Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Open Thread: Liverpool v. Arsenal

Could today's match be as big as the match 20 years past pictured above?


Big 4 tilt today in the Premier League. Liverpool hopes to continue to press Man U in the title chase and Arsenal hopes to continue its fine form and 18 match unbeaten streak.

Both sides will be at less than full strength. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard remains out with an adductor injury. Arsenal will have several key players in the Krankenhaus. Strikers Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin Van Persie are both out, William Gallas, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou and Manuel Almunia will all miss the tie, but fullback Bacary Sagna and striker Eduardo will mark their return.

Full lineups and a bit of Championship chatter for Bigus after the jump.

Arsenal
Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Denilson, Nasri, Bendtner
Subs: Mannone, Diaby, Eduardo, Vela, Walcott, Ramsey, Eboue

Liverpool
Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Riera, Kuyt, Torres
Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, El Zhar, Lucas, Babel, Ngog, Dossena


Whilst we get all wrapped up in a Big 4 matchup, lest we not forget some especially important matchups in the Fizzy Drink. Bigus' beloved Canaries do not hold fate in their hands and need results to go their way to ensure safety. So keep your eyes on the following matches:

Derby County v. Reading - if Reading win a playoff spot will be secured and will have little to play for against Norwich on the 27th.

Coventry City v. Barnsley - on the other end Barnsley sits in the last safe spot ahead of Norwich. Obviously a Coventry win is needed badly for the Birdies. Bigus IMs me saying Coventry owes Norwich for something or rather, but honestly, this is sport there is no oweing except for the gamblers. Let us just hope for the best Norwich results.

199 comments:

Spectator said...

After today, Denilson will have started more games for Arsenal this season than any other player *sigh*

Unknown said...

Please let us win

Email us at said...

Scousers! Give us a win! Scousers, Scousers give us a win.

/Still holding out hope, though drawing against Franco Zola's pink and blue army was no help

Unknown said...

I repeat: Please let us win

BackBergtt said...

2-0 Agger and Yossi.

Unknown said...

No seriously... we need to win this one.

The Fan's Attic said...

Come on you Reds, I just bought a new LFC jacket, let me wear it proudly tonight at the Blazers playoff game.

Unknown said...

Georger: I like that! I'm guessing a typical 40-yard drive from DaniAgger and a difficult shot from a tight angle for Yossi's goal?

I feel like they're signature moves at this point.

Unknown said...

KILL STEVEN COHEN

Unknown said...

COME ON YOU SKY BLUES


Do it for Delia
Do it for Bigus
Do it for Alan Partridge

Please Coventry, beat Barnsley for us.

Bigus Dickus said...

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY BLLLLLLLLLLLLLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Unknown said...

see folks? He really, really wants Coventry to win.

Unknown said...

I am on a one-man crusade to pagination

Unknown said...

With Yossi in the lineup, I feel confidence. With no Lucas in the lineup, I feel doubly confident.

The Fan's Attic said...

I got this one.

Nathaniel said...

Coventry Open Thread?

Nathaniel said...

@The Fan's Attic

Didn't Paulie Walnuts wear that in Season 3 of The Sopranos? ;-)

Unknown said...

TFA: it's a sweet jacket. I just bought the same one for my lady. I wear the red one, though not at the same time as she's wearing that one, as that would be weird.

Unknown said...

Also, please don't mention that game with Michael Thomas. It still makes me sad, though I know the result reinvigorated football at a time when it needed it most, etc etc etc

Email us at said...

It's alright to be weird, LB. The wifey and I have an away and home Villa shirt, respectively.

Though we only occasionally both wear them for Villa games.

Unknown said...

Keith: I'm not opposed to the owning of the complimenting team jackets, just the idea of wearing them out at the same time.

Unknown said...

ha ha, no Capello at Anfield, but Stuart Pearce is there. Still, I'm not sure who he's there to watch! There's barely an Englishman between these two sides!

Spectator said...

@LB: Kieran Gibbs!!

The Fan's Attic said...

Sadly, they only had the white one...I would have preferred a red one, but beggars can't be choosers.

Unknown said...

@Spectator: ah yes! Plus he can watch Walcott's form on le bench.

Teeknuts said...

Wow, Agger's actually starting? I like this.

The NY Kid said...

Fabianski, don't make me beat you.

EbullientFatalist said...

I wish I could participate, alas I cannot. But, I see this ending in a 2-2 draw.

WhiteSpeedReceiver said...

@LB: Cohen's dad is a Spurs fan. And fandom is usually genetic.

