Liverpool (H) - Sun 9th Nov, 16:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Khushanov when fully fit probably trumps Nunes at rb imo. Nunes this season has certainly improved defensively, but I would still go with Kush if fit.

Purely as a defender I'm inclined to agree with you. However, Nunes offers more getting forward. I've been quite impressed by some of Nunes's passes into the box. By conservative inclination, I'd be more inclined to pick Khusa. But it can be dangerous — he can go barging in, get himself carded, even red carded. Actually the more I think about it, it's a really difficult call. Simply because he's been playing much more, recently, I think Pep will go with Nunes.

 

[MellowJoe]

I think we're gonna kick the shit out of em

 

[argyle]

I'd love us to smash 'em!!

But I can see it being a draw.

 

[the blue panther]

A win will be fantastic.
And on that note, nite nite; sweet dreams.

 

[Zenmanc]

Khushanov when fully fit probably trumps Nunes at rb imo. Nunes this season has certainly improved defensively, but I would still go with Kush if fit.

I really like Khus but Nunes has much more experience at the position not to mention having really improved over a questionable start. Khus doesn't have minutes in big games at this level and offers little threat moving forward.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Donna
Nunes
Dias
Gvardiol
Oreily
Gonzales
Reinders
Foden
Doku
Haaland
Saviniho

 

[citymad]

State of Stokenal

More accurate.

 

[pepguardiola'smoustache]

And maybe Reijnders instead of Bernardo.

At the start of the season, on paper, i would've agreed with you but right now i don't think Reijnders and Cherki in the same starting XI is going to work.
Plus, Bernardo is captain and very much dislikes that lot so it seems even more unlikely.

 

[oldius]

Coming into this match, the vibe around the club seems very positive. I probably enjoyed this week's 'Inside City' video more than for a long, long time, with such a feeling of joy among the players and a real sense of competitive spirit. The pre-match press conference was similar, with Pep confident and relaxed, humble and happy to talk.

====================Donnarumma=====================
Nunes==========Dias===============Gvardiol=====O'Reilly
==============Gonzalez==========Bernardo=============
Cherki===================Foden===================Doku
=======================Haaland=======================


This is a pivotal match, so I would simply choose what I feel is currently our best XI.

 

[Paul1970]

Slot is trying to goad us into playing a passing game and if we do we get beat . Carry on doing what we are doing and we should be good .

 

[balotellishaircut]

I hope we smash the scouse pricks, but we’ve struggled in the difficult games this season, those predicting 3-1, 4-1 I’m not sure, we didn’t score against Villa recently albeit it was away from home, i would be happy if we took a 1-0 lead we put all 10 behind the ball and play on the counter, too many times this season where we’ve taken a lead and 5 minutes later the opposition have equalised, can’t afford to do that tomorrow.

 

[Buckshaw Blue]

I think we're gonna kick the shit out of em

What about the match?

 

[Marvin.]

I don't see Pep taking chances with regards to players fitness and form, and if anything he will go quite conservative with the lineup.

Khusanov and Rodri are in our best team, but right now they just don't have the fitness or form for a game of this caliber.

Bernardo is his reliable soldier on the field and is almost certain to play meaning it's probably going to be him, Foden and Nico G in midfield.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Savinho and Doku are on the wings.

It's a must win game regardless for me. I know many are saying there are still 80 odd points to play for etc.. but if we lose that's 4 losses in the league after 11 games and 9 points behind top spot. You cannot be losing more than a third of your games at this stage of the season as history shows that anymore than 5 losses in a season and it's incredibly difficult to win the league.

I think the league has been won by 6 losses only 4 or 5 times and nobody has won the league with more, and in most cases those extra few losses for those teams have come after they won the league early. Lose here and we would have to be bordering on perfect for the rest of the season.

It's the same for Liverpool.

I agree with most of that but City are better than we were in August. We took 3 points in August. I expect title-challenging form here on in regardless of what happens tomorrow.

 

[Marvin.]

That week in which we played United, Napoli and Arsenal was decisive and Rodri started all 3 games. It seems that those 3 starts and the full game at Arsenal led to setbacks in his fitness. But had we lost at Arsenal, the league would have been gone.

Those setbacks have helped Gonzalez to develop his game and show his worth to the team. So, let's hope they have led to something positive.

I'd take 4 pts from Liverpool and Newcastle. If Rodri is fit to start games after the international break, we can win many games and compete for the title.

Especially if Arsenal wobble. Last season they finished on 74 points. They are on for 95 points given their current form but are they really that good?

 

[Paul1970]

Purely as a defender I'm inclined to agree with you. However, Nunes offers more getting forward. I've been quite impressed by some of Nunes's passes into the box. By conservative inclination, I'd be more inclined to pick Khusa. But it can be dangerous — he can go barging in, get himself carded, even red carded. Actually the more I think about it, it's a really difficult call. Simply because he's been playing much more, recently, I think Pep will go with Nunes.

These are the games when you really could do with a recognised right back who has the discipline to basically do his job . Nunes has been good but he still gets found out when he is singled out which is what will happen tomorrow.

 

[TShed]

Think Bernado has had his day love him but to have carried on into this season I questioned

However

He must start on Sunday he above anyone else gets the Scouse scum as an individual and as captain I’m expecting him to be an inspiration and driving force and the source of energy needed especially in the second half

 

[alexmcity]

Especially if Arsenal wobble. Last season they finished on 74 points. They are on for 95 points given their current form but are they really that good?

They are extraordinary in defence at the expense of being a bit sterile in open play. The combination of defensive stability and productivity from set pieces has worked so far, but only time can tell whether it is stable enough to win them the title or the CL. They'll have wobbles, injuries, and so on. The aim is to be close enough to them to capitalise on their mistakes.

Personally, I expect surprises (for the so-called experts), such as City playing fantastic football (after Christmas).

There's this simplistic picture of City being a bit average and dragged forward by Haaland. Actually, City have a highly talented squad. When the team clicks properly, we'll be great to watch and hard to stop.

 

[JewelZee]

These are the games when you really could do with a recognised right back who has the discipline to basically do his job . Nunes has been good but he still gets found out when he is singled out which is what will happen tomorrow.

As soon as I see Nunes I recognize him. I don't find it to be all that difficult. But since you say he's been getting found out I'd suggest you may be looking at someone else confirming you genuinely don't recognize him. If it helps, he's the guy busting his ass game after game over there next to Ruben Dias wearing #27. Look for that fella and I'm sure you'll start to recognize him in no time at all...

 

[Danny Tiatto]

Especially if Arsenal wobble. Last season they finished on 74 points. They are on for 95 points given their current form but are they really that good?

There is just no way they are that good and the way they are playing can’t be sustainable. It’s actually a bit embarrassing that teams in this league haven’t found out a formula to stop their set pieces

 

[Jwoody19]

Play like we did at the Emirates and we will win this one. Let them have the ball and come at us, then absolutely blitz them with Haaland, Doku and Cherki on the counter.