward, and a workaholic.

[Ombudsam]

Yeah, there were some bells going off seeing that 2nd half set up, following on from his interview the other week and that best XI you mentioned. It's not like it's revolutionary I guess, the Mancs have played similary for years. The way our midfield's been lately, you do worry about a 2 centrally, they have to be on their game 100%, but it might actually improve things. Might also explain the willingness to allow Sahin to go (and Henderson back in the Summer), and the gossip about Milner, who's a bit of a hybrid wide mid/forward, and a workaholic.

 

If both say, Lucas and Gerrard, sit then it allows the rest to do their thing with the full backs joining. Gerrard/Henderson/Allen can join occassionally.

[Earl Hafler]

If both say, Lucas and Gerrard, sit then it allows the rest to do their thing with the full backs joining. Gerrard/Henderson/Allen can join occassionally.

 

When you have as few foals in the side as we've had this season, it's imperative that Gerrard is in a position to attack more often

 

 

It's bizarre. We have a few midfielders who can sit, press, harry etc. We have one who can create and score goals.