Topic: Liverpool vs Southampton, EFL Cup Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, 25 January, 8pm

[Klippity Klopp]

I'd go diamond.

To suit Sturridge and a lot of our other players.  We don't have a wide player, who can offer what Mane does.  So instead of playing someone out of position, like Lallana on the weekend or Sturridge, Firmino & Origi in the past matches.  Play to our strengths, we have three very good strikers, who are best central, with freedom to drift wide - play a system to suit them.

We could go 4-2-2-2, with Coutinho and Lallana, playing wide in a 4-4-2 when we don't have the ball.  But can roam when we have it. That's another option.

But I'd go with a diamond.  Put Coutinho behind Sturridge and Firmino.  Lallana, Wijnaldum and Henderson in the other three midfield positions.

Let Sturridge roam, let him focus on winning us the game with his quality, that we all know he has.  So many of his best performances for us came in this formation, with and since Suarez has left.

Plan B, if everything is getting narrow and not working, for me is Ojo.  Then switch to 4-3-3, Coutinho, Firmino & Ojo in a front three, Lallana in CM with Henderson and Wijnaldum.

I don't want to see Emre Can.  He was good against Man U, when we needed his strengths without the ball.  Winning headers, pressing, his tackling etc.  But in games like this, where we should dominate possession, we need our best players in possession  and for me that doesn't include him.

I don't want to see Lallana in the front three.  Actually I don't really want to see a front three unless Ojo is in it.  For the reasons I gave above, we'll be playing someone out of position otherwise.

Matip obviously should start if available.  His composure and ability on the ball to start attacks can make a difference.

The crowd also have a vital part to play.  They do every game though.

[So… Howard Philips]

This game feels somewhat like Villarreal last season in that we're carrying a 1-0 away loss where we've played poorly into a make-or-break home tie.

I want Klopp to go for it like we did in that game but unfortunately I don't trust Sturridge to deliver as much as I did last April and I doubt Klopp does either. The switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 undoubtedly has a lot to do with it in my opinion but there's the mental and physical drop-off in Sturridge too.

For that reason I'd keep Firmino central and give Origi a shot out on the right. I'd be tempted to throw Ojo in but he's never really impressed from that side of the pitch and Coutinho is obviously more effective from the left.

Get Can and Klavan out of the side as both are massively struggling and we're not playing well enough to carry players.

Trent in for Clyne too. We need attacking thrust and whether it's fitness, form or a mixture of both, Clyne is a long way short of providing that at the moment.

Pretty much agree with this. Clyde doesn't look fully fit and Trent should be tested in games like this. Not sure about Origi as he has looked short of confidence in the last few games.

[EdmondFruitini]

Since when are EFL games played on a Thursday? How come Manure have an extra two days to prepare for their game?

[88_RED]

Play the most in form players at the moment, not necessarily the first XI.

Here's what i would go with:

                    Karius

TAA       Matip       Lovren       Milner

    Lallana       Henderson     Gini

Origi/Woodburn        Firmino      Coutinho


TTA for me showed real mettle and guts at Old Trafford, while Clyne was below par against Swansea.. He took injections to play as well, so I would leave him out

Milner offers more than Moreno and i genuinely think he offers more in attack as well.. He's also our main penalty taker..

Lallana Hendo and Gini is out best midfield 3 at the moment.. no questions asked.. send Can on a 1 week winter break to Dubai or something to sort his head out..

Origi or Woodburn for the right sided forward.. Origi has pace to burn, but other than that i don't know what he would offer from the right.. Woodburn could be an unknown quantity and might spring a surprise..

Firmino in his favourite or should i say most effective position, while Coutinho to cause havoc, coming from the left.

Coutinho screamer into the top corner to gt us back into the tie.. Sturridge to win it in extra time.. We keep a clean sheet..

[sms1986]

Since when are EFL games played on a Thursday? How come Manure have an extra two days to prepare for their game?

