Topic: Pre-match thread: Manchester City vs. Liverpool | 25/11/2023 | 12:30(BST)

[newterp]

think  Dom can just smash Rodri? I do.  Man to man lets do it. what a battle that would be. Poor rods. He cant handle the truth. mr about 7 mins of good hard competitive action every game is all thats required against mr 105 mins of getting better and better. 

otoh rodri probably smash mac so idk.  Maybe Darwin can smash Rodri instead, further up the pitch. Yeah, Darwin can smash him with running and elbows. that'll work.

after that they suck eggs Matip and VVD will laugh at them .   

Hitting the thanksgiving booze early?

[JRed]

Fully expecting Nunez and Salah to rip these cheating c*nts to shreds.

[Gus 1855]

I do get the feeling their defence is a little weaker than it has been and they can be got at once you get past Rodri. I'm confident we'll score, the question really is how many do we concede.

Pretty sure they'll have the bulk of the ball so we'll have to be patient and take our chances when they come. Really do need to be very disciplined.

[the_red_pill]

https://www.thisisanfield.com/2023/11/liverpool-fc-injury-update-good-news-on-ryan-gravenberch-curtis-jones-2-more/

Good nes, but I do hope they'll be able to perform to the max- for 100 minutes.

[the_red_pill]

Our away form needs to improve if we want to challenge for the title. Going to the Etihad is the hardest away fixture. Hopefully everyone comes back fit and healthy, for what promises to be a great occasion. Diaz and Nunez have done well on international duty. They could be the difference in this one. I think Darwin Nunez will give them some problems, and hopefully he scores the winner.

At the other end I would play Van Dijk and Konate, if he is fit, and hopefully they keep Haaland quiet. Gomez gets the nod at left back for me, due to his athleticism and pace. Can’t wait.

Yeah I just hope we don't go there just expecting to run them into the ground. It hasn't worked sofar.
We need to turn up there with a few good tactics up our sleeve AND run them into the ground.

Good point. Slightly weird game in that we were miles off their level as a team and got the win. As their equal, I think we’ll be bolder.

I still think we got the win cause they underestimated us at the time due to our form. Just like we underestimated Luton.
The previous season we also had a cautious game at Anfield I think and we managed a draw?

This time around there won't be any such luxuries, and they recognize us as a threat again- at least in the short term. Our deficiencies are well known, so they'll target those, AGAIN. The space behind our fullbacks, especially Trent.. they'll target our newly-formed midfield- we should have a few deficiencies there that Guardiola has picked up on, and they'll work on keeping Mo out of the game.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Who are the cheating PGMOL bastards for this one?

[DelTrotter]

Who are the cheating PGMOL bastards for this one?

We'll find out later I think. See everyone in the VAR thread at about 12.50pm on Sat.

Actually, probably a bit optimistic, more like 12.35pm.

[redk84]

This is the hardest away fixture which we are not expected to win.....given our away form, so free hit? Want to see us go out there playing with freedom, make it chaotic and take advantage. No hesitation, no letting our heads drop

These twats need twatting as someone said

[Raid]

This is the hardest away fixture which we are not expected to win.....given our away form, so free hit? Want to see us go out there playing with freedom, make it chaotic and take advantage. No hesitation, no letting our heads drop

These twats need twatting as someone said

it's no free hit, if we can't win we need to ensure we don't lose. Keep them well within sight going into the turn of the year and we get a crack at them at Anfield if we're still in the mix.

[Mister Flip Flop]

Jesus christ just seen the game is yet another 12:30 kick off for us after the international break 

In fairness at least they don't even attempt to try and hide their hate for us.

[Jookie]

they recognize us as a threat again- at least in the short term.

If City genuinely view us as a threat again then I think they'd view a game at home against us as a way of putting a marker down and putting us back in our place.

I genuinely think it's going to be a really tough game for us. At Anfield I'd be confident of a win. Away from home, I'd be absolutely delighted with a draw. In past seasons I viewed us going to City as equals (even if we didn't win there often). I don't at this stage. We might be 2nd or 3rd best team in this league but my opinion, as it stands, is that there is still a significant gap between City and ourselves (& Arsenal).

