[sbu_large_image] Dugout Discussion
8 February 2014 2351 comments
Mark Mark
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The day’s eight Premier League fixtures begin with a lip-smacking encounter at Anfield and end with a tumultuous derby in South Wales. Let the drama, goals and Fantasy points flow.

Proceedings kick-off in just over five minutes with Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool hosting the league leaders. The Gunners arrive on Merseyside having won six of their last seven, halted only by a spritely Southampton showing on their previous away trip. Before that, Arsene Wenger’s side had won three consecutive matches on the road and only City have scored more goals on their travels all season. Similarly, Liverpool’s home form is strong. A total of 33 goals is again only bettered by Manuel Pellegrini’s side and the 2-2 draw with Villa in Gameweek 22 was the first time they’ve failed to win on home turf since back in September, when Southampton turned up and took the points back in Gameweek 5.

The statistics point to an almighty tussle, then, with the potent pairing of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez facing up to an Arsenal centre-back duo who have not tasted defeat as a partnership for 31 matches. Something surely has to give.

The team news from Anfield finds the home side unchanged with Raheem Sterling keeping his start in what could be a 4-3-3 or a standard 4-4-2 from Rodgers. Wenger makes one alteration – Jack Wilshere returns with Lukas Podolski dropping to the bench.

Our Dugout Discussion chatroom is now open to steer you through this early kick-off and will be ready and waiting for today’s three o’clock encounters.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

2,351 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. FPL Daniel
    12 years, 9 months ago

    How many assist Gerrard...? Who is on bp beside Skrtel

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    1. Heydudes13
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Go check.

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      1. FPL Daniel
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Superstition. I don't go on FPL page during games

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        1. JT's Dog
          12 years, 9 months ago

          All four then 😉

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        2. TheDogTor
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Two

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        3. Heydudes13
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Oh dear lol. Don't let OCD get the better of you. 😉

          2 assists for Gerrard, not sure about the bps.

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  2. Balotellitubbies
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Don't back Arsenal in the big games.

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    1. Declan
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Imagine if we were playing a big game today.

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      1. Jax
        12 years, 9 months ago

        they are.

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      2. Balotellitubbies
        12 years, 9 months ago

        😆 I'm actually finding this funny. Liverpool have taken pity on us now.

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    2. Jax
      12 years, 9 months ago

      this. newcastle is prob their best away win so far. all the other away wins were against the smaller sides plus they lost to both manchester clubs.

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  3. Jax
    12 years, 9 months ago

    arsenal haven't beaten any of the big teams away this season.

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    1. isacki: full casual
      12 years, 9 months ago

      To be fair, isn't the same true of Liverpool? Not counting Spurs. Liverpool have a superb gameplan today though.

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      1. Jax
        12 years, 9 months ago

        or at home.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          12 years, 9 months ago

          True story

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    2. onionbarje
      12 years, 9 months ago

      and lost to 'mid-table' Man U

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      1. Jax
        12 years, 9 months ago

        man u aren't mid table.

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        1. onionbarje
          12 years, 9 months ago

          but we are this season

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  4. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    12 years, 9 months ago

    The last time Sturridge went to the Cottage, he scored a hatrick.

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    1. Jax
      12 years, 9 months ago

      cue a 1-0 defeat then.

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    2. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      12 years, 9 months ago

      But he isn't at the cottage.

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      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        12 years, 9 months ago

        He is next week

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      2. Jax
        12 years, 9 months ago

        he means on wed night duh.

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    3. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Then got some fried chicken

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  5. HuttonDressedasLahm
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Glad I dumped all Arsenal on my WC last week 🙂

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    1. RabMac
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I kept Koscielny but he is benched today. 😉

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  6. Thick Of It
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Mertesacker to Azpi this week was less of a risky transfer than I initially thought.

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    1. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Oh you are jinxing it there! Azpil red card incoming now!!

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      1. Thick Of It
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Or just a no-show

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        1. MCH
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Would take that over Mert!

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  7. Nabs Kebabs
    12 years, 9 months ago

    if bendtner was playing

    it would be 4-0 to arsenal.

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    1. Give The Todd Some Love
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Harhar

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    2. Jax
      12 years, 9 months ago

      no it would be 8-0

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  8. Ed
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Looks like chelsea are going to have to show arsenal how it's done when we visit Anfield later on in the season

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    1. SuperOsçarBaby
      12 years, 9 months ago

      THIS

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  9. GreennRed
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Can BT take Owen off at halftime? Mr Amusing Anectodes. Jesus wept 🙁

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    1. Balotellitubbies
      12 years, 9 months ago

      He has minus charisma

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      1. GreennRed
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Less than that.

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  10. Zeeco
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Arsenal getting battered!! Shocking.

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    1. Heydudes13
      12 years, 9 months ago

      How dare Arsenal's pixies get battered?

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  11. Tim Canterbury
    12 years, 9 months ago

    The big question today was how would the best centre back partnership cope with the best strike partnership...Skrtel was the joker in the pack

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  12. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Jack Wilshere hasn't been booked yet, that's impressive

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    1. GreennRed
      12 years, 9 months ago

      He's trying more than the rest of the Arsenal team combined.