BackBergtt said...

Good to get a shot on net to start, nice little move.

Unknown said...

@WSR so he's been a big fanboy of no less than THREE London clubs? Laaaame

BackBergtt said...

Looks like I'll have to deal with the choppy YES feed, every other sopcast feed appears to be down

The NY Kid said...

wow, actual good keeping from Fabs.

@Georger - I'm in the same situation. Choppy YES or nothign

BackBergtt said...

Two highest represented teams on here and it's a graveyard. What the hell?

Unknown said...

I'm too nervous to type, lest karma intervene

jape said...

I've a veetle link that is working pretty well. Requires a software install but it's my work computer - what could possibly go wrong?

BackBergtt said...

The YES feed isn't terrible, just happens to buffer whenever there's a scoring chance!

Nice save.

Yeah I don't trust that Veetle jive at all. I prefer to kill my computer with porn and bootleg games.

BackBergtt said...

NERVY

BackBergtt said...

I thought it was pronounced like the Looney Tunes character, clown on me.

Unknown said...

COME ON LADS

Love the bright start. Fabianski's already atoned for his efforts at the weekend with a string of good stops.

Teeknuts said...

The good news is that I found a stream for Stoke-Blackburn....wait, that's horrible news.

WhiteSpeedReceiver said...

I'm in the office for the first time since about Jan 4th. I have to hide my reading and posting activities.

Come on, Gunners. Now I need to shower.

BackBergtt said...

Does Arshavin play for Liverpool? Otherwise that was one of the stupidest flags I've seen this season.

jape said...

Nice pick by Nasri. Dispossessed is one of my favorite words not found here in 'Merica.

BackBergtt said...

Jape you don't watch enough hockey then.

Unknown said...

I am refreshing far too many windows on my browser. BBC, Sky, Twitter, UF, Guardian... looking for goals, pleeeeeeease

BackBergtt said...

The color guy absolutely hates Liverpool, who is this?

jape said...

True enough Georger. If (when) Arsenal score I want to see a Micheal Thomas backwards-roll-over-headstand celebration. How cool would that be?

The NY Kid said...

the fact that we are the EPL's best defensive team despite all the injuries really shows how class Clichy and Sagna are

BackBergtt said...

Good to see the calls are going one way ...

The NY Kid said...

wow. Even I would have called that on Silvestre

BackBergtt said...

Yossi just broke some ankles .... unfortunately this team is legally forbidden from scoring off corners.

Unknown said...

How do you figure, NYK? We've only conceded 21 in the EPL, same as Man U. Chelsea have conceded 20, while Arsenal have conceded 28.

jape said...

Bentner miss? That's unpossible.

Teeknuts said...

Does Arsene really think this is ridiculously-puffy jacket weather?

BackBergtt said...

Best since the New Year, I'm sure he meant

BackBergtt said...

Toure = Senderos in black face?

The NY Kid said...

@LB - that's what the announcer said. I was surprised at the statement, so you're probably right.

Unknown said...

Torres is taking some wicked shots

BackBergtt said...

NYK - it's fewest in 2009.

So close to my Agger prediction.

Unknown said...

so close!!! COME ON YOU REDS


Lovely game thus far

The NY Kid said...

aha - did they mention that and I missed it, or did they just fail to clarify?

BackBergtt said...

They said in 2009, which is a bit confusing I suppose.

The NY Kid said...

eh, I was most likely just tuning them out

Teeknuts said...

Arshavin was positively Lucas-like there

Unknown said...

@Georger @NYK That and it's a wonderful non-stat. I mean, if conceding the fewest goals in 2009 meant something, then I'd see their point. I'll never tire of the fruitless pursuit of stats

Email us at said...

Well, of course in 2009- they stopped playing matches against Agbonlahor in 2008 (ironically enough, Gabby went dry the second Arsenal was passed on the schedule)

BackBergtt said...

They're leading the league in ninth inning doubles during the month of August.

Jacob said...

golazo!!

Jacob said...

Blame Rafa, Georger, blame Rafa.

Fabianski!

jape said...

The little Russian hitman! One-Nil to the Arsenal....

Unknown said...

that sucks

The NY Kid said...

extremely close to offsides, and also close to hitting the bar andcoming out

BackBergtt said...

I mean horrible mistake by Mascherano, but that was never onside.

Kevin said...

He looked even with a defender on the far side. My feed is so bad I can't tell who it is though.

Unknown said...

that's it, Arsenal. Capitulate in the games that count, then come to life in this fixture that holds almost no value to you whatsoever.

