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The Dugout Discussion – Liverpool vs Arsenal

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. Bobby
    • 16 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    And there was me banging on this morning about Suarez involved in all liverpool's goals...

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  2. Fantasy is My Ball and Chai…
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    what would have been the odds liverpool 4-0 up and no suarez goals?

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  3. BONZ
    • 15 Years
    11 years, 10 months ago

    I have to say that for the first 25 mins that was perhaps some of the most exciting, fast fluid football I have seen played by any team - especially when playing a top team.

    Love em or Hate them, that 25 mins was a superb display which could have provided even more goals and that shot from Suarez was just unbelievable.

    Any football fan must have enjoyed that. As a Liverpool fan of over 30 years, that was special.

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    1. Declan
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Agreed, but it hurts.

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      1. BONZ
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Always Wednesday for you guys. Smash the Mancs you wont care as much!

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    2. Fantasy is My Ball and Chai…
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      i agree bonz. i'm a man u supporter but almost, almost wished i supported liverpool for those 25. wish that suarez strike went in!

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      1. BONZ
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Any fan loves to see quality (when not against it) and after the poor game at WBA really didnt see this coming. Explosive.

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    3. CABAYE4
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, best football I've seen in a long, long time. Exhilarating stuff.

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    4. Balotellitubbies
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      It was like watching the old Arsenal

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    5. Burd Turglars
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Who did you support 30 years ago?

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      1. BONZ
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Only ever supported LFC since i was 4 in 1978 🙂

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    6. JT's Dog
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Every one of their players lived up to their potential.

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      • 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Delighted for Liverpool and fans, been a tough few years for you all.

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    7. jas5sk - Youtube channel
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      *runs to TotalFPL; the leader in Ozil related banter*

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    8. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Poor Henderson.

      http://fantasy.premierleague.com/dreamteam/event/25/

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      1. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        😆

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      2. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Wilshere's outplayed him.

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    9. Siva Mohan
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Caz assist.. Giroud goal.. before 50 minutes 😉

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      1. 4-4-who?
        • 16 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        No

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    10. HabitualLineSteppers
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Another "small horse" has entered the race.

      *My lovely lovely lovely horse*
      My lovely horse, running through the field
      where are you going with your fetlocks blowing in the wind?
      I want to shower you with sugar lumps
      and ride you over fences
      polish your hooves every single day
      and bring you to the horse dentist
      *My lovely lovely lovely horse*
      My lovely horse, you're a pony no more
      running around with the man on your back
      like a train in the night, yeah
      like a train in the night

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        We have to lose that sax solo!

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    11. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Skertel and Sterling the new SAS..........in case it hasn't been mentioned

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    12. isacki: full casual
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Subs I want to see: Rosicky on for Ozil. Gnabry on for Arteta with Ox dropping into central midfield.

      Subs I'll get: Gnabry on for Ox in the 70th minute.

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      1. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Ox has been fairly anonymous.

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        1. isacki: full casual
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Out right starved of service with the ball not getting through the middle, yeah. Was good where he played in central midfield in the last game.

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          1. Hibbo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Against who Palace at home?

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            1. isacki: full casual
              • 14 Years
              11 years, 10 months ago

              Yeah to be fair, he also scored there for England against Brazil.

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              1. Hibbo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 13 Years
                11 years, 10 months ago

                In a dead rubber friendly? I think its a bad job if Ox has to save the day. He has next to no experience playing centre mid.

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                1. isacki: full casual
                  • 14 Years
                  11 years, 10 months ago

                  That was his original position at Southampton before being moved out wide as far as I'm aware. He's being groomed for that role. Most importantly there's no one else on the bench to play there really due to injuries. Apart from Kall- I joke.

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    13. The Light Knight
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Kos Arsenal's best player if it's any consolation to his owners
      https://twitter.com/MrAcconci/status/432146644482523137/photo/1

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      1. isacki: full casual
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        How can Cazorla get 6.2 when he's barely touched the ball lol

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        1. The Shadow
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Arsenal has a 60-40 possession edge. Somebody's touching the ball and we know its not the defenders.

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          1. isacki: full casual
            • 14 Years
            11 years, 10 months ago

            Saw it saying 53-47 at halftime. Mostly the central midfield I think.

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      2. jas5sk - Youtube channel
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Wasn't he blundering up the defense on Sturridges' goal?

