Topic: MATCH PREVIEW: Liverpool v Luton Town, Anfield, Wed 21 Feb 19:30 KO

[Jookie]

I was despondent when I saw that Grav and Gakpo were starting against Arsenal as they don't tend to impose themselves on games at this stage in their careers and so it proved.

I think they are both potentially very talented but can allow themselves to be dominated. I need better body language from them, more confidence in their ability. It's almost like a combination of fight and game intelligence and both can dip a bit on both aspects.

I understand that game time and rhythm can affect these factors too, so hoping both show confidence if given an opportunity tonight, and that they perform well.

Whilst I can understand some of the hesitation around certain players, these injury issues offer a great opportunity for certain players. Gravenberch, Gakpo and Elliott are the obvious ones. But there may be others.

We’ve had this type of thing earlier this season and it’s how Bradley & Quansah emerged as genuine 1st team options. It’s not always a bad thing for more peripheral 1st team players or young players to get a chance. Best case they step up and we increase competition for places. Worse case is that they don’t step up but at least you know a bit more about the players. Obviously it could mean losing the odd game but that not necessarily a given due to 1-3 players performing below standard.

[Kloppage Time]

So maybe this. And then Bradley, Konate, and hopefully Salah and Nunez, coming in for the cup final.


                                Kelleher


Gomez          Quansah         van Djik          Robertson


        Mac Allister          Endo          Gravenberch


                Elliott          Gakpo          Diaz

Good menough to beat Luton but it'd be nice to have some firepower on the bench also

[Persephone]

3 of our 5 attackers are injured and people were worried that 5 might be too many to carry in a squad.

I'll take a scruffy 3 points and no more injuries please. Our attack looks very one paced and so does our midfield, but hopefully Anfield can play its part and create an intimidating atmosphere for Barkley and co.

[MD1990]

why would Konate not play?

[jillcwhomever]

why would Konate not play?

He's come off a physical game against Brentford and we need to give others some time on the pitch. He will probably play Sunday as well.

[Caston]

Apparently both Nunez and Salah not playing today, but should be okay for Sunday.

It’s twitter but it usually ends up right 90% of the time.

https://x.com/stehoare/status/1760290497501749586?s=46

[Crosby Nick]

Feels the sort of game where we could really do with Virgil twatting in a header on about 15 minutes to settle everyone down.

[jillcwhomever]

Feels the sort of game where we could really do with Virgil twatting in a header on about 15 minutes to settle everyone down.

Or a first goal for Joe Gomez! It's coming...

[A-Bomb]

Feels the sort of game where we could really do with Virgil twatting in a header on about 15 minutes to settle everyone down.

Those were my thoughts....an early set piece to get us off the mark, settle the team down build some confidence and go for the second, kill the game off.

Hoping the crowd put in a big performance tonight too.

[Dougle]

Cheers Duvva,

No idea of the team that will start tonight but ...... I suspect Ryan and Cody will both start and this is a big chance for them to make a real positive impression. There are places up for grabs for the Cup Final too. Whoever starts is going to have to physically show up obviously. Luton gave it 100% on Sunday afternoon against yernited and as such are not used to 2 games per week so that might be a factor. As will the crowd. I think it's going to be a belter of a game and a great atmosphere and I think we'll win 3-1. Time for everyone to put on a show.
ps As usual we'll have a team that has never played together before so we might start a bit disjointed and they will come out all guns blazing. Buckle up.

[Nick110581]

Apparently both Nunez and Salah not playing today, but should be okay for Sunday.

It’s twitter but it usually ends up right 90% of the time.

https://x.com/stehoare/status/1760290497501749586?s=46

Wasn't he saying that Mo was out for 2 weeks just the other day?

[Crosby Nick]

Having been in the Championship for years I’d say Luton are used to two games in a week. However they won’t be used to two of such high intensity back to back so hopefully that’s something we can exploit.

[Andypandimonium]

Or a first goal for Joe Gomez! It's coming...

Oh Yes!

Come on Joe 

[Caston]

Wasn't he saying that Mo was out for 2 weeks just the other day?

No idea, all I can see is him 2 days ago saying Salah is 50/50 for today.

[Lynndenberries]

Really need Gakpo and Diaz to step up today. Expecting a tight 1-0 or 2-0 to us.

[Agent99]

Feels the sort of game where we could really do with Virgil twatting in a header on about 15 3 minutes to settle everyone down.

FTFY

[duvva 💅]

Cheers Duvva,

No idea of the team that will start tonight but ...... I suspect Ryan and Cody will both start and this is a big chance for them to make a real positive impression. There are places up for grabs for the Cup Final too. Whoever starts is going to have to physically show up obviously. Luton gave it 100% on Sunday afternoon against yernited and as such are not used to 2 games per week so that might be a factor. As will the crowd. I think it's going to be a belter of a game and a great atmosphere and I think we'll win 3-1. Time for everyone to put on a show.
ps As usual we'll have a team that has never played together before so we might start a bit disjointed and they will come out all guns blazing. Buckle up.

