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

[Sam69]

This match demands personality and audacity, and Cherki has plenty of that. He's the one who will demand the ball to escape the press, he's the one who will rally the crowd, making the stakes seem trivial and relieving the pressure that might otherwise overwhelm some players.

They'll probably have the same starting lineup as against Real Madrid, except for Gakpo replacing Wirtz.

We should start with the same lineup as against Bournemouth.

 

[IT and Me]

Donnarumma
Nunes
Dias
Gvardiol
Nico O
Nico G
Reijnders
Foden
Cherki
Doku
Haaland

I like it but think he might play Bernardo in this one.

 

[NZBlue]

I like it but think he might play Bernardo in this one.

That should boil some piss

 

[NZBlue]

I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Pep going for a true left back with Rayan Aït-Nouri now available. Very harsh on Nico if that happens but it wouldn't be a stupid idea

 

[Blue Hefner]

I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Pep going for a true left back with Rayan Aït-Nouri now available. Very harsh on Nico if that happens but it wouldn't be a stupid idea

I’d very very disappointed if that was the case. O’Reilly has past every test so deserves his place

Also, he’s very physical. The Real Madrid left back literally just took the ball off Salah twice in the first half in Tuesday so if O’Reilly can get stuck into him(with help from Doku) he could keep Salah reasonably quiet

 

[SatOnTheWall]

I do not believe Ait-Nouri has done anything to earn a place in this team yet. I am sure he will do in time, but not yet. If he plays ahead of Nico, it will be a huge mistake and it will cost us.

The same team as Bournemouth will beat these, in my opinion.

 

[Gray]

I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Pep going for a true left back with Rayan Aït-Nouri now available. Very harsh on Nico if that happens but it wouldn't be a stupid idea

One thing is certain, Ait-Nouri is not a true left back, defensively he is poor.

 

[urban genie]

Bing RAN. back in. and with his defensive side improved and to support the left push Nico OReilly to support Gonzarlez and RAN

----------------------Donna-----------------------
Nunes----Dias---Gvardiol--- Ait-Nouri
-----------------Nico G----Nico OR-----------
------Cherki-------Foden----Marmoush-
---------------------Haaaland------------------

OR

----------------------Donna-----------------------
Nunes----Dias---Gvardiol--- Nico OR
------------------------Nico G--------------------
-----------------------Reijunders--------------
------Cherki-------Foden----Marmoush-
---------------------Haaaland------------------

 

[tommybooth]

The mad professor knows.

 

[bondsman]

The one thing I didn't consider was Ake coming in to mark Salah, that could happen.

Think i'd still go O'Reilly though.

Think Ake who I love btw has looked really rusty this year. Maybe go stones in centre with Dias and Josko LB?

 

[blue b4 the moon]

I know it might sound bonkers but I think this game might decide the season. It lays down a statement. If we win, the league starts to realise “oh shit they’re back” but if we lose the media will jump on the bandwagon against us again and it will feel like last night and Bournemouth were flukes.
On top of that, we will fall even further behind Arsenal.
We need noise from minute 1 to 90, can’t let Liverpool hear themselves think, just like that 18-19 season.
Defence needs to be spot on, Donnarumma will have to make a couple of big saves I feel.
And of course we need Phil, Cherki and big Erl in full form and absolutely firing.
This is a game that we cannot lose.
Come on city.

Not bonkers at all.

Even at this stage of the season, win this one, win the league.

Lose and we'll be hard pushed to catch arse, they'll have a points gap to shit the bed for a few games and still be clear.

 

[Danny Tiatto]

Still think he is a potential weak link for them.

True but they could say the same about Bernie in midfield for us.

 

[Danny Tiatto]

Not bonkers at all.

Even at this stage of the season, win this one, win the league.

Lose and we'll be hard pushed to catch arse, they'll have a points gap to shit the bed for a few games and still be clear.

I know it’s still early but I truly believe this.

 

[pee dubya]

I think we'll go cautious tbh, almost invite them onto us, and then try and take advantage of their defensive weakness on the break.

Not convinced yet that we can win the midfield battle against them, considering already both Spurs and Villa have bossed us in there.

 

[Damanino]

next two PL games tell a lot about us now. Liverpool home, Newcastle away. win both and it gives us huge momentum. lose both and we will be in the mix with other like 6/7 sides even rags overtake us somewhat probably and 10 points behind Arse.

 

[BringBackSwales]

No way Cherki starts this although i think we'd all love him to. Donarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'reilly, Gonzalez, Bernardo, Reijnders, Doku, Foden, Haaland

100% that's the starting eleven

100%, really?

 

[Father Paul]

Quite possible when you consider that both Nunes and O'Reilly will probably be playing on Sunday, both natural midfielders playing out of position. However, I personally think we should go with those two players as both are in good form and deserve to start.

And also because we dont have anybody better for those positions currently.

 

[hcblue95]

Bing RAN. back in. and with his defensive side improved and to support the left push Nico OReilly to support Gonzarlez and RAN

----------------------Donna-----------------------
Nunes----Dias---Gvardiol--- Ait-Nouri
-----------------Nico G----Nico OR-----------
------Cherki-------Foden----Marmoush-
---------------------Haaaland------------------

OR

----------------------Donna-----------------------
Nunes----Dias---Gvardiol--- Nico OR
------------------------Nico G--------------------
-----------------------Reijunders--------------
------Cherki-------Foden----Marmoush-
---------------------Haaaland------------------

You must really like Marmoush? He's only played about 5 minutes each game, there's 0 chance of him starting this one.

 

[Father Paul]

I actually wouldn't be surprised to see Pep going for a true left back with Rayan Aït-Nouri now available. Very harsh on Nico if that happens but it wouldn't be a stupid idea

From what I've seen so far RAN is not a True LF, not sure what he is tbh. Currently Nico offers far more in defence and attack and Pep would be making a mistake not to start him.

 

[Father Paul]

The midfield battle worries me especially without Rodri. Szoboslai is Liverpools best player at the moment and is in the form of his life and I think Gravenberch is a brilliant footballer. Macallister who I also rate highly has been the weak link for them this season but now it appears he has also returned to form.

I fear you might be right on this one as this represents the strongest part of their team currently. They seem to have turned back the clock 12 months to recreate the successful formula of last season. However, we are in much better shape than the last home game and should compete better. A close match ending in a draw is likely.