A relatively full-strength Liverpool travel to the Madejski to face Reading in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, and a transfer window pickup?
Liverpool: Reina, Darby, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Gerrard, Aurelio, Torres, Ngog.
Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Spearing, Degen.
Reading: Federici, Gunnarsson, Mills, Ingimarsson, Bertrand, McAnuff, Cisse, Karacan, Sigurdsson, Church, Rasiak.
Subs: Hamer, Tabb, Long, Kebe, Robson-Kanu, Pearce, Howard.
Surprisingly strong Liverpool side today, with a 4-4-2 looking to be the most likely formation. Stephen Darby fills in for the injured Glen Johnson, and David Ngog will be in support of Fernando Torres. He's been a bit of a forgotten man in recent weeks, but he was really starting to come good right when Torres found full fitness. This lineup seems like a bit of a statement of intent from Rafa for the FA Cup--I wondered awhile ago how seriously Rafa would be taking both remaining cup competitions, and hopefully today's an indicator that Liverpool will press in the competition...but it could just as well be a result of eight days off to come.
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News yesterday that Liverpool are after Argentinean and Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez. Apparently some offloading needs to be done in order to finance this move, but when the offloading involves fifteen pounds of failure-scented ponytail, I'm in favor of it. Wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool also look to find a wingback in the transfer window, if nothing else than to secure an able-bodied replacement for the walking wounded. Stephen Darby works today, but I doubt Rafa has the confidence to throw him into the starting eleven in league, and Carra and Agger have been too solid in the middle to consistently break up.