Topic: Liverpool v AC Milan - Champions League Group Stage - 15/09/2021, 8pm, BT Sport

[deFacto please, you bastards]

It just seems daft to label it as must win, or close to. That suggests to me that we'd be fucked if we don't win, which isn't even close to reality. For me must win games are the 'Olympiakos 05, Napoli 18, Red Bull 19' ilk but maybe thats a bit too literal We've just had so many European seasons where we haven't started great and ended up winning it or getting close that I can't really get myself in the mindset that the first group game is must win, regardless of how strong the group is.

Correct. Winning now doesn't mean that you aren't going to drop points later on. It's a pointless discussion, since we're going to go out to win anyway, it's not like we're going in with a half-arsed attitude to begin with.

[Crosby Nick]

Their fans seem confident, and they've had a good start to the season. I'd be wary of making too many changes. In an ideal world, we'd be giving Virgil/Joel a rest. Gomez probably needs a bit more time before starting a game like this. Perhaps Konate will be thrown in. Front 3 picks itself considering Bobby's injured.

Alisson; Trent, Matip, Konate, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Jota, Mane.

Then Virgil, Thiago back for Palace.

They would seem confident if they just got their views on us from the UK media. Everyone seems to be thinking we’re going to have a repeat of last season. Our starting line up against Leeds was amazing. We might tinker with things a little bit midweek but I think Klopp will go as strong as he can.

I’d back us against almost anyone at home in those circumstances. This isn’t Atalanta at home from last season with sweeping changes and no crowd.

[Jookie]

2005 was Monaco, Olympiakos and Deportivo. Not sure that compares well to Milan, Porto and A. Madrid, even if you allow for the weakening of Milan. Maybe Porto remain a side tailor made for us to destroy but that remains to be seen. They're certainly very used to winning games and probably better in a side by side comparison with D. La Coruna from that group.

The season before Monaco were CL runners-up and came 3rd in Ligue (4 points off the top). Deportivo came 3rd in La Liga (6 points off the title) & got to the CL semi-final in the previous season. Olympiakos were a weird team in that in European football they we're pretty poor away from home. At home they had a great record though. CL between 1999 and 2005 their home record was W11 D4 L3. There only losses came to Juventus and Manchester United (x2). Given there were generally a 3rd or 4th pot team they always had decent opposition as well.

I think it's hard  for me to really say how good Milan and Porto are at present - compared to a Top 4 PL club. Even harder to compare teams across eras. What I would say is that based on the preceding season's performances, Deportivo and Monaco entered the start of the 2004/05 season as 2 of the better teams in Europe (maybe somewhere between 8-12th best in CL). Olympiakos was a very tough away but probably one of the easiest home games you could get given their away record in CL at the time.

I'd say on both occasions (2004/05 and now) we had relatively tough groups. In 2004/05 we probably weren't favourites to go through. This season we should be favourites to go through. That doesn't mean we will but if we play anywhere near our potential across the 6 games then we should top the group, never mind just get through. That wasn't necessarily the case before the 2004-05 group stage.

Tomorrow's game isn't must win. A win makes it much easier though. A loss would probably mean we need 4 points at least from the 3 away games to progress. We'd also increase the pressure on the need to beat Atletico at home.

[xbugawugax]

a win surely makes the job easier on the later rounds doesn't it. might as well gather as many points while the players are fresh and fit.

Looking at how the officiating is for the league, how long before another one of our players get taken out for the season. We have already lost vvd and thiago last season. Surely the c*nts in the studio and media will save the biggest celebration when salah gets taken out for the season.

[Bend It Like Aurelio]

For those who are interested, training session live now on LFC’s YouTube channel.

[gerrardisgod]

Taki back in training.

[rawcusk8]

Hoping to see a couple of changes. Namely VVD and Robbo sitting this one out, Kostas had been playing well and Joe or Ibu are ready to come in.

[na fir dearg]

Think its as close to must win as it gets. It immediately puts the pressure on Milan as they play Atletico next. Aside from that with 3 home games for us we really need to make that advantage count. Especially as one is against that Madrid side - who are amongst the most dogged, cynical and crafty sides I've seen, as well as being stacked with good players. A draw wouldn't be a disaster but any dropped points in this group are going to be hard to claw back IMO.