Cunts

Jacob said...

Fabianski is now scared to leave his line.

/onside. 2 players.

jape said...

That's on-sides to me.

/expecting a "fuck-you" any time now.

BackBergtt said...

Eh maybe it was, his body was offside but his feet were even, and that's what matters. It's on Mascherano regardless.

Jacob said...

There's some buffoonery, LB

BackBergtt said...

How many chances does Yossi need ..

Unknown said...

u75: I mean the kind of buffoonery that counts for something, like a goal

WhiteSpeedReceiver said...

Hopefully one more than he gets, Georger.

Jacob said...

Well, he tried his best to help. Who knew there would be someone on the line?

The Fan's Attic said...

i believe the rule is any part of the body in an offside position, not just the feet. that may be the rule, but it is likely not the practice.

Jacob said...

pepe reina: sweeper-keeper

Jacob said...

He was a good foot behind two defenders. Semantics on the rules don't matter.

BackBergtt said...

No way in hell was he behind. Even at best, but come on.

Whatever, it's on Mascherano, that's the second major blunder this season against a top four team, not sure why he keeps doing that.

Unknown said...

If I were an Arse fan, I'd be happy to be in front at half-time considering the lopsided run of the game, although I'd be pissed that Fabianski waited until a random EPL match to suddenly remember how to play in goal, instead of those heroics on, say, Saturday.

Still, fuck 'im.

Unknown said...

@Georger: agreed, though doing it twice doesn't constitute "keeps doing that"

BackBergtt said...

Yeah I thought that as I typed it but couldn't think of a way to not make it sound like a pattern. The bitch of it was, it was a great play to get the ball away in the corner to start with, and probably should have been booted away rather than passed to the box.

The NY Kid said...

is everyone else getting bad 80s dance music at halftime on their feed with video of another match?

BackBergtt said...

If this result doesn't change, I'm breaking my cardinal rule and hoping for a blood bath of Cherokee hair tampon proportions at the hands of United in the semis.

BackBergtt said...

Indeed, and hey look at the ponce in the scarf!

Spectator said...

And it's Arsenal, Arsenal FC!
We're by far the greatest team, The world has ever seen!

BackBergtt said...

No souls, the lot of you. I'm coming out swinging in Baltimore.

:mad:

jape said...

I will be surprised to see Arse keep a clean sheet. This game has at least one Scouse goal written all over it. We need a few more. Say another from Ashavin and one from Eduardo late to seal it. Come On You Gunners!

The NY Kid said...

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE BELONG!

BackBergtt said...

*slams head on desk*

BackBergtt said...

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The Fan's Attic said...

weeeeeee!!!!!!!

juuuuuusssssstttt!!!!!!!!!

scooooooooorrrrrrreeedddd!!!!!!!!!

jape said...

Well that didnt take long. Another poor non clearance.

The NY Kid said...

now that was some shite defending

The Fan's Attic said...

i have a feeling we will be seeing at least one more from torres and possible two.

hockalees said...

Bendtner is fucking jogging out there... is there NO ONE to sub in who will at least run?!?

jape said...

Did Arsenal end up with only 9 players coming back out after the half?

hockalees said...

Benyoun 2-1

BackBergtt said...

LUIS GARCIA PART TWO MUHFUCKAS

BackBergtt said...

hahaha nevermind that was a yard in, great catch by Webb (never thought I'd say that)

hockalees said...

Fabianski is poor... but Silvestre and Gibbs are absolute shite... they keep back passing to Fabs with a guy bearing down on him. There goes 4th.

BackBergtt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Fan's Attic said...

what the hell just happened? stupid text not being descriptive enough.

Arshavin goal up at 101 and it was close probably a fair call.

BackBergtt said...

Hm not Xabi's best game, can't blame him for taking that shot though.

The Fan's Attic said...

pretty good fantasy soccer day for me as well since I have all three goal scorers on my Yahoo team.

The Fan's Attic said...

but at least he got the sand out for Riera. that was nice.

BackBergtt said...

Harsh booking, that was accidental.

BackBergtt said...

I've got class in twenty five minutes. Looks like I'll be a bit late for the last day.

Spectator said...

Clearly my little song has jinxed Arsenal

Jim Hendry said...

it should be 7-1 Liverpool at the mo... ergo, it makes sense it'll end 2-2

Teeknuts said...

I don't like Walcott coming on, remembering what he did against Liverpool in the CL still gives me nightmares.

The NY Kid said...

well that was something. a brilliant strike from the midget Russian

The Fan's Attic said...

so i guess both of these sides have decided no defense for the rest of the season?

