Liverpool Vs Birmingham City Team News and Prediction Thread
by YNWA on November 9th, 2009 476 words | 45 commentsTime to stand up and be counted.
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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful Fernando Torres will be fit, and the striker has been in light training as he recovers from a groin injury.
Steven Gerrard has also trained after groin trouble but has less chance of playing, though Martin Skrtel returns.
Birmingham are without Barry Ferguson (banned) while Garry O’Connor (groin) and Keith Fahey (knee) are both doubts.
On-loan keeper Joe Hart could replace Maik Taylor after being ineligible to face parent club Manchester City.
Benitez believes he has a gentlemen’s agreement that Torres will not be called up for Spain’s home friendly with Argentina next Saturday.
He also feels that England coach Fabio Capello will not select Gerrard for the friendly against Brazil in Doha next weekend, simply because the Liverpool skipper has been out for so long.
“Gerrard was training and working with the physios,” Benitez said. “Will he be fit or just available? We don’t know yet.
“That is something we will have to look at. For 15 days he has been without training, so can he play? At the moment I do not know.
“Torres has been to Spain to see a specialist and we have discussed it all with our medical staff. He is a little better than he was before.”Liverpool
Suspended: Carragher (one match) & Degan (three matches)
Doubtful: Aurelio (calf), Dossena (groin), Torres (groin),
Injured: Gerrard (groin), Johnson (calf), Reira (hamstring)Birmingham
Suspended: Ferguson (one match)
Doubtful: O’Connor (groin), Fahey & Tainio (both knee), Martin Taylor (ankle)
Injured: Murphy (knee) (BBC Sport)
Whilst we face Birmingham with a severely hampered squad decimated by injuries and suspensions we should still be expected to overcome Alex McLeish’s side, even though City are a very tough side to take apart as Man United found out when they only just squeezed past the newly promoted side on the first weekend of the season.
We find ourselves in seventh place, a massive 12 points off top and anything less than a win will be a huge failure. Alberto Aquilani may see Premier League action for the first time and we will have a tough job of getting our makeshift side gelling on the pitch.
We will be looking to Yossi Benayoun to be the impetus from midfield as he has been on many occasions this term and then hopefully Fernando Torres will be fit for action but that is a major doubt. Now is the time for some of our under performing players to show that they are up for the challenge. Ryan Babel is just one such player and his fine finish in Lyon showed us that in a split second he is capable of creating something magical, he just needs to do so far more often in order to still be at the club next season.
My Prediction: 2-0 to Liverpool.
YNWA
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Stunning Liverpool WAG, The £9m Man Arsenal Must Not Sign, Ronaldo Gets Fatter!
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Goog analysis and I have to agree with the prediction. I made mine on BetUknow where 75% of the community is also predicting a Liverpool win today.
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 11:38 am
2-1
liverpool
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 11:48 am
3-0 liverpool.
Donavan Ried - November 9th, 2009 at 11:57 am
As weak as we look without them i do not think that we should risk Torres or Gerrard, but instead play Babel up front ……
baggins09 - November 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
i agree with donavan reid about babel but i’d have gerrard and torres on the bench, we do need to win it but i’d rather they was 100% before they came back why risk them getting injured again, i’d go for a 4-4-1-1 i think its a win in the bag 2-0 my team would be-
————————————–reina———————————
———————skrtl—————————agger—————-
johnson———————————————————–insua
————————————-masch——————————–
——————————————————————————
kuyt——————————aquilani————————-riera
——————————————————————————
——————————–yossi—————————————
—————————————torres——————————-
subs- cav, dossena, carra, lucas, gerrard, n’gog,torres
baggins09 - November 9th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
sorry donavan i miss read your post i thought you put you would risk gerrard and torres
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
as much as it hurts me to see liverpool lose or draw and we have done that a few times this year, i don’t think we should risk Torres, Reira or jhonson. bring babel on left and have ngog up front, with support from Kyut and yossi we should win this.
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
If mashcerano has a good game then we should beat bham…all their supply from the midfield is what makes them dangerous…that and their long range shooting ability….so we need to close them down quickly too.
If Benayoun, aquilani and babel play then I think thats enough creativity to win
Retryboy - November 9th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Reading some of rafas other comments about torres it seems like his injury isn’t something that is likely to actually be aggravated rafa stated that he had known people to go through the whole season with similar problems i would start with him and aquilani and try to get ahead and hopefully be able to take off both after half time also giving them the benefit of a full warm up. Wouldn’t risk gerrard his groin is definitely something that can be aggravated. Gk-reina RB-darby LB-insua CB-carragher CB-agger CM-mascherano CM-aquilani ACM-benayoun LM-babel CF-torres RM-kuyt
Subs cavalieri, skrtel, kelly, aurelio, lucas, ecclestone, ngog
Ryan Babel - November 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
NO Carragher!!!
