Liverpool (a) pre-match thread

[Citygolf]

I think this formation is too light weight , too narrow and would be over run by liverpool, also D.Silva doesn't do well against high intensity teams like liverpool, If we are going to work with that formation then D.Silva has to be replaced by Sane

Mendy & Walker is the width.
I understand what you mean about lightweight but the only other option would be to replace one of the silvas with Gundogen, which wouldn't make us much more solid.

 

[supercity88]

I would play 4 at the back but Stones and Ferny in midfield with Sane Silva Sterling and Aguero up top. Bernardo to come on if we need some more control. Liverpool will slice through our midfield otherwise and our back three will be stretched allowing them to get numbers in the box. Otamendi and Laporte with Stones and Ferny and two full backs allows greater control and Silva can pick little pockets to feed counter attacks.

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

Dropping Sane would be madness in my opinion.

You mean inSane?

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

Last nights showing in terms of the sloppy passing has got me concerned because if we make those same mistakes at the weekend Liverpool will punish us.

The only way we will win is if we can cut out these mistakes, and actually be more forward and direct with our play. This means not knocking it around in midfield for lengthy spells but looking for a swift one-touch move, which means that the front line are going to have to be at their best, running the channels and getting in behind the defenders at the earliest opportunity. Ederson will have to play his part and look for those long ranged passes to aguero that we have witnessed - so that this keeps the scouse back line guessing. We need Sane to take his LB on and force fouls etc to put them on the back foot and the same from the other flank.

If we play our ususal style of holding the ball in midfield, then this will play into liverpools hands because they will pounce of fernan especially, and force the errors or a wayward pass.

This all comes down to game management and altering tact for me, and this is hopefully what we will witness on Sunday afternoon in order to stand a chance of winning finally at their ground.

Lets go and win it

 

[Rhapsody in Blue]

https://www.11v11.com/teams/manchester-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Liverpool/

Head to head stats above - Not very uplifting stats as everyone already knows. Since 2014 we have 8 losses in 12 games against the Dippers.

In those 8 losses we have conceded the 1st goal in the:

6th minute - Sterling
11th minute - Henderson
7th minute - Mangala
34th minute - Lallana
8th minute - Wijnaldum
9th minute - Oxlade-Chamberlain
12th minute - Salah
56th minute - Salah

Hence in 7 of these 8 losses, they score the first goal within more or less the first 30 minutes. Half of the 8 goals are within the first 10 minutes and 6 out of 8 within the first 12 minutes! I was of course aware of that we concede early against this lot, but even I got surprised when I checked yesterday and it's really, really bad.

Furthermore, we also tend to concede many goals in chunks against this lot. This is not surprising, because when Klopp's teams get first blood they tend to just keep going, and it's not only against us this happens.

As I could check this within 15 minutes, I suppose it couldn't be too difficult for City's analytics team to see this as well. Is it really that difficult to counter-measure? Don't play around in tight spaces too much, hit the occasional long ball when needed, let them press a little bit and ride out the first 30 minutes, then the chances should increase dramatically.

 

[Rhapsody in Blue]

Also, I checked the period before 2014 when we at least managed to get draws from Anfield. What was obvious was that we then played with a very strong defensive square consisting of CBs and DMs. Kompany and Lescott as CBs and Barry and NDJ/Milner in front. Liverpool were not as good then as they are today, but by no means a bad team.

Someone thought it was a stupid idea when I suggested to start Stones as a second pivot next to Dinho in front of the CBs, but I stick to that solution. Probably Kompany, Laporte, Fernandinho and Stones is the best way to mimic that square we had then. Mind you, we conceded even then, and I remember a Lescott mistake from that time, but you get my idea.

 

[waspish]

____________Ederson____________

Walker_Komps_Stones_Laport_Danilo

___________Fernandinho___________

______Sterling_B.Silva__Sane_______

____________Aguero______________

 

[FantasyIreland]

------------------Ederson--------------------
Walker - Kompany - Laporte - Zinchenko
-----------Stones---Fernandinho--------
-----Sterling -----Silva----Silva--------
----------------Aguero------------

 

[Alan Oakes Shinpads]

Zinchenko all day over Laporte,as should have been the case tonight.

Agree,although I suspect Zinchenko didn't play tonight to ensure he was fit and well for Sunday

 

[FantasyIreland]

Agree,although I suspect Zinchenko didn't play tonight to ensure he was fit and well for Sunday

Hope so.

 

[yorkblue]

I feel we are a bit lightweight in midfield when it comes to Liverpool. They have overpowered us physically recently and I think with the loss of KB this weekend we will be more lightweight than normal. Don't know how pep addresses this or maybe he doesn't think it is a issue.

 

[mosssideblue]

its not likely,but I think we need Kompany & Danilo starting, gonna need some balls

They play a fast counter attack and we need defensive speed to match it. Kompany is great playing against the hoofers and big fowrards, but he is no longer effective against the speed merchants the pool have.

 

[balotellishaircut]

------------------Ederson--------------------
Walker - Kompany - Laporte - Zinchenko
-----------Stones---Fernandinho--------
-----Sterling -----Silva----Silva--------
----------------Aguero------------

I'd have Sane instead of Merlin everything else fine.

 

[mosssideblue]

I don't see anyway we get anything from this game no matter how much I analyze it. Our high line defending is tailor made for their press and pace. Our ageing DM is going to get harassed to death and is getting caught in possession and giving the ball away this season even when not under pressure. If he plays Laporte at left back we are definitely doomed.

We have the players who could hurt them at the other end but the problem is Sterling shits himself every time he plays there and whoever he replaces him with isn't as effective.

A change of tactics is needed but we all know Pep won't do that. Add that rag ref Atkinson into the equation and I am dreading Sunday.

I will get hammered for this post but that is the way I see it. I pray I am wrong and would be ecstatic with a draw right now.

I would have thought Atkinson wont want anything but a draw

 

[Pete Campbell]

I'd be going:

Ederson
Walker Otamendi Laporte Zinchenko
Dinho Stones Silva
Bernado Kun Sane

 

[FantasyIreland]

I'd have Sane instead of Merlin everything else fine.

I would have said the same if he hadn't put in a superhuman performance last night.I cant see how he can now be left out.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Since 2014 we have 8 losses in 12 games against the Dippers.

In those 8 losses we have conceded the 1st goal in the:

6th minute - Sterling
11th minute - Henderson
7th minute - Mangala
34th minute - Lallana
8th minute - Wijnaldum
9th minute - Oxlade-Chamberlain
12th minute - Salah
56th minute - Salah

Just don't gift them an early goal, just once, it's all I ask.

 

[LHarper]

Ederson
Walker Kompany Stones Laporte Mendy
Bernardo Fernandinho Silva
Sterling Aguero

or

Ederson
Walker Stones Laporte Mendy
Bernardo Fernandinho Silva
Sterling Aguero Sane

 

[Blue Hefner]

Zinchenko against Salah, doesn't bare thinking about

 

[GaudinoMotors]

No pre-match bravado (Vinny especially prone to that) - Just a quiet professional and very determind attitude. Play it down - take the pressure off - not on or added to. Keep it calm and professional for the first 20 at least and grow into it. No Hearns v Hagler as usually happens.