2019-20 Carabao Cup

[Chimaera]

You can’t field just your u23. They need some veterans to help hold the structure and do some of the work.

I feel they should try in every match they play, but if they went out of the Carabao, so be it.

 

[YNWA14]

You can’t field just your u23. They need some veterans to help hold the structure and do some of the work.

I feel they should try in every match they play, but if they went out of the Carabao, so be it.

Yeah of course, Lijnders goes into detail on this in his pre-game press conference actually. Create insulated environments on the pitch for young players to allow them room to make mistakes, to learn and to grow. There's still really no better substitute for senior experience than these kinds of games with the first team though. Liverpool have enough fringe first teamers to accomplish this until the later rounds.

 

[AB13]

I mean, I don't think it's anything to be upset about. I just think that framing this as fixture congestion when you're mostly using players who aren't playing in the CL/EPL is silly. For example, I don't think Arsenal is worried about fixture congestion for Ozil or Smith-Rowe or Martinelli or even Nelson and Willock. It also gave Tierney/Holding/Bellerin some game time, which is a plus. I'd be perfectly happy if Arsenal ran the following out against Liverpool, and wouldn't be even slightly concerned about fixture congestion for any of them, assuming the backline trio is still not fully fit:

Martinelli
Nelson - Ozil - Smith-Rowe
Burton - Willock
Tierney - Mavropanos - Holding - Bellerin
Martinez​

Have John-Jules, Balogun, AMN, Medley, Macey, Bola, and pickamidfielder on the bench.

Willock should play every Premier League game, but since he probably won't I would love exactly that lineup, and I would probably go with Sokratis or Luiz ahead of Mavropanos just to give us a higher chance of winning.

 

[bluesfan94]

You can’t field just your u23. They need some veterans to help hold the structure and do some of the work.

I feel they should try in every match they play, but if they went out of the Carabao, so be it.

Well yes, I agree. But how much is Lallana actually playing? Or Ox right now? Or Lovren/Gomez? Or Keita? They don't need to go a full 90 but game fitness is important too.

I agree that the Carabao isn't a big deal, but I think people discount it as a place for development and worry too much about fixture congestion for players that aren't really playing.

Yeah of course, Lijnders goes into detail on this in his pre-game press conference actually. Create insulated environments on the pitch for young players to allow them room to make mistakes, to learn and to grow. There's still really no better substitute for senior experience than these kinds of games with the first team though. Liverpool have enough fringe first teamers to accomplish this until the later rounds.

Exactly. Or even into the later rounds because the Carabao isn't a huge deal

 

[Chimaera]

They might not be playing, but if one of your starting 11 pulls up lame in training or takes a knock in a match, you might have just used a guy to go 90 who you might have thought to brought on.

It isn’t the end of the world, and depth is a good thing, but the competition is a net negative for Liverpool

 

[hatterson]

They might not be playing, but if one of your starting 11 pulls up lame in training or takes a knock in a match, you might have just used a guy to go 90 who you might have thought to brought on.

It isn’t the end of the world, and depth is a good thing, but the competition is a net negative for Liverpool

Yes, but by that logic they shouldn't try in the carabao cup, FA cup, or club world cup.

Yea sure if Wij pulls up with a hamstring injury in a PL game your sub options might be moderately affected by guys you used 4 days earlier, but again, if your players can't deal with playing 90 minutes on Wednesday and then a sub appearance on Saturday, they shouldn't be professionals.

 

[bluesfan94]

Yes, but by that logic they shouldn't try in the carabao cup, FA cup, or club world cup.

Yea sure if Wij pulls up with a hamstring injury in a PL game your sub options might be moderately affected by guys you used 4 days earlier, but again, if your players can't deal with playing 90 minutes on Wednesday and then a sub appearance on Saturday, they shouldn't be professionals.

Honestly, pick either the Champions League or the PL. Don't want to risk a guy getting hurt on a wednesday if you want to play him Sunday

 

[YNWA14]

So yeah, Liverpool will be getting a fine for fielding an ineligible player and nothing really more to see.

 

[Cassano]

 

[YNWA14]

Would make sense if the cups had the same governing bodies. Precedent was set before with fines.

 

[hatterson]

So yeah, Liverpool will be getting a fine for fielding an ineligible player and nothing really more to see.

The most offensive part of this is apologizing to MK. No one should ever apologize to them for anything.

 

[hatterson]

Otamendi looked a hair offside on his goal. Not that it'll likely matter.

 

[hatterson]

Oxford United through to the quarters!

Come on you yellows!

 

[bluesfan94]

Oxford United through to the quarters!

Come on you yellows!

I'm so pumped for this.

 

[HoseEmDown]

Oxford United through to the quarters!

Come on you yellows!

Oxford vs Colchester, one minnow through to the Semi's?

But the FA will somehow get it to be City vs Oxford and Man U/Chelsea vs Colchester.

 

[YNWA14]

Here we go.

Liverpool are going to be in tough for this one. Vast experience advantage in the Arsenal team, especially at the back. Though it will be good to see Brewster and Elliott against what is essentially a top 6 starting backline and defensive midfield (Torreira, who hilariously can't get into the starting XI over Xhaka).

 

[robertmac43]

Martinelli starting in the middle is always fun, also happy to see Ozil get some minutes finally. I have been.

Ox will score this game, because it just makes sense.

 

[YNWA14]

Didn't even realize it but Chirivella on the bench; last minute insurance policy in case we're winning in the 90th minute I guess.

Martinelli starting in the middle is always fun, also happy to see Ozil get some minutes finally. I have been.

Ox will score this game, because it just makes sense.

I'm definitely interested to see how Liverpool cope with this Arsenal squad because IMO it looks like a top half PL team overall. Maitland-Niles and Willock have played a bunch and not looked out of place this season and Martinelli/Saka have lit up Europa League. It could get ugly against that really inexperienced Liverpool defence/keeper.

 

[Wee Baby Seamus]

Love today's Chelsea side. Starts for James, Guehi, and Gilmour, all of whom deserve it. Jorgi wearing the armband for the first time. Feels good.

 

[YNWA14]

Williams with a beauty ball already that Ox really should have done better with.

Harvey Elliott just has the composure and game-intelligence of a vet. Not the best finisher though.

 

[YNWA14]

BREWSTER (maybe Mustafi own goal)!

What a ball from Neco Williams AGAIN. Ox did much better this time.

 

[hatterson]

What a near post snipe by Mustafi.

 

[gary69]

What a near post snipe by Mustafi.

Good thing that he had the left leg there on the ground to avoid any change of missing.

 

[YNWA14]

They should keep targeting Mustafi he looks pretty unsettled early.

Ugh. Ox really needed a better touch there he had so much time.

 

[Savant]

Chamberlain has to bury that. Pulisic scores that.

Am I doing this right?