Topic: Pre-Match Thread - Liverpool V Crystal Palace, Sunday 23 April, 16.30

[Caston]

He would be playing against a very physical Palace side. I think he will struggle if he is selected.

Have you seen the size of him?!

[LallanaInPyjamas]

He would be playing against a very physical Palace side. I think he will struggle if he is selected.

More than Gomez against Benteke? It feels far less of a risk.

I'd be tempted to go back three with Clyne and Can either side of Lovren if Matip, Klavan and Lucas genuinely are all out. But I don't think they will be.

[[new username under construction]]

He would be playing against a very physical Palace side. I think he will struggle if he is selected.

I'm sure he'd struggle, Stewart too but if no other options then ...fuck it the lad might be a star

[reddebs]

Come on guys, have any of you watched how often those players were hacked down during the last 3 games? 

We've played 2 of the worst set of thugs and the dogs if war bitters so it's hardly surprising we've suffered some knocks!!

[killer-heels]

More than Gomez against Benteke? It feels far less of a risk.

Gomez only gets a chance of playing because 3 potential centrebacks in Klavan, Matip and Lucas could be out. There is absolutely no way you would pick Gomez in this game unless we had a injury crisis.

[sms1986]

Sakho and Dann will be big misses for them too, remember, and they're 100% out for sure.

[killer-heels]

Have you seen the size of him?!

So? Its the speed and intensity thats the issue here.

[Caston]

So? Its the speed and intensity thats the issue here.

'He would be playing against a very physical Palace side'

Makes it sound like you're worried against his physicality, not speed and intensity.

[killer-heels]

'He would be playing against a very physical Palace side'

Makes it sound like you're worried against his physicality, not speed and intensity.

Its kind of banded into one isnt it? I think they will come at us and with speed and if we are a step off then it could prove costly. Its bad enough that we may have to play Gomez in this but playing Grujic as well would be bad.

[Caston]

Its kind of banded into one isnt it? I think they will come at us and with speed and if we are a step off then it could prove costly. Its bad enough that we may have to play Gomez in this but playing Grujic as well would be bad.

I think you underestimate him, he has lots of promise and I'm sure he'd be able to handle himself. They play with Cabaye and Milivojevic in midfield, nothing too special or physical.

[bailey90]

Could we drop Coutinho into midfield and start Sturridge?

I think I'd rather do that than start Trent/Grujic against these.

[Chalky Boots]

Gomez has been gash since he has returned from injury. I'd rather see Can there but then who the fuck do we play in midfield.

Has he?

[reddebs]

So? Its the speed and intensity thats the issue here.

Hmmm maybe from the flanks but speed and intensity with Benteke, really??

[El Denzel Pepito]

Am I totally ridiculous for thinking it may be 3 at the back?

Mignolet

Trent - Clyne - Lovren - Gomez - Milner

Can - Wijnaldum

Coutinho - Firmino

Origi

I know we're at home and all, but Palace are doing well, have a decent attack which is likely to cause us problems, especially with our current options at CB. I'd rather see Sturridge involved, but I think 3 at the back would be our best shot of a clean sheet against them.

[Caston]

Am I totally ridiculous for thinking it may be 3 at the back?

Mignolet

Trent - Clyne - Lovren - Gomez - Milner

Can - Wijnaldum

Coutinho - Firmino

Origi

I know we're at home and all, but Palace are doing well, have a decent attack which is likely to cause us problems, especially with our current options at CB.

That back line scares the shit out of me.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Clyne is terrible in the air, he would be slaughtered as a cb

[El Denzel Pepito]

Needs must. It's an option.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Needs must. It's an option.

Understood but its a poor variation of an option.

[xbugawugax]

anyone think stewart will play a part if Lucas is out?

dont mind seeing him in the DM role with Can and Gini helping him out.

              Simon

Clyne Gomez Lovren Milner

        Stewart/Lucas
    Can              Gini

    Bobby Origi Magician     

After seeing the failed formation vs stoke in the 1st half, I hope we don't try to play it too smart again. Rather see the players in settled positions playing familiar roles than switch the positions too much.

[slaphead]

very true ...... needs looking at.


have a chat without who looks after Leicesters players staying injury free and quick recovery times.

Can we check Southamptons instead ?  Not that they are better at keeping players fit, but we must be in withdrawals from not signing someone from there in the last year

[jillcwhomever]

Soooo, you're saying....they're definitely not definitely out?

