Liverpool (A) - Pre Match Thread

[Malekith]

Something tells me we'll get a result. This is typical city, with all these injuries

 

[west didsblue]

I wouldn't say Zinchenko being out is necessarily a bad thing but the other injured players (Ederson, Laporte, Rodri, Silva, Sane) would all start if they were fit. That's literally half of our best eleven out of the game. If Pep somehow wins this it'll be by far the most impressive victory in his time here.

Ederson and Laporte would definitely start. Rodri would without Laporte being there due to Fern playing as CB. Sane would probably be an impact sub and losing Silva no longer makes us weaker other than having less back up. Foden or Bernardo can play alongside KDB without any drop off in quality. If KDB, Sterling and Aguero are at their best we'll do it.

 

[eversince 76]

Of the six injuries, only two (Ederson and Laporte) definitely make it a weaker starting 11.
Still confident we can do it, and if we do it with six out it will make it all the sweeter.

Disagree.
Sane is a big game player. Look at his performances vs Liverpool.
Rodri has been immense since he made his debut and kept Fernandinho out of the starting line.
Zinchenko has been our best left back and made the left side tick.
Finally David Silva has still a huge part to play in these kinda games with his experience.

We have a big squad but missing these players is truly hurting us. It would’ve hurt any team worldwide. And it’s a pity as I would love to have seen our best 11 vs Liverpool. T f we always seem to miss a few big names when we come up against them.

Normally I won’t mind what 11 will start. Other than Ederson in goal. But this is simply too much too many.
Not saying we can’t compete. But it’ll be a lot harder and that is an understatement.

 

[BlueCityfan]

The majority are still predicting us to win. is this based on just wishful thinking?

Even if i was an optimist, i still wouldn't predict us to win at Anfield with Sane, Silva, Zinchenko, Rodri and Laporte out. And to top things off, Bravo in goal!

 

[worsleyweb]

A draw will be just fine. Then we re group.

 

[thelongbowman]

Ok, so we have a few good 'uns out. But we have quite a few good 'uns in.

We have been up against it so many times and come through, this team and coaching staff is very special, make no mistake. We did after all win everything last year domestically and would have won the lot if VAR was reviewed properly.

So, don't be to downbeat blues, you never know and lets be fair, we might well lose but it wont be the end of the world as we have come back before and even if we don't there is always next year and you cant win it all the time, plus we have just witnessed the best domestic performance ever so its hard for me to feel to despondent.

We are City and are awesome.

It'll be a draw anyway.

 

[alexmcity]

Big test for Bravo but he will be desperate to prove a point.

If our midfield and fullbacks/wingbacks can stifle the supply to their fullbacks I still think we can do this.

Bravo

Walker
Fernandinho
Stones

Cancelo
KDB
Gundogan
Bernardo
Mendy

Sterling
Jesus

Subs;
Carson
Otamendi
Garcia
Angelino
Foden
Mahrez
Aguero

I like this team. We need legs at Anfield, players who can press with high intensity, who can run quickly and fight.

Gabby's form has dipped a bit recently. Thought it was a certainty that he would start, not sure now. Not sure about Kun for 3 reasons though: he can't press with high intensity, speed is not his forte, and he doesn't contribute as much as Jesus when we defend set pieces. But he is a legend, they fear him and he can score. We need not only legs but also leaders on the pitch. So, this one will be a conundrum for Pep.

If we go with 4-3-3:

Bravo
Walker
Stones
Otamendi
Mendy
Dinho
Bernie
Gundy
Kevin
Raz
Aguero/Jesus

I'd probably go with 3-5-2 or rather 3-5-1-1 with Raz with a free role behind Kun/Gabby ready to get on the end of crosses from Kevin, Bernie, Mendy.

 

[west didsblue]

Ok, so we have a few good 'uns out. But we have quite a few good 'uns in.

We have been up against it so many times and come through, this team and coaching staff is very special, make no mistake. We did after all win everything last year domestically and would have won the lot if VAR was reviewed properly.

So, don't be to downbeat blues, you never know and lets be fair, we might well lose but it wont be the end of the world as we have come back before and even if we don't there is always next year and you cant win it all the time, plus we have just witnessed the best domestic performance ever so its hard for me to feel to despondent.

We are City and are awesome.

It'll be a draw anyway.

With a front five of Aguero, Sterling, Mahrez, Bernardo and KDB we've got more than enough to hurt them. And Foden in place of Mahrez or Bernardo wouldn't make us weaker.