United have an extra day because Hull played on Sunday, but they also have to play again on Saturday. You're seeing an advantage for them, but not the advantage for us where we have an extra day before our FA Cup game on Saturday.

[pyroparty]

Since when are EFL games played on a Thursday? How come Manure have an extra two days to prepare for their game?

Watch out, this will upset some on here.

[macca007]

There a team bus greeting going on before this then or what? 1st opportunity to get to a final this season and 1-0 behind

[sms1986]

There a team bus greeting going on before this then or what? 1st opportunity to get to a final this season and 1-0 behind

I'm not sure, but it seems like the kind of game where one would help the team out.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Not sure about Origi as he has looked short of confidence in the last few games.

He has indeed, but so have Can and Sturridge, and one of those three players pretty much has to play unfortunately.

It's a toss up between him and Sturridge but if we're going with 4-3-3 then I want Firmino up front where he's most effective and I'd back Origi over Sturridge to deliver more from wide areas and bring some of the attributes we're lacking with Mane out. Especially as Bertrand is probably one of their main attacking outlets so he'll need to be tracked.

Sturridge could very well still have a big part to play from the bench especially if extra time is required.

[Kekule]

United have an extra day because Hull played on Sunday, but they also have to play again on Saturday. You're seeing an advantage for them, but not the advantage for us where we have an extra day before our FA Cup game on Saturday.

Both Hull and Manchester United play Sunday. What annoys me is not that Manchester United get to play a day later but why less than 48 hours preparation seems to now be a good enough reason for Hull moving a fixture when it wasn't deemed to be a suitable excuse for us a few weeks back.

[Smurfite]

There a team bus greeting going on before this then or what? 1st opportunity to get to a final this season and 1-0 behind

Yeah there is. It's done the rounds on twitter and theres gonna be a fair few people who turn up to do it. I know some people don't reckon its that big a game (I dissagree with that myself) but there is gonna be something. I reckon everyone who can, needs to get down there cos the worst thing would be if we tried it and it was shit.

It's happening, so get down there and support the lads.

https://twitter.com/WeRLFC/status/822550136308039680

[sms1986]

Both Hull and Manchester United play Sunday. What annoys me is not that Manchester United get to play a day later but why less than 48 hours preparation seems to now be a good enough reason for Hull moving a fixture when it wasn't deemed to be a suitable excuse for us a few weeks back.

They get to play a day later but then they also have to play again on Saturday.

It's due to television, we get a lot of money from it but it also messes around with our schedule.

[jillcwhomever]

Yeah there is. It's done the rounds on twitter and theres gonna be a fair few people who turn up to do it. I know some people don't reckon its that big a game (I dissagree with that myself) but there is gonna be something. I reckon everyone who can, needs to get down there cos the worst thing would be if we tried it and it was shit.

It's happening, so get down there and support the lads.

https://twitter.com/WeRLFC/status/822550136308039680

Brilliant well done lads for arranging this. A chance to get Anfield bouncing. 

[Kekule]

They get to play a day later but then they also have to play again on Saturday.

It's due to television, we get a lot of money from it but it also messes around with our schedule.

The FA Website has Hull playing Fulham at 12:30 on Sunday 29th, Manchester United play Wigan at 4pm also on Sunday 29th. Both teams get a reasonable rest.

I know the City game was televised and so it was a later kick off, however neither our subsequent game, or City's, was due to be televised but they couldn't be moved for some reason. Hull's game with Chelsea was moved for television, but the subsequent game v Man United is a semi final and was always going to be televised, yet it has been moved.

I understand we get money from it and are at their mercy at times, but I don't understand this particular situation is all I'm saying.

[sms1986]

I'm sure the United game was on the Saturday, but then again I checked that a few weeks back when someone else asked about why their semi-final was on the Thursday, so it might have changed since then. I know Hull and Southampton both play on the Sunday before the semis, so television wants those as well as both semis.

We still get a reasonable rest ourselves as we play our semi-final on the Wednesday.

