Topic: MATCH PREVIEW: Manchester City vs Liverpool, Saturday 9/9/2017, 12.30 BST

[ScubaSteve]

Coutinho needs to start if fit! We can have these

[goalspaytherent]

Coutinho needs to start if fit! We can have these

Not a fucking chance ....Klopp has got him exactly where he wants him now 😂 pre-season training for the lad !!

[TepidT2O]

think they'll get a few goals but we'll score more (not a dig at the defence, they are just pretty good)

alex 'doesn't score enough goals' oxlaide-chamberlain to get a debut goal from the bench. you heard it here first

Probably nil nil now

I agree with you though.. 

I think we need to be a little bit circumspect about the city game though..  we've done very well against them recently, but if things don't quite go our way then we shouldn't despair...  luck plays a huge part in football, and one off results are often down to lucky breaks....

Let's hope we get the run of the green, but let's not pretend the sky has fallen in if we don't...

[GIPPO77]

No way should Coutinho walk straight into the starting eleven after their performance against Arsenal.

[GregCharrua]

No way should Coutinho walk straight into the starting eleven after their performance against Arsenal.

Think he absolutely should. We go on as if nothing has happened IMO. Get the best out of everyone.

[robertobaggio37]

Think he absolutely should. We go on as if nothing has happened IMO. Get the best out of everyone.

Agree.

[Red_Mist]

Feeling quite relaxed. We WILL create chances...and they know it!

[Funky_Gibbons]

Think he absolutely should. We go on as if nothing has happened IMO. Get the best out of everyone.

Ignoring the whole transfer request stuff, he hasn't played all season and hasn't been training with the first team for about a month. No way should he be starting a game of this importance.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's not even on the bench.

[Qcase1977]

Think he absolutely should. We go on as if nothing has happened IMO. Get the best out of everyone.

No chance

[jonkrux]

I'd start AOC over Wijnaldam.

cant agree with this sorry lad! Wij is almost a shoe in for these kind of games.

[Filler.]

Think he absolutely should. We go on as if nothing has happened IMO. Get the best out of everyone.

Not sure we'll be getting the best out of everyone by pretending nothing has happened tho do you? Stuff happened off the pitch... stuff happened on it. He doesn't walk into the side by a long shot. He's only started kicking about them for a day.

[slotmachine]

i hate these internationals. we were flying before the break. remember last year against United at home last year after the break we were flying and then we never really got going against United. The good thing is City wont play a low block and we will have our opportunities but we need to start fast because for me City's firepower make this game the hardest of the season. make no mistake City will be shitting it against us. We start really fast and i like our chances.

I would keep Moreno at left back over Robertson because i like his speed going forward and in recovery in these fast transition type games, i would imagine Robertson will play against Burnley at home next weekend. I dont like TAA and Gomez at right back against City, i would go with Milner because i think he will be better to cope with City's ability to get in behind with their full backs with the diagonal runs from the touchline inbetween our full back and centre half. Silva and DeBruyne are masters at playing this ball. I still think TAA and Gomez tend to switch off and lack awareness defensively. With City you have to be really switched on because there movement is exceptional in the final third and Silva and DeBruyne can find the runners with ease which is why there great against the low block.

[GregCharrua]

Ignoring the whole transfer request stuff, he hasn't played all season and hasn't been training with the first team for about a month. No way should he be starting a game of this importance.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's not even on the bench.

Sure if it is a fitness/tactical issue, bench or out of team. But just to 'punish' him, no.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Kompany done his,calf in again

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Kompany done his,calf in again

He's done. ala Ledley King. Hell even Jonathan Woodgate ended up playing much longer after years of injuries but he's done for.

[ThePeetmix]

Same team as Arsenal (Migs over Karius). Absolutely no need to change a thing. Our current midfield have a good understanding and in a big, big game like this one, i think stability is important.

Also a bench of Karius, Klavan, TAA, Milner, Ox, Coutinho and Sturridge is pretty damn strong.

When players like Robertson, Solanke, Woodburn can't get a place on the bench shows how much stronger our squad is now.

[jckliew]

No way should Coutinho walk straight into the starting eleven after their performance against Arsenal.

Yeah

Super sub if things do not go our way. Which is unlikely.

[MNAA]

Looking forward to this. City with their gallery of stars and playing at home by right should have the edge. However they have played less games than us hence appeared to be still feeling their way and searching for the right rhythm.

We on the other hand with 2 additional intense games with Hoffenheim seemed more ready. This may be the best time to play them at Etihad.

Expect us to play the same the team as vs Arsenal more or less. Mignolet to come in. The flank backs though can be either AA or Gomez and Moreno/Robertson. Leaning towards a more defensive pair of Gomez and Robertson. Coutinho and OC will give us a very strong bench

Going for 2-0 win. Yes - another clean sheet for the Redmen!

[harleydanger]

I dont understand why Robbo isnt nailed on at LB now, i know Kloppo is being tinker man at the back currently but we have to start the best players for each position, and he is.

We all remember Albie at City a few years back, i like the crazy fool as much as the next guy, but he isn't the best man for the job, Robbo is.

