Liverpool (a) Pre-Match Thread

[gordondaviesmoustache]

In a close race it comes down to bottle. We've had it twice and it has served us well.

Well said that man!

 

[Chipmeister]

I think the game is all about the styles of play, they are very good at pressing high in numbers and we like to keep possession in all areas of the pitch. We will be put under pressure in dangerous areas for us and can we play time and again out of it or will it eventually lead to losing possession and an opportunity for them. It's all about taking the opportunities when we create them something we didn't do against Chelsea and ultimately lost the game.

 

[BertTrautmann'sParachute]

I think the game is all about the styles of play, they are very good at pressing high in numbers and we like to keep possession in all areas of the pitch. We will be put under pressure in dangerous areas for us and can we play time and again out of it or will it eventually lead to losing possession and an opportunity for them. It's all about taking the opportunities when we create them something we didn't do against Chelsea and ultimately lost the game.

Their high pressing will be their downfall. We'll pass through their lines and if our forwards have their shooting-boots on we'll be out of sight by half-time.

 

[Chipmeister]

We certainly will pass through their lines on numerous occasions, it is what we do with the opportunities which will define the game for us, will create a goal scoring chance or just retain possession, inevitably we will be under pressure and would be great to take the lead and bring them onto us even more.

 

[aguerooo93]

........................Bravo
Sagna.....Otamendi.....Kolarov......Clichy
....................Fernandinho
...............Yaya..............Silva
De Bruyne................................Sterling
........................Aguero

Bench: Caballero, Zabaleta, Fernando, Navas, Nolito, Sane, Iheanacho

 

[aguero93:20]

The day we beat a Klopp team at Klanfield is the day that we win the league again, as it will mean we have acquired a squad with not just the skill (which we already have) but also the power and athleticism to overcome all opposition playing styles. They were my tip for the title at the start of the season and they remain the acid test IMO. I watched them the other night against Stoke and even after 75-80 minutes the pressing was absolutely maniacal, as if their lives depended on it, the man in possession hounded at full sprint speed by the nearest dipper, and the two nearest passing options closed down immediately. And even when Stoke managed to break the press with the first pass, so the process simply began again. They are absolutely relentless and once they've turned the ball over they have an array of players with not just pace but incredibly quick feet who can all fashion individual chances in packed penalty areas - Sturridge, Coutinho, Mane, Firminho, Lallana, they're all superb at it.

None of that is to say they're infallible of course. They were beaten several times last season, but almost always by muscular counterattacking teams with pace, who simply bypassed the insane pressing. Palace with Zaha and Sako, West Ham with Sakho, Valencia and Kouyate, Newcastle with Wijnaldum, Sissoko and Cisse, the rags with Martial and Rashford. It was also telling that we had the best of them in the Capital One Cup Final with Ya Ya, Fernandinho and Fernando starting, but missing Ya Ya 3 days later in the league we went with Sterling, Silva, Navas and Aguero as a diddyman attacking quartet and got bullied to the point of embarrassment in a 3-0 defeat that could easily have been 8-0. This year their failures have been even fewer, but noticeably they were frustrated by both Burnley lumping 60 yard missiles downfield to Vokes and by the rags, who did what Mourinho always does at Klanfield in selecting no less than 7 players 6ft 2' or taller and parking a gigantic bus.

As to Saturday I don't think Pep can risk his preferred style, cos if we overplay at the back then Mane & Co will tear Kolarov and Otamendi to shreds. We don't have an excess of power and pace to play long with either unfortunately, so I think a hybrid set up of the type we saw 2nd half against Barcelona is our best bet - ie. sit reasonably deep, knock it over the first wave of attackers and then hound their defensive players in the middle of the park. To that end I'd plump for Fernando, Fernandinho and Ya Ya in front of a back 4, and KDB, Silva and Sterling in a trio in front of them. 4-3-3 and leave Kun on the bench. Even that way though it'll be an almighty ask and one that I don't think we're quite ready for yet

If you think they'll win the title then you need help.

 

[Father Paul]

same tactics as barca at home for me, sit deep and let them have the ball at the back, as soon as they play the ball into the middle swarm all over them and hit them on the break.. Its their home match the onus is on them to come at us.

Good point. If we set out to defend too high up the pitch they will murder us for pace on the break just like Chelsea.
I find it difficult to say it but this is a Maureen type game if ever there was one. Frustrate them then shackle them.
Not sure we can execute this plan though so not hopeful of getting much out of it.

