[Deo]

Sunderland v Liverpool

Liverpool's quest for title number 19 gets underway with a tough test against Roy Keane's Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Rafael Benitez and his side secured a comfortable 2-0 win in the north-east last season and will be hoping for a similar result this time around.

The match could see newcomers like Robbie Keane and Andrea Dossena make their league debuts for the club as the Reds look to make a fast start to the 08-09 season.​

 

[Deo]

I hope we step it up this time and not put in the show that we put in Liege. Last time we had to beat Villa away, and all wasn't looking well before Gerrard scored 'that' Free Kick.

We always seem to have bad starts, and bad starting places (what was the last time we started at home?)

 

[Nesty]

we playing sunderland?


i think u messed up the pic Deo

 

[Nitemare]

It begins

and yeah aren't we playing sunderland?

 

[Deo]

Damn, well, thats what you get when you post 2:30 AM ... and yeah, we're playing Sunderland.

 

[Shaggy Alonso]

One thing I'll say is that Dossena better improve real quick.

 

[arfy05]

the whole team better fvcking improve quick and grow some balls.

 

[Kopite]

then epl is going to start tomorrow, i can`t wait.
we must start this competition successfully.. the 3 pts please!!

ynwa

 

[Shaggy Alonso]

the whole team better fvcking improve quick and grow some balls.

Indeed.

 

[tinoisawesome]

is stevie fully fit to play?

 

[Kopite]

i hope we don`t risk him if he isn`t fit to start the game. :hopeful:

 

[Kopite]

i`ve just read that s.gerrard did train with his teammates on thursday and friday. he may statrs against sunderland.


There are doubts over Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun, but Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel are back in contention.. according to BBC.

Sunderland (from): Gordon, Ward, Fulop, Chimbonda, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Collins, Higginbotham, Liddle, Edwards, Diouf, Tainio, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Reid, Richardson, Malbranque, Miller, Luscombe, Henderson, Chopra, Murphy, Stokes, Waghorn.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Skrtel, Dossena, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard, Plessis, Alonso, Kuyt, Aurelio, Pennant, Torres, Ngog, Keane, Voronin, Cavalieri, Finnan.

 

[Kopite]

GERRARD FIT FOR OPENING DAY CLASH
Paul Eaton 15 August 2008

Steven Gerrard has been passed fit for Liverpool's Barclays Premier League opener at Sunderland this weekend.
The Reds skipper was used as a second half substitute against Standard Liege in midweek and came through without any reaction to the thigh injury which forced him to miss the end of the pre-season programme.

While Gerrard has been passed fit, manager Rafael Benitez will make late checks on a number of his other players before finalising his first team selection of the campaign for the clash in the north east.

Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun both sustained dead legs during the goalless stalement in Belgium while Martin Skrtel is continuing to recover from a groin problem.

 

[SM Online]

This is the least excitied I've been about a new football season in years, so much so I've opted to go out for a meal with the Mrs and her nob 'ed friends rather then watch todays game. :wth:

 

[Fowler9]

This is the least excitied I've been about a new football season in years, so much so I've opted to go out for a meal with the Mrs and her nob 'ed friends rather then watch todays game. :wth:

I can totally understand that. It's the spirit of Liverpool that bothers me, it doesn't feel the same anymore.... I preferred the atmosphere even in the 90's, far better team spirit it seems and more English players. I'm wondering if we can mount a challange this season but I seriously doubt it, I also doubt if Benitez will ever celerbrate a Liverpool goal when we score, or even raise a smile. Shanks was out his seat everytime Liverpool scored, even Houllier cheered when we put one in.

Foreign owners, foreign manager who never cheers a goal, and lots of foreign players. Just doesn't seem like Liverpool anymore. :moan:

 

[The Infamous_LFC]

Annoying that Sunderland is so far away from where I live because I would love to go this one. Ah well

We will get a 4-0 win

 

[neurotic]

Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena, Carragher, Hyypia, Benayoun, Kuyt, Gerrard, Plessis, Torres, Keane. Subs: Cavalieri, El Zhar, Aurelio, Ngog, Skrtel, Agger, Alonso.

 

[King Kenny7]

----------------Pepe

--Dossena---Sami---Carra---Arbeloa

--Yossi---Plessis----Gerrard---Kuyt

---------Keane-----Nando

Bench: Cavalieri, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio, Xabi, El Zhar, N'gog

Not the most creative midfield but I hope Keane is playing upfront.. he's looked lost playing 'in the hole' so far.

C'MON!!!

 

[Mutu]

Gerrard in central midfield. No change there, then.

 

[King Kenny7]

Gerrard in central midfield. No change there, then.

Xabi has a knock and isn't 100%, so Rafa has no choice really. Once Mache and Lucas are back, I don't think Gerrard will be playing CM.