Teeknuts said...

I'm getting ready for a hectic last 20 minutes here, that definitely wasn't the last goal

BackBergtt said...

Hattrick

theres your season

Three horrible balls by Liverpool. Wow Carragher.

BackBergtt said...

Excuse me, Aurelio.

SOOOO... fullbacks eh?

The NY Kid said...

oh boy. the Russian with a hatty on 3 defensive errors

BackBergtt said...

I cannot fucking believe what I'm seeing. Two horrendous turnovers by fullbacks have cost us a title shot. GOD DAMNIT

Jim Hendry said...

so just 2 goals to save our season now?

The Fan's Attic said...

well, at least it's clear, sunny, and eighty degrees outside.

i'm checking to see if the sky is falling though.

Teeknuts said...

So why didn't Insua start? He did well against Arsenal last time we played them.

BackBergtt said...

"WHY THE FUCK WASN'T THE RUSSIAN STARTING AGAINST CHELSEA?!"

Chelsea wouldn't make mistakes like those last two probably.

The NY Kid said...

@Kevin - because Abramovich has ties to the Russian mafia?

BackBergtt said...

UH OH TORRES

Teeknuts said...

I guess I was right when I said there was going to be more goals. What the fuck is going on at Anfield?

Jim Hendry said...

wow. I'm having deja vu from last Wednesday

Spectator said...

WTF?

Goat said...

This is insane and I haven't seen shit all because I can't find a decent feed. Anyone having any luck?

BackBergtt said...

YES feed on myp2p

The Fan's Attic said...

Liverpool has 29 goals in the last 9 matches in all comps.

Teeknuts said...

Every time I refresh the Guardian Minute by Minute I'm expecting at least like 3 more goals to show up

BackBergtt said...

Rafa has gotta make another sub at some point right? Nabil for Monster Masche?

Goat said...

Thanks, Georger but I haven't had any luck with that or any other myp2p feed.

jape said...

Liverpool has 19 shots - 11 on goal. WTF!

Teeknuts said...

Once again, the only clear choice here is Dossena to score the fourth. Into both nets.

jape said...

From the ESPN soccercast feed guy -

Arsenal are defending like they've been doped with Rohypnol.

The Fan's Attic said...

did torres just come thisclose to scoring his third?

BackBergtt said...

Yes, Gibbs cleared it with his face on the line.

BackBergtt said...

If there isn't at least five minutes of stoppage time.

phil said...

GET IN!!!! Cardiff and Conventry both find equalizers! BD must be ecstatic!

The Fan's Attic said...

i think all the goal scoring broke gamecast.

The Fan's Attic said...

come on, it's Torres Time!!!

hockalees said...

FOUR!!!!!

BackBergtt said...

Jesus.

Well it was nice.

jape said...

LOOK AT THAT RUN! YESYESYESYES!!!

Goat said...

Holy fuck! What's going on?

The NY Kid said...

all due to Walcott's speed.

and this Arshavin kid may be alright

Teeknuts said...

fuuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkkk. Come on Arsenal, at least have the decency to do the same to United.

jape said...

This is rizz-diculousness!

hockalees said...

4-4 What a game

BackBergtt said...

WOW

BackBergtt said...

Greatest game in Premier League history. I'm calling it right fucking now.

Teeknuts said...

You have got to be fucking kidding me. This is beyond incomprehensible.

The NY Kid said...

umm, I must protest.

Teeknuts said...

One more thing..

SUPER JEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!

Teeknuts said...

I wouldn't be surprised if a late late late late winner came for either team

The Fan's Attic said...

paginate. i think my browser my be on fire from all the scoring.

The NY Kid said...

I'm exhausted

Teeknuts said...

Ok Arsenal, do that, except with better defending, three times against United. Godspeed.

BackBergtt said...

No, Aurelio and Arbeloa have put on a wonderful display of incompetence. Massively blown dominated game. Ridiculous.

Arsene will lay down against United, book it.

Precious Roy said...

Jesus crispies.

I am suddenly saddended we didn't win a match we had no business even being in. Arsenal: 4 shots on goal. 4 goals. Liverpool: Where fucking insanely crazy happens.

jape said...

It's def. time for a beer or 30.

See ya.

Teeknuts said...

On the bright side, there's another ridiculous picture of Arshavin on the Guardian. I can't believe that I thought he wasn't going to be that great.

BackBergtt said...

Meh. Their first goal was all Cesc. Second, while a brilliant strike, was all Arbeloa. Third was all Aurelio. Fourth was 100% Walcott.

