Topic: LC: Norwich 0 v 3 Liverpool 4’ 79’ Minamino 50’ Origi

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

We picked a reasonably strong team for Arsenal last year, but it was before the CL started and the international break (it was the game before the Villa thrashing).

Having already picked up injuries (Thiago/Elliot) it's not worth risking players for the LC with City coming up and an away CL game.

Given the AFCON in January, and another international break, we could do without facing City or someone twice in a semi final that month anyway, so if we go out in the LC it's not a big deal. We'd have made more signings to cover if we were that bothered about the cups.

Our team against Arsenal was:

Adrian

N. Williams
R. Williams
Van Dijk
Milner

Jones
Grujic
Wilson

Salah
Minamino
Jota

We can pick a stronger team tonight without risking any of our best 11.

[Fromola]

Our team against Arsenal was:

Adrian

N. Williams
R. Williams
Van Dijk
Milner

Jones
Grujic
Wilson

Salah
Minamino
Jota

We can pick a stronger team tonight without risking any of our best 11.

Perhaps but i'd be amazed if our best two players (Virg and Mo) were anywhere near Carrow Road tonight, or play the next round.

[scatman]

lovely intro, looking forward to Kaide Gordon playing

[VVM]

I sentimentally do want to see Phillips play but realistically we do need to get more minutes in Gomez and Konate. They need to be up to speed so we can readily rotate them with Virgil and Joel without much of a drop off.

[Elzar]

I sentimentally do want to see Phillips play but realistically we do need to get more minutes in Gomez and Konate. They need to be up to speed so we can readily rotate them with Virgil and Joel without much of a drop off.

This is my thinking. I'd have said Gomez at RB, but I suggested that could be an option in pre-season and got laughed at. (Despite everyone now doing the same here!)

I'd like a youngster a right back Bradley seems to be the favourite, but I'm guessing it will only happen if Henderson plays and can help out on that side, or Gordon plays on the left side.

[VVM]

This is my thinking. I'd have said Gomez at RB, but I suggested that could be an option in pre-season and got laughed at. (Despite everyone now doing the same here!)

I'd like a youngster a right back Bradley seems to be the favourite, but I'm guessing it will only happen if Henderson plays and can help out on that side, or Gordon plays on the left side.

There is a dilemma at right back. I could see Gomez potentially being needed there at some point this season so it's not a bad shout for him to familiarize himself in the role tonight but I suspect we will prioritize getting him up to speed at CB whilst offering an opportunity to Bradley at right back. Gives us a chance to have a look at him in a real game and sends a positive message to the other youngsters that there are opportunities in the first team, which is something we've done very well over the last few seasons.

[LallanaInPyjamas]

First time in the away end for 2-3 years tonight, looking forward to cheering on the young & fringe players, fully believe in them to get the job done!

[MonsLibpool]

Maybe use Nat as a DM, he's definitely got the passing range and mobility for it

[Djozer]

Maybe use Nat as a DM, he's definitely got the passing range and mobility for it

Great bait.

In fairness though, he's a decent passer and Fabinho's not exactly the quickest either, so maybe Nat could do a job at DM.

I'm taking the piss, obviously.

[El Lobo]

That wasn't even good bait

He probably will start though, so the fewm when that happens is going to be fun

[LallanaInPyjamas]

That wasn't even good bait

He probably will start though, so the fewm when that happens is going to be fun

Are people seriously against him starting tonight? You can't extend someone's contract at his age and not start them in the early rounds of the League Cup. He's earned that at least!

[xbugawugax]

I'd be surprised if this wasn't the team

                               Kelleher


Bradley          Phillips          Gomez          Tsimikas


                                Milner
                     Ox                      Jones


         Gordon                                    Minamino
                                  Origi

No idea how strong Norwich will go. Would be nice to get through so these lads have more games to show what they can do. But a PL side away is always going to be tricky.

good mix of first team and squad players to get them match fit and sharpness.

really hope taki have a good game and shows us what he can bring to the squad.

[Welshred]

Are people seriously against him starting tonight? You can't extend someone's contract at his age and not start them in the early rounds of the League Cup. He's earned that at least!

