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

[andy07]

We are behind enemy lines for this one but couldn’t turn down the offer of tickets.  They are not quite clicking but neither are we.  Have a sneeky feeling this is the day Nunez upstages Haaland.  Our defence is my biggest concern though, we have not been tight enough at the back all season.  Will go for 1-2.

[zamagiure]

Have we not the best defense in the league 

[jepovic]

None of these teams have that imposing solidity and ruthlessness that they had a few years ago.
Could go any way.
I think we need at least 2, probably more, to win, but its clearly not impossible as Chelsea got 4

[Crosby Nick]

Have we not the best defense in the league 

[MonsLibpool]

None of these teams have that imposing solidity and ruthlessness that they had a few years ago.
Could go any way.
I think we need at least 2, probably more, to win, but its clearly not impossible as Chelsea got 4

City look old to be honest. They are slowing down and their depth is what it used to be.

[RedSince86]

It's going to be Michael "Abu Dhabi" Oliver as Ref isn't it.

[Gifted Right Foot]

Another 2 weeks of this.  My head is going to be on pluto by the time we play. 

[BoRed]

that plus won't get us much will it?

Three points, hopefully.

[neil4ad]

Just want to echo earlier posts here about a fantastic OP for this thread -- really sums up many of my thoughts.

[slaphead]

Tell you what, if Van Dijk keeps the level of performance up he has been showing lately I fancy us in any game. No matter who or where. There's a buzz and an unpredictability about us again. Andros Townsend was on the radio earlier talking about playing us, says its totally different to any time he's played us in that the entire team are floating around, quick, looking for the ball and Nunez over the top scares the shit out of teams. Could be another 4-4 here. Anyones game

[jillcwhomever]

There are rumours on twitter that Ederson has withdrawn from the Brazil squad, which will mean Alisson having to play two games no doubt. He didn't look very injured yesterday. 

[SamLad]

There are rumours on twitter that Ederson has withdrawn from the Brazil squad, which will mean Alisson having to play two games no doubt. He didn't look very injured yesterday. 

and Gvardiol's withdrawn from the Croatia squad.  yeah, they both looked just fine yesterday.

[shook]

they've tripped over the bag of money just mailed to them. Out for 10 days.

[andy07]

Klopp needs to rule out most of our international players with whatever injuury springs to mind.  Meaningless international distractions from prep for a massive game.

[Garlicbread]

After Trent puts too many crosses into the box:

"CAN WE NOT KNOCK IT?"

[Garlicbread]

There are rumours on twitter that Ederson has withdrawn from the Brazil squad, which will mean Alisson having to play two games no doubt. He didn't look very injured yesterday. 

Alisson probably want to take this chance to impress because Ederson seem to be the coach's number 1 currently.

[rossipersempre]

Have a sneeky feeling this is the day Nunez upstages Haaland.

Already done that. Their first competitive match, Community Shield last year.

[Kashinoda]

Good time to play them regardless of the result, get it over with.

If we are to be in a title race what you don't want these away in the run-in, feel it looms too large.

[Tokyoite]

Probably the fixture I hate the most. We don’t tend to do well away at these and an early kick off after an international break makes it so much worse. Not confident at all. For now I’m just hoping none of our players get injured whilst away.

[Bobinhood]

I'd like to see Dom go all KDB on them, Konate pocket Halland quite vigorously and Darwin rip them an unending series of new ones.

Could be incoming, who knows.  i feel like we will be as up for this as we were flat at Toulouse. the opposite side of the coin. super high pressure not none at all. We thrive in that place imo, those three guys not least among many. 

[stockdam]

Thanks Grobbelrevell for the excellent post.

This is obviously our toughest game of the season but I think we’ll be up for it.

Doku or Grealish will target Trent on our right and they’ll also target our other full back. For me Gomez is a better defender than Tsimikas and so he should start. It’s a tight call between Matip and Konate but I think Konate just shades it because he’ll be more physical against Haaland. Our midfield will need to keep Silva and Foden quiet which will be tough.

For me, we need to focus firstly on being tight in defence and to win the personal duals. Alisson is going to be asked to make some crucial saves which he will do. Forget bombing forwards from the back.

I’m not sure that I’d start MacAllister as he has looked a bit vulnerable recently but then again it’s up to him to put this behind him. I’d pick two from Mac, Jones, Elliott, Gakpo and Gravenberch to start alongside Szoboszlai with two coming on as subs when we run out of gas. Our midfield are young and fit and that’s where I hope we have the edge. Gakpo, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are too fast for their midfield but I wouldn’t expect to see all 3 on at once.

Keep pressing hard and give City no time on the ball.

