Liverpool vs Wigan 24 March 2012 Official Match Thread.

[cravenz]

Jon Flanagan and Jordan Henderson start for Liverpool against Wigan Athletic at Anfield this afternoon – listen live online from 2.55pm.

Kenny Dalglish makes two changes to the side that started at QPR in midweek as Flanagan comes in for Martin Kelly, while Henderson replaces Charlie Adam.

Youngsters Nathan Eccleston and Raheem Sterling are on the bench for the Reds.

Liverpool: Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Spearing, Henderson, Downing, Suarez, Kuyt. Subs: Doni, Coates, Carroll, Eccleston, Sterling, Shelvey, Aurelio.

Wigan: Al-Habsi, Beausejour, Figueroa, Caldwell, Alcaraz, Boyce, McCarthy, Maloney, McArthur, Di Santo, Moses. Subs: Kirkland, Thomas, Crusat, Watson, Gomez, Sammon, Stam.

[SoulPower7]

Poor Maxi. Eccleston, Sterling and Aurelio ahead of him.

[50pHead]

Can only hope Sterling and Shelvey get some game time now.

Come on REDS!

[RogerHuntelaar]

Flanno

Sterling Eccleston?

Youth?

Awesome!

[BabelCopter]

Flanno

Sterling Eccleston?

Youth?

Awesome!

[DiabyDoesGallas]

Gutted that Coates and Shelvy aren't playing - altho can understand

Why can you understand it? What possible reason is there for playing Carragher over Coates?

[MiroTheRed]

Draw or 1zip to wigan

Shame about maxi.. He played well against stoke

[JC87]

Looking forward to seeing Sterling get some game time Cmon Redmen

[wadsten]

Spot on by Kenny in putting some youngsters in the squad, we don't have anything to play for in the league anyway. Missing Maxi though.

[SweetSilverSeven]

Liking the bench

Still don't get why Carroll's not playing
Maybe something to with his attitude in training?

[Bellerpool]

Made up to see Sterling on the bench, but do feel Coates deserved to start.

[BabelCopter]

Why can you understand it? What possible reason is there for playing Carragher over Coates?

My theory is it's a case of a gradual learning process. Carra is the better player right now, but Coates will be in a year. Instead of throwing him in at the deep end, we're letting him splash around in the shallow section for a while

[SweetSilverSeven]

Maxi's missing out
Adam's injured....

Is there anyone else significant who is missing out?

[CampEddie]

I hope that if he has the kids on the bench at least one of them gets 25 minutes. Dont mind who, but to come on with 3 mins of injury time is a waste of a journey for the youngsters (unless it is for an injury)
Coates over carra missed opportunity to get more minutes under his belt

[Heighway501]

Why can you understand it? What possible reason is there for playing Carragher over Coates?

It is a bit puzzling. Maybe KK reckons that Carra's leadership will be essential for Flanno?

[MiroTheRed]

Lol can't believe Aurelio is playing in front of maxi.

[DiabyDoesGallas]

Maxi's missing out
Adam's injured....

Is there anyone else significant who is missing out?

Bellamy.

[Matt-IOW]

Is Maxi injured, coz thats a kick in the nuts if hes not!!

[KopiteSpartan]

Really don't understand the Carroll benching. He's never going to improve if we don't play him is he?

Will be surprised if Sterling gets a go, but nice to see him on the bench nonetheless.

[Terrytibbs]

Liking the bench

Still don't get why Carroll's not playing
Maybe something to with his attitude in training?

I don't think Carroll needs to play every game. All depends on the opposition probably, he's an option.

[WineForMyMen]

Flanno

Sterling Eccleston?

Youth?

Awesome!

Giving youth meaningful pitch time is another thing.

Just ask Shelvey about the vital experience he's gained in the past 3 months on the bench.

[Cumbrian.]

Lol can't believe Aurelio is playing in front of maxi.

He isn't. He's on the bench as a fullback.

[little-hodge]

I suppose at this point in tge league, it is what it is.

I just hope we dominate and score 6, it would nice to see some sort of reponse with their performance, rather than talk.

More than any player on the bench i want jonjo on. I rate him very highly, and unfortunately i may admiring him from a different team.

Come on boys, give us a win

[DiabyDoesGallas]

I don't think Carroll needs to play every game. All depends on the opposition probably, he's an option.

Wigan at home?!

[benfraser54]

My theory is it's a case of a gradual learning process. Carra is the better player right now, but Coates will be in a year. Instead of throwing him in at the deep end, we're letting him splash around in the shallow section for a while

I'd argue Coates is at least as good as Carra right now. Even if he isn't right now, he's going to be our CB for the next decade, whereas Carra has another year max. Poor selection IMO.

[kazonuk]

Can only hope Sterling and Shelvey get some game time now.

Come on REDS!

this ^

give them the last 30 mins (hopefully we'll be a few goals to the good by then anyway)

[50pHead]

Looks like Kenny choose the starting 11 while hammered last night, woke up this morning realised what he had done so put a bench together that would keep a few of us quite.

[GotTheMovesLikeAgger]

Giving youth meaningful pitch time is another thing.

Just ask Shelvey about the vital experience he's gained in the past 3 months on the bench.

If Sterling is all he is cracked up to be then he should be starting now with nothing left to play for in the league. May as well let him get 6/7 games under his belt. And if he impresses then put him in contention for the FA cup games. He's learning nothing in the reserves. Chuck him in, sink or swim. If he's good enough he will swim.

And Coates should be playing. He's the future of this club not Carra.

[ToTaLxTc]

Liking the bench

Still don't get why Carroll's not playing
Maybe something to with his attitude in training?

Kenny doesn't rate him...

[bonou2]

Delighted to see sterling on the bench kenny prob won't even give the lad a run.