BigIzz

Weak isn't really the right word. I, along with others, just think that were lacking a veteran backup or two. The young players are being brought on slowly, which is ok, but Carlo seems reluctant to use some of them in the league right now. Remember when people were freaking out about the 25 man squad limit? I think we only ended up registering 19. Admittedly Carlo knows more about this than I ( or all of us combined). But after years of playing Football Manager I'm pretty good at building a squad and this is my opinion.

Not really. Both of them were part of the squad at the start of last season. They were both in the plans. They extra depth that the squad had was in addition to those two and ended up being necessary because of the injuries hose two suffered. It's not like they didn't play at all last season; Boswinga was fit for about a quarter of the season and Essien played about a third. Looking back to the summer, you couldn't really count on Boswinga to contribute significantly this season as he missed the first two and a half months. People talk about the youth movement but where is it? The bench is full of youngsters but they don't see the pitch. What young player besides McEachern plays a significant role in this squad? Kakuta plays a little but not in important situations and hasn't contributed much. Bruma doesn't play. Van Aanholt doesn't play. Borini doesn't play. Even McEachern wasn't brought on at Anfield last weekend when our depleted midfield was being overrun. Everyone that actuallys gets on the pitch was here last season save for Ramires who apparently everyone has already given up on.

I think the squads weakness is depth too. The replacements were all of a high calibre but there weren't enough of them. Out Cole, Ballack, Belletti, Deco, Carvalho In Benayoun, Ramires Matic was also loaned out and, while he wasn't a significant member of the squad, he frequently appeared on the bench last season. So Benayoun fills Coles role, Ramires fills Ballacks role and Deco, Belletti, Carvalho's roles were left unfilled. Obviously there are gold, young players pick up some slack but a few injuries leave the squad very thin. Yossi and Lampard get long injuries, Essien picks up a slight knock, Ramires is slow to adjust and everyone has to look towards a 17 year old to potentially start important league matches.

I'm not going to freak out or panic. Think today was mostly about Liverpool playing great, motivated and focused. I thought we played a very good second half, generated the chances to tie or even lead, but the finishing and luck wasn't there. Their world class striker worked his magic twice and we couldn't match it. Sure would be great to see Lampard though.

I'd bring on Josh, Drogs and Boswinga for Ivan/Alex, Ramires and Kalou but three halftime subs is probably a little dramatic for Carlo. No reason to panic though, plenty of time left.

Yeah this match is far from over. This team can score twice in a half without problem. Have some faith

Great that Torres picks today to regain his form from two years ago

Obviously Drogba needs to come on at some point. This midfield doesn't link up with front three well at all. Look how many hopeful long balls we've had to play. I know it would be a real difficult test for him but Josh might provide the best hope of linking with the attack. My only other idea would be to bring on Boswinga to give a better attacking option on the flank.

This midfield just isn't good enough

That is my lineup. No way Lampard starts this match, even if he is 100% healthy. After we open a 3 or 4 goal edge he can get some time to regain form.

Mikel's job certainly isn't flashy but he does it very, very well. It's no coincidence he has almost always been on Carlo's team sheet. He is the anchor of our midfield without a doubt and a key player in our system where everyone else bar him and the two centre backs look to get forward at every opportunity.

I pretty much agree with all of this. Matches liken this one just make Anelka all the more frustrating at times. Ivan is the man. Hands down my favorite player. And Josh really does look special. It's amazing that he's just 17. We signed Ramires as a young midfielder but he's got 6 years on Josh. He is so composed, such a good passer, has a great first touch, great vision, moves well to get open. If his game doesn't improve one bit and he only gets a little more mature physically he is going to have one helluva career.

I chose Mikel too. He is having a fantastic season. No one really stood out for though. That isn't an insult, just that everyone played pretty well. Ivan and Anelka would be my next two.

Reports are that Malouda is out of the lineup for the match against Spartak. He has an ankle injury. Oliver Kay tweeted today that he is surprised by reports that Lampatd would be back on Sunday after speaking with him last week. Lampard missed training today. Ramires is apparently back for the Spartak match. I'm not sure how Carlo will play this. What will his front three be? I could see him starting any of our forwards now. I'm also pretty sure Zhirkov will be on the pitch so does he play him as an attacking winger for Malouda, left midfielder or at left back to give Cole a rest?

Does anyone here really think Carlo will play a team of youngsters for those match? If you do then you haven't been paying attention. He may rest a regular or two but I'm pretty sure we see a first choice lineup. We can get the youngsters some matches after we secure qualification.

I agree but where? He isn't playing at LB. Essien is going to be one starting midfielder. Despite a poor match against Blackburn I wouldn't take Mikel out of the lineup - he and Zhirkov do very different things anyway. And I really don't want to drop Anelka or Malouda. I suppose the two options would be to play Essien in the holding role with Zhirkov and Lampard or to play Zhirkov as a left forward in Anelka's place.

I didn't read any of the posts from during the match but who thought Mikel had a great game? He was quite poor. Maybe he needs a match off he's been playing an awful lot. The support was great I must say I too heard the songs all match

I went with Yuri too.

Played terrible at times in a tough away fixture but still picked up the three points. No complaints from me about this one, showed real character winning this match. Nice to see Ivan get the winner too.

Gerrard is so out of place in the all time first eleven it's ridiculous. The other ten have all won league titles at least. And I think everyone but Schmeichel either won a World Cup or played in a final.

Sad to say but for the players it's a job. I'd like to say it'd be different if it were but would it? That said, Joey is gonna be waiting for a while if he is waiting for a big European night. Maybe he is planning to coach at Liverpool when his playing days are done?

This fixture almost proved our downfall last season so I doubt anyone will be taking it lightly. Not that it's ever good to lose but it's worked out nicely that we went out of the league cup. The last thing we would need is a midweek match against Arsenal right now which is who Newcastle drew. The squad has been stretched rather thin latley and we can finally get some rest for Essien and Cole with a week between matches.

Nerve wracking and frustrating but we ground out the three points.

I picked Boswinga. Cech was excellent but it seemed like most everything was hit right at him.

Kudos to Rooney. Despite terrible form he squeezes a new contract out of United. Can he teach me how to do this at my job?