Yes, 100%. Gomez and Konate need game time at centre back and I'd rather we played Conor Bradley at right back as he at least has a future at the club.

[Eeyore]

Are people seriously against him starting tonight? You can't extend someone's contract at his age and not start them in the early rounds of the League Cup. He's earned that at least!

That would be like signing a centre back from Preston and then never playing him.

[Eeyore]

Maybe use Nat as a DM, he's definitely got the passing range and mobility for it

Centre mid is actually where Nat has played most of his football.

[B0151?]

I don't really see a point arguing about it really. People are naming him in their teams because they think there's a good chance that's what Klopp will go for. But nobody will be moaning if he doesn't play.

I agree that on the face of it it's hard to see us wasting the chance to get Gomez and Konate more minutes. But fuck knows. Here's where Van Dijk and Matip start

[RyanBabel19]

Do we think Gordon could start or more likely be on the bench?

[Barefoot Doctor]

Do we think Gordon could start or more likely be on the bench?

I think he's going to start. Didn't a few days ago, but Thiago being out for Brentford (and maybe longer) means we'll likely want to rest an additional midfielder ahead of Saturday. So if Keita, for example, is rested tonight then that leaves Milner, Ox and Jones for midfield - whereas if Keita was also playing then one of Ox or Jones would probably have gone into attack with Origi and Minamino. So that creates a space in attack for Gordon, unless Klopp decides to go with one of Mane/Salah/Jota... which isn't out of the realms of possibility since Bobby is probably back for the weekend. But on balance I think the opportunity is there for Gordon and they might as well go for it.

[No666]

Hope they do go for it. The LC gives a perfect opportunity to give experience to the young talents with little pressure on them. And not watching the youth matches myself, I enjoy the chance to see them as well.

[lamonti]

I would expect for Norwich to go close to full strength. They desperately need a win for confidence sake more than anything and they know Liverpool could likely make 9 or 10 changes.

I'd expect them to change as many as possible.

[88_RED]

Maybe use Nat as a DM, he's definitely got the passing range and mobility for it

I can see big Nat replacing Matip as our top playmaker.. The legend grows..

[disgraced cake]

Norwich probably have a better chance of winning this competition than they do of staying in the league. Would expect them to play a good 11 to be honest, depending on what your definition of good is.

[PaulF]

Whoever klopp chooses for tonight will bring out loads of moaning. People who soon after will have egg all over their face

[gerrardisgod]

Debuts for Bradley and Gordon. And big Joe captain 

[El Lobo]

Very nice

[Welshred]

Of course Phillips doesn't start, he was never going to start this game. Team is as I expected it.

[duvva 💅]

Love that team. Chances for fringe players and youngsters but still looks a good first eleven with a good chance of getting a result. Bench seems a little light, only 7?

[duvva 💅]

Anyone know what the Norwich line up is? Many changes for them?

[disgraced cake]

That team should have enough I think. Could go either way of course but I do like the line up. Strong defence and three quality midfielders, and a couple of debuts for exciting young players. Really hope we win this and can move onto the next round.

Balagizi on the bench too. Would love to be in a comfortable position and see him come on.

[vicar]

Gomez, Konate partnership makes sense to get them both a bit more game time.
Interesting midfield

[Nick110581]

Stronger than expected

[Samie]

[Djozer]

Cool team. Love that two kids are making starts and debuts (they are both debuting, right?). Nice that Morton and Balagizi are on the bench too.

[Samie]

Shame I can't promote the Musialowski propaganda properly yet.

[mkferdy]

Midfield will be interesting to see. We could get calved open in there, excited to see the younger lads. Should be fun.

[B0151?]

Stronger than expected

Looks about right to me. Everyone in there needs games

[[new username under construction]]

Good to see Balagizi on the bench

[Nick110581]

One of the Midfield three could stake a claim to start on Saturday

[Samie]

Joseph Gomez  Is Captain! 

[MD1990]

Great to have the two youngsters surrounded by experience.

Konat & Gomez is a brillant back up CB.

Robertson with another rest. Rotation of the squad has been excellent.