Liverpool (H) | Pre-Match Thread

[PannickAtTheDisco]

Looks like they're giving up the midfield and will just sit deep and lob it over Rodri and Gundogan on the counter with the front 4.

Dias and Laporte will have to be flawless. Going to be on 4 on 2/3 quite a few times if the full backs push on and Rodri and Gundogan trundle back.

Interesting move by Klopp.

FFS dropped, time's up methinks.

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

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[super_city_si]

I assume we're going to play a lot of keep ball near the very back today, waiting to goad Liverpool into a press.

In which case, you can see why he's gone for Rodri and Gundogan. As they're our best bet at doing that tactic and succeeding. You'd think anyway.

I don’t think we’ll need to goad them. Their front 4 will press hard from the outset. We’ll resort to going long a lot.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Just chip over the press, job done. Ederson to go long most of the match.

Yeah, we have to use Ederson a lot today. If we can make their backline drop off due to Ederson’s kicking, we will have space in midfield if their front four are pressing high. It’s all on our build up today. If it’s on point, we’ll make chances and if it’s not, we’ll concede a fair few!

 

[DavidWhitesUnderpants]

That front "4" of theirs worries me to shit ... especially that diving twat !!

Sorry to correct your English, it's actually "especially them diving twats". Plural.

 

[PhdWave]

So Mahrez plays selfishly and keeps getting picked, and the first time he makes an effort to be more selfless he's canned the very next game. I reckon there's way more to it but it does seem ironic.

The PSG press incident does not help too..I think Pep was done with Mahrez before the CL match itself that is why we are seeing this

 

[ami]

I hope Ruben shows everyone why he's considered one of the best young CBs in the world tonight.
I want a perfect display from him and Laporte.

I love Cancelo but I think it's a mistake not playing Aké. He is much more solid defensively.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Looks like they're giving up the midfield and will just sit deep and lob it over Rodri and Gundogan on the counter with the front 4.

Dias and Laporte will have to be flawless. Going to be on 4 on 2/3 quite a few times if the full backs push on and Rodri and Gundogan trundle back.

Interesting move by Klopp.

FFS dropped, time's up methinks.

Injured I think, assuming you mean Riyadh Mahrez

 

[mccity]

I don’t think we’ll need to goad them. Their front 4 will press hard from the outset. We’ll resort to going long a lot.

I'm not sure they will. They don't tend to at the Etihad; Klopp's normally wary of their press being bypassed.

Tbh I really don't know though. They don't normally play 4 attackers so anything's on the cards.

 

[kippaxwarrior]

It's the reason they bought Jota. They've actually tried this kind of setup occasionally, mostly due to rotation. A 4-5-1 in mid and low block defense (kind of like now), but the gegenpress has been fucked up, since the attacking play is just way too free flowing and ad-hoc. People all over the place and the gegenpress just gets totally out of sync. Liverpool can't force the tempo and intensity like they usually do. I hate it. It has never worked, and we're terribly exposed.

Do you actually think Sane and Salah will drop back and defend when you don't have the ball(which will be a lot).

I think your full backs will be exposed and we must take advantage of tgat

 

[Woody13]

Happy with that XI. Pleased that Torres has been rewarded for his decent performances of late and probably gives us a bit more fluidity in terms of interchanging positions with those three up front. Thought he might go for more energy and defensive ethic in that position with either Bernardo or Foden, didn’t expect Mahrez to be completely left out.

Really don’t have a problem with Rodri and Gundogan starting, it gives us more of a shield to build our attacks from.

 

[DavidWhitesUnderpants]

Gees, looks like we may see a goal or two. Maybe bordering on a Keegan special.

Anyway, I tell ya what. I'd love it. LOVE IT, if we beat them.

 

[paulchapo]

Shit weekend so far, rags, Spurs, Leicester winning, come on City we need cheering up!

 

[Churchlawtonblue]

Rhodri and Gundog in midfield, Pep obviously not intending a high tempo pressing game then. lol.

 

[Beanhead]

That front "4" of theirs worries me to shit ... especially that diving twat !!

if I was a dippers fan I would looking at that line up and scratching my head wondering why we were going to the Etihad without a midfield.

 

[argyle]

They're just going to rely on us making a bad pass, lobbing over Gundogan and Rodri to their front 4.

This is going to be very difficult.

 

[citizen_maine]

Sorry to correct your English, it's actually "especially them diving twats". Plural.

especially those diving twats

 

[Beanhead]

Rhodri and Gundog in midfield, Pep obviously not intending a high tempo pressing game then. lol.

having Jesus and Torres will help from the front.

 

[Heath Park]

Happy with that XI. Pleased that Torres has been rewarded for his decent performances of late and probably gives us a bit more fluidity in terms of interchanging positions with those three up front. Thought he might go for more energy and defensive ethic in that position with either Bernardo or Foden, didn’t expect Mahrez to be completely left out.

Really don’t have a problem with Rodri and Gundogan starting, it gives us more of a shield to build our attacks from.

Completely agree with all of this.
Torres deserves his spot.
Foden can run at them late on.
We don't need to win it in the first 20 minutes, although that would be very nice!!

 

[walker_is_faster]

Come on City let's make statement against these long ball football team.