Liverpool (a) - CL Quarter Final pre-match thread

[tolmie's hairdoo]

And the longer they go without scoring or any real possession it'll get worse. Their fans will soon get on their backs...

That's the thing - even their fans aren't accustomed these days to an actual big match that has something outside of local rivalry.

They were only still in it at Wembley because we missed so many chances that day.

 

[blue ranger]

Just heard we don't concede early. Hopefully we can take the sting out of the game by keeping possession and frustrating them in the early stages.

Who told you that ric? That’s really good news. Taking your ITK status to new levels ha ha

 

[hawkhurst]

Anyone think Sterling will play? As per every time we play there, their full backs will target him hard to get the crowd going and he often goes into his shell a bit. Hopefully if he does start the referee will be stricter than our PL friends and put a marker down early doors that you can't just clatter into him at every opportunity.

If he does start, I will absolutely love it if he scores to silence the crowd - he deserves it after the season he's had. Somehow can't see him doing the non-celebration celebration.

 

[domalino]

Does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion we might just batter them?

I wouldn't say its how I expect the tie to go, but I'd say there's maybe a 20-30% chance that we score relatively early, the pressure of the occasion gets to them, and they collapse the same way they did in the league game at the Etihad, the Spurs game they lost 4-1, or when Sevilla scored in the group stages. This Liverpool side have a proper implosion in them, and if we went 2-0 up at any stage in this first leg, I would expect 3, 4 or even 5 to follow if time allowed.

Again, I'm not saying it will happen, but I think it's on the table if a few cards fall our way.

 

[Akai]

just need to survive the first 10 minutes and the rest will be fine.

CMON CITY

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion we might just batter them?

I wouldn't say its how I expect the tie to go, but I'd say there's maybe a 20-30% chance that we score relatively early, the pressure of the occasion gets to them, and they collapse the same way they did in the league game at the Etihad, or when Sevilla scored in the group stages. This Liverpool side have a proper implosion in them, and if we went 2-0 up at any stage in this first leg, I would expect 3, 4 or even 5 to follow if time allowed.

Again, I'm not saying it will happen, but I think it's on the table if a few cards fall our way.

I have just said same to Billy Shears. I do see us scoring three goals again, which certainly can't do any harm in the context of the whole tie.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion we might just batter them?

I wouldn't say its how I expect the tie to go, but I'd say there's maybe a 20-30% chance that we score relatively early, the pressure of the occasion gets to them, and they collapse the same way they did in the league game at the Etihad, the Spurs game they lost 4-1, or when Sevilla scored in the group stages. This Liverpool side have a proper implosion in them, and if we went 2-0 up at any stage in this first leg, I would expect 3, 4 or even 5 to follow if time allowed.

Again, I'm not saying it will happen, but I think it's on the table if a few cards fall our way.

Our proper first 11 have yet to play at 100% for a full 90 mins.

It's frightening what we could do. Sadly I don't think we'll put a full 90 mins into a game for a while with so many matches coming up.

 

[Claytop]

Does anyone else have a sneaking suspicion we might just batter them?

I wouldn't say its how I expect the tie to go, but I'd say there's maybe a 20-30% chance that we score relatively early, the pressure of the occasion gets to them, and they collapse the same way they did in the league game at the Etihad, the Spurs game they lost 4-1, or when Sevilla scored in the group stages. This Liverpool side have a proper implosion in them, and if we went 2-0 up at any stage in this first leg, I would expect 3, 4 or even 5 to follow if time allowed.

Again, I'm not saying it will happen, but I think it's on the table if a few cards fall our way.

Yup, definitely a chance. I’d love us to be 3-0 up after 30 minutes after just picking them apart easily.

Would be great to score first and see their reaction. Have we actually scored first in any of the games at Anfield since the takeover??

 

[MAG]

If the tie is won in the first leg or we are comfortable position, won’t be such a bad idea for Fernandinho to pick that yellow so he can miss the second leg and then be available for the Semis. I’m sure Pep or his team has been in his ear and told him the scenarios.

 

[GallaghersToe]

What time does coverage start on BT Sport?