[Kekule]

I'm sure the United game was on the Saturday, but then again I checked that a few weeks back when someone else asked about why their semi-final was on the Thursday, so it might have changed since then. I know Hull and Southampton both play on the Sunday before the semis, so television wants those as well as both semis.

We still get a reasonable rest ourselves as we play our semi-final on the Wednesday.

Like you say it makes no difference to us, and I doubt the move will change the ultimate outcome of the other games.

It's just a bit odd.

[Grobbelrevell]

Surely looking at Wolves as the opportunity to rotate and go strong for this and Chelsea.

Wish-list:-

- Lallana back in the midfield.
- Firmino central.
- Matip in defence.
- Sturridge in the lineup (either on the right of a three, or up top with Firmino in a diamond).
- Ojo on the bench as a direct/pace option.
- Tempo.
- Reduction in the number of hopeful crosses.
- Tempo.
- Tempo.
- Tempo.

Hopefully the crowd treat this as a European night and the place is rocking. Forget the fact that it's the league cup, we haven't won a trophy in almost five years, this is a huge opportunity to get that monkey off our backs and then push on.

[Stand Free]

Why Karius ?

 He's played the cup games so far this season, and done a pretty solid job of it I think. He needs game time and its a good opportunity to give it to him. I'd start Migs if it was a league game but I don't feel like there's enough difference to warrant dropping Karius for this cup game.

[Djimi Smicer34]

Think we'll go with one of Sturridge or Origi in a front three with Coutinho and Firmino and move Lallana back into the middle; I'd be very surprised if we start with the same midfield as we did on Saturday considering how poorly it played.

If Clyne is still bothered by the injury he had then I'd hope we'd have no qualms in using Alexander-Arnold again rather than have injured players in the line-up.  Matip will be back, hopefully Karius has another strong game.

Still all to play for so I hope we raise the tempo and intensity and get back to Wembley.

[mkingdon]

We're getting somewhere close to our best 11 from earlier in the season which can only help, but I want to see whoever is out on the pitch step up their intensity. We haven't looked fully at it for weeks and we need to show Southampton what it's like to come to Anfield in a semi-final under the lights.

I'm confident we can score to bring us level and I hope Matip's return shores up the leaky defence again.

The season is at a crossroads now, and getting to a final, probably against the Mancs too, will be a huge positive.

Blistering start, gegenpressing like we've never seen and an early goal leading to a humiliating rout for Southampton please.

[Zoomers]

I fucking hate seeing us like this, come on lads, head up high and let's change things. Let's get to the final and go on a rampage.

[redk84]

Early goal then break them down physically and mentally until we get the 2nd.

No mistakes at the back and we're through

Time for a confidence boost, boy do we all need it!

Up the reds

[killer-heels]

Klopp has said Henderson still is suffering with the heel issue like last season. Its in pain but he can cope apparentl.

[Grobbelrevell]

Klopp has said Henderson still is suffering with the heel issue like last season. Its in pain but he can cope apparentl.

He doesn't seem anywhere near as hindered as he did last season (where he literally couldn't run), but still, that doesn't sound in any way promising.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

Makes sense as he's looked more like the Hendo of last season in the last two games. Much less spring in his step.

[Suareznumber7]

Klopp has said Henderson still is suffering with the heel issue like last season. Its in pain but he can cope apparentl.

I hope that this heel injury doesn't cost a drop in form for Hendo like we saw last year.  He's been a very important player for us this year. 

[killer-heels]

I hope that this heel injury doesn't cost a drop in form for Hendo like we saw last year.  He's been a very important player for us this year. 

I am not a physio but if we can manage it then we have an intense period now but after that it's back to one game a week.

[Suareznumber7]

I am not a physio but if we can manage it then we have an intense period now but after that it's back to one game a week.

The Chelsea game ends this hectic period of fixtures that we are in.  Hopefully we can manage it through the rest of the season and Hendo can have a summer off to rest. 

[Caligula?]