I think we've got to change our paradigm about 'nailed on'' starters. We simply don't have any behind the front 3. Even the GK isn't nailed on.

[ThePoolMan]

Think he absolutely should. We go on as if nothing has happened IMO. Get the best out of everyone.

I agree that he should be treated as if nothing happened in the window. However for purely practical purposes he hasnt trained up to the fitness of the squad and playing him from the start risks injury and ineffectiveness. Put him on as a substitute towards the later part of the game.

[Entropicity]

Good times when we can debate whether we should field Coutinho or not. 

Wasn't in the recent past when we wouldn't trust any other than the first 11. At times debating who would suck less when the first 11 players were injured.

[Didi_ram]

We should keep the midfield rock solid and tight. Hence we should start with Hendo Can Gini.
Coutinho AOC and Sturridge on the bench would be super strong. Personally feel that Coutinho will start the Sevilla game, and Ox the Burnley game.

[RogerTheRed]

Come on Redmen!!
Feels like a massive statement opportunity this. Feeling confident despite City being the only team that scare me pre match due to their individual ability. Same as Arsenal match except  TAA in for Gomes possibly. Phil to come on and score would be perfect script. Should be plenty of space behind their fullbacks for Salah and Mane to exploit.

[Xabi_14_Alonso]

Think we have a real chance to get a win here. The team are flying! 2-3 Liverpool win Mane*2 and Salah to score. We go 3-1 up early in the second half and concede late in the game. Nervy finish.

[DG]

I think we've got to change our paradigm about 'nailed on'' starters. We simply don't have any behind the front 3. Even the GK isn't nailed on.

Matip, Lovren and Henderson play pretty much whenever fit. So that's 6/11 discouting the goalkeeper (even though I'd bet my house on Mignolet starting).

[Yesitsanextender]

City got any injuries?

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

City got any injuries?

Kompany.

[Lycan]

City got any injuries?

Kompany might not make it. Always seems to do a 'Ledley King' when it comes to us though. So he'll probably start.

[Kelvinlfc]

Kompany.

That's a big one that, massive plus for us.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Kompany.

The inverse of Ledley King.

[JackWard33]

The inverse of Ledley King.

Hahaha... Christ I remember that bastard. He might just have been the best British centre half I've seen - definitely up there if you consider you were watching him without training or functioning knees... and every time he'd rise Lazarus like for us and play out of his skin...

[sattapaartridge]

Our wing forwards vs their fullbacks is a battle and a half. Its probably where the game will be won, if we're nullified, we'll have to use the magician or big match player Wijnaldum to push forward and create something.

Worried about our backline in this game, but I think we'll get something

[Kansti]

Coutinho will come off the bench to seal the win for us. 2-1 win with gini scoring.

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

After the monotony of the International break, it’s great to have football back.

Fascinating game tomorrow. Can see a 1-1 but not without its dramas.

Think Phil and the Ox will come off the bench. I just feel that with our current midfield three, it provides protections to our back four. Robertson or Moreno? Think Alberto gets the nod, only because Klopp has had more time to prepare directly with him.

Kompany out for them is huge. We shall see…

[PaulF]

If he's playing for Brazil he's match fit. And he's well integrated in the way we play, so I see neither if those as reasons for him not starting. Personally I think it depends on how klopp sees the game tactically , and who best to implement that.

[Sheer Magnetism]

Tactics for them are pretty straightforward: pass the ball round and let us chase it, tire us out and then go full-on the last half an hour. Hopefully, Klopp will tell the players to be patient and wait for a stray pass (because there will be one) before nailing them on the counter.

[Crosby Nick]

Feel quietly confident about this and now that's worrying me!

We know Klopp has a great record in the big games and our style seems to match up well against City's. We'll go there with no fear and have confidence we can do them a lot of damage.

On the flip side, their attacking options are very strong too and in all likelihood they'll create plenty of chances.

Last season's game there was one of the most enjoyable I'd seen in ages. Two attacking sides going at each other non stop for 90 minutes without much thought of bus parking, cynicism or any other blights that often ruin the big games.

Let's face it, any result is possible, and nothing would raise eyebrows to us but if we can go there and win it would really make the rest of the League sit up and take notice I think.

[King Kenny 7]

I am happy enough with the fact our team selection will be keeping Pep/City guessing, he likes to be organised so we may have a surprise or two to keep him on the back foot.

I do think Milner will get a run out at some stage (his experience and history with City could be needed) but feel Moreno deserves to start and prove he's up the job in the big games.

[campioni]

If he's playing for Brazil he's match fit. And he's well integrated in the way we play, so I see neither if those as reasons for him not starting. Personally I think it depends on how klopp sees the game tactically , and who best to implement that.

He played 30 minutes against Ecuador and 15 against Colombia. 

[-Daws-]

If he's playing for Brazil he's match fit. And he's well integrated in the way we play, so I see neither if those as reasons for him not starting. Personally I think it depends on how klopp sees the game tactically , and who best to implement that.

Conditioning is important to Klopp and Phil missed the last few weeks of pre season (and only has 50 competitive minutes under his belt this season), I think continuity will also play it's part.

The same side that dicked Arsenal, with Coutinho and Ox getting 25 minutes from the bench would be my prediction.