 

[mosssideblue]

Ha i have been a joke for a long time,the guy is a walking diaster,biggest game and he has to shake off getting sent off,history shows he loses confidence very easily

History also shows that he is a very good keeper who has help us win trophies, or is that history swept under the carpet with you and others?

 

[west didsblue]

I like this team. We need legs at Anfield, players who can press with high intensity, who can run quickly and fight.

Gabby's form has dipped a bit recently. Thought it was a certainty that he would start, not sure now. Not sure about Kun for 3 reasons though: he can't press with high intensity, speed is not his forte, and he doesn't contribute as much as Jesus when we defend set pieces. But he is a legend, they fear him and he can score. We need not only legs but also leaders on the pitch. So, this one will be a conundrum for Pep.

If we go with 4-3-3:

Bravo
Walker
Stones
Otamendi
Mendy
Dinho
Bernie
Gundy
Kevin
Raz
Aguero/Jesus

I'd probablt go with 3-5-2 or rather 3-5-1-1 with Raz with a free role behind Kun/Gabby ready to get on the end of crosses from Kevin, Bernie, Mendy.

Aguero will start. 100% nailed on. He is a big game player and will always turn up when it matters.

 

[mosssideblue]

Do you never learn,you can't assume anything,football is not played on paper

Sorry but with that defence and keeper it is a joke,i see nothing but a battering and at least one pen for them

 

[Roy Hamilton]

Suggest you watch the press conference.

fast forward to 9.22 to see Guardian reporter ask Pep about conseuqences of losing. Then he asks about Claudio Bravo. Then someone follows it up and asks about tactical fouling. Seriously they have some cheek. Pep dealt with it very well. I don't think he always deals with the press too well, but today he was very good. Jamie Jackson should be embarrassed. Disrespecting our players. They are CHampions. What are you? Your living comes from their play. I wouldn't mind but as Karen wll confirm, JJ very often asks these types of questions. Link to press conference is in the Media Thread if you want it. Easy to find online.

Peps stare when whatever idiot it was who asked about tactical fouling!

 

[Gordyola]

If they do the bus should turn around its that simple.

Put the pressure on the PL and police to get a fucking grip of the fucking wankers once and for all.

Have the City H&S executive on board, if it’s attacked then he recommends that the coach it taken to a place of safety ie back to Manchester The PL would then have a problem as City we’re following the instructions of H&S

 

[alexmcity]

Aguero will start. 100% nailed on. He is a big game player and will always turn up when it matters.

True, but how many goals at Anfield? At home he scores every game against Liverpool, but can't remember a great performance from him at Anfield. If pressing is one of our main defensive weapons there, Kun might not be the best option. It's not only about having chances and scoring but also about helping the team defend from the front, that's crucial for the way we play, especially away from home.

 

[mccity]

Come on guys, we need less of this feeling:

And more of this feeling:

 

[Roy Hamilton]

We've got a squad of players that every other team, apart from Liverpool, would die for. It's going to be tough but there is enough quality to get something from the game. Would I prefer for us to have a full squad, course I would, but I ain't giving up on these boys because of half a dozen injuries. We'll be up for the fight, without any doubt. I'm going full optimism, 2-1 to us.

With the injuries, especially Ederson, it's a different match. But blades ran them close, Leicester were shit and still should have had a draw, spurs were cheated with the pen (although Gazzaniga kept them in the game). We'll be ready.

 

[blue aura]

Yes we're massively affected by injuries to key players, but we're champions of England for the last two seasons!

psychologically, it will be a huge blow to the Dippers if they don't win.

I have every confidence in whoever Pep picks to step up to the plate and fight fire with fire.

 

[mosssideblue]

Have the City H&S executive on board, if it’s attacked then he recommends that the coach it taken to a place of safety ie back to Manchester The PL would then have a problem as City we’re following the instructions of H&S

The feral scouse idiots are not bright enough to realise attacking our coach might cost them, so it may still get a "plastic cup" thrown at it, I think that is what they are saying was used last time

 

[mosssideblue]

Yes we're massively affected by injuries to key players, but we're champions of England for the last two seasons!

psychologically, it will be a huge blow to the Dippers if they don't win.

I have every confidence in whoever Pep picks to step up to the plate and fight fire with fire.

So have I. I can see those available rallying to deliver against the odds again

 

[citytill1die84]

Bravo

Walker Stones Otamendi Mendy

Fernandinho

Mahrez KDB B.Silva Sterling

Aguero

That is still a quality lineup for me on our day (If) we can cause many problems. Mahrez & Sterling need to keep TAA & Robertson back and we'll be fine.

Scary but as the week goes on and the bad news keeps coming I feel City are going to shock us and win.