Liverpool (a) pre-match thread

[FantasyIreland]

Both Silvas should play. Neither shirks a challenge and both work hard.

Their industry and ability to control and dictate is our best counter to Liverpools physicality.

 

[waspish]

Fingers crossed Napoli do us a favour tonight with some dodgy tackles.

And injure half there team

 

[Vic]

The Liverpool Giants puppets mean trains to Lime St will be very crowded. And Sandhills station is closed so no Soccerbus service. Lime St Lower will be closed and for Kirkdale services run only from Moorfields (not Central).

 

[mosssideblue]

And injure half there team

Not for me, want to beat them without them having any excuses

 

[shemnel]

Their industry and ability to control and dictate is our best counter to Liverpools physicality.

absolutely agree. the best way to combat Liverpool's extremely intense 20 min spell, which they will have twice, is to control the ball. Need ball players, not just tacklers. Anyway, neither of them are afraid of a tackle. Fern, Silva and Silva centrally could be just the ticket.

 

[asahartford1]

If Fern plays as our only DM we will definitely get beat, the guy needs help in there, I can't understand how people don't see this.

Plenty of people understand it don't fret.Whether we have the personnel is a different matter.

 

[balotellishaircut]

Didn’t he try Stones next to Fernandinho last night?

No I think Stones replaced Otamendi, but I could be wrong because I didn't watch it, I just want us to be in the game at half time, even if it means a defensive approach.

 

[jimmygrimble]

Not for me, want to beat them without them having any excuses

This! They still bang on that we only beat them at the Etihad last season, because they lost that great defensive influence in Sadio Mane...

 

[lancs blue]

No I think Stones replaced Otamendi, but I could be wrong because I didn't watch it, I just want us to be in the game at half time, even if it means a defensive approach.

He did put Stones in as a second DM last night and switched to a back three of Laporte, Kompany and Walker for the last quarter of the game.

 

[lionheart]

I would not be upset if Pep started with all four centre backs plus Walker and Danilo, relying on quick counter-attacks to earn a 2-2 draw.

 

[km09]

Please please beat these wankers. Please.

 

[Withnail]

Interesting to see how we line up, I have concerns with the way our defence is playing at present against pace and an intense press.

We are our own worst enemy sometimes in relation to the sloppy passing and being caught in possession and it is imperative we cut this out if we want to get a result

If we can survive the first 30 mins (big if) without conceding then we have a chance although I am not confident.

We will certainly need to put in the best performance of our season to get a result. Hopefully, the players will have the extra bit between their teeth after last season's meetings

 

[mosssideblue]

Interesting to see how we line up, I have concerns with the way our defence is playing at present against pace and an intense press.

We are our own worst enemy sometimes in relation to the sloppy passing and being caught in possession and it is imperative we cut this out if we want to get a result

If we can survive the first 30 mins (big if) without conceding then we have a chance although I am not confident.

We will certainly need to put in the best performance of our season to get a result. Hopefully, the players will have the extra bit between their teeth after last season's meetings

Nail on head there mate - spot on

 

[Silva_Spell]

Due to Dinho being a pressing trigger for them in previous games I think a double pivot is needed regardless of whether we go 3 or 4 at the back.

Can't nail down what I'd play, partly b/c I dunno whether Mendy will be ready

Aguero
Sane/Sterling Silva Bernardo
Stones Fernandinho
Danilo/Mendy Laporte Kompany Walker
Ederson

3 at the back:
Aguero
Mendy Silva Bernardo Walker
Stones Fernandinho
Laporte Otamendi Kompany
Ederson

Aguero
Sane Silva Bernardo Walker
Stones Fernandinho
Laporte Otamendi Kompany
Ederson

Aguero
Mendy Silva Sterling Bernardo
Stones Fernandinho
Laporte Kompany Walker
Ederson
​

Heart says 2-2.
Brain says we'll concede early and lose

Hopefully, given the nigh on 300m they've spent in 2018, LFC can't rely on the underdog tag against us this time, a tag they have thrived on. We need to not concede early and make them feel the pressure.
We also have to be aggressive against them and not allow shit like Milner to go around booting us without reply​

 

[M12Blue]

Due to Dinho being a pressing trigger for them in previous games I think a double pivot is needed regardless of whether we go 3 or 4 at the back.

Can't nail down what I'd play, partly b/c I dunno whether Mendy will be ready

Aguero
Sane/Sterling Silva Bernardo
Stones Fernandinho
Danilo/Mendy Laporte Kompany Walker
Ederson

3 at the back:
Aguero
Mendy Silva Bernardo Walker
Stones Fernandinho
Laporte Otamendi Kompany
Ederson

Aguero
Sane Silva Bernardo Walker
Stones Fernandinho
Laporte Otamendi Kompany
Ederson

Aguero
Mendy Silva Sterling Bernardo
Stones Fernandinho
Laporte Kompany Walker
Ederson
​

Heart says 2-2.
Brain says we'll concede early and lose

Hopefully, given the nigh on 300m they've spent in 2018, LFC can't rely on the underdog tag against us this time, a tag they have thrived on. We need to not concede early and make them feel the pressure.
We also have to be aggressive against them and not allow shit like Milner to go around booting us without reply​

Would a right footed left back, Danilo, be better suited to defending against sala who always cuts inside.
Not sure on formation but whoever plays right needs to deal with robertson

 

[IT and Me]

Sane Aguero Sterling

Silva Stones Bernardo

Mendy/Zinchenko Laporte Kompany Walker

Ederson

 

[Bluview]

If Mendy fit

In possession
Ed
Kw vk oti bm
Fern
Bs ds
Rs sa ls

Out possession AND first half hour
Ed
Kw vk oti bm
Bs fern ds
Rs sa ls

Enough here to hurt them on the break and keep ball. But we MUST wise up to Benny Klopp getting them over excited in the changing rooms before so they just run around on testosterone. As Chelsea shown they’ll run out of kick and rush ideas if we control possession.

No Mendy is a big problem and will need a reshuffle so I’d go 4-4-2 to protect mini kdb. Sane needs to be disciplined.

Ed
Kw vk oti az
Bs fern ds ls
Rs sa

Jesus needs time against easier oppos to rebuild confidence. Hoping Sterling centrally will help link midfield to attack easily. Central role will relieve the pressure of him beating his wide man one on one in front of their wierdo fans on the touchline.

 

[balotellishaircut]

So you suggest we drop to their level - not for me thanks we are much better than that and rightly so

When did I advocate dropping down to there level, I'm just pointing out to you how vile there club is, and if one or two of there players went down tonite, I wouldn't be unhappy about this unlike yourself, it really makes me laugh how some blues want to beat full strength rivals whilst we have injuries galore, il leave you with your moral high ground but it gets absolutely nowhere regarding City with the press and pundits.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

We really struggle to get the balance right against Liverpool under Pep. We either play our normal game and Fernandinho gets isolated and ends up making mistakes (as in the 4-3 last season) or we change our formation and lack our usual attacking edge (the 3-0 in champions league).

We have question marks about left back, centre half, formation and Sterling (as Anfield seems to get to him).

If Pep can get the right formula he can end Klopp’s hoodoo once and for all.

For me Walker, Stones, Laporte, Fernandinho, Silva x2, Sane and Aguero are certain starters. Who knows about the rest.

 

[kippaxchris]

Everytime we play them Pep tweeks things but still expects the same possesion play & passing out from the back with only Aguero forward who struggles everytime against these. We should either keep playing as we are doing and attack them properly or go with 2 up top.