He said they have "knocks." They haven't trained but none of them are definitely out one hundred percent. So that says to me there is still time. I just think it is too early for people to panic. Let's see what happens over the next day or so. The manager did not seem worried.

[phil236849]

Those quotes look a bit odd to me. Could it possibly be mind games?

[Nick110581]

Bit of time till sunday so lets not panic yet

[Caligula?]

Haha fuck me, it's as if someone up there doesn't want us to get into the top 4. It's just injury after injury.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

The positive news is that there are still two days to go before the match, and they haven't been ruled out completely.

Also, at this point, they should get injections and play through the pain. I would never advocate that usually, but we have 5 games left.

[LFCEmpire]

Haha fuck me, it's as if someone up there doesn't want us to get into the top 4. It's just injury after injury.

Haha I tend to agree on that one mate.

On a side note... can we at least win one trophy next season, is that asking too much?

[KopThat]

Lets hope at least a couple of the players in doubt are passed fit or we could see something like,
which should be good enough to get a result from Palace at home.

               Mignolet

Clyne  Gomez  Lovren  Milner

                   Can

        Winjaldum    Grujic

   Firmino                  Coutinho
                  Origi

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

We won't know for sure until an hour before kick off anyway.

you mean when the lineups get released? no shit

[rickardinho1]

Lets hope at least a couple of the players in doubt are passed fit or we could see something like,
which should be good enough to get a result from Palace at home.

               Mignolet

Clyne  Gomez  Lovren  Milner

                   Can

        Wijnaldum    Grujic

   Firmino                  Coutinho
                  Origi

That would make the bench look something like: Karius, Trent, Moreno, Stewart, Woodburn, Wilson, Sturridge

Solid.

[bailey90]

Could we not do:

Mignolet

Clyne  Gomez  Lovren  Milner

Can

Wijnaldum    Coutinho

Firmino                                    Origi

Sturridge

Or even go 2 up top with a diamond or a 4222? Or is it still asking too much of Sturridge to start?

[Red78]

I think there is too much panic in here. The way some of you are going on you'd think our entire back line has just gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson (in 1987, not 2017). Just relax. Matip will be on that pitch. Keep the faith. 

[joekim87]

Both teams have no centre backs. 7-3 final score to us.

[rickardinho1]

I think there is too much panic in here. The way some of you are going on you'd think our entire back line has just gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson (in 1987, not 2017). Just relax. Matip will be on that pitch. Keep the faith. 

Yes indeed, no need for panic. There could still be a good chance that Matip will play, but even if he doesn't, so what? It would be a good opportunity to see what Gomez is all about.

Pretty sure Gomez would have started more games for us at CB this season if not for his injury, and this could just be the making of him as a Liverpool CB. He'll also already be familiar with Benteke from training early last season too which should help.

Also, our situation isn't as bad as United, who have one fit CB with a hectic schedule for the rest of the season

[diegoLFC7]

Gomez will be physically bullied and dominated by Benteke.

[Caligula?]

Gomez will be physically bullied and dominated by Benteke.

It's not like Lovren hasn't been physically bullied or dominated by forwards such as Benteke in the past either.

[rickardinho1]

It's not like Lovren hasn't been physically bullied or dominated by forwards such as Benteke in the past either.

Well I'm sure Martin Kelly +1 are excited about the prospect of playing against Coutinho, Firmino, and Origi as well...

[Souness1]

Yes indeed, no need for panic. There could still be a good chance that Matip will play, but even if he doesn't, so what? It would be a good opportunity to see what Gomez is all about.

Pretty sure Gomez would have started more games for us at CB this season if not for his injury, and this could just be the making of him as a Liverpool CB. He'll also already be familiar with Benteke from training early last season too which should help.

Also, our situation isn't as bad as United, who have one fit CB with a hectic schedule for the rest of the season

The contrast between our defence when it's Matip and Lovren to when it's not is pretty stark. I think most people would be a lot less arsed if it wasn't such a massive game. With Mane, Lallana and Henderson our real strength is/was our first choice back 5 imo, their record when playing together is incredible, but now we can't even fall back on that. I still think we will win the game but I'm far less confident if Matip is indeed out.

[jillcwhomever]

Those quotes look a bit odd to me. Could it possibly be mind games?

It's a possibility, after all there is history between Klopp and Allardyce. "Calm down its Christmas!" 

[TepidT2O]

None if them have trained, so mind games is pushing it a bit far I suspect...

[rocco]

None if them have trained, so mind games is pushing it a bit far I suspect...

After listening to Klopps interview I'd be more convinced both Matip and Lucas will be available than not