 

[Father Paul]

We simply need to hang in there and let them burn out, and then we take control - Simples :)

With Bravo, Otto and Kolorov in defence that's a big ask

 

[NPBlue]

We are only on a roll of wins because, in our last 3 games, none of our oppo's attackers have put our goalkeeper under any sort of pressure regarding saves and stuff.

We are going to get mullered at Anfield because we haven't got a keeper between the posts.

They will be pinging shots in from all directions, and with the quality Liverpool have in front of goal, as witnessed in their last few games, we will lose just like we have on almost every occasion we have played there over the last 40 years.

We'll never win any game with decent opposition attacking when Bravo is in goal.

I'd like to be proved wrong, but I just can't see it.

He is our weakest link, and by far the worst goalkeeper I have seen in my life playing for City.

I think it's fair to say I don't have any confidence about City with him in the team, and he has done nothing to make me change my mind.

 

[Father Paul]

Against the top teams so far we have dominated against the rags and the arse, denied by a bent ref against Chelski and played poorly against spuds. I think as usual we underestimate what we're capable of. Man for man we are the better team and have the better manager so can't see a problem. The past is the past, not relevant any more. The only delight the dippers will get this new year will be from the shell suit sale at JD Sports

Are you saying that they will still have shell suits left to sell off in January if so your an optimist

 

[citymad]

Won

I think Liverpool is the best football team I have seen playing this season. They are explosive and aggressive. Sure they can sometimes be sluggish at the back. But they play football at a higher peak than anyone else in the league.

It's going to be a tough one. Could we win? Sure. Is it likely? No.

Agreed.I can't see them letting us have the ball for long to get a foothold. 3-0 dippers.

 

[Father Paul]

Exactly my thinking! Silva is probably our best player under pressure apart from YaYa!

Not when they get the ball with their back to goal with 3 dippers bearing down on them. In the cup final last year we played a lot of the game going forward with menace.
I think fernandinho played on the right and got forward with great effect if you recall. As has been stated above a combination of the Barca and Gooners performances
is what is required. Play them at their own game isolate key players and hunt them down in packs. Frustrate them and finish them off. Sounds easy but not sure we can pull it off.

 

[Father Paul]

Reading some of the posts on here, I was starting to believe we are playing this super team who no one can live with, and we might as well not turn up, just surrender.

Then I remembered it is the dippers, the same dippers that could not beat, or score at Burnley the same dippers that Bournmouth stuffed four up. Well I remain unconvinced by all the hysteria, good side yes, unbeatable a definite no :-)

Nobody said they are unbeatable just that for historic reasons and current form we may not mange to beat them

 

[citymad]

Sane must start and hopefully rip Milner a new arsehole, the full back areas are their weakness so we must exploit it.

haha so Milner and Clyne have been poor. Imagine Klopp would be saying the same thing about Clichy and Sagna. My bet is its our fullbacks that get ripped a new one.

 

[capiloton]

defender needs to up their game and attacking have to be clinical.
whoever score the first goal, will win this game.
i just can't see City making come back at Anfield if we concede cheap goal as usual early in the game.

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Our hardest away game of the season, we have a very good away record.

If we stick to whatever game plan Pep comes up with ( he's seen Klippity's formations/teams many times ) there's no reason why we can't get 3 points.

I'd say both keepers are nothing special, overall they have the egde in defense but can be got at by even poor teams, we have the better midfield and if kun plays & hits the ground running more potent up front.

It's a big game, win and Chelsea will feel the pressure, lose and we'll probably be playing for 2/3 in the league.

 

[vmsuhail]

Reading some of the posts on here, I was starting to believe we are playing this super team who no one can live with, and we might as well not turn up, just surrender.

Then I remembered it is the dippers, the same dippers that could not beat, or score at Burnley the same dippers that Bournmouth stuffed four up. Well I remain unconvinced by all the hysteria, good side yes, unbeatable a definite no :-)

They are unbeaten at home this season

 

[BLUEMATT23]

We could be 5th after this round of games

 

[mosssideblue]

With Bravo, Otto and Kolorov in defence that's a big ask

Only if we let candlepool have the ball

Seriously, if we can ride out the initial onslaught, they are notorious for running out of steam and will be there for the taking. I,m really looking forward to this game.

 

[mosssideblue]

They are unbeaten at home this season

Does that mean we have lost then already?