Retryboy - November 9th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
whoops! forgot he was suspended straight swap for skrtel and ayala on the bench. Baggins no johnson, riera
Donavan Ried - November 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
baggins09 – November 9th, 2009 at 12:23 pm …… No problem mate …
baggins09 – November 9th, 2009 at 12:21 pm …… given that there is no Riera/ Johnson as pointed out by Retryboy I would like to see Dossena start on the left Darby at rightback, Babel up front for Torres, other than that i agree with the fromation that you have chosen…
Retryboy - November 9th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Can’t believe we haven’t beaten them in the league since 2004! We’ve got a terrible record against them recently doesn’t mean anything though put a strong team out should get the job done easily gonna go for 2-0 with torres, babel bagging the goals.
Retryboy - November 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Ha ha notice not a ponytail in sight!
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
i cant see us winning not good enough even wih gerrard and torres. think it will be a 1>1. hope im wrong though
Reds Lewis - November 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
no dossena Donovan…hes unlikely/injuired and probs wont play. Id rather see insua over dossena anyway, but i agree with Darby at Rb
Reds Lewis - November 9th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
id actually rather see ngog or el zhar instead of babel tbh
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Liverpool win
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
It’s a draw from Nozake
Warren Bloggs - November 9th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
This is the team i fear Rafa will field i can only hope i am wrong!
…………………………………………………..REINA………………………………………………..
DARBY…………………….KYRGIAKOS……………AGGER…………………..INSUA
………………………………..LUCAS…………………….MASCHERANO………………….
KUYT……………………………………..VORONIN…………………………..BENAYOUN
………………………………………………………….TORRES……………………………………
Retryboy - November 9th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Reckon he will go for Gk-reina RB-kelly/darby LB-insua CB-skrtel CB-agger CM-mascherano CM-lucas LM-babel CF-kuyt CF-torres RM-benayoun
Hope i am wrong too we need yossi to be the link between midfield and attack. Not kuyt and please not voronin! Have that fear too though warren.
Warren Bloggs - November 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Retryboy for all our sakes lets hope we are well wide of the mark!!
The team that i would like us to field, whilst trying to be realistic of course:
………………………………………………..REINA……………………………………………….
KELLY/DARBY…………..SKRTEL………….AGGER…………..DOSSENA (simply to give him another chance, if not then Insua)
…………………………………….LUCAS………………MASCHERANO…………………..
BABEL………………………………………KUYT………………………………BENAYOUN
…………………………………………………………….TORRES………………………………..
Okay so not much of an improvement granted but with Gerrard, Riera, Johnson, Aquilani all not fully fit we are left with no choice. I wouldn’t want us to risk Gerrard, Johnson or Riera further injury against what is (with all respect) a mediocre team. I expect to see Aquilani come on at some point hopefully half-time for Mascherano or Lucas but RAFA will probably bring him on with 30-20 mins left to play. Oh and if we are happening to comfortably beat them then i would like to see Ngog come on for Torres ( or Babel
)
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
PLEASE N OT FUCKING VORONIN
guillem balague muppet - November 9th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
a tight win for the reds,cant see birmingham not scoring against us though
2 or 3 – 1
Retryboy - November 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
On another point why the hell are england picking johnson? Its a meaningless friendly and liverpool have been patient in not rushing him back he needs to pull out of the squad and use the break to fully recover.
...samlfc.... - November 9th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I think we should have Babel upfront with N’gog and if things go badly then take Babel or N’gog off deendin who is playing worse and put Torres on. i would stick with Lucas and Mascherano but at half time or if things aren’t looking good then Put Aquilani on as he can give us attacking options. I wouldn’t want t risk Gerrard nor Torres but we should play one of them as we must get a win today nothing less and them two are match winners for us!!
Donavan Ried - November 9th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Reds Lewis – November 9th, 2009 at 2:24 pm Sorry Lewis, i ment Dossena to play Left side Midfield, not LB ….. just ithink we should try him there as both times that we have,(Real and Man utd) he scored ….. But guess we will not be seeing it……
Warren Bloggs – November 9th, 2009 at 4:09 pm …… Not disagreeing with your team choice,(Think it’s a winner) but i would (like you) like to see Dossena given another chance , but on the left, and Babel given the Torres role……. Do’nt usaully like doing this but here goes …….
…………………………………….REINA ……………………………………………….
KELLY/DARBY…………..SKRTEL………….AGGER…………..INUSA…………………………………….LUCAS………………MASCHERANO…………………..
KUYT……………………………BENAYOUN…………………………DOSSENA
…………………………………………BABEL………………………………..