Get off to a win here and then follow that up with a win in Porto and I think we'll find we're either joint top with Madrid on 6 or possibly two infront. That gives us a lovely position going into the double header with them.

If we can come out of game 4 with at least a 3 point lead over Milan and Porto I think we're pretty much home and hosed. Milan would then have to beat, or at least take points from Madrid in game 5 and we'd have Porto at home with a chance to seal qualification.

Whilst I'd back this Liverpool team against any team in any venue, I'd really rather we had the option to rest up/relax in game 6 as opposed to be going to the San Siro with Milan able to qualify by beating us.

A good, winning, start is imperative imo.

agreed, get the points in the bag as early as possible

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

I think there is a difference between "we could really do with winning this one" and "must win".

Think Atletico are also being over-estimated. A good team sure, but they aren't going to just simply swat Porto and Milan aside, leaving us fighting for second if we slip up.

That 2005 group was HARD! Monaco and Deportivo were both very good teams that had gone deep in Europe, and Olympiakos were a good match for anyone, in Greece anyway. Our 1-0 win in Deportivo is one of my all-time favourite CL wins and I think the first real sign of what Benitez could achieve.

[Crosby Nick]

I think there is a difference between "we could really do with winning this one" and "must win".

Think Atletico are also being over-estimated. A good team sure, but they aren't going to just simply swat Porto and Milan aside, leaving us fighting for second if we slip up.

That 2005 group was HARD! Monaco and Deportivo were both very good teams that had gone deep in Europe, and Olympiakos were a good match for anyone, in Greece anyway. Our 1-0 win in Deportivo is one of my all-time favourite CL wins and I think the first real sign of what Benitez could achieve.

One of the first glimpses we had of the mighty Igor strutting his stuff in midfield on a European night as well. Think he created the winner with a lovely surge from midfield which he later repeated against Leverkusen.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

I think there is a difference between "we could really do with winning this one" and "must win".

Think Atletico are also being over-estimated. A good team sure, but they aren't going to just simply swat Porto and Milan aside, leaving us fighting for second if we slip up.

That 2005 group was HARD! Monaco and Deportivo were both very good teams that had gone deep in Europe, and Olympiakos were a good match for anyone, in Greece anyway. Our 1-0 win in Deportivo is one of my all-time favourite CL wins and I think the first real sign of what Benitez could achieve.

2018 was really difficult as well

[RedSince86]

For those who are interested, training session live now on LFC’s YouTube channel.

Who this guy stood next to Klopp with the initials AS?

[Crosby Nick]

That’s Arrigo Sacchi.

[Ghost Town]

Who this guy stood next to Klopp with the initials AS?

Dr Andreas Schlumberger, the new head of recovery and performance

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/first-team/staff/dr-andreas-schlumberger

[RedSince86]

That’s Arrigo Sacchi.

[Dr. Beaker]

Who this guy stood next to Klopp with the initials AS?

Albert Steptoe.

[Henry Kissinger]

So.... do we owe them, or do they still owe us, or are we equals pequals?

After 2005 they owed us but got their revenge in 2007, so now we owe them. There's no such thing as equals pequals, you just made that up. Creating new language on RAWK is not allowed unless signed off by three mods. And one of them has to be wearing a giraffe costume.

[jepovic]

No games are must win now, but this is moreso than any of the league games. Makes no sense to rotate for this one.

[Gaz123456]

Who this guy stood next to Klopp with the initials AS?

  Arne Saknussemm finally got out?

[CHOPPER]

Arz Spitt

[deFacto please, you bastards]

No games are must win now, but this is moreso than any of the league games. Makes no sense to rotate for this one.

It makes sense when you have multiple players back from long term injuries and they're set to play another game at the weekend.

[thaddeus]

I watched Milan when they played Man U in the Europa League last season and they were not a good team.

They're getting bent out of shape because 39-year old Zlatan is injured.  Maybe rightly so as their other forwards are 34-year old Giroud and Ante "3 goals in 42 caps" Rebic.

We should have far too much for them under any circumstances and you can also throw in a bouncing Anfield.

I hope Keita comes back into the midfield and stakes a claim for a long run in the side.  It's such a shame that the Trent, Harvey, Mo right side has been broken up but I expect Thiago will swap across so it's still formidable.

[rob1966]

I watched Milan when they played Man U in the Europa League last season and they were not a good team.

