Liverpool (H) | Pre-Match Thread

[55yr old teenager]

Come on boys, lets beat these obnoxious, cheating diving fuckers.

 

[the_tevez_wiggle]

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold
Matip
Gomez
Robertson
Henderson
Wijnaldum
Keita
Jota
Salah
Mané

This would be my guess. If we stop the long balls into the channels for salah & smarmy and keep it disciplined at the back it should be OK.

 

[ojeme]

Trying to mull over the options of how we might set up tomorrow, while knowing only too well Pep will produce another unique formation and strategy to try and catch Liverpool out.

So from a very basic overview, I think the things I’m relatively certain of are :-

- Rodri and Gundogan will both start in midfield along with KDB
- Dias, Laporte and Walker will certainly start in the back line
- Ederson in net
- Sterling will occupy one of the front roles

So for me that‘s eight certainties, could we go three at the back ? If we do, I think Pep will want Walker’s pace occupying one of those three alongside Dias and Laporte which means Cancelo will have to play on the right and Zinchenko on the left. They would probably be more adept at coping the advancing surges of TAA and Robertson. Or do we try and pin those fullbacks back by putting Sterling and Mahrez/Bernardo up against them with our usual four at the back ?

A three at the back could work and we effectively lose some width high up the pitch, I’m not one of the Mahrez boo boys but it’s not a great disaster if he’s sacrificed in this game and we use Jesus and Sterling in a more central role (harsh on Torres mind).

If we go four at the back then it has to be Walker - Dias - Laporte - Cancelo for me. The three in midfield pretty much pick themselves I think in Rodri - Gundo - KDB, and then Sterling - Jesus (if fit enough has to be a certain starter) and for me Bernardo plays on the right (though Foden would be equally acceptable). We need to push Robertson back but when he does go forward I’d rather him be tracked by the more diligent Bernardo or Foden rather than Mahrez.

Amazing that you left out Torres who is in a good scoring form and should be the least known player to the dippers. Torres should play because he gives them more problems in trying to figure out how to contain our movement and attack as he is likely the least known to them.

 

[WallyA]

I'd go good ol 442

Ederson

Walker
Dias
Laporte
Cancelo

Sterling
KdB
Bernie
Foden

Jesus
Ferran

Foden can tuck in and let Cancelo stay wide with Sterling staying high as well, becoming a 352/433 hybrid in attack, but defends in a 442 block as above.

Gets our 6 best "pressers" from our forwards and midfield on the pitch by putting Mahrez, Gundogan, Rodri on the bench, to handle liverpools press.

Could also swap Bernie for Gundogan/Rodri if Pep really needs a #6, and have Bernie take Foden's spot potentially.

 

[SkyBlueTX]

Game is on Peacock in the U.S. FFS. We used to have great access to PL in the U.S. and now we have jack. I’ll be schlepping for a stream. :-(

 

[Cheeky Txiki]

Game is on Peacock in the U.S. FFS. We used to have great access to PL in the U.S. and now we have jack. I’ll be schlepping for a stream. :-(

yep and most of these are two minutes behind so we get the goal notification before the goal

 

[blue b4 the moon]

What a great night this was. Amazing atmosphere

Happy days

 

[WickyWain]

I can't be arsed with a close game against these bastards so we're gonna have to score 4 goals in the first 10 minutes and stroll to a comfortable 12-0 win

 

[citizen_maine]

I can't be arsed with a close game against these bastards so we're gonna have to score 4 goals in the first 10 minutes and stroll to a comfortable 12-0 win

Not sure I want us easing off in the second half

 

[mccity]

With Van Dijk, Fabinho and Thiago out, I'm guessing they'll line up like this:

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold
Matip
Gomez
Robertson
Henderson
Wijnaldum
Jota
Salah
Mané
Firmino

For me the only real weakness there is Gomez.

In the 4-0 their fullbacks and Gomez were atrocious, especially positionally, especially Robertson. Their defence is there to be got, we all know how much they're protected despite the media trying to hide the fact.

As anomalous as their Villa game was it exposed in an exaggerated way what happens on the rare occasions their press fails. Leeds scored 3 past them by playing through them too.

BUT we have to be at our best and play through the press, otherwise those weaknesses will never see the light of day and we'll have problems dealing with the pressure and their attack, because admittedly they are very good.

 

[chickaroon]

My team:
Eddy
Walker Diaz Laporte, Aka
Kevin Rodri Bernice
Torres Jesus Sterling.
I would love to include Foden but I think Bernie's workrate gives him the nod. Also would not mind Sterling and Torres switching wings.

 

[lasereyes]

I do not know where all the confidence is coming from. I haven't seen us play well for 90% this season.

Granted neither have they, so it's an even game in my eyes. With luck it the refs ( hope not) deciding it.

But I'm optimistic we'd be the luckier team.

Over the past few years, we have almost always played well against them. We have been robbed a few times at Anfield, but they are scared shitless of playing at the Etihad. We have almost all our key players back (except) Kun and a better defence than them. Take our chances and we win.

 

[lasereyes]

No. We had the best chances. Fact, 4 of them went in.

Actually 5, but Mahrez's goal in stoppage time was ridiculously disallowed by VAR

 

[lasereyes]

No,i don't think he's in great form and he never does well against Liverpool.I think Torres and Bernardo can retain the ball and contribute to the press better.

Bit of an urban myth. He's been very poor at Anfield, but has generally played well at the Etihad. Remember the rasping run to set up Sane for the winner in Jan-2019

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

A preview of what's to come:

That result was 5-0 and I'm not having it any other way. Foden is penalised for being fouled??!! Perhaps few other incidents, if any, last season, demonstrated why VAR is a mockery if rigidly applied. The ref should most definitely have overruled VAR.

 

[FantasyIreland]

Bit of an urban myth. He's been very poor at Anfield, but has generally played well at the Etihad. Remember the rasping run to set up Sane for the winner in Jan-2019

Fair shout,and i can't see Pep dropping him anyway.

 

[Brendan110_0]

My team:
Eddy
Walker Diaz Laporte, Aka
Kevin Rodri Bernice
Torres Jesus Sterling.
I would love to include Foden but I think Bernie's workrate gives him the nod. Also would not mind Sterling and Torres switching wings.

• Ederson
• Walker
• Dias
• Laporte
• Cancelo
• Gündogan
• Rodri
• Foden
• De Bruyne
• Sterling
• Torres

Bernado and Jesus to both come on @60 mins if it's going tits up.

 

[Woody13]

Amazing that you left out Torres who is in a good scoring form and should be the least known player to the dippers. Torres should play because he gives them more problems in trying to figure out how to contain our movement and attack as he is likely the least known to them.

Yes I take your point, like I said in my post it would be harsh on him, just think it’d be nice to have a natural centre forward out there rather than a makeshift one.

Torres has done well in the games where he’s played as the emergency striker, but does he know the role better than Gabi and can he play it better ? Not for me, providing Gabi is fit enough to start. Maybe he’ll start Torres and introduce Jesus from the bench otherwise.

 

[abu13]

My biggest concern is Pep overthinking this game, I just have this feeling that he will play Rodri and Gundo together with Mahrez on the wing.

For me I would go with:

----------------------EDDY---------------------------
WALKER------DIAS-------LAPORTE-----CANCELO
---------------------RODRI---------------------------
BERNY--------KDB----------FODEN------STERLING
--------------------JESUS-----------------------------

 

[Blue Theatre]

Whoever wins tomorrow will be favourites for the title, even at this early stage.
No pressure.