Topic: Manchester Utd vs Liverpool Prematch thread (Sun Jan 15, 4pm)

[DanA]

Man Utd have "turned the corner" again having won six in a row in the league, now having a chance to draw level with Liverpool on points should they win. The last time we played Mourinho's side they parked the bus and managed to come away with a draw, it'll be interesting to see how he approaches this game when in form and at home. Liverpool's has been sensational against top sides, our manic pressing game causing major headaches, it's been the poorer sides causing us bigger problems, however it could be a different look Liverpool side this week with Mane at AFCON and some questions over player availability. 

My Best guess
Liverpool:
                       Mignolet
Clyne         Lovren          Matip      Milner
                       Henderson
                Lallana       Wijnaldum
       Sturridge                     Coutinho
                         Firmino

Man Utd:
                      De Gea
Valencia     Jones     Smalling   Shaw
                      Carrick
                Herrera      Pogba
         Mata                      Martial
                   Ibrahimovic

Interesting Match ups:
Ibra vs Matip
Pogba vs Henderson
Carrick vs Lallana

Questions to consider:
Who plays RW?
Sturridge, Origi, Firmino.....what combination starts?
How will Mourinho approach the game?


Another huge match in the context of the season, it's a tight fight for the Champions League places and this is a game that could have a huge bearing on who qualifies. This is always an intense rivalry and there's no reason to think this game will be any less tense. It seems like that's when we thrive so it should be a great game to watch.

[John C]

Cheers Dan mate, just going to pause deliberations about this until we get the semi-final out of the way, or at least close to it

[88_RED]

These are due a twatting.. hoping we twat these fucking manc twats..

[sms1986]

This won't be a 0-0 like last time. I predict Coutinho to score on his league return, 2-1 to us!

[sinnermichael]

Can't wait for the mandatory United offside goal.

[Stevo79]

Man Utd have "turned the corner" again having won six in a row in the league, now having a chance to draw level with Liverpool on points should they win.

Aren't we five points clear of them...

[the good half]

This fixture actually makes me a wee bit sick.
Yo know the highs are off the charts and the lows ruin eveything.
Added the fact that if I didn't give a shit and was purely an unattached nomark - I'd pick Liverpool all day long.

[Titi Camara]

My Best guess
Liverpool:
                       Mignolet
Clyne         Lovren          Matip      Milner
                       Henderson
                Lallana       Wijnaldum
       Sturridge                     Coutinho
                         Firmino

Many thanks for the OP

I think we'll know a lot more tmw night with regards who'll play Sunday but if injuries permitting that looks about right to me.

I know we should be focusing on Southampton and a league cup semi final but fuck it, it's the Mancs! I can't fucking wait for this one!

[gatcliffe]

Be happy with a draw but not looking forward to the game. It is the one game I hate playing them at OT. On paper it is the wrong time to be playing them.

[invader_gir]

Man Utd have "turned the corner" again having won six in a row in the league, now having a chance to draw level with Liverpool on points should they win.

Aren't we five points clear of them...

thinking that we were a clear 11 before we dropped those points 

[Zoomers]

United, Old Trafford and Mourinho. My head will fly off if we win.

[Souness1]

This won't be a 0-0 like last time. I predict Coutinho to score on his league return, 2-1 to us!

Whats the likelihood of him starting?

[Souness1]

Be happy with a draw but not looking forward to the game. It is the one game I hate playing them at OT. On paper it is the wrong time to be playing them.

Nah they're due a bad result and we are simply a better side, some of their recent results have masked unconvincing performances and they have been extremely lucky with officials. Confident of a win to be honest.

[Zoomers]

Whats the likelihood of him starting?

He'll most likely be on the bench tomorrow. And this game is 4 days away from tomorrow, so I'd assume very likely.

[Souness1]

He'll most likely be on the bench tomorrow. And this game is 4 days away from tomorrow, so I'd assume very likely.

Encouraging. Would be absolutely huge for us, considering absence of Mane.

[Zizou]

I think they'll head into this overconfident and we'll turn them over. 3-1.

[redk84]

can't think about this yet

fucking hate these games

[Klippity Klopp]

Now Mane has gone, I think the diamond formation might suit us better a lot of the time as all of Sturridge, Firmino and Origi do their best work central.

I'd have Coutinho at the tip of the diamond, he's arguably also best central. 

Then I'd go for two of Origi, Firmino and Sturridge to start upfront.  Probably go with Origi and Firmino, as they'll work harder for 60 mins and then have Sturridge, who is the most dangerous option for the last 30 mins when legs are tiring.

We've got the options in midfield for a diamond to work as well.

4-3-3 worked most of the time up until now.  But without Mane, I think a diamond might be the better option at times and this could be one of them.

[Souness1]

Now Mane has gone, I think the diamond formation might suit us better a lot of the time as all of Sturridge, Firmino and Origi do their best work central.

I'd have Coutinho at the tip of the diamond, he's arguably also best central. 

Then I'd go for two of Origi, Firmino and Sturridge to start upfront.  Probably go with Origi and Firmino, as they'll work harder for 60 mins and then have Sturridge, who is the most dangerous option for the last 30 mins when legs are tiring.

We've got the options in midfield for a diamond to work as well.

4-3-3 worked most of the time up until now.  But without Mane, I think a diamond might be the better option at times and this could be one of them.

Its a nice idea in theory but I just can't agree. We have been brilliant playing 433 at times this season with Firmino through the middle, don't understand why we would switch to a 41212 in such a big game. The front 6 should be Hendo, Can, Gini/Lallana - Coutinho, Firmino, Gini/Lallana and rightly so. I think Klopp will go with both Origi and Sturridge on the bench. Origi has good numbers this season but generally his play has regressed from the second half of 15/16.

