Manchester City vs Liverpool Pre Match Thread.

[Instant_Offense]

I'm a bit confused why people hope for/expect what amounts to a defensive line up at home, when we have the superior squad. I understand playing Fernando/Dinho/Milner at Barcelona, but home against Liverpool? Why can't be the aggressor and dictate the match?

 

[Bruun]

I'm a bit confused why people hope for/expect what amounts to a defensive line up at home, when we have the superior squad. I understand playing Fernando/Dinho/Milner at Barcelona, but home against Liverpool? Why can't be the aggressor and dictate the match?

Because of Liverpool being explosive and full of pace no matter what, Sterling and Sturridge even without Suarez are a nightmare because they can run over any defence in the league.

 

[EalingBlue2]

Away at Liverpool when we set up defensively and respected them they killed us as soon as we threw caution to the wind and went for it we battered them! Do what we did there from the off

 

[Chippy_boy]

Away at Liverpool when we set up defensively and respected them they killed us as soon as we threw caution to the wind and went for it we battered them! Do what we did there from the off

That was more to do with the fact that Liverpool last season tended to be shite in the 2nd half. They go all out attack for 30 minutes and usually they have the game won by then. After that they are out of steam and ideas, so keeping it tight for the 1st half an hour is essential - something we failed to do. Of course without Suarez (and Mario, thank god), they are less of a threat, but we still need to be very careful, very professional on Monday imho. If we play tight, controlled football, I would say we will almost certainly win. If we go all guns blazing, we might well win, but we could lose. Why risk it.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Away at Liverpool when we set up defensively and respected them they killed us as soon as we threw caution to the wind and went for it we battered them! Do what we did there from the off

That was more to do with the fact that Liverpool last season tended to be shite in the 2nd half. They go all out attack for 30 minutes and usually they have the game won by then. After that they are out of steam and ideas, so keeping it tight for the 1st half an hour is essential - something we failed to do. Of course without Suarez (and Mario, thank god), they are less of a threat, but we still need to be very careful, very professional on Monday imho. If we play tight, controlled football, I would say we will almost certainly win. If we go all guns blazing, we might well win, but we could lose. Why risk it.

See your point, but I think that's the way Manuel likes to play, and that's what we love to watch.

 

[cibaman]

Away at Liverpool when we set up defensively and respected them they killed us as soon as we threw caution to the wind and went for it we battered them! Do what we did there from the off

That was more to do with the fact that Liverpool last season tended to be shite in the 2nd half. They go all out attack for 30 minutes and usually they have the game won by then. After that they are out of steam and ideas, so keeping it tight for the 1st half an hour is essential - something we failed to do. Of course without Suarez (and Mario, thank god), they are less of a threat, but we still need to be very careful, very professional on Monday imho. If we play tight, controlled football, I would say we will almost certainly win. If we go all guns blazing, we might well win, but we could lose. Why risk it.

See your point, but I think that's the way Manuel likes to play, and that's what we love to watch.

And unless we are playing Bayern or barca , that's how we play our best

 

[bluegoal]

Hope we smash em...

I personally think the defence and midfield will need to play very well to stop them from scoring as they have tons of pace and Sturridge is a top finisher. But i just don't see them stopping us scoring at least 2 goals against that defence.

3-1 Dzeko x2 and Yaya to score.

 

[BillyShears]

Team picks itself for me.


Joe, Zaba, Vinny, MdM, Kola, Merlin, Yaya, Fernando, Sami, Aguero, Dzeko. Easy. Without Suarez their real threat will be Sterling. We keep him quiet then I'd expect us to run out comfortable winners. I'd like a clean sheet as well but i'm greedy.

 

[Rammyblues]

Change Zab for Sagna and Aguero for Jovetic and I think that is the more likely start up against the dippers IMO.

 

[Damanino]

Hart, Clichy, Demchelis, Kompany, Sagna, Fernando, Fernandinho, Yaya, Silva, Jovetic, Dzeko would be my lineup.

We cant have a 50% Yaya face the constant running and energy from Pool, especially in first 30 minutes with only Fernando putting in some work in midfield.

Last season both league games vs them we got behind in first 20 minutes because we knew what to expect yet were surprised how strong they start, lot of pressing, pace, balls behind the defence some great trough balls, and both times they could be 2-0 up easily, and 3-0 up in the April game.

Thats what I hope will change, maybe we get the lead this time what will make them attack with even more pace, energy and avoid conceding so they will tired big time.

It's a fixture we won last year so I expect a win again but wont be easy.