The Big Month After The Big Month: Liverpool v. Spurs Preview/Pregame Thread

by SamFels on Feb 6, 2012 1:33 AM GMT in 1. Match Previews

vs.

KICKOFF: 3pm Eastern/8pm BST

TV: ESPN 2 In The Colonies, Sky Sports In The Old Empire

North London Riot-Free Gathering Place: Cartilage Free Captain

After a month that saw the league campaign kind of falter, the FA Cup one surge with a win over Man United, a Final clinched with a two-legged victory over City, Liverpool get a breather this month with everyone's favorite second club coming for a visit, followed by the dinner party atmosphere they're sure to find at Old Trafford on Saturday, a ticket to the quarters of the FA Cup on offer, and that clinched Final. Then again, it's better than not having anything matter, doesn't it?

Liverpool, outside of Lucas, have the full squad to pick from. And with Chelsea dropping more points this morning in most hilarious fashion (or it would have been had they not bent over and presented a point to that opponent), there is ground to be gained in the chase for fourth. A win at Anfield on Monday and Liverpool will be all of two points back, though with Newcastle in between.

Because of that, we should see whatever Kenny thinks is the full-strength team right now, with Luis Suarez unlikely to be thrown right into it after a month of kicking it old school. The back line you know, and in midfield you can expect Kenny to try to outnumber what has been the dynamic force of Scott Parker and Luka Modric. That has to mean Spearing-Gerrard-Henderson, though Charlie Adam could find himself in there somewhere. But considering his love-hate relationship with ball retention and defending, I don't think that's likely. Up top and out wide, Dirk Kuyt's appetite for all the things most players hate probably sees him picked to help keep Welsh Jesus/Yahweh/Vishnu in check. Craig Bellamy is too sizzling to leave out, and now that we might actually have Andy Carroll unclogged and somewhat firing, you might as well ride that wave as far as it goes.

For Spurs, there are injury concerns. Van der Vaart, Adebayor, Defoe, Lennon, and Walker all have injury concerns, and Gallas and Huddlestone are definitely out -- though they don't matter much. That's most of Spurs' attacking impetus, with Adebayor having his normal effective first season for a club before his brain and mouth get in the way. Louis Saha could even see a start if all these injuries rule those players out.

But it's midfield where Tottenham become so electric, and they're pretty much full strength there. Modric, after stamping his feet and screaming to get to Chelsea, finally got over it and resumed kicking everyone's ass, with Parker providing the platform. Though on paper he's a bit advanced in age, Parker's legs were saved by a couple years of fetching tea at Chelsea. Aside from that stretch, he's been a wonderful player for Charlton, Newcastle, and West Ham, though two of those got relegated on his watch.

And then there's the greatest player ever, who's having his best season and is more than just a winger. Maybe Kenny will opt for the greater defensive shield of Martin Kelly to deal with him, but that's unlikely. Brad Friedel will have the chance to play a great match against Liverpool, everyone does, behind King and Kaboul. At least until King's kneecaps get up and walk out on their own, always a possibility.

The reverse of this fixture was the worst of the season. Liverpool never really bothered to show up, and got stink-fisted. Spurs have pace all over the pitch, if even close to remotely full strength, which is a problem for the Reds. They have a couple finishers in ruthless form. However, if Spearing and Gerrard can remain disciplined and determined, they can choke out Modric and Parker, and that will throttle a lot of Spurs' attack. But if they get to gung ho and leave Modric space, it's going to be Pepto time.

Big month, needs a big start. Liverpool have lost the leeway in losing points at home, or at all really, with those fixtures that leave us shaking and sweating from earlier in the season. A win, and the pursuit of 4th is well and truly on.

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Comments

I normally like to save myself the aggravation, like with the Pats, but I really, really hope we can get all 3 points tonight. If you gave me a draw right now, I’d take it, given that Chelsea drew (they’ll be bigger threats for 4th in the end than Arsenal) and we should finish the season strongly with Gerrard and Luis both relatively fresh.

Frickin Giants….

I actually Have no filter.

by BrianBrock on Feb 6, 2012 1:13 PM GMT reply actions

Need 3 pts

I think that Luis starts or I hope that he does. This is a perfect match for him to contribute and create chances. Granted he has missed 8 matches but like we have discussed he needed a break and he has certainly been training. I don’t think he has been slogging pints with AC after the matches, he will be ready to start and contribute.

I look for a little revenge for the thumping we got at WHL earlier in the season. Although we did have Charlie Hollywood and Skrtel sent off so we were down to 9 men. But the Spuds were the better side that day.