I'd go there and flood the midfield and play Gomez at right back (or at least Trent asa more traditional right back). We played 4-4-2 when we beat them last season (with Elliott wide right). I wouldn't be surprised if we do something similar, with Nunez and Salah up top and maybe a midfield 4 of Jones, MacAllister, Szoboszlai and Elliott. Back four of Gomez, Matip, VvD and Trent.

[redk84]

it's no free hit, if we can't win we need to ensure we don't lose. Keep them well within sight going into the turn of the year and we get a crack at them at Anfield if we're still in the mix.

As others have mentioned, its hard for us to go there and look to be cautious and come away with a result. Our more succesful results against them and better performances are when we have a go at them...

I know what you are saying, looking at it as an overview id take a draw right now but in terms of approach we need to be fearless

[Crosby Nick]

As others have mentioned, its hard for us to go there and look to be cautious and come away with a result. Our more succesful results against them and better performances are when we have a go at them...

I know what you are saying, looking at it as an overview id take a draw right now but in terms of approach we need to be fearless

Was it the funny lockdown season we went there and played all 4 of our attackers? Drew 1-1 and De Bruyne missed a penalty.

The 2-2 we had there a couple more seasons ago felt a lot more open, where both sides looked capable of scoring every time they had a bit of time on the ball.

[number 168]

"I do get the feeling their defence is a little weaker than it has been and they can be got at once you get past Rodri". If you get past Rodri he tries to foul you as he knows he will get away with a few before the ref actually gets his card out: same with Fernandinho for years. Then you have to run the gauntlet of being fouled by the centre backs. I think the pundits call it being clever and praise Pep the tactical genius.

[markedasred]

Serious question: How does their pitch compare to ours in size?

[tubby]

Serious question: How does their pitch compare to ours in size?

Liverpool Pitch Size
101 metres long by 68 metres wide, or 110 yards by 74 yards.

Manchester City Pitch Size
105 metres by 68 metres or 115 yards by 74 yards.

[markedasred]

Liverpool Pitch Size
101 metres long by 68 metres wide, or 110 yards by 74 yards.

Manchester City Pitch Size
105 metres by 68 metres or 115 yards by 74 yards.

So you're saying they have 115 problems, but the pitch ain't one?

[SamLad]

So you're saying they have 115 problems, but the pitch ain't one?

well done

[tubby]

So you're saying they have 115 problems, but the pitch ain't one?

Did you set that up deliberately?

[SamLad]

Did you set that up deliberately?

I smell collusion

[markedasred]

Did you set that up deliberately?

Yes, I'll get my coat.

[SamLad]

Yes, I'll get my coat.

these damned international breaks 

[Raid]

As others have mentioned, its hard for us to go there and look to be cautious and come away with a result. Our more succesful results against them and better performances are when we have a go at them...

I know what you are saying, looking at it as an overview id take a draw right now but in terms of approach we need to be fearless

I agree with this too. The best example is the one mentioned above in the Covid season, went there almost 4-2-4, played a great first half but ultimately both teams were happy to settle for a point in the end.

We’ll be there to win the game of football but this one isn’t at all costs. City are fallible this season, they will drop more points than we are used to when we’ve challenged them. Hopefully we come out flying and get a lead early.

[Zlen]

I just want us in their faces for 90 minutes. Just get into them, no letting up, make them earn everything. If they win - fine. But leave everything out there.

[Red Beret]

Piss them off, get them angry. Laugh at them. Enjoy our football, and leave them to stress. They always look bored and miserable as fuck.

[newterp]

So you're saying they have 115 problems, but the pitch ain't one?

Docked 1 days posting.

[G1-tiga]

I just want us in their faces for 90 minutes. Just get into them, no letting up, make them earn everything. If they win - fine. But leave everything out there.

I'd take this. Just want a performance to get my blood going as the Reds have already done this season.

