Matchday: Liverpool v. Blackpool

By: Ed | January 12th, 2011

bloomfield

Kickoff from Bloomfield Road at 20:00 GMT and 3:00 EST.

Ways to Watch:

Match not televised live in the UK; Fox Soccer Channel has it in the US.

MyP2P.eu
Atdhe.net
ChannelSurfing.net

Liverpool:

Reina
Kelly Skrtel Agger Johnson
Poulsen
Lucas Meireles
Kuyt Torres Jovanovic

Bench: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Ngog, Wilson, Maxi, Shelvey

Surprise! Christian Poulsen is still alive and well. Alice band at the ready. The good news is that Milan Jovanovic gets a sniff finally—he’s someone that faded quickly under Roy Hodgson, so hopefully this signals a return to some sort of good favor for the Serbian. It probably takes the shape of 4-3-3 in practice, but I’d guess that Poulsen sits back and Lucas and Raul Meireles are more advanced. Interesting to see how that front line operates if it is indeed three up top; support for Fernando Torres has been a major concern this season, so maybe this is what Kenny Dalglish has in mind when he mentions helping him out.

Blackpool:

Kingson
Eardley Evatt Cathcart Crainey
Adam Vaughan Grandin
Taylor-Fletcher Campbell Varney

Bench: Rachubka, Southern, Ormerod, Baptiste, Euell, Phillips, Sylvestre

In the run-up:

Anyone else have the flu? Terrific, isn’t it? Bonus is that I’ll be at home to watch the match, downside is that I’ll be shivering and/or sweating the entire time. So that’s mostly to blame for why this is up later, sorry if you were looking for it earlier. I’d guess the Australians were the only ones with any expectations.

As usual there’s a “leaked” teamsheet making the rounds—interesting to see if that gets confirmed, as it’d be a bit of a surprise, particularly at the back.

Kenny Dalglish has, at least from the early interviews, made it his mission to get Fernando Torres back on form. Sounds obvious, and it’s needed of course, but Dalglish hasn’t had a presser or interview go by in which he didn’t voice his support and optimism for the permanently disquieted Spaniard. Today’s dose:

“He might be lacking a little bit of confidence, but he is still a top goal scorer and someone everybody fears when he crosses the line and goes on to the pitch. I’ve got fantastic respect for Fernando, not only as a footballer but also as a person as well. When he signed for the club he really threw himself into learning about the history and the tradition of the club, he really soaked it all up.

“I hope I can help him and I will help him in whatever way I possibly can. But then I would say that about any one of the players at this football club. We will give them as much support as we all possibly can, and not just to Fernando. I can pass on advice and I will try and help him in any way, shape or form, but, as I say, it’s the same for all the players.

“We’ve got to try and help each other. We’ve got to have respect and belief in what we are doing and carry that onto the pitch. We have to continue working as hard as we possibly can to turn things around.”

It’s been refreshing to hear and read Dalglish’s comments since returning on Saturday, and hopefully the positivity translates to results for both Fernando Torres and the club. If nothing else, it’s better than “these guys aren’t any better than Fulham’s squad.”

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Matchday Posts, Miscellaneous, Premier League

« Match Preview: Liverpool v. Blackpool, 01.12.11 | Home | Blackpool 2, Liverpool 1: The Long Road Back »

Kenny Dalglish

genuinely believe we should have won. we did not get the result, but the display was a massive improvement from the hodgson era, and without being biased, a liverpool win would have been the correct result.

loved to see torres score. hopefully he will continue to do that under dalglish.
Pyro

We need to get rid of the following players Konchensky, Jovanovic, Poulsen, they simply are not liverpool material.
Rosco

Fuckin garbage
Red2death

Well, before the match I figured if we could play like we did against Utd, we'll win this one.