Just get to the final, I don't care how we play or by what result. By the time the final is played we'll have a full strength side so I'd really fancy our chances. Otherwise I don't know what would feel worse; getting to the semi-final and being knocked out by a side we would have expected to beat, or gift-wrapping the trophy for United.

[Doc Red]

We can all see it (no pun intended) - but Klopp doesn't seem to for some reason. Even the best managers have blind spots.

Can might be Klopp's 'Kuyt'

[bodhisattva]

I'd go a diamond too but because of the importance on the FB providing width in that formation i'd make changes at fullback, my team would be;

.............................Mignolet................................

Milner...........Matip..............Lovren.............Moreno

...........................Henderson................................

..........Lallana.............................Wijnaldum..........

...........................Coutinho.................................

.................Sturridge..........Firmino.....................

I've gone with Milner on the right and Moreno on the left because if we play with a diamond width from fullback will be vital and Milner playing on the left cuts inside too often. Against teams that sit deep and defend narrow both fullbacks have all of the space and are the out ball most of the time, I think Milner has potential to be a huge threat as a RB against teams that want to park the bus, from the left he is less effective because of his inclination to cut inside. You could play Clyne as left back if you wanted to be more conservative on that side, but Moreno is the only left footed fullback we have and when you have space in front of you, you want someone that can use it and go on the outside. So both fullbacks would start pretty high up the pitch and provide the width.

I really like the front 3 and Lallana in midfield just gives us more creativity there those front 3 players and Lallana would have a lot of flexibility in their movement.

[Upinsmoke]

I just really wanna see an energetic and lively performance, we are still working as hard as ever but we don't have that zip, that enthusiasm. If it means playing a few kids to add that then do it.

[Dan6times]

We will need to score 3 Sturridge must play on the right.

[stuartheal]

Very confident of a big performance for this. I love a mideeek game. A whole week between games always feels too long!

[DutchRed]

Just get to the final, I don't care how we play or by what result. By the time the final is played we'll have a full strength side so I'd really fancy our chances. Otherwise I don't know what would feel worse; getting to the semi-final and being knocked out by a side we would have expected to beat, or gift-wrapping the trophy for United.

If they beat us over two legs they have every chance of beating a team worse than us over one, but let's just try getting there ourselves anyway..

[gregorio]

Surely looking at Wolves as the opportunity to rotate and go strong for this and Chelsea.

Wish-list:-

- Lallana back in the midfield.
- Firmino central.
- Matip in defence.
- Sturridge in the lineup (either on the right of a three, or up top with Firmino in a diamond).
- Ojo on the bench as a direct/pace option.
- Tempo.
- Reduction in the number of hopeful crosses.
- Tempo.
- Tempo.
- Tempo.

Hopefully the crowd treat this as a European night and the place is rocking. Forget the fact that it's the league cup, we haven't won a trophy in almost five years, this is a huge opportunity to get that monkey off our backs and then push on.

Wolves are on the up, I'd play a strong team for all 3, get the first team on a roll , we need 3 straight wins to get this season back on track

[JackWard33]

Wolves are on the up, I'd play a strong team for all 3, get the first team on a roll , we need 3 straight wins to get this season back on track

We've watched the squad get fatigued over a fixture congested period, performance levels drop, points are lost and the answer to 3 games in less than a week isn't to play the same players 3 times

[youll never walk alone it]

Hands up who went the last league cup semi v them in 87?  god i feel old, im sure spackman scored 1 of the goals at anfield 3-0? 

[Nick110581]

Matip and Sturridge in please.

If things aren't working then make changes at half time. Don't leave it late.

[Crosby Nick]

Hands up who went the last league cup semi v them in 87?  god i feel old, im sure spackman scored 1 of the goals at anfield 3-0? 

McMahon got one didn't he? I remember my brother being allowed to stay up to watch the highlights (Sportsnight?!), and telling me the next day. I wasn't allowed.

Edit - Whelan,  Dalglish and Molby,  you and him are lying bastards.