Be a Dutch spine of sorts with VVD, Grav & Gakpo. Surely a Dutch spine trumps a Bedford spine

[Knight]

No Salah or Nunez will make this a real slog most likely. A set piece goal or two early doors would be a huge help.

[exiledintheUSA]

No Salah or Nunez will make this a real slog most likely. A set piece goal or two early doors would be a huge help.

Will it?  I'm expecting Luis Diaz to tip-toe through their back line before smashing it in the top corner.

[Redley]

Wasn't he saying that Mo was out for 2 weeks just the other day?

Yeah but he's posted another nine times since that the sky is blue so his 90% stands

[Hestoic]

I'm just happy we've got a game of football to watch tonight.

[A-Bomb]

I'm just happy we've got a game of football to watch tonight.

It's not on TV in the UK. 

[StL-Dono]

If you're going to miss Salah and Darwin for any match between now and the end of the season, this would probably be one of the better ones to do it.  The key is that it's ONLY one match that they miss and hopefully if they both get a night off tonight, they'll be closer to 100% for Sunday. 

Even with a particularly thin bench, should have enough in the starting XI to get three points here. 

[Musketeer Gripweed]

Or a first goal for Joe Gomez! It's coming...

I'm going to miss the TV commentary sweepstake tonight. I usually go for a mention of it in the 20th minute of a match.

[Hestoic]

It's not on TV in the UK. 

I've been streaming all games since the end of last season and have had no problems thanks to Jason on here.

[Malaysian Kopite]

One of Salah/Nunez on the bench would be utopia at this point.

[Samie]

Tonight's game is more important than the League Cup final.

Even with a squad with kids I think we should win at Home to Luton. Chelsea with a depleated squad in a final is much more tougher. 

[BobPaisley3]

If McAllister is playing we’ll be fine.

[Samie]

How desperate are we that we got Gary Mac back? Hem must be about 60 now?

[jillcwhomever]

If McAllister is playing we’ll be fine.

They are not texting about him on Twitter so I am guessing that's encouraging.

[disgraced cake]

If McAllister is playing we’ll be fine.

Him and Endo feel the most important players we have at the minute, certainly in those last two games against Burnley and Brentford it felt it. If they're both on it tonight I have a feeling the rest will sort itself out. Defensively I'm not really worried but taking our three best attackers out obviously makes things harder against a team who'll want to make it a challenge for us to break down. Saying that it could work the opposite way where it makes them braver. On the face of it a draw for Luton would be some result tonight but I'm not sure it really helps them when they've dropped into the relegation zone and Everton/Forest will more than likely take more points than Luton from here on out. Might feel so now but not come the end of the season.

Huge night/week/few months for Diaz and Gakpo. Diaz has played plenty this season but struggled to have the impact of Salah/Jota/Nunez, he'll be the senior man in the attack tonight and if there's one thing I think he's lacked at the club so far it's scoring big goals. Gakpo has done very well in front of goal given less minutes but not really had a big run in the team. Another contribution tonight will set up well for the weeks and months ahead. Might just be the making of him at Liverpool even though things have gone relatively well for him a year in.

[MD1990]

Diaz is showing signs of stepping up.
We really need Diaz & Gakpo to hit form

[DangerScouse]

No leaked team news today for a change?

[TepidT2O]

There’s a rumour that Clark starts. But that’s internet rumours for you

[jillcwhomever]

No leaked team news today for a change?

Someone said yesterday there was a leaked team, but I didn't see one.

[Crosby Nick]

There’s a rumour that Clark starts. But that’s internet rumours for you

I guess he might, especially if Harvey ends up starting as the wide forward.

[jillcwhomever]

There’s a rumour that Clark starts. But that’s internet rumours for you

That was mentioned on here yesterday.

[Jookie]

The problem with injuries is not only that we have to use slightly worse players, but that we always play with a new team. It takes time for players to get used to each other. Its part of the reason why we start slowly in many games

This is a slight concern though they do train together.

Flipping this another way, if City were playing Luton at home with the following lineup would you expect them to win?

Ortega (Kelleher)

Lewis (Bradley)
Ake (Konate)
Dias (VvD)
Gomez (Gomez)

Rodri (MacAllister)
Nunes (Gravenberch)
Kovacic (Endo)

Alvarez (Diaz)
Doku (Gakpo)
Bobb (Elliott)


The equivalent are never perfect but you get what I mean. That City line up would contain weaker players & tgat XI wouldn’t have started together often. However, I reckon 99% of people would say they start off as strong favourites against Luton at home, even with a limited bench.


Doesn’t mean they’d win. In the same way it doesn’t mean we’d win tonight. But you would still have that City line up and Liverpool’s as being stronger than Luton’s on paper.

[ScottScott]

Tonight's game is more important than the League Cup final.

Even with a squad with kids I think we should win at Home to Luton. Chelsea with a depleated squad in a final is much more tougher.

It's not, in any shape or form. Sunday is a literal cup final

[vicar]

One of Salah/Nunez on the bench would be utopia at this point.

How are you feeling now Roy?