I fancy this you know though. Seeing how our boys have done whilst away with their international teams and the season in general, I feel they're in a good place.

We genuinely might lose on Saturday and if we do then we pick up and keep going, but honestly we might win or draw as well. If that happens then we'll all be flying.

[the_red_pill]

I think we can at least get a draw there this weekend.

The seasons when we were absolutely HUMILIATED by City were "2nd seasons"- when we came down from the high of the season before and were abysmal throughout, everyone looked as if they were "past it" and it was time to move them on, and we lost by massive margins to dross, etc... (That 7-2 spanking by Villa still haunts my dreams)

But yeah- that's a feature of Kloppo's teams. I don't have a problem with it, since I made peace with that a long time ago- that first "2nd Season". For me- as long as I KNOW we will be in the mix every other season, I'm happy. We have a go, then regroup the season following- setting a few embarrassing records, then have a go again the season after.

Anyway, our latest one was last season and we lost 4-1.

2022/23 - 4-1 (Lost) [Second Season Syndrome]
2021/22 - 2-2 (Drew) [Finished 2nd with 92pts]
2020/21 - 4-1 (Lost) [Second Season Syndrome]
2019/20 - 4-0 (Lost) [Champions] ----> THE ODD ONE-OUT

So yeah- Sunday's that time again. We're ready and we have points to prove. We will either draw or win... small chance of losing by a small margin though.
What do they call that shit again? "Super Sunday"?

[tubby]

What do they call that shit again? "Super Sunday Saturday"?

[the_red_pill]

Doh!
Thanks mate.

[tubby]

Doh!
Thanks mate.

Just making sure you didn't spring out of bed with your Liverpool jammies on, bright and early on the Sunday morning, ready for the big game that we already won the day before.

[the_red_pill]

Just making sure you didn't spring out of bed with your Liverpool jammies on, bright and early on the Sunday morning, ready for the big game that we already won the day before.

I'm actually planning a group get-together this weekend- for this match. BBQ, beers and everything.

I'm sure the guys would've put me straight though...
Saturday is right up my alley though. Suddenly I feel a bit better.

[mersey_paradiso]

Hahaha. Chris Kavanagh (from Ashton-under-Lyne which is five miles from City's ground) to referee Saturday's game. You could not make it up.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/3789577

[Crosby Nick]

Hahaha. Chris Kavanagh (from Ashton-under-Lyne which is five miles from City's ground) to referee Saturday's game. You could not make it up.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/3789577

I mean, most of the refs are shite so whoever they choose we could probably pull up an incident where they’ve shafted us but isn’t he the one Klopp says he has a problem with (or is that Tierney). But either way, to avoid any accusations of bias/just any hint of controversy how about not choosing a ref from that close to either team. Can’t be that hard.

[swoopy]

Hahaha. Chris Kavanagh (from Ashton-under-Lyne which is five miles from City's ground) to referee Saturday's game. You could not make it up.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/3789577

They don't even try to hide it.

[Ray K]

Hahaha. Chris Kavanagh (from Ashton-under-Lyne which is five miles from City's ground) to referee Saturday's game. You could not make it up.

https://www.premierleague.com/news/3789577

Is he one of the around 6 PL referees who support Altrincham? That club must be like an F1 paddock at race weekend with all the (in)famous people bumping into each other.

[DelTrotter]

Could only imagine the absolute chaos if we had some fella that lived a few miles from the city centre reffing our massive games every season, it's a complete farce this is allowed. On the day that Jurgen went for Tierney it was actually this guy on VAR that was the bigger problem (not to defend Tierney's antics!). Of course it was Kavangh on VAR when Rodri's handball v Everton was ignored too.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Kavangh

Just when you thought the Premier League couldn't get any more corrupt

5.1 miles

Fucking farce.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Stuart Atwell on VAR as well.

Fuck me. If I was Klopp I'd just say what's the fucking point and give the lads a day off.

[gazzalfc]

Atwell on VAR as well. We are getting fuck all from this