That's right assholes, I'm saying a four goal performance wasn't as good as it looks.

Precious Roy said...

With apologies to Jack Buck, I still don't believe what I just saw.

BackBergtt said...

Okay so let's look at this realistically. The games in which United could CONCEIVABLY drop points ...

Spurs: They're playing great and can score goals. But it's at the Theatre of Soggy Biscuits so I would be shocked at a draw

City: Have Robinho. But Hughes will lay down for his future employer. Against, at United.

Arsenal: Sorry but I don't trust Arsene to field anywhere near a decent side at that point in the season

Hull: jk

Precious Roy said...

I actually think Spuds are going to beat United.

But unless a shaman puts a magic touch to Gallas' knee and he can play again this season, the Arse is toast at United.

Anonymous said...

that was bittersweet

sweet because i love how my club is continually capable of doing that

bitter because...
well...

Anonymous said...

GET IN PETER CROUCH

Precious Roy said...

Remember Mike, Arsenal aren't clear of Villa just yet. Villa has an insanely easy finishing stretch and could run the table from this point on.

Granted with wins against Portsmouth, Stoke, and Boro, Arsenal can't be caught mathematically. But we go to Fratton Park and Dr. Teeth has had Wenger's number the last couple of seasons. And with defending like that, anything is possible. So Arsenal still need to pick up points against United and Chelsea if at all possible.

BackBergtt said...

Villa couldn't beat Rhianna right now.
You've got nothing to worry about

/topical

Precious Roy said...

Oh lordy... just because our money signing is panning out and didn't have to be shipped back to where he came at a loss, don't get all United on him.

BackBergtt said...

LOOK AT HIM, tell me that isn't the face of a smug United player.

And Robbie Keane could have scored those gifts as well, and been fat all the while.

BackBergtt said...

I meant to link

BackBergtt said...

He looks like the mechanical fish from the Fillet'o'fish commercial.

Precious Roy said...

Bolton, Hull, Fulham, Boro, Newcastle. That's 15 points. Even with Villa's form.

BackBergtt said...

You think that paper thin squad of football manager superstars is walking into The RBK, Craven Cottage, and The Riverside and taking nine points? I just don't see it.

BackBergtt said...

They lost at home to Boro and drew at home to Fulham, back when they were playing respectably, as a point of reference.

Precious Roy said...

The Reebok and the Riverside? Totally.

Craven Cottage might be a bit taller order as Fulham have been pretty stout at home. But the Cottagers are likely to have nothing to play for at that point (save maybe the Fair Play spot).

BackBergtt said...

Hey Boro may suck but they do not give up a lot of goals at home.

Precious Roy said...

And they score fewer.

Point remains: Until Villa drop points, Wenger will have to try to get something from every match still on the schedule.

BackBergtt said...

True, but still I think with two games left, fourth place will be settled.

Email us at said...

Georger, Garethdinho is going to be playing either for a transfer to Pool (which will solve your corner kick troubles), or CL play at Villa Park- I fully expect him to bulge the auld onion sack at Boro.

Also, our home form has been terrible this year (not terrible enough to lose to Hull and the Geordies on their awful form, though-- plus, I'll be there to wave some luck over Villa and see Newcastle earn their relegation papers- whoopee!). It's been our away form that's kept us in fifth (with a Moyes' Boys loss tomorrow) even with this terrible stretch. So yes, Villa can definitely take 9 points at the RBK, Riverside and Cottage.

BackBergtt said...

If Benitez sells Alonso to get Barry after this season, I swear I'm gonna cry. Unless they want Barry to play left back (which would be a massive fucking improvement at the moment), I don't see it happening. MON Yossi'ed himself out of some nice transfer funds with that one.

No disrespect meant to Villa, I just don't see anyone catching Arsenal right now.

Precious Roy said...

I don't see it either. But until it's a mathematical certainty, I'm not going to stop worrying.

BackBergtt said...

I remember what it was like to worry about fourth place. MEMMMORRIIIEESSS ...

Precious Roy said...

What was that, last year, or the year before? When was it you finished fifth?

Well, be happy. You have nothing to worry about, not first, not fourth. Nothing. You've got five matches left to jockey with Chelsea for position.

BackBergtt said...

THAT WASN'T MEANT AS A SHOT AT ARSENAL

And it was four years ago thankyou.

BackBergtt said...

Wow, dead on piece on what the PFA shortlist should look like. Good to see some non United blowing from the media every once and then.

Precious Roy said...

Glad to see he got Jagielka right.