Topic: Pre-Match - Liverpool Vs Leicester City - Sunday 22nd November 19:15 Sky Sports

[El Lobo]

Liverpool Vs Leicester City

Sunday 22nd November - 19:15 Kick Off

Sky Sports

Team news:

Liverpool Milner, Origi and Adrian are fit.

Leicester Pereira, Soyuncu, Ndidi and Castagne are out

Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Assistants: Daniel Cook, Marc Perry. Fourth official: Paul Tierney. VAR: David Coote (yes....really). Assistant VAR: Nick Hopton.

Once again we go into a game against Leicester City with both teams near the top of the table. The equivalent game last season was a 2-1 massacre with a late Milner penalty. I’m pretty sure we’d all take that again right now. We’ve made, in my opinion, an excellent start to the season. The football is getting better and we’ve had it tough on paper fixture wise, not taking into account the injury issues. Third in the table plus 3/3 in the CL is great going. Leicester obviously are top. I don’t actually think they’ve played particularly greatly so far but they do seem more ‘pragmatic’ than they maybe did last season under Rodgers. It’ll be a tough game, they always are with Steptoe up top.

So genuinely...injuries. Van Dijk, Gomez, TAA and Ox are definitely out. Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson and Robbo we really don’t know. Mo may or may not be out with COVID. And we’ve another week of internationals to go. If we could line up with 11 players in their right position it’d be an absolute triumph. If there was ever a demonstration of the fucking disgraceful schedule these players are facing unfortunately we’re the best example right now. It seems doubtful there’ll be any point this season we’ll have been able to field out strongest side and we’re only 8 games in.

Leicester in all honesty are having some bad injury problem themselves. Soyuncu, Ndidi, Castagne and Pereira are definitely out. Fofana and Schmeichel could be doubtful after knocks on international duty. That’s the majority of the defensive line up, if the latter two are out it’s the whole lot. We’re probably looking at this game praying they’ve got two CMs other than Choudhury because he’s pretty much guaranteed to add another one to the set if he gets on. Both teams are going to be pretty dilapidated at this point, especially after an international break.

Their main threat is going to be Vardy, let’s be honest. He’s started the season as well as ever with 9 goals in 8 games so far. We’ll be hoping that we can at least field Fabinho and Matip for this, I wouldn’t fancy one of the kids up against such a rotter. He looks like he’s striking up a good partnership with Under and they have Maddison back in the team creating goals. They’re a dangerous team and they’ve seemingly recovered really well from their aberration at the end of last season, where they gifted United/Chelsea third and fourth place.

The most important thing right now though is that we sadly lost one of our greatest ever recently. Taken far too early, hopefully we can put in a performance to give him a smile up there.

Rest In Peace Ray

[Red_Rich]

Liverpool Milner, Origi and Adrian are fit.

That'll soon be our available squad at this rate   

[gazzalfc]

VAR: David Coote

HAHAHHAHAHHAHAH Of fucking course he is

[deFacto please, you bastards]

What could possible go wrong with Coote in charge of VAR?

Have no idea how we line up given the injuries and general fitness of the international players.

Hopefully we see the likes  of Thiago and Fabinho back. Would be a massive boost.

Any win would do at this point

[Nick110581]

Coote in charge of VAR, latest possible KO available and the earliest next week with Europe in between and loads of injuries.

World waiting for us to fail so hopefully see another reaction.

[sinnermichael]

We haven't lost at home for 3 and a half years. This group is unbelievably strong mentally. Yet the way some are talking you'd think Leicester will just turn up and roll us over. They're without key players aswell but nobody mentions that. Pereira, Soyuncu, Ndidi all out. Fofana went off injured last night. They still need to worry about us more than we do about them. If Thiago plays, they need to get the ball first.

We'll find a way. We always do.

[JC the Messiah]

Coote as VAR is ludicrous. He gives us a decision, and the narrative will be that he did it to "even things out". Gives it against us, and it's business as usual.

Either way, it's not fair on him, us, or anyone.

[Snail]

*nervous giggle*

[TSC]

We haven't lost at home for 3 and a half years. This group is unbelievably strong mentally.