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      3. Billy Gilmore
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        How are any of those ratings that high? They've hardly touched the ball.

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        1. The Light Knight
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          52.4% possession.
          Kick-offs are good for pass completion % too 😉

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    14. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Absolutely outstanding...Best display by any team in the prem this season.

      Ozil !!..wtf..You can't play in this league without passion..he's gone from world class> indifferent > a big problem... inside six months. I'm shocked.

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      1. Jimmers
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Looking life a misfit at the moment

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        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          This isn't tippy tappy football like in Spain...it's not enough to do clever flicks and stand around waiting for the ball.

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      2. Hibbo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        He has no balls.

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        1. Dr Dream
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          That's about it...Jack Wilshire is twice the player he is in this league. TBH Tony I wouldn't even pick him right now if I was Wenger...cut my losses.

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    15. Just A Hat
      • 16 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Ozil is not having his best game but it is hilarious that he has a bad run of form in a few games and people start calling him a waste of money

      It's as if nobody thinks football exists outside the PL, he'll hit top form again soon and you will see the real Ozil

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    16. Walsh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      @isacki

      You on AJ (c) with me still?

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    17. Acquafresca
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      "Everything I say is mind games, everything I do is mind games, the only thing that isn't mind games are the results"

      -Mourinho

      What a legend 😆

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      1. jaguar shark
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        The best!

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    18. Woy of the Wovers
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Suarez now over 200pts.

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        amazin season

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    19. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Haha. So who invested heavily in the arsenal back line? 😉

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    20. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      early kick offs eh

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    21. The EJJ
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Suarez goal would top it all off

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      1. RabMac
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Want Suarez blank as I don't have him captained.

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    22. LewanGOALski
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Tomkins or Collins, who is mlre nailed on ?

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      1. Walsh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        I think Tomkins

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      2. Respect My Authoritah
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Tomkins

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      3. LewanGOALski
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        *more

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    23. Respect My Authoritah
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Incredible.

      TopArse must be happy

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    24. Sheep Flavour
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      FAO - Green Dreams 11 - I know I know, 45 mins to go....but....you laughed when I was starting Migs in goals......

      🙂

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    25. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Triple Liverpool Attack 😀

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      1. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        +Koscielny

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        1. FPL Notebook (John)
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          Nope - benched him this week

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    26. coriswrasse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Shelvey to Sterling. simple as that. Sitting on RVP (c) and my team is destroying the gooners. Nice day. Gonna hit the links then later.

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    27. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Sterling is gold

      Yeah i said it...and what?

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      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        booourns 😉

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      2. Sheep Flavour
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Does he play for England? Or did he decide to play for another country?

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    28. Jimbo123
      • 15 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Any subs for Arsene, do we think?

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      1. Balotellitubbies
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Kallstrom

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    29. Messi & fabregas
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      I fear of a koscienly red...

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      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Let the lad get yc first

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      2. Pedram
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        on my bench

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      3. Optimus.
        • 14 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        A red card to save face

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      4. ElementWire
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Probably not- he let Sturridge go for the fourth goal knowing if he tried he could have been sent off.

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    30. RabMac
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Top 200 players captain choice for this week:

      Suarez - 44.5%
      RVP - 14.5%
      Hazard - 9.5%
      Rooney - 8%
      Dzeko - 5.5%
      Yaya - 4.5%
      Mata - 4.0%
      Negredo 3.0%
      Sturridge - 2.5%
      Johnson - 1.5%
      Benteke - 1.0%
      Adebayor - 0.5%
      Lallana - 0.5%
      Ozil - 0.5%

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      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Lol at ozil captainer

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          17th overall.

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        2. Hibbo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          I'm vs that guy in a ML.

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        3. RabMac
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          1% of 200 = 2 which implies there are 2 dafties in the top 200 who are clueless. 😆

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      2. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Only 4% went Mata, good differential this week

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      3. Woy of the Wovers
        • 15 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        No Skrtel!!

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        1. RabMac
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 10 months ago

          3.5% of the top 200 own Skrtel.

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    31. Rödallegabomb ᴿᴮ
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Stat:

      If it stays 4-0, Henderson will be the only Liverpool player without returns (CSs, assists, goals)

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    32. AK ⭐
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      The first goal was offside? Not much in it frankly..

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      1. La Roja
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 10 months ago

        Naah

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    33. Pinoche
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 10 months ago

      Draxler on

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