The Title Race - 2023/24

[GaudinoMotors]

It's neither attitude nor bottle we don't lack either. Simply we like control and are very good at it they like chaos and whatever anyone says they are very good at that. We need to make sure we don't let them draw us into end to end chaos and stay calm.

Look in their eyes - even Dias looks like he's Bambi against a pack of wolves. I maintain it is mostly attitude. Look how we've dispatched some very good teams, including them, at our place.

 

[Withnail]

The key to Anfield is attitude and bottle - we need to overcome our rabbits in headlights performances there. We have the players and system to pick them apart.

Agreed, both Burnley and Arsenal have caused them problems recently. Whilst a game at Anfield is never easy we should n't be fearing them, City have the better team.

 

[alexmcity]

It's neither attitude nor bottle we don't lack either. Simply we like control and are very good at it they like chaos and whatever anyone says they are very good at that. We need to make sure we don't let them draw us into end to end chaos and stay calm.

An end to end game will be too risky for them, too, as we can score multiple goals...They'll try to find a balance between attack and defence that increases their chances instead of increasing the risk. Given the quality of our forwards, we won’t be too afraid of end to end stuff.

The thing is: they know that if they lose, they are likely out of it. Therefore, they will want to make sure they don't lose this game, which will make them more cautious, both in defence and attack. They will wait for opportunities, where they catch us too open or unprepared. That's the reasonable thing to do. If they choose a highly emotional and risky approach, the result might be embarrassing...

 

[Blue Maverick]

Hope a Jack is back, Doku losing the ball would play into their hands of a quicker counter, if we go behind bring him on to run at them, im hoping going into it a draw would be good enough, that 3rd goal against Copenhagen was invaluable, we should be able to rest some key players for the dippers game.

 

[alexmcity]

Hope a Jack is back, Doku losing the ball would play into their hands of a quicker counter

Hope he's back, he'll probably start if he is fit enough. But them losing the ball would play into our hands IF Doku is on the pitch. We'd be more dangerous in transitions with Doku than Grealish.

The thing with Grealish, Doku and pressing: with Grealish we are more likely to keep the ball rolling against their high press, but with Doku we are more likely to beat the press. There are trade-offs and even Pep might struggle to calculate the pros and cons. Think Doku is slightly underrated right now, for some defensive problems are somewhat simplistically traced back to his presence.

That said, if Grealish isn't available, Pep may play Foden there, Bernardo on the right and Kovacic next to Rodri.

 

[Pelegrinni]

Hope a Jack is back, Doku losing the ball would play into their hands of a quicker counter, if we go behind bring him on to run at them, im hoping going into it a draw would be good enough, that 3rd goal against Copenhagen was invaluable, we should be able to rest some key players for the dippers game.

Maybe it's just me but I prefer Doku at Anfield even if Jack is fit.
We need someone to take on their FB thus drawing numbers away from elsewhere.
Also, Doku roasted Trent at the Etihad earlier in the season.
With KDB back, it could work well for us at Anfield provided PGMOL don't ruin the game with their agenda driven officiating.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

Wouldn't play Doku at Anfield against their press and speed of breakaway - even if Jack isn't fit.

 

[alexmcity]

Maybe it's just me but I prefer Doku at Anfield even if Jack is fit.
We need someone to take on their FB thus drawing numbers away from elsewhere.
Also, Doku roasted Trent at the Etihad earlier in the season.
With KDB back, it could work well for us at Anfield provided PGMOL don't ruin the game with their agenda driven officiating.

KDB passing to Doku in free space or 1 on 1 has enormous potential.

 

[bluenova]

The key to Anfield is attitude and bottle - we need to overcome our rabbits in headlights performances there. We have the players and system to pick them apart.

You have to go back 5 years to the last time they properly beat us at Anfield

Most of the current squad will see it as a tough match, but not one they've particularly struggled in.

 

[117 M34]

For the game at anfield, maybe we could do something like leave 2 defenders back when we have a corner and make sure they are defenders who can actually defend.