Good news is that we have been playing like we did against Utd... sorta...
lfc4eternity

Maybe my hopes were to high I certainly was not expecting miracles anytime soon, but is it me? Tired looking players, (why? we had 2 weeks off!) out of position, can't control the ball, can't pass forward with any sense of creativity, still hoofing it.. Poulsen?, Kuyt?, Blackpool REALLY playing for the shirt...Blackpool!!!???
Noel

Kuyt's been poor, as has Poulsen, but the weakest link has been the Johnson-Jovanovic left side partnership. Bit of a gamble, didn't work out, but really wish it had been addressed early on in the second half.
lfc4eternity

Agreed, Johnson's been less than average on his preferred right side, what would he offer on the left?...Never been convinced by Jova....but still Blackpool cost about 3 quid, with wages of roughly a bag of chips each, yet they WANT it, they keep the ball, they show great movement, creativity and an eye for goal...even tonight we were full of internationals who looked second rate.
The squad is at least as good as Blackpool's, even though short of being top 4, can only assume confidence is truly at an all time low.
RedDownUnda

Right, cleaned up the dead possum carcass the cat left under the table last night, kicked the dog out before it shits on the bride's new rug, time to catch up with the game.
Review the recording 'cos it's past half time -

Whoaaa! Torreyezzzz!!!

Oh, Torres?

Oh Skrtel....

Anybody else want Hyypia back?
Rjbg09

Holy freaking hand balls, Refman.
lfc4eternity

I have to say I'd swap this for the flu that Ed and Rosca have.....why can't we simply keep and then pass the ball?...Blackpool can!
Rosco

That's a strange 1
Noel

Yup. Kuyt's been poor, but not sure how much Shelvey on for him helps.
Rosco

There's a large gerrard shaped hole in this game
JohnAldrige's bastard son

johnson is a waste of space so is Milan and Poulsen should retire...other than that very postive first half.
Rosco

Johnson looks pretty weak on the left side
Noel

So does Jovanovic. Hard to tell whether one or both are the root cause. Also, Poulsen is nominally the most holding of the central three, yet he has the least positional sense. Still love that he was supposedly a veteran defensive mid.
Tom Foolery

Sure wouldn't mind seeing Lucas hold the fort down in front of the Def. When he has time back there, he can really provide a foundation to build on, and keeps the tempo clicking (as we've seen him do for Bazil). Maybe Shelvey on for Poulsen, Dalglish to continue with the ruthless substitution policy...all hopeful of course.
Noel

Shelvey for Poulsen and Lucas dropping back's a solid shout. Could also see Maxi as an option, either for Poulsen or Jovanovic. Really wouldn't be surprised to see one half time sub in any case.
Tom Foolery

We need to start spreading it, the middle is too crowded. And a bit of possession wouldn't hurt.
Tom Foolery

...And then there's that.
Raul looked less than sharp there.
Noel

Torres giveth, and Torres taketh away.
Noel

Now that's some fucking encouragement... 4231/433, men up the pitch, and a goal.
Tom Foolery

I know, just look at how far up Lucas, Raul, Kelly, etc are pushing. Its insane, its unheard of this season from the Pool, its absoultely brilliant thus far.
Red2death

I like the press in midfield. Still not convinced on Poulsen though.

Then again, took me two years to be convinced about Lucas =)
Tom Foolery

I'm starting to worry that I may actually start enjoying Liverpool FC play football. Its been sooooo long....
Rosco

Na
Na na na na na na na
Na na, na na
Ed

Fernando Torres is still okay I guess.
Noel

I never could have imagined being happy to see Poulsen in the starting 11, but after the freakishly Hodgson-esque rumoured line up that lent itself to a 442 I'm positively giddy... not by Poulsen, really, but that it now lends itself quite obviously to the 433 that showed for a time against United.
Tom Foolery

True, Poulsen seems to be there to free up space for L/R to move forward, lots of forward movement so far...and Torres!
Tom Foolery

Just aching with aniticipation, glad to not be aching from influenza. Can the flu get contracted via internet blogging?
Rosco

No but you can contract crabs
Rjbg09

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/p...

Strengths: Free-kicks are a speciality and his pace and strength in the box are complimented by his excellent positioning.
Weaknesses: Has a bit of a short fuse and can make rash decisions. His open and honest interview style can get him into trouble.

