There’s been a lot of talk in the press about this game, for the obvious reason that if we manage to beat Pool at Anfield, then it might well mean Brendan Rodgers will get the bullet on Monday.
And if you look at our record at Anfield over the last few years, it’s quite impressive. Without checking the facts, I can only remember one defeat in the last four or five times we’ve played them there. There was also the memorable win over them in the FA cup semi.
So we have a very good record of getting a result, quite often when it wasn’t expected.
Liverpool have twice the points we do (8) from the first six games and sit 13th in the league. Of course that’s not on a par with the Liverpool fans lofty ambitions and while I almost felt a slight dig at them coming on then, the reality is that for a club like Liverpool, it simply isn’t good enough. I don’t know where you rate them, but to my mind they ought to be top six, with more of a claim than we have.
Especially when you consider the money they’ve spent.
The very good news on our part is that Christian Benteke won’t be involved.
Can you imagine him against our defence, if he’s on fire?
Like I said, good news.
Roberto Firmino has a cracked bone in his back, Dejan Lovren has done a ligament and Jordan Henderson has had an operation on his foot. That’s a fair loss this early in the season, I reckon.
On the plus side for them, Daniel Sturridge is back in after being rested for the narrow defeat of Carlisle midweek.
Did Liverpool really have 45 shots without scoring in that game?
If so, that sounds like a team desperately down on it’s luck.
As for us, the good news is Gana’s back in training after a bit of “Paul Daniels” type treatment in France and could be fit.
Gabby’s a doubt, but as I’ve previously suggested, I think he’ll get a start if he’s anywhere near ok.
Traore and Okore are back in training, but this game might be too soon.
And Gardner starts training on Monday.
So it could be worse.
So, what to think?
Well, liverpool have had a poor start and the manager is under severe pressure, isn’t he?
And we have that very good record at Anfield of late.
I find this one difficult to call for a few reasons.
First off, liverpool’s defence can be as dodgy as ours can’t it?
Which means if the likes of Grealish and Gil/Ayew get at them, we have plenty that can open them up.
Likewise, our defence, where Sturridge is always dangerous and they have plenty who can hurt us.
If that 45 shots is true, I’d suggest we need them to stay out of luck.
But the biggest thing is going to be how Sherwood approaches the game.
I’m guessing he’s going to try to maximise our pace and trickery, which is why I think he’ll be hoping for Gabby to at least start.
I’d expect Ayew to come straight in, although if Traore does happen to be fit, he’d get the right-wing slot first.
A straight back four, with Clark back on the bench.
And Sanchez and Westwood as the centre mids.
I doubt there’s much to be debated there and the usual applies, in the Gestede/Bacuna/Hutton merits or otherwise.
It’s definitely good that the team sheet doesn’t write itself these days and we do have realistic options.
So ultimately, the truth is I don’t know.
It could be a single goal win either way.
Then again, if either side gets their shooting boots on, it could be a shoeing.
So I’ll plump for 1-1.
UTV
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Could be a really good game, but I said that about the albion, didn’t i?
1-1 for me as well. Son in law is a Liverpool fan and wants us to win so Rodgers gets the push but then has a bet on 2-0 to Pool 🙂
Mystic Kent says 1-3 to Villa
Mystic Kent is often wrong, but always hopes he’s right.
I am going for a draw, I will be pissed off if Gabbys in the starting eleven.
Really comes down to whether Sherwood has thought this one out and makes the right selection; if he tries something daft [like the first-half against Blues] we’ll get murdered before the half-time whistle. If he really knows what he’s doing and picks the right team/formation then I think Liverpool are there for the taking.
Since I don’t know the answer, I’ll hedge my bets at 1-1
I’m going for 3.2 to Villa. Just got a sneaky feeling on this one
I’m going for a draw but hoping for a win.
Gana and Traore could be the difference today. If Jack and Ayew can play like they did against the Blues then anything can happen.
UTV
Unfortunately, I think there is too much pressure on Rodgers and Liverpool that I can only see them winning. What’s good about today however is that our injury list looks very good. We very nearly have our full squad to pick from, which we need.
Another bizarre team picked by Deadwood!!
Thank the lord Gabby is injured!
DEADWOOD OUT!
Not sure it’s that bizarre B6. Clark potentially had a case for centre half instead of Lescott but if Traore is off the pace and Gil being perceived as lightweight (?) if Grealish is playing then Sinclair has to start.
Both sides look better going forward on paper.
Lescott was shit midweek and still gets picked over Clarke who having moved to centre half to replace Lescott was immense.
Westwood continues to get picked but offers absolutely nothing. When was the last time he had an assist, scored or actually done something of note as other than passing the ball backwards or to the side?
Sinclair has done nothing the last few games but keeps his place.
Ayew was top drawer when he came on midweek yet he’s sub again.
The only reason Gabby ain’t playing is because he is injured.
Gestede, other than his goal midweek is shit! Yet Kozak who looked decent in Pre-season continues to be frozen out
It’s pointless us having a squad of 25 cause half of them ain’t going to play anyway!
To generate some money we should consider changing our name to Deadwoods Favourites Football Club!
It’s not bizarre though it’s unfortunately just what we should expect……….
Nevermind, I’m sure the Deadwood worshippers will be out in force soon enough defending him.
if jack and gil play think pool will bully and boss midfield, couldn’t call this one it will be a bit of individual brilliance from someone im thinking will win this
So if you play shit, you start next week….. Play well and you’re benched…. Sherwood logic!!
01 Guzan
21 Hutton
04 Richards
16 Lescott
23 Amavi
24 Sánchez
15 Westwood
08 Gueye
40 Grealish
39 Gestede
09 Sinclair
Looks okay to me. Mid-field should be tight with Sanchez, Westwood and Gana all playing. Ayew should make a good sub if he plays anything like he did last game and also Traore could make a difference off the bench.
UTV
Still looking ok to you??
3rd from bottom now and could be cut adrift in next game if we lose. Sherwoid has to go this is a game we should be taking a point at least they are as crap as us
Oh, this will be a shite game, last on motd and 0-0 😉
01 Guzan
21 Hutton
04 Richards
16 Lescott
23 Amavi
24 Sánchez
15 Westwood
08 Gueye
40 Grealish
39 Gestede
09 Sinclair
joke villa only have one out and out striker gestede joke we have no striker on bench bloody joke no kozak and our best players injuyed poor old gabs, 3-0 win Lpool
You’ve got to be joking, a goal in a minute ,one down lads
What a great start….
DEADWOOD OUT!
Ahahahahaha. 1 min gone, deep 2 banks of 4 like we are 1 up after 94mins with nobody anywhere near Milner. Comical
If we were 1 up after 94 mins Deadwood would take off both centre halves and Guzan and replace them with attackers!
Haha. Gabby can’t be any worse a keeper than he is a striker, can he?
Was the goal a Guzan fuck up?
No, just shit defence giving way to much space.
It should have been bread and butter stuff.
Was Lescott at fault again badger
What the fxxked 1 down already, can’t see that game but am hearing it was shocking defending.
We look like we’re in for a thrashing atm 🙁
Gestede 🙁
Comments saying Liverpool have bags of room and space behind Hutton, that sounds familiar.????
Yep and we have no answer to it.
Sinclair has been helping out (!)
Less than half of the team is made up of Deadwood signings. looks like even he doesn’t have belief in the players he signed, so he continues to persist with the players he branded as “having a losing mentality”. At least the players he signed that do play will also have the same mentality by now.
Change the record.