Sit deep and keep our shape and then when we get the ball back hit them hard; Szoboszlai, Nunez and Salah are all great on the counter. I think Jota’s form makes him favourite to start over Diaz and his finishing is almost on a par with Mo’s. Have confidence and patience and let our front 3 rip holes in their defence. Keep our midfield and defence compact. Pick up their runners and don’t allow them to get past our full backs.

Let’s not gift them any chances and give them no time on the ball. Avoid a red card at all costs.

For me we have the midfield and forwards to win the game provided we win the key tackles and don’t get isolated.

[4pool]

English football is as bent as fuck.

It'll be fucking Taylor, the cheating c*nt.

It won't be Taylor, Andy. He just did the Chelsea v City match. So, the same Ref doesn't get the same team two matches in a row. Which is why I guess it will be Oliver. Hooper might be a shout as well.

[neil4ad]

LFC will have to start strong -- tough one in an early match right after the break. Dom, Ryan, and Curtis in midfield please

[Cruyff Turn]

Hopefully Gomez, Konate, Curtis and Ryan recover from their injuries and we avoid additional injuries during the international matches.

We haven't beaten them away in the league since I think Jurgen's first season? A draw would be good enough at this stage.

[newterp]

Mac Allister will be starting this - despite the late return.

[emitime]

12:30 GMT not BST by the way.

[RayPhilAlan]

Thanks for the great OP! Just one slight correction - Man City didn't win four tournaments last season.

[harleydanger]

Love we've gone a point behind for this one.

Can't wait for the bi-annual Guardiola mindloss.

Why the fuck is this a 12:30 kickoff?

[Kloppage Time]

Baldy has an extra week to over think it, this has to be a good thing

[b_joseph]

Love we've gone a point behind for this one.

Can't wait for the bi-annual Guardiola mindloss.

Why the fuck is this a 12:30 kickoff?

Was supposed to be 17:30...police got involved. Moved to midday

[spider-neil]

Easily the toughest fixture of the campaign.

I think back to the CL meetings with City, do you take the game to them because they can be got at (like the home leg) or do you sit back and take their initial barrage and pick them off when they tire (away leg)?

[MonsLibpool]

Easily the toughest fixture of the campaign.

I think back to the CL meetings with City, do you take the game to them because they can be got at (like the home leg) or do you sit back and take their initial barrage and pick them off when they tire (away leg)?

We should be going all out because:
1. We have nothing to lose at this stage as this isn't a title decider.
2. We're more likely to beat them that way
3. We have the players to do that

[harleydanger]

Easily the toughest fixture of the campaign.

I think back to the CL meetings with City, do you take the game to them because they can be got at (like the home leg) or do you sit back and take their initial barrage and pick them off when they tire (away leg)?

Mid block, squeeze the play. No Kevin to pick us apart and we want room behind

[jepovic]

Of course we need to defend well, but the key is to score goals. Their attack is strong, but their defense is not what it used to be. If we get a one or two goal lead, we should keep going because they have the capacity to score plenty.
Were more likely to win 3-2 than by 1-0

[Zlen]

If we win most individual battles and 50-50 balls, we win the game. It will take a lot of effort paired with high concentration and precision to do that - but we can do it. I do hope Gravenberch is fit for this, he is absolutely tailor made to carve through them and cause panic. My ideal midfield for this would be Ryan-Jones-Szobo, don’t think McAlister can hold that midfield against City. We need strength there, lots of it.

[kezzy]

We shouldn’t even be playing them cos the cheating c*nts should have been relegated to the national league years ago the cheating c*nts.  Oh have I mentioned that they are cheating c*nts.  Hurry up sorting out the 115 charges against them and fuck them off the cheating c*nts. 

[jillcwhomever]

If we win most individual battles and 50-50 balls, we win the game. It will take a lot of effort paired with high concentration and precision to do that - but we can do it. I do hope Gravenberch is fit for this, he is absolutely tailor made to carve through them and cause panic. My ideal midfield for this would be Ryan-Jones-Szobo, don’t think McAlister can hold that midfield against City. We need strength there, lots of it.

So, you are putting two players into midfield coming back from injuries? Perhaps one will start no way both of them do.

[Zlen]

I’m actually not expecting either to start, just wish they were fit - it’s the best we could put out against these in my opinion. Most powerful/crafty combination and all fierce runners.

[jillcwhomever]

In an ideal world I would agree. I have the feeling Guardiola will change something in his tactics he's already mentioning us when he doesn't need to. He has two weeks to over think everything.

[DangerScouse]

Toughest game of the season by a long way. Getting the first goal will be crucial. We certainly have enough quality in the team to win it.