If I were Rafa... I wouldn't tell anyone till Sat afternoon but here goes Reina Finnan Carra Agger Riise Yossi Alonso Masch Gerrard Kewell Torres Carson Sami Babel Kuyt Crouch
It was hard to tell in previous seasons who he would pick and it with so many attacking options its even harder. I'm going with a defensive mode in mind reina finnan carra agger riise penant momo alonso babel gerrard torres or if rafa is feeling a bit frisky reina finnan carra agger riise pennant gerrard alonso babel kuyt torres left side for me is still a problem. It be awesome if Harry is feeling good and playing well.
Maschearano won't play, because of his rest following the Copa America...ok, my team would be Reina Finnan Carragher Aggar Riise Pennant Gerrard Alonso Yossi Kuyt Torres
I think the last time we won our opening game of the season was about 4/5 years ago and was away to Aston Villa,so hopefully a good omen. Think he might go for this team,the 2 wingers could easily be Benayoun and Babel but will go for the other 2. No doubt he will suprise us all! ----------------------------Reina Finnan-------Carragher----------Agger--------Riise Pennant---------Gerrard---------Alonso--------Kewell -------------------Torres-----------Kuyt
The left wing is definitely the problem, and hopefully the Heinze situation is sorted out soon enough. I'm not sure what the rest of you think about Heinze playing for us? I think it's a case of mind over matter...and in essence, notwithstanding the fact that he is from the other side, he's one hell of a left back, a no nonsense defender...
Its hard to know what team he will pick for me that wets the appetite for the coming season. The thing is in most areas we have quality to replace quality. Rafa i don't think knows his best team but here it goes this is the team i think will start... Reina Finnan Carra Agger Riise Pennant or Yossi Gerrard Alonso Kewell or Yossi Kuyt Torres or Voronin subs Carson Hyypia Yossi or Pennant Kewell or Yossi Sissoko or Masche Crouch
im with u stevieg thats the team rafa will pick sat,hopefully it will get us of to a flyer.2-0 nando and stevie to get the goals.
All I would hope for is that he starts with two up front, and with Stevie in the middle. If he doesn't, then I'm sure he has his reasons, but I'd love to see it all the same. I think the defence picks itself, in midfield we might see Youssi, Stevie, Alonso and Babel across the park, with Torres and Kuyt up front. After all his barracking after the final in May I would imagine he'll be looking to parade our multi million pound accusisitions out on the pitch, instead of employing them as bench warmers which is why I think Babel and Torres will start.
-----------------Reina ----Finnan---Agger---Carra---Riise ----Pennant--Gerrard--Alonso--Yossi ------------Torres-----Kuyt SUBS: Itandje Hyypia Leiva Babbel Voronin
If Youssi is out of the squad, does anyone else get the feeling that Stevie G will be starting out on the right?
-------------------Safe Hands Pepe --Finnan------Dan Agger-------23-----------JA --Youssi------Alonso----------Captain------Babel --------------Kuyt-----------Torres
In fairness to Rafa he said that Stevie would be playing more in the middle, not necessarily for every game. To be honest, if our midfield today if Stevie on the right, Alonso and Momo in the middle, and Babel or Kewell on the left then I'd be confident enough of a win.
I know, i know, i just really want to see him in the middle! Would you prefer Momo instead of Masch? Ah In Rafa We Trust!