Liverpool (a) pre-match thread

[tolmie's hairdoo]

They will certainly be the biggest threat at set pieces and corner kicks.

Very physical selection.

 

[franksinatra]

I do think though that having Raz on the left assists with the defensive side, Leroy isn’t biggest fan of tracking back.

It’s a weird conundrum moving forward though when in reality Mendy and Leroy want to occupy the same space.

He does undoubtedly assist but should we have to drop our favoured left winger and move our preferred right winger to the opposite flank to accomodate Mendy?

We had the conundrum last season, prior to Mendys injury, when playing, 3-5-2, and I argued then on here the team would take off once Sane and Sterling were introduced onto the flanks.

Mendy is fantastic going forward, probably the best about, but through no fault of his, we lose the balance to the side and a lot of the qualities which made us so impressive last season.

Fernandinho, finding Kdb, Silva, slide rule ball inside the fullbacks to the wingers to run onto, and then the cross for Aguero, Sterling, Sane to finish off.

With Mendy he becomes involved in the play later in the build up and so we lose a bit of our counterattacking ability which results in slower build up, in a 3-5-2 that is, jury out today.

The ideal scenario would be for Mendy to play like Walker and to pick and choose the time to bomb on rather than leaving us frequently exposed and swapping wingers around to protect him.

Still think there is hope today but going forward it will be interesting to see how Pep figures it out unless Mendy can show he is suited to do the defensive side of the left back duties.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

It’ll be Henderson instead.

Both posts and in, 35 yards backheel.

 

[Hydemcfc]

Let’s keep the ball on the deck in their half, at least it will give Kun a chance against Lovren & VVD, anything else will be meat & drink to them.

 

[cookster]

Atkinson is the ref by the way,they will kick the shit out of us but we will get all the cards

Called it but you missed the pen awarded for nowt.

 

[kaz7]

They will certainly be the biggest threat at set pieces and corner kicks.

Very physical selection.

Thats why i was torn on who we play,vinny and nico being our best on set pieces but less press resistant

 

[taleofbluehalves]

I hope Pep has drilled them all week to block shots outside the box. How many
have they banged in from range?

 

[super_city_si]

We really have a horrible record there. I'd bite your hand off for a draw.

 

[deano ou812]

At least that cuñt Ox won’t bang in a stormer from 30 yards this time.

Probably one of the other cnuts who hasn’t scored in 3 years or something banging one in from 30 yards ..

 

[ballinio]

Why?

Mendy playing means he’s dropped Sane, Mahrez takes Sterling’s better position (unless he plays left side) Otamendi or Kompany should be playing , I think it’s unbalanced & experimental in a game like this is crazy .

 

[mosssideblue]

I’d rather you hadn’t posted that.

It's a cut and paste from every other game

 

[RandomJ]

We really have a horrible record there. I'd bite your hand off for a draw.

Same. People can argue about the team all they want but that facts are we just fall apart at Anfield no matter who is picked.

 

[mat]

Pep you clever bastard.

Telling Sky you are shitting their front 3.

The Scouse overconfidence could be their downfall.

 

[kiam06]

Not sure about the centre backs for me Otamendi should start he's our leader but Pep clearly has a game plan in mind with Mahrez starting ahead of Sane so let's wait and see it can't be any worse than our usual Anfield performances!

 

[Chi-town blues]

Klop says he can write a song about man city players.

 

[Wretched Vengeance]

And folk thought De Bruyne might actually start.

 

[kaz7]

I've just come over all calm after bricking it all day

 

[Exeter Blue I am here]

I’m pretty chilled to be honest, am still sticking with my new mantra for the dippers away game - convince myself we are getting beaten, conceding worldies and horror mistakes with a wank ref.

Anything now is a bonus.

Ha ha, same here. That team selection, with the clear intention being for Walker and Mendy to bomb forward whilst Sterling and Mahrez play on the ‘wrong’ flank and cut inside, hasn’t helped my equilibrium much though. I’m going 4-0 to the dippers, with at least one 30 yard screamer, a soft pen, and two more coming courtesy of City pissing around trying to pass the ball out of our own 6 yard box whilst surrounded by red shirts! Evening all........

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

Mendy playing means he’s dropped Sane, Mahrez takes Sterling’s better position (unless he plays left side) Otamendi or Kompany should be playing , I think it’s unbalanced & experimental in a game like this is crazy .

Not like Sterling was playing really well on the left at the start of the season.

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Klop says he can write a song about man city players.

So can I

Championes