Liverpool (a) pre-match thread

[ADegenerate]

No Sane or Sterling? Gulp!

I wouldn't start either. Pep said he doesn't buy into Raz having difficulties there but I do. There's no reason to give that crowd/team any more energy then necessary and they'll thrive off his every minor mistake. I think he'll start but that's how I would put the team out.

I'm not even slightly worried. I think Pep and the whole squad will be totally up for it.

 

[ojeme]

Because they seem to think Pep will send him out to play how he played against the lower placed sides which is just wrong. When told to sit back Mendy's defending is fine. And we all know what he brings going forward. What I find weird is people actually wanting to see Zinchenko there. Mane or Salah would tear him to pieces.

I do not trust Mendy's defending just yet especially against a Salah and that's the case even if he's told to sit back. His one-on-one defending leaves a lot to be desired when he's up against swift and tricky wingers. Its a headache position right now and I just think we'd have to do with him and hope for the best. Going forward, he's number one LB in the league by a absolute country mile.

 

[Mancini Manus Domini]

For those who say we just need to cut out our usual errors at Anfield, well those errors come as a result of the intense pressure Liverpool put us under, pressure we are simply not used to.

Maybe Liverpool won't be able to put us under their previous intensity given their recent schedule. Only 3 days to prepare instead of our 4.

Whoever plays I want our midfield to help our defence out more. When they are under the press give them an out ball. Do your utmost to make yourself available. The likes of Sane, Bernardo, Sterling and Mahrez can beat a man and open things up. Could we play with all 4 of them?

Ederson
Walker
Mendy
Stones
Laporte
Fernandinho
Bernardo
Mahrez
Sterling
Sane
Aguero

 

[The Black Shed]

100​

 

[ojeme]

For those who say we just need to cut out our usual errors at Anfield, well those errors come as a result of the intense pressure Liverpool put us under, pressure we are simply not used to.

Maybe Liverpool won't be able to put us under their previous intensity given their recent schedule. Only 3 days to prepare instead of our 4.

Whoever plays I want our midfield to help our defence out more. When they are under the press give them an out ball. Do your utmost to make yourself available. The likes of Sane, Bernardo, Sterling and Mahrez can beat a man and open things up. Could we play with all 4 of them?

Ederson
Walker
Mendy
Stones
Laporte
Fernandinho
Bernardo
Mahrez
Sterling
Sane
Aguero

I agree with the bolded bit. Now I have seen a few people argue that defensive lapses are our undoing in such matches as these but truth is when the pressure is intense we tend to make these silly errors more often than not. Yes we could do better defensively and so produce last gasp interceptions and clearances but we could also do a lot better in holding the ball and moving it forward without losing possession when put under pressure. Both are vital and one should not gloss over the other.

 

[Franny's toilet roll]

I am praying for a win and we should on paper stand a good chance. My gut feeling this morning is that they will press and we will cave in the first half and start to panic, concede goals and spend second half trying to get back into game with Liverpool just sitting back and defending a lead.

 

[ojeme]

Personally I would start Mendy but he'll play deeper than uaual especially at the beginning stages of the match.

Ederson
Walker Otamendi Laporte Mendy
Bernado Fernandinho Silva
Sterling Aguero Sane​

 

[Blue Coop]

Personally I would start Mendy but he'll play deeper than uaual especially at the beginning stages of the match.

Ederson
Walker Otamendi Laporte Mendy
Bernado Fernandinho Silva
Sterling Aguero Sane​

Otamendi + Liverpool press frightens me.

I’d go Laporte and Stones today.

 

[dhruvblue]

Criticisms for Pep will be non-stop if we cave in again.
Pep must find a way to get something today.
Can't go there and lose in same manner again

 

[BusterPhillips]

To be honest mate, Mendys defending since he joined has been well below average. The thought of Salah 1v1 with Mendy makes me nervous.

If Mendy is playing and if he does we'd play 532, then he wouldn't be 1 on 1 with Salah or Mane. It would be Laporte / Mendy responsibility to either double up or track him back.