They're getting bent out of shape because 39-year old Zlatan is injured.  Maybe rightly so as their other forwards are 34-year old Giroud and Ante "3 goals in 42 caps" Rebic.

We should have far too much for them under any circumstances and you can also throw in a bouncing Anfield.

I hope Keita comes back into the midfield and stakes a claim for a long run in the side.  It's such a shame that the Trent, Harvey, Mo right side has been broken up but I expect Thiago will swap across so it's still formidable.

I watched those games too and they really were poor, shadow of what they used to be.

[Nick110581]

Would def rest Matip or VVD for this and manage game time.

Hendo for Harvey and maybe Naby for Thiago.

[Nobby Reserve]

Who this guy stood next to Klopp with the initials AS?

Is that Bielsa in the background?

[kennedy81]

That’s Arrigo Sacchi.

haha

I think we'll do these comfortably tomorrow. I'm expecting a good performance under the lights with a crowd in. Atmosphere should be buzzing.

[stonecold_jpm]

I’d take the gamble and rest both the centre backs but the rest of the side just Hendo to come in and it’s our best midfield and front three.  Virgil, Matip and Tsmikas come in on Saturday. It isn’t normally the way the boss operates but it must be at the front of his mind after seeing Harvey took out, and won’t want to chance losing Virgil or Joel from overplaying so soon.

[Kashinoda]

Boss
https://twitter.com/lfc/status/1437868762376462338?s=21

[Samie]

Goosebumps!

"Once a European Champion, always a European Champion".

[BarryCrocker]

Who this guy stood next to Klopp with the initials AS?

That's the ASMan. 

[Suareznumber7]

Boss
https://twitter.com/lfc/status/1437868762376462338?s=21

That’s class.

[NarutoReds]

I am not going to worry much about our defence this time. We have kept 3 clean sheets in our opening 4 games.

Concern only, Matip's injury track record... Not sure what Jurgen would be thinking in playing him back-to-back games within the space of three days. He must be confident.

Thing is, just only needs Mane to be on his day. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in Leed's post-match analysis: "He (Mane) could have easily had a hat-trick!!!".

Our opponent are not this caliber. There's no way we couldn't do this (on current numbers, maths and papers) logically. Liverpool could just ejaculate on this game easily with closed eyes.

Come on you Mighty Reds!!





Let's do them. Let's take a revenge.

[deano2727]

I’d take the gamble and rest both the centre backs but the rest of the side just Hendo to come in and it’s our best midfield and front three.  Virgil, Matip and Tsmikas come in on Saturday. It isn’t normally the way the boss operates but it must be at the front of his mind after seeing Harvey took out, and won’t want to chance losing Virgil or Joel from overplaying so soon.

Can't see it. We have a tough group and should be looking to make it easier for ourselves by winning our home games. Massive tie as well. Strongest XI for me. If our strongest XI is available and fit, they should start. Rest players at the weekend if necessary.

[MD1990]

I think we will rest Van Dijk

[Grobbelrevell]

On the rest front, worth noting that we have Norwich away in the League Cup next week, so they'll all get a full week off there between Palace and Brentford.

That said, I'm still expecting a couple of changes for tonight. Not sure how I feel about Matip playing three games in a seven days, and we don't really know where Van Dijk is at this stage of his recovery and whether that's a step too far for him (although he does cruise through games in a way not many players can get away with). I suspect one of those two gets switched out, probably Matip. I also think Henderson starts this one as well.

I don't think it'll be much more than a couple though, again, with the week off on the horizon.

[Chip Evans]

Reckon we'll go all out for this one with the next 2 in the group away from home. It's not must win but you don't want to be playing catchup in a group like this one - win your home games, get points on the board. Think any rotation will come next week.

Plus we fucking owe them one. European royalty. 7 cups to 6. Hope we batter them.

[Keita Success]

Boss
https://twitter.com/lfc/status/1437868762376462338?s=21

Chills.

When that sort of video is done right, it's spectacular.

[Flaccido Dongingo]

Think Milner might start tonight, Jurgen seems to play him in Europe quite a lot.

[-Willo-]

Looking forward to this.

Should be fairly routine, going for 3-0

[Zeb]

Nice reading through and seeing how many others feel it for this one. Looking forward to it.