And hope fully Babel can staart to rebuild his confidence, after scoring a wonder goal midweek…..
baggins09 - November 9th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
ill go with that donavan i like dossena in a more advanced role i’d be intrested to see how him and aquilani play together so i’d drop lucas and play aquilani as CAM i’d like to see same back 4 but my mid tonight would be
——————————————masch————————————-
—————————————————————————————-
—————————————————————————————-
kuyt————————————aquilani———————–dossena
—————————————————————————————-
————————————yossi——————————————–
—————————————–babel—————————————
i’d really like to see us attack and try to go in at half time infront then he can go back to his precious 4-5-1
retardboy - November 9th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
i think we should play
reina
johnson pellegrino agger insua
mascherano lucas
sammy lee
benayoun aquilani
kenny daglish
just the right blend with plenty experience
Donavan Ried - November 9th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
baggins09 – November 9th, 2009 at 7:05 pm ……. I can live with that…
Donavan Ried - November 9th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Please don.t give me anything to moan about tonight Rafa lol….. Been in a great mood today……
Walk on lads
ROB FROM KENT - November 9th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Johnson, Insua, Skrtel, Agger, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Benayoun, Riera, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Gerrard, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Spreaing, Darby team just been given out about time aquilani started i think good to se glen back and stevie on the bench though come on liverpool
...samlfc.... - November 9th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
LOL come on Rafa help us win for Donavans sake haha i was kidding mate but i do hope that Babels screamer in the week has boosted some confidence though!
...samlfc.... - November 9th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
2-1 down guys!! at Half time
ROB FROM KENT - November 9th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
i give up whats happening to us this is bollocks reiras done his hamstring again and were a goal down dominating games is not enough we need to score bloody goals get aquilani on for lucas and lets fooking battter em
Donavan Ried - November 9th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
…samlfc…. – November 9th, 2009 at 9:54 pm …….
Thing is we have been playing well ……. only thing i question about Rafa’s choice is that we have just lost Riera again (Re- injuried his hamstring) ….. Is why would you want to risk Gerrad ??? ….. he is less fit than Riera ….. Babel should have come on ….. second half
...samlfc.... - November 9th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Donavan Ried
i ahven’t got Sky unfortuantly but My Grandparents do but i only see them at weekends so i only ever see super sundays if Liverpool is playing but i have Sky sports news on my freeview box so i watch/listen to that so i can’t tell if Liverpool are playing well or not but i’m guessing they have played well but just didn’t put away chances is that correct?
kermit - November 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
rafa wouldnt risk aquilani, but he will play riera from the start even though he is just back from a hamstring problem
what a fucking arsehole
donovan myp2p shows live games
google myp2p
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
we are really shit. 2 2 against the brummies must mean that rafas finnally got to go. cant even watch them any more there making me ill
kermit - November 9th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
rafa has already gven me something to complain about
riera just back from a hamstring problem started the game
kermit - November 9th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
and what exactly is the point of bringing babel on after 75 mins and aquilani after 82
and babel is gifted
and rafa waits to long to make changes
kermit - November 9th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
in fairness its a total fluke that its 2-2, we should be winning by three goals, birminghams second goal was totally out of the blue , we are all over them for the whole of the second half, last gasp tackles blocks
kuyt is rubbish, seriously rubbish, babel deserves a chance on the right now
johnson was brilliant earlier in the game but he s gone out of it the last twenty mins
mascherano isnt good enough, i would sell him and make some money for players who actually know how to play
fuck it
final whistle
well done ngog , he is learning lots from torres
well done glen johnson
reasonably well done lucas
welcome back stevie
and thats about it
anonymous - November 9th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
fuckin pathetic again, jesus H christ benetiz be gone, where the hell is our new boy? whats the bloody point ? talk about a crap team couldnt score at a brothel.
Reds Lewis - November 9th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
meh…not happy about this performance…same problem as last year when we were struggling….all the fucking possesion and no goals.
On a brighter note…Ngog is showing that we might not need to bring a striker in over january after all….if he can score 1 or 2 in every game he plays in up until january tho..id be over the moon.
Particularly if i can back him at 7/1 for a tenner on first goal every time haha.
Johnson was immense.
However our injuiries are getting stupid now….
Here is a list of key players that still arent 100% fit according to facts….and rafa
1.riera
2.gerrard
3.aquilani
4.torres
5.el zhar
6.benayoun
7.dossena
and wont be surprised if there is news tomorrow of ngog,johnson,agger and skrtel all picking up hamstring strains cos thats the way its going for us atm!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
hi, just wanted to say liverpool were so lucky to get away with a draw. The pen was never a pen, i think they should be deducted point and Ngog found a min of 2 weeks ages for cheating. Its not just liverpool, i am just making an example because it was the most recent, and blatent dive i have seen. Should be ashamed of himself. It does make me laugh as a team, who everyone says top 4 to be fair, arent(point proven at birmingham!) If tyhey can not despatch teams like birmingham they have no chance of either wining the title or being in the top 4 when u have villa, machester city etc. Atm i can see them finishing in 5th even 6th. Ok, you can say, oh we havnt got Torres, but at the end of the day teams like chelsea and man u have players just as good and if need be can replace player of simular status…. ie Rooney, Berbetov, Owen, Welbeck….etc Its a shame as i do like liverpool, hopefully i am wrong. Personally I dont know y the hell they sold keane…. stupiderty i think!