Check out this guy! Finally! Sounds good to me... let him nick a couple goals and then not interview him. How about that?
ChrisLFC

Where's Babel? Did he have to miss today because of the Twitter incident?
Joel

Should be a 433/4231 in my book

Pepe
Johnson-Skrtel-Agger-Kelly
Poulsen
Raul Lucas
Kuyt Jova
Torres

Could have Lucas dropping alongside Poulsen with Raul playing in front as well.
Joel

Wow, Disqus really butchered my formation listing. Anyways, probably a midfield triangle of Poulsen, Lucas, and Raul- either with Poulsen sitting behind R/L or Raul at the point. Kuyt/Jova likely as wingers/wide forwards with Torres through the middle
Jake_LFC

Wow:

The LFC team in full is: Reina, Kelly, Agger, Skrtel, Johnson, Poulsen, Lucas, Meireles, Jovanovic, Torres, Kuyt. Subs: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Ngog, Wilson, Maxi, Shelvey.

Will be interesting to see how this works..
Jake_LFC

Only way this makes sense to me is if it's a 3-4-3, which I'd actually quite like to see..or, 3-4-1-2, rather.

kelly - agger - skrtl

johnson - lucas - poulsen - jova

raul

dirk - torres
lfc4eternity

Is it me or does 'Dirk Torres' sound like a great porn star name?
Jake_LFC

I prefer Fernando Kuyt.
lfc4eternity

Suggestion on sky news that Kelly at R/Back and Johnson at L/Back.
Have to say, your line-up makes more sense apart from Blackpool are going for 3 up front too!
Rosco

I've unfortunately been handed influenza also ed, by that horrible wench I call partner. Makes it all the more painful now she struts around disease free while I'm fighting back spasms from 5 minute long coughing fits. . . Bitch

Just occurred to me I have literally no view on today's game. For this I apologise
lfc4eternity

Take care Rosco mate and you Ed.
Don't care about the line-up, just an away win please...you're right Ed we're not Fulham anymore!
Ed

Appreciate it!
lfc4eternity

Pousens playing!! wtf!
Rosco

Many thanks, an away win would ease me through my benelin-induced coma.
Rick Ross

Rumoured lineup:

Reina

Kelly
Skrtel
Agger
Wilson

Johnson
Lucas
Meireles
Maxi

Kuyt
Torres

Very interesting if true.
Ed

"The #LFC team doing the rounds on Twitter is incorrect, I'm reliably informed."

From Jimmy Rice's Twittamajig.
JayOne23

I'd hope to see at least two from the young core of Kelly, Wilson, Pacheco, Shelvey & Amoo starting nearly every game from now until the end of the season - we need them to get as much experience as possible now, so that they are ready to contribute at a high level during our title challenge next season!

For the same reason, I want to see Skrtel, Kuyt, Maxi, Poulsen & Carragher phased out of the team as quickly as possible, as they will have little part to play in any future title challenges!

preferred selection vs Blackpool: 433
Reina
Johnson-Kelly-Agger-Aurelio
Meireles-Lucas-Shelvey
Babel-Torres-Jovanovich
(SUBS: Gulacsi, Wilson, Kyrgiakos, Poulsen, Pacheco, Cole, N'gog)
LFt

Shelvey is poor.

Will never make at the TOP level
Ed

We're already turning on Jonjo Shelvey?
Noel

Apparently. Sometimes you just want to hit things. Or people. Or things that are people with other things that may or may not be people.
Rosco

Just makes your Kelly piece seem all the more relevant now.
Ed

No kidding--18 year-old with all of 10 first team appearances, already pronounced a flop.
Rosco

Aye, he sucks.
Because steven gerrard was smashing in 40 yarders every week from the first time he kicked a ball for us.
Jake_LFC

He runs weird.
Ed

Yes! More!
Jake_LFC

He has big ears. And an oddly shaped nose. Also his 50 yard free kicks are consistently off the mark.
Ed

This is great, nothing like making far-reaching generalizations based on singular events.
Jake_LFC

Are you saying he only has ONE big ear?
lfc4eternity

absolutely not!
His nick-name at the club is Davy Crockett
he's got a Left ear, a Right ear, and that thing on the front of his face is his 'wild front-ear'!!
(I'm here til Thursday, bar closes at 11, I'll also do christenings)
Rosco

Very true. And he's does freakishly resemble a walnut
Mike

I heard he was eligible to play for both England and His home planet Vulcan.