Ironically last time we went this long unbeaten at home it was finally ended by Leicester back in the day.

[Fromola]

We haven't lost at home for 3 and a half years. This group is unbelievably strong mentally. Yet the way some are talking you'd think Leicester will just turn up and roll us over. They're without key players aswell but nobody mentions that. Pereira, Soyuncu, Ndidi all out. Fofana went off injured last night. They still need to worry about us more than we do about them. If Thiago plays, they need to get the ball first.

We'll find a way. We always do.

We haven't lost it yet. Hopefully we can put a team out at least and see what happens. Look at the Derby last season in the cup.

This is where we really need the crowd though and we're already 1-0 down with VAR.

[d_sookoo21]

hoping thiago and fab start

[deFacto please, you bastards]

This is where we really need the crowd though and we're already 1-0 down with VAR.

Christ on a bike, how do you function in a daily basis?

[William Regal]

This is gonna be interesting tactically from Klopp, in the space of a month we've gone from arguably having the fastest back 4 in the league to having arguably the slowest back 4 in the league presuming its milner-matip-fabinho-robertson.

Baring in mind that Vardy is arguably the best counter attack player in the league, will Klopp press from the front and play the high line or will klopp defend deeper, draw leicester on and play a more counter attacking game?

[JC the Messiah]

hoping thiago and fab start

Fabinho is "essential", as is Matip, whereas Thiago would give us a great boost.

Henderson and Robbo are pretty essential too. Of course, so is Alisson. Mane, Jota, and Bobby up top - great to have Jota to drop in to the front three without having to rearrange the setup.

Who else is a "doubt" (assuming Mo is unavailable)?

[Bread]

Best case scenario is that Henderson and Robbo are fit enough to start this, but if we presume that their "tight muscles" actually lead to absences, then we could still field a team like this:

Alisson
Neco Matip Fabinho Tsimikas
Gini Thiago Keita
Mane Bobby Jota

Subs: Adrian, Rhys, Milner, Jones, Taki, Shaq, Origi

That for me is still a strong enough team to dispatch Leicester, and I rate Leicester and what Brendan is doing there really highly. I think it's a testament to our squad depth that we can suffer the kind of injury crisis we're currently suffering and still put out a team that strong. I suppose Fabinho and Thiago are still uncertain returnees, and if that's the case, that's when things will begin to look a little bit thin.

[gazzalfc]

I'm going to be positive

Allison

Trent (or Nico Williams)
Fabinho
Matip (or Nat Phillips)
Robinson (or Milner)

Gini
Thiago
Curtis Jones

Jota
Mane
Firmino

Shaq, minamino and Nabi off the bench if needed

[McrRed]

Ironically last time we went this long unbeaten at home it was finally ended by Leicester back in the day.

Oh brilliant. Just when I was starting to believe again...

[Hedley Lamarr]

Alisson

Robertson
Matip
Fabinho
N.Williams

Henderson
Thiago
Winjaldum

Jota
Firmino
Mane

That'd be guess. I expect Milner to replace Henderson around the hour mark, maybe at halftime. 

[CHOPPER]

The most concerned I've been in 63 games for getting beat at Anfield. I'm not ashamed to say I'd take a draw right now.

I've even been dubbining me boots just in case I get call.

[killer-heels]

Think we should go Milner, Fabinho, Matip and Tsimikas at the back, Wijnaldum, Keita and Thiago in midfield and Jota, Firmino and Mane.

[Fromola]

Christ on a bike, how do you function in a daily basis?

Cootes on VAR puts us on a -1 handicap at best. We have to score perfect goals he can't rule out and make sure no Leicester player so much as farts in the box. Given that Leicester already have about 50 penalties this season it's a nap they'll get at least one.

[Ginieus]

The most concerned I've been in 63 games for getting beat at Anfield. I'm not ashamed to say I'd take a draw right now.

I've even been dubbining me boots just in case I get call.

100%

I can confirm I'm available for selection.

[God's Left Peg]

Think we should go Milner, Fabinho, Matip and Tsimikas at the back, Wijnaldum, Keita and Thiago in midfield and Jota, Firmino and Mane.

