Birmingham City vs. Liverpool

I did write a lengthy post for this before my internet disconnected, so excuse me for being a little more brief.

Sandwiched between the Champions League games, and with fourth sewn up, we should see this as an opportunity to rest next to all of our main players for Wednesday. Chelsea will have to go 100% in their match so a physical edge can be earned here. Unlike Fulham, this is the time for our reserves.

Team:

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


--------Finnan----------San Jose-----------Hyypia-------------Insua


----------------------------..........Plessis


-------Pennant-------------...---..Lucas------------------------Riise


--------------------------Nemeth------------Crouch


Subs: Martin, Skrtel, Spearing, Benayoun, Voronin


Defence

Finnan will start for sure at right-back. Then on the left you're looking at either Riise, Arbeloa or a reserve player. I'd have Riise in midfield though, and Arbeloa will probably rest, so Emiliano Insua should come in from the reserves. In the centre there's a bit of a dilemma, as we have Hyypia, Skrtel and Carragher that for me could all be key on Wednesday. I'd play Hyypia, even though he takes longer to recover, as he hasn't played too frequently of late and he performs so much better with more games under him. This shouldn't be too fast a pace and i'd bring Skrtel on perhaps at half-time, or with half an hour to go. The Slovak doesn't really need a rest but it may give him an edge.

Midfield

As i said, i'd play Riise here. I think it'd be catastrophic to not use him here and then contemplate using him against Chelsea - for his last thing before the second leg to be the own-goal would be very unwise. He'll play i assume, whether Rafa has any intentions of involving him on Wednesday or not. Then Lucas and Pennant, having peripheral roles within the squad, will feature, with Plessis probably coming in to give Mascherano and Alonso opportunities to rest. I doubt Benitez will risk Masche after Fulham.

Attack

Even though Crouch could be key i'd have him play here because he's certainly doesn't need a rest and is beginning to find some form - that'll be important if he's to help us unlock Chelsea. Hopefully Krisztian Nemeth will either start or come on as a sub. I wouldn't object to the Hungarian playing alongside Voronin, but that would probably mean he'd play more of an out-and-out role than what he'd do alongside Crouch; and also, as i said, i think Crouch could do with starting.


I wonder if our reserves can do what our first team never could and finally beat Birmingham City under Rafael Benitez!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------My initial thoughts for Chelsea (which obviously affect this match) are as follows:

------------------------Reina
Carragher---Skrtel-------Hyypia-----Arbeloa
---------------Alonso-------Masche
---Kuyt--------...--Gerrard-------------Yossi
-------------------..-Torres

I'd play it cautious, because we only need to nick one goal and we're through. As the game progresses we'd have Crouch and Babel to throw on, perhaps as well as a full-back like Riise to go forward better. What we don't want to do is concede early, as at 0-0 there's not much pressure on us attacking because them scoring doesn't really change our situation of needing to score once.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2-1 Birmingham

0-2 Liverpool, weakened team or not!

Birmingham 0 Liverpool 2

Liverpool showed recently at the Emirates, in the league game, that even with 2nd string players in their side they are more than capable of putting up a strong showing. They will be too good for Birmingham to get anything out of this game.

2-0 Liverpool

I'd like to see Plessis, Insua, San Jose and Nemeth all get a run out. Would only serve to develop them better as players. Maybe David Martin too

I think the side will be weaker than it was against Arsenal. That match was just basically our squad players, plus Reina, Carragher and Skrtel, with Plessis (reserve player) slotting in. I'd suggest nearly all of our first team players to be rested and a few more reserve players thrown in, as the ones mentioned.

According to SSN Itandje, Martin, Plessis and Insua are likely to be included in the squad. They may just be guessing though. I really hope Nemeth does get a chance though.

1-2
Scorers:
Hyypiä twice for Liverpool
Forssell for Birmingham

at least I wish so!

id love to see nemeth play but what about leto, el zhar, and some of the english contingent in the reserves surely someone is good enough could anyone shed some light

I believe Leto cannot play right at this moment - something to do with his passport i heard. I'd of liked to see him involved 'cause he looked very promising against Toulouse earlier in the season, but it seems a non-starter.

I'd like to see El Zhar given a go also 'cause you sort of get the feeling that if he doesn't make it soon he never will, given the odd chances he's had over recent years. He played against Fulham last year so i wouldn't be surprised if he was involved.

Then the only real English reserve player i could see getting a go is David Martin or Jay Spearing. Neither i'd expect to start though, especially Spearing.

thanks thats a pity about leto.... what about the kid puterill i think his name is and eccelston and amoo are theses guys too young....even though i am from ireland i like to see english talent coming through...

Ive seen Puterill have bad games and good games, he's very direct and a good dribbler. I could never see him in the first team though.

It's a shame about Leto because he's a player I like, very skillful for a big guy. When playing in the reserves the opposition have often found it hard to get the ball off him. He'll be a top player one day but I don't think he'll be given the chance to play regular first team football at Liverpool. I can see him doing well in Spain.



That's what I was thinking. I can't believe we have never beaten them in the Premier league. 7-0 on our way to winning the FA cup back 2006 though. I'd like to see San Jose Dominguez, Ronald Huth, Insua, Plessis and Nemeth get a game and show what they can do on the big stage. I think we will probably draw this game as Birmingham are fighting for their premiership existence and we are fielding a weakened side. The players that come in last week have proved they are very capable though.

3-0 Liverpool!

Don 't let us down Pool, banking on you to win this game and Keep the Brummies below us. So i'm going to go with a changed Liverpool team to overcome a hopefully deflated Brum side after their spanking at Villa Park last week, 1-2.

2-1 Liverpool...

Mcfadden with the goal for Birmingham.

I fancy that to stop, if not today then next season (assuming they stay up). It's got to be more Bruce than Birmingham, and really that was backed up with our 1-1 draw against his new side in January.

I'm pretty sure Insua, Plessis and one of Itandje or Martin are in line for appearances. Not sure about people like Nemeth though, sadly.

Yeah i'm hoping the Steve Bruce the Hoodoo is lifted today.

So Insua is looking good for a start? With Aurelio injured and Riise being a shadow of his former self it could be looking good for the little Argentine

I'm off to the pub to watch it in a bit.

Our squad is: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Insua, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Voronin, Crouch, Torres, Kuyt, Itandje, Martin, Plessis.


I can see Plessis and Alonso starting for some reaosn and maybe martin bench. Insua hopefully will start too.

Anyone found a working stream?

http://www2.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=11002&part=sports

Top one works fine for me