This is the thread for discussion on the Liverpool Starting XI, opinions, banter, general chat etc.

Has there been a pattern to Roy's tactics in pre-season or not? Do we know what formation he is likely to line up with and how Cole/Gerrard/Kuyt will fit into it?

So many of the stars are so late coming back to training (4 WC final players only returned on Monday) that there is too little to go on. The England boys featured in the weekend friendly but Roy rested (or used as sub) virtually the entire team from the UEFA Cup game.

Today's UEFA Cup game will be a slightly better idea but even then you'll be missing at least 7 first team/squad players. Then no more games til the 15th....

murf's best guess:

GK - Reina
RB - Johnson
2 * CB - Carra, Agger, Skrtel, Kyri', Wilson, Kelly, Ayala (in order of likeliness!)
LB - Easy. Either Aurelio, Insua or a new signing
DM - Again easy. Either Masch (if he stays), Lucas or a new signing
CM - Gerrard (probably)
LM - Jovanovic (or Babel or others)
RM - Kuyt (or maybe Maxi if he stays or even Cole)
Hole - Cole (or Aquilani or Gerrard)
CF - Torres

Not sure of the formation exactly but there'll be Reina, 4 at the back, 2 widemen and Torres. Leaves 3 central spots. One I'd guess will be defensive and maybe Gerrard will play more centrally than last year with Cole ahead in the hole (old Gerrard role). Aquilani could also come into it or Gerrard plays further forward in his old position with Lucas being the more central role as last year.

Hodgson confirms interest in Poulsen

Not sure if this means we won't be getting Defour. Masch obviously likely to be off but also rumours an Italian club are bidding for Lucas so we'd need to buy both! Some logic to buying both anyway as we aren't overblessed in central midfield.

RP "best XI" (4-2-3-1):

Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Aurelio
Aquilani Mascherano
Kuty Gerrard Cole
Torres

Well Mascherano is likely to be off by all accounts, with Christian Poulsen favourite to replace him. Lots of uncertainty at left-back but otherwise a settled back four. Cole is a good signing but will he play in the hole? Not if he treads on Gerrard's toes; more likely to play left midfield IMO when he's not spending half the season in the treatment room. RP say this on the matter: "Cole and fellow Bosman Jovanovic should ease the load [on Torres & Gerrard], although in what formation Hodgson selects them remains a heated debate. The new boss refuses to discuss the issue, but Cole and Jovanovic prefer a central role and width is a concern."

A good new manager but an unsettled and injury-prone star striker with boardroom upheaval likely to undermine any progress made on the pitch. Same again for them this season, I think, although I fancy them for a Cup.

My guess

Reina
Johnson Carragher Skrtel Agger
Leiva Gerrard
Kuyt Cole Jovanovic
Torres

Andy

Aurelio - who knows
Masch - likely off, if so replacement or Lucas
Gerrard - will play CM
Hole - will play in hole
Jovanovic - could play LM
Aquilani - not in the XI

Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger 'Aurelio'
'Mascherano' Gerrard
Kuyt Cole Jovanovic
Torres

With "oi, what about me?"s from
Skrtel, Insua, Lucas, Maxi, Babel, Aquilani

What would give as a percentage certainty that Kuyt gets 30+ games?

Murf are you saying aquilani is a definite no-no for fantasy teams then?

I've put Agger into a couple of my teams, but I've been looking tonight and he doesn't appear to have played in any of the pre-season games or the uefa cup games.

Can't find him listed as injured.

Any Liverpool fans know the score? Am I going to have to bin him before the season starts?

Yes-yes



Look again - he played in the first UEFA Cup game, missed the 2nd due to supposedly minor back problem. I keep meaning to check if he is in Danish squad this week.....

Agger is in the Danish squad

Ta. Poulsen got permission to pull out of it for some reason.......

Nice to see young Kelly get a goal on his England U21 debut. He'll be a star one day as sure as Wilshere and surer than Pacheco.

A stunning performance from Gerrard tonight, dont care if opposition was good bad or what ever, terrific display took me back to first time ever saw him and he basically beat us (Afc) on his own.
Lets hope he saves those games only for England games

Top 3 tips for the season

1. Aquilani to finally flourish (Hodgson is fluent in Italian and will be able to read his sicknotes)
2. Agger at LB
3. Jovanovic to score 12+

you think aquillani will start?

This is why there should be an automatic block on me making transfers/predictions after a couple of beers.

LFC website suggesting this long dragged out deal is nearly done:

Liverpool have confirmed a £2.3m fee has been agreed with Middlesbrough for the transfer of Australian international goalkeeper Brad Jones.

The 28-year-old stopper passed a medical on Monday afternoon and has agreed personal terms. He is expected to complete the paperwork on a three-year contract on Tuesday.

Anyone know why Aurelio was only on the bench at the weekend ?

A. Not match fit

B. Hodgson prefers Agger @ LB

C. Simple rotation policy

D. Some other machiavellian conspiracy theory not considered (eg) Roy Hodgson has a personal grudge against me and knows I have him in one of my teams.

Ta.

Somewhere between A and B with just a hint of D.

What's the score with Insua then? No future at LFC?

rumours suggest he'll be sold. Squad player at best.

Why didn't you tell me that for my elephant team? And don't say you forgot!

You never asked

You mean you don't study all of my teams to see how it's done?

I already know how to lose

Although the sale was allegedly organised pre-Roy and has fallen through - but then again Roy signed Aurelio and keeps playing him (or Agger) instead. Insua was one of many at the game last night in suits....

Thanks both. Best lose him from my team then.

Anybody think there's any truth in the Kuyt to Inter rumour?
Or is just his agent trying to get him (and himself) a better contract.