That'd be a decent starting 11.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Cootes on VAR puts us on a -1 handicap at best. We have to score perfect goals he can't rule out and make sure no Leicester player so much as farts in the box. Given that Leicester already have about 50 penalties this season it's a nap they'll get at least one.

There isn't anything you aren't negative about in regards to this club period, Cootes and VAR aside, your take on everything is negative. At this point it feels like an act.

[rawcusk8]

Thanks for the write up Lobo.

Tough to predict a line up given we have to endure another round of International games. Leicester will be a threat but I still fancy our chances despite all our injuries. If I’m not mistaken Fuchs has been playing LB for them so it will be a battle of the oldies if Milner starts for us I would go with;

Ali
Robbo
Matip
Fab
Milner
Thiago
Hendo (please be fit)
Gini
Sadio
Bobby
Jota

[Gifted Right Foot]

I nearly pulled a hammy just going for a jog around the block so i'm out as well. 

[Jwils21]

Alisson

Milner
Matip
A framed photograph of Ragnar Klavan
No idea, probably Tsimikas if he’s been found

Thiago, potentially on crutches
Wijnaldum
Jones

Jota
Firmino in a hazmat suit
Mane


4-0 the reds.

[RedSince86]

Think we should go Milner, Fabinho, Matip and Tsimikas at the back, Wijnaldum, Keita and Thiago in midfield and Jota, Firmino and Mane.

I like that team.

I think it'll be a edgy 2-1 win.

[JC the Messiah]

I like that team.

I think it'll be a edgy 2-1 win.

Me too, but with our defensive worries, I'd like to see a keeper in there as well... just in case. Preferably Alisson.

[daveonthespionkop1900]

                alisson
Williams Matip Phillips kostas
Jones       Gini.      Milner
Mane.       Bobby.  Jota

Thiago.. Fab... Kieta off bench poss shaq
praying for a Hendo and Robbo

[slaphead]

Be a tough game this one, they seem to be lethal on the break. Vardy has had a weeks rest so once he gets his 3 expresso's and 2 red bulls before the game he'll be at his narky, cheating, diving, sharp pain in the arse best.
Our unbeaten home record will go at some stage but I have a feeling with injury after injury the lads will go out and show what we're made of here and make a big statement. Really really hope Thiago plays, its invaluable what he can bring to a team. When you're short of defenders, having someone who can run a game and just never gives the ball away is golden.

[Wabaloolah]

VAR: David Coote

HAHAHHAHAHHAHAH Of fucking course he is

what the actual fuck is that prick doing anywhere near VAR let alone VAR at one of our games. The club should kick up a fucking right stink about this!

[**** The Pain Away.]

Would be very surprised if we do not win this comfortably.

[LFCobsessive]

Very strange situation for us with so many being out, I think 3-1 to us though somehow, The coaches/manager keep on surprising us in what they can get our players to play like. If we lose it'll be bad for the home record stats but what can we do? Tough circumstances injury wise. Two for Mane and one for Jota in my thoughts, not one for Vardy, one from there random players, a defender or one who hasn't scored for over a year.

[Mister Flip Flop]

The club should be questioning as to why Coote is the VAR official.

[slaphead]

We have a lot out yeah, but you look at our possible team and it's class. Mad how good Klopp has made our squad.

[duvva 💅]

Thanks for the OP Lobo and let’s hope they can do Ray proud.

It’s going to be a tough one with all the injuries but if the likes of Fabinho, Thiago and Matip are available and we suffer no further injuries this week then we should still be able to field a side capable of winning.

Fingers crossed the rest get through the week unscathed.

[kavah]

Thanks FA Lobo.

The team news - 

Tough test for them and us, and after the last game another fantastic challenge for the managers.
I'll be happier when our goalkeeper is back, safe and sound, later in the week.

[jckliew]

VAR: David Coote

HAHAHHAHAHHAHAH Of fucking course he is

WHY is he even allowed near VAR?

[jckliew]

We need to score something. Vardy always gets his goal.  Especially looking at our backline. Ali will have his work cut out.
Here's to 3-2 to the REDS!