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  13. JT's Dog
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Wilshere has red card potential

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      12 years, 9 months ago

      good good

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    2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      12 years, 9 months ago

      He's been a pretty good thug this season; has all the attributes to be the new clattermole

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  14. HuttonDressedasLahm
    12 years, 9 months ago

    How much for a 4-4?

    If anyone can throw this away, Liverpool can

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    1. 4-4-who?
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think so. If it was Arsenal 4-0 then you'd be right...

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        12 years, 9 months ago

        I'd had to be you to answer 🙂

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  15. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Miniskirt actually scores when he wants.

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  16. Heydudes13
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Wilshere tries to dish it out, but sure as hell can't take it. 😆 #Glass

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  17. FACUPARSE
    12 years, 9 months ago

    I wonder if Wenger is gonna go nuts at the team??

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    1. Declan
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Nope

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    2. Sheep Flavour
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Nah....Hes on millions per year to win nothing and finish top four...if anything this year he is over achieveing.

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  18. Siva Mohan
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Prediction people..

    Liverpool 5 - Arsenal 3

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    1. 4-4-who?
      12 years, 9 months ago

      5-1

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 9 months ago

      5-2

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    3. JT's Dog
      12 years, 9 months ago

      May as well try for 8-0

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    4. Jax
      12 years, 9 months ago

      5-1

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  19. Transient Anus
    12 years, 9 months ago

    This game has given me a chubby.
    As I said earlier arsenal's defence is a myth. Flattered by the fixtures. They've had 3 and half tough away games this season. 1 point 13 conceded

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    1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      12 years, 9 months ago

      😎

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    2. Declan
      12 years, 9 months ago

      and your defence is rock solid. Simples.

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    3. isacki: full casual
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Arsenal's defence depends on the tactics used against them. This is a side that kept cleanies at Dortmund and Bayern and against Liverpool in the corresponding fixture, and also got wiped out by City and Liverpool today. Make it fast and we struggle

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      1. JT's Dog
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Too many attack minded mids, jog back rather than run.
        Flamini gap

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        1. isacki: full casual
          12 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah no presence in midfield and no destroyer. Also, a generally slow team all round the pitch as shown today.

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    4. SamH123
      12 years, 9 months ago

      they'd saved the highest % of shots on target in the league until this match which is normally a sign of luck

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    5. JT's Dog
      12 years, 9 months ago

      That is why I am arsenal free at moment

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    6. The Light Knight
      12 years, 9 months ago

      10 goals in 1 and a half matches.
      3 goals in 2 isn't bad against the best away from home

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  20. mr messi
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Owen shut up!

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    1. Balotellitubbies
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Almost Unlistenable might have to mute it. They need to make a Owen block plus app.

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  21. Optimus.
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Wenger will have no choice but to bring on Giroud for the 2nd half

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    1. Declan
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Please, no.

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      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Keep up 😉

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    2. HuttonDressedasLahm
      12 years, 9 months ago

      😆

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  22. Chris
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Really hope Vlaar and Clyne play now. Sagna first defensive sub.

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    1. 4-4-who?
      12 years, 9 months ago

      +1

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    2. GreennRed
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Me too. But Vlaar is almost definitely out.

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  23. Jax
    12 years, 9 months ago

    any sign my petition to get rid of michael owen as commentator.

    welcome to dullsville. population: him

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    1. mr messi
      12 years, 9 months ago

      I will!

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  24. FACUPARSE
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Blow the whistle ref

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    1. Jax
      12 years, 9 months ago

      lols

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  25. jas5sk - Youtube channel
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Why is Cissoko playing further up than the forward 😆

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  26. El Berbossa - \\\"El b…
    12 years, 9 months ago

    To be fair to Michael owen - he has watched a lot of football in recent years.

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    1. Jax
      12 years, 9 months ago

      won't he just go away?

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    2. 4-4-who?
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Yes. And getting well paid for it.

      #whatawasteofmoney

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  27. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    12 years, 9 months ago

    we really want this, come on liverpool!

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  28. Scottys Army
    12 years, 9 months ago

    As a Suarez non captainer I feel lucky SO FAR

    4 goals and only 1 assist

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Captain?

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      1. Scottys Army
        12 years, 9 months ago

        Benteke

        Decided to gamble , abit nervous.....

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    2. MCH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      12 years, 9 months ago

      Do many have him captain this week?

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  29. Heydudes13
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Won't be long until we'll be hearing #WengerOut from Arsenal's supposed 'faithfuls'.

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    1. Declan
      12 years, 9 months ago

      You wouldn't be a Utd fan by any chance?

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      1. onionbarje
        12 years, 9 months ago

        can you stop asking this question, he has a good point, this time last year majority of Arsenal fans wanted to Wenger out.

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        1. Declan
          12 years, 9 months ago

          A good point? 🙄

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  30. Elniñorules
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    12 years, 9 months ago

    Well played Liverpool.

    Great gameplan, brilliantly executed.

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