Liverpool (a) - CL Quarter Final pre-match thread

[hammocity]

Is it only from semi first leg that they are wiped? ie same worry for him in next weeks game as well as he’d miss the semi first leg.

Yep, semi final yellows wiped, both Ferny and Gundo at risk on 2 yellows each, Henderson same for the Dippers.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Sorry but I am one of the "lose" voters.

Not only is our track record there awful, we've a number of things not working in our favour. Of course they have the home advantage and that's not to be dismissed for games of this magnitude. The crowd will doubtless play a part, be it in intimidating players, or influencing the officials. Unless Sterling has a complete change of mindset, then he'll likely be sub-par as a result, for one.

And whereas we're pretty solid defensively, Walker-aside our defenders are not quick. Kompany lumbers about a bit these days. Otamendi was shown his arse several times against Salah at the Etihad before Mane was sent off and they had to change things around. And our left back situation is concerning. Laporte is slow as well, and he isn't a left back.

And then you have the fact that we'll inevitably have an eye on Saturday, no matter how much we try to play one game at a time. I just think they'll rise to the occasion and we'll struggle to contain them.

So long as we don't lose by more than (ideally) 1 goal or 2 at most, I still think we'll go through though. I'd bet on us being able to score 3 or more at the Etihad if we have to.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Joel Matip ruled out for the season, so guess Lovren will start at the back.

Sané running at Alexander Arnold and Lovren. This could be good.

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

Kompany lumbers about a bit these days.

You didn't watch the cup final, admit it.

 

[Peter A. Higgins]

Big one this, obviously, and not overly confident given our record at Anfield. Then again, this is a different City who keep on breaking records and exceeding expectations. Personally I’d play three at the back and try and keep it tight, but I doubt Guardiola will do that and, hey, he knows a lot more about football than me.

I would play, for what it’s worth:

Ederson
Walker
Kompany
Otamendi
Laporte
Delph
Fernandinho
Silva
De Bruyne
Jesus
Agüero

Then again the temptation to put Sane up against Alexander-Arnold must be big.

New on this Forum. What is the latest news on Mendy's recovery? Is there any news that he could play in either of the two legs?

 

[Chippy_boy]

You didn't watch the cup final, admit it.

I'm afraid I did, and I don't remember anything from it to change my view.

 

[Dibs MarshKinkladzeSilva]

For all the hyperbole in the build up to this, is there any chance that Klopp goes a bit cautious, concerned about the away goals? 0-0 anyone?

Interesting thought this - however, I don't think Klopp has it in him to go cautious at home, certainly not with the strong gust of botty-guffs filling his sails that is being generated by the giddy Anfield faithful and Liverpool-riddled popular media.

I'm personally delighted to see all the air scones being arrogantly scoffed by these deluded fools, it will play right into Pep's hands all being well. We have a nearly full strength squad to choose from (give or take a Bendy) playing mind-popping style of footy lately. I think if we play some of the exquisite keep-ball and probe that we managed against Chelsea from the outset and take the sting out of Liverpool's early press, then throw the lever circa 15-20 mins in, grab a couple of sneaky goals and then reintroduce the keep-ball and probe for the remainder, we'll be in a great position for the Etihad leg.

Nothing would make me happier to see Liverpool passed-to-death at their place after a couple of vintage Sane or Silva quick-fire rockets, so the Anfield botty-guffers fall silent, or better still start braying at their own team to attack in frustration.

So pumped for this game, think it's going to set a few egos straight. Come on City!

 

[bondsman]

What does that even mean ?

I think they were suggesting all our success has been easy and bought.

 

[bondsman]

I'm afraid I did, and I don't remember anything from it to change my view.

Hmm. The dominance even in terms of pace of aubamayang? His goal? His forays our with the ball? Still the best cb in league if not world when fit.

 

[Manc Born & Bred]

I would take a 3-0 win now if offered with no injuries or yellow cards

 

[BringBackSwales]

I'm afraid I did, and I don't remember anything from it to change my view.

Weirdo

 

[blue ranger]

Worried if Laporte is again left-back, up against Salah.

Pep taking him off towards the end at Everton smacked of saving his legs?

Salah might have to defend out wide a bit deeper to protect Alexander though against Sane.

Laporte came off as he was injured. In terms of the team set up he was left side of a back 3 for large parts of game. Some tactical changes by pep against Everton which I think was a test for lpool.

 

[abu13]

It will be interesting how the dippers react if they go a goal down, do they push onto us and risk conceding a 2nd away goal or sit tight and come to ours level or one down.
I can see the first leg being quite interesting.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

This will be the biggest test of the season by far.

I read about Klopp's tactics and drawing us into the 'mouth of the wolf', a large U-shape he gets his team to create in the centre of the park. They'll hound us and focus on countering down each flank - they won't have any ambitions to control possession.

Hopefully, with Silva alongside KDB and Fernandinho, we'll be able to cut through their various presses and tire them out. They struggled to keep it going during the league match and it's where we eventually got some luck towards the end of the game. If we can control the first 30 mins of each half, without conceding, then we'll win.

 

[blue ranger]

I'm afraid I did, and I don't remember anything from it to change my view.

You clearly missed Kompany sprinting against aubemayang.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

It will be interesting how the dippers react if they go a goal down, do they push onto us and risk conceding a 2nd away goal or sit tight and come to ours level or one down.
I can see the first leg being quite interesting.

They will come at us, no matter if they’re one down or two down. Klopp can play no other way.

 

[blue ranger]

Remember when city beat Barcelona at the Etihad last season. We were quite direct I thought and bypassed the midfield at times. Can see us doing similar at Anfield to avoid the press. Pep must have learned from the 4-3 how to counter it.

 

[hammocity]

This will be the biggest test of the season by far.

I read about Klopp's tactics and drawing us into the 'mouth of the wolf', a large U-shape he gets his team to create in the centre of the park. They'll hound us and focus on countering down each flank - they won't have any ambitions to control possession.

Hopefully, with Silva alongside KDB and Fernandinho, we'll be able to cut through their various presses and tire them out. They struggled to keep it going during the league match and it's where we eventually got some luck towards the end of the game. If we can control the first 30 mins of each half, without conceding, then we'll win.

mmmm, Wolf and Hound, you're not Keith Laird are you?

 

[bert38]

Remember when city beat Barcelona at the Etihad last season. We were quite direct I thought and bypassed the midfield at times. Can see us doing similar at Anfield to avoid the press. Pep must have learned from the 4-3 how to counter it.

That would give us a real chance of winning-at Anfield they pressed high and fast closing down Fernandinho, much the same as Monaco did ilast season. The way to counteract it is to play longer.

 

[BlueAnorak]

The wording could certainly be tweaked,the reason I put it the way I did was to emphasize the fact they haven't won anything for a few years and wont win anything this season,be nice to rub the arrogant twats noses in it.

The meaning of the chant is perfect.