[Klippity Klopp]

Its a nice idea in theory but I just can't agree. We have been brilliant playing 433 at times this season with Firmino through the middle, don't understand why we would switch to a 41212 in such a big game. The front 6 should be Hendo, Can, Gini/Lallana - Coutinho, Firmino, Gini/Lallana and rightly so. I think Klopp will go with both Origi and Sturridge on the bench. Origi has good numbers this season but generally his play has regressed from the second half of 15/16.

You don't have to agree, it is a game of opinions and I respect yours. 

Agree we have been brilliant.  I think I have explained why, as neither Sturridge, Firmino or Origi do their best work wide.

Putting Lallana in the front three is certainly an option if we really want to stick with that formation and I can see why Klopp would, as you say it has been very successful.

But I personally think Lallana is best deeper and has shown that this season.  I also think last season Klopp changed the formation often, to great effect to suit the player we had.

I think given the options we currently have, I'd go with the diamond. But can see why Klopp would do what you say.

[rawcusk8]

Please for the love of God just win. Will be the usual tight cagey affair and im sure Jose will have hosed down the Bus and shithouse manual. Given their form do we think they are likely to play an open game?

[Souness1]

You don't have to agree, it is a game of opinions and I respect yours. 

Agree we have been brilliant.  I think I have explained why, as neither Sturridge, Firmino or Origi do their best work wide.

Putting Lallana in the front three is certainly an option if we really want to stick with that formation and I can see why Klopp would, as you say it has been very successful.

But I personally think Lallana is best deeper and has shown that this season.  I also think last season Klopp changed the formation often, to great effect to suit the player we had.

I think given the options we currently have, I'd go with the diamond. But can see why Klopp would do what you say.

Didn't mean to come across as dismissive fella was just trying to explain why I disagreed. Its a tough one though because if Origi and Sturridge don't start like in the City game, then someone will have to shift to a different, more unfavoured position but we look far stronger and more fluid with Firmino through the middle. Glad I don't have to make any decisions! 

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

Win it. Just bloody win it and it really will set us on our way.

[Klippity Klopp]

Didn't mean to come across as dismissive fella was just trying to explain why I disagreed. Its a tough one though because if Origi and Sturridge don't start like in the City game, then someone will have to shift to a different, more unfavoured position but we look far stronger and more fluid with Firmino through the middle. Glad I don't have to make any decisions! 

Don't worry, you didn't. 

Yep, that's the tough part of having lots of good players and doing well.  You have to pick the right ones and formation, sometimes no matter which you pick people will moan or champion it. Klopp has tough skin though and he seems to thrive on the pressure of such things.

[Souness1]

Don't worry, you didn't. 

Yep, that's the tough part of having lots of good players and doing well.  You have to pick the right ones and formation, sometimes no matter which you pick people will moan or champion it. Klopp has tough skin though and he seems to thrive on the pressure of such things.

Yep we are extremely lucky to have a manager that seems to consistently make the right calls in the big games. Whatever he goes with I'm sure we will all see the reasoning behind it.

[CoventryYNWA]

Ibra apparently out of their squad tonight, might be an injury if true...

[mikeb58]

2-0 to us,Sturridge both of them....quite simple really!

They will be over eager, over confident and the Reds will pick them off twice.Meanwhile our notoriously bad defence will have conceded just one more than them after the game (not to mention scoring 19 more like!)

[Caligula?]

My Best guess
Liverpool:
                       Mignolet
Clyne         Lovren          Matip      Milner
                       Henderson
                Lallana       Wijnaldum
       Sturridge                     Coutinho
                         Firmino

That's a fantastic side and the one I'd like to see as well, and if they're all fit and ready to go I hope it's the one Klopp puts out. It's full strength bar Mané so we're going to absolutely smash them to bits if we play that side on Sunday.

[pyroparty]

Got no real worries over this, if its officiated fairly. They are enormously flattered by recent results mainly because those games havent been officiated fairly.

But, a more important game first.

[Malcolm Night]

2-0 Sturridge, Coutinho.

[rocco]

Ibra apparently out of their squad tonight, might be an injury if true...

Resting for  Sunday ?

[Solomon Grundy]

Ibra apparently out of their squad tonight, might be an injury if true...

 He'll be saving him for Sunday mate.

[Solomon Grundy]

Just beat them Liverpool. Don't care how. Just get it done.

[ScubaSteve]

With them being in form and at home they're not gonna park the bus! Need to beat these to make a statement!

Hopefully Phil will be back for it!!

[Sir Psycho Sexy]

Doubt Sturridge will start on the wing, if he starts at all. Firmino, Coutinho and Origi is what I predict the front 3 to be. Hopefully Henderson makes it back in time.

[gatcliffe]

Got no real worries over this, if its officiated fairly. They are enormously flattered by recent results mainly because those games havent been officiated fairly.

But, a more important game first.

Both games are equally important.

[Clint Eastwood]

If they win they will only be 2 points behind us. I hope that doesn't happen.

[El Lobo]

If they win they will only be 2 points behind us. I hope that doesn't happen.

If they beat Cardiff tonight first they'll actually go above us with a win. Its been that way for a while, not worth fretting over.

[Chakan]

If they beat Cardiff tonight first they'll actually go above us with a win. Its been that way for a while, not worth fretting over.

You what?

[whtwht]

You what?

Haha[emoji6]  back when they were moyes boys

[Nobody cares what phone you have and that you are using the free version of Tapatalk]