2-1 LFC with Luis and Stevie G claiming the heroics.

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 2:07 PM GMT reply actions

If anyone deserved a pint or two

It was Luis…

www.secondcityhockey.com
www.anfieldasylum.com

by SamFels on Feb 6, 2012 4:50 PM GMT up reply actions

You are correct sir!

Check your e-mail.

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 5:24 PM GMT up reply actions

Spurs are a quality side

but after this run we had where they did not fold with Luis on the shelf I am feeling pretty good about our chances against anyone right now.

my hope is that the ugly loss at Bolton is like the Green Bays ugly loss to Detroit 2 seasons ago Where it fired the team up and they finished the second half of the season red hot. 4th place is there for the taking if they are willing to man up and grab it.

my only fear is that Luis wo’t stay within himself and lets the game come to him. he does not need to do it all by himself and no one blames him for the suspension(well on our side) Go out play with in the team and good things will happen.

"Liverpool versus United is tribal and the lesson of history, whether we like it or not, is that it is not going to change any time soon," Daniel Taylor

by WSB Chris on Feb 6, 2012 5:08 PM GMT reply actions

Kaboul is out apparently for the Spurs. He is their 6’3" defender. Hopefully with him out AC can get some good looks on corners and set peices.

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 6:13 PM GMT reply actions

and just thinking about Luis Suarez and Bellamy must make King’s kneecaps twitch.

Bye Travis and thanks for 2010! Good luck with the Brewers!

by kennv on Feb 6, 2012 6:23 PM GMT up reply actions

Line up

Pepe

Kelly – Skrtel – Agger – Johnson

Spearing – Gerrard – Adam – Kuyt

Bellers AC

Apparently JE has a knock.

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 6:51 PM GMT reply actions

This is the lineup that is being tossed around by many ITK’s

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 6:53 PM GMT up reply actions

Bench of Suarez, Doni, Downing, Hendo, Coates, Aurelio, Carra

for Spurs:
Friedel
Assou-Ekkoto King Dawson Walker
Livermoore Parker Krancjar Bale
Modric
Adebayor

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 6, 2012 7:26 PM GMT up reply actions

Dense Fog

is apparently covering Anfield but the ref has stated that the match will start as planned.

This is good news as several key players for the Spurs are either out or nursing injuries.

Come On You Reds!!!

YNWA

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 6:52 PM GMT reply actions

watching LFCtv

looks pretty thick time to bring out the orange or yellow football :)

"Liverpool versus United is tribal and the lesson of history, whether we like it or not, is that it is not going to change any time soon," Daniel Taylor

by WSB Chris on Feb 6, 2012 7:25 PM GMT up reply actions

hopefully optimistic

the lineup is nice, although i would love je. I’m looking for gerrard to use his physicality. come on you reds

Follow @Arbuch02

by arbuch02 on Feb 6, 2012 7:03 PM GMT via Android app reply actions

Disappointed with Luis being left on bench

Give him a run.

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 7:07 PM GMT up reply actions

sometimes I do not understand Kenny

Man was not out injured is Kenny worried about rust ? why not start both him and Andy

"Liverpool versus United is tribal and the lesson of history, whether we like it or not, is that it is not going to change any time soon," Daniel Taylor

by WSB Chris on Feb 6, 2012 7:14 PM GMT up reply actions

I am fairly sure he has trained and even if he can only play 60 mins then bring Bellers on.

Oh well.

Would love to have seen the 4-3-3 type of attack that Mr. Dowley talked about in his comments in the MoM post the other day.

But Spurs have quite the attacking options, but they are missing a few key players. Still Modric, Bale, and Adebayor are a good attacking side!

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 7:26 PM GMT up reply actions

I'd expect him to come in around the 60 minute mark

for Bells to rest his knees, or Carroll if he’s playing poor.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 6, 2012 7:27 PM GMT up reply actions

How do you choose

Since AC typically only has about 15-20 minutes of brilliance per match?

by NC Nole on Feb 6, 2012 7:28 PM GMT up reply actions

We'll see how the game plays out

I’m assuming the target is to bring him on at some point for Bells since he has trouble going a full 90. But if Carroll has a bad half, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing just how long the old knees can go and letting him and Suarez terroize the equally ailing knees of Ledley King.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 6, 2012 7:30 PM GMT up reply actions

No Redknapp fog/weather kept his fight from London getting in

"Liverpool versus United is tribal and the lesson of history, whether we like it or not, is that it is not going to change any time soon," Daniel Taylor

by WSB Chris on Feb 6, 2012 7:31 PM GMT reply actions