Topic: Man United v Liverpool - The FA Cup - Prematch Thread

[Bobinhood]

We are fucking winning this cup.

Wait and see.

[kasperoff]

Why is the league looking quite unlikely?

You're talking like we're 17th or something rather than just off the pace.

If Tottenham, Everton and Villa win their games in hand, we are 7th. When was the last time a team came back from 4th - 7th place at the halfway point to win the league? Not happening.

It is what it is. Call me what you want. I'd be fully focussing on the CL and at least 4th at this point.

If we had anything about us, we'd be giving Man Utd hell tomorrow to make try and disrupt their form in the PL. It worked out well for Everton.

[Eeyore]

If Tottenham, Everton and Villa win their games in hand, we are 7th. When was the last time a team came back from 4th - 7th place at the halfway point to win the league? Not happening.

The slight flaw in that argument is that Spurs and Villa's game in hand is against each other, so I don't think they will both win that and Everton's game in hand is against City.

Even after a horrendous run we are still only 6 points from top with 19 games to go.

We have had a horrendous run with injuries and COVID in a compacted season. Let's see how other teams cope.

[idontknow]

When was the last time a team came back from 4th - 7th place at the halfway point to win the league? Not happening.

It is what it is.

81-82? Wasn't happening then either.

Fuck rationality, this is football, Liverpool win.

 

[GreatEx]

If we had anything about us, we'd be giving Man Utd hell tomorrow to make try and disrupt their form in the PL. It worked out well for Everton.

True. Let's instruct Alisson* to put his studs through Bruno's kneecap every time he hears a whistle, apparently that's allowed now.

* was going to say Adrian, but if there's no repercussions we may as well use our #1, right?

[Number 7]

I’m honestly not expecting much from this game.
We won’t get any major decisions go our way because we never do over there.

[alvaro]

We are winning tommorrow. Its been 100 years.

[Eeyore]

We are winning tommorrow. Its been 100 years.

I love the 100 years stat. In the last 100 years we have won 1 FA Cup game at Old Trafford against United, and they have won 1 FA Cup game at Anfield against Liverpool.

[RogerTheRed]

The Matip thi g is a bit odd. I think we need him more on the Sunday matches for the next couple of weeks than the Thursday ones. Wonder if he plays again today and has Thursday off?

[harleydanger]

6 points off top after 19 and pricks on here are writing us off.

Beating the traffic in Istanbul level of faithlessness.

[LiamG]

Quietly confident we are gonna win....

[Smellytrabs]

I'd love an open game of football with a few goals.

[AussieHKRed]

Please Klopp don't play Fabinho and Matip today

My suggested line up

                 Alisson
Neco Rhys Phillips Tsimikas
Jones Thiago Oxley-Chamberlain
     Salah   Origi    Minamino

Salah can be the captain of the team

[Clint Eastwood]

We’d get battered with that team. I can’t be arsed with this game but we really need to win a match.

[Bucko - Dubai]

Please Klopp don't play Fabinho and Matip today

My suggested line up

                 Alisson
Neco Rhys Phillips Tsimikas
Jones Thiago Oxley-Chamberlain
     Salah   Origi    Minamino

Salah can be the captain of the team

Really? We would be destroyed. There is no recognised decent defensive player there!

This should be the last team we should play

[AndyMuller]

Scrape a 1-0 kicking fuck out of them please. Let’s be nasty.

[killer-heels]

The slight flaw in that argument is that Spurs and Villa's game in hand is against each other, so I don't think they will both win that and Everton's game in hand is against City.

Even after a horrendous run we are still only 6 points from top with 19 games to go.

We have had a horrendous run with injuries and COVID in a compacted season. Let's see how other teams cope.

The thing is, the talk about fixture congestion has died a death a bit. In the first part of the season we were all saying watch when Christmas comes and smaller teams have to deal with it. That as yet hasnt really happened.

[Lycan]

Please Klopp don't play Fabinho and Matip today

My suggested line up

                 Alisson
Neco Rhys Phillips Tsimikas
Jones Thiago Oxley-Chamberlain
     Salah   Origi    Minamino

Salah can be the captain of the team

You do realise we need to get back into the habit of winning, and quickly don't you?

[fowlermagic]

If Tottenham, Everton and Villa win their games in hand, we are 7th. When was the last time a team came back from 4th - 7th place at the halfway point to win the league? Not happening.

When was the last time a team was 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th were within 6 points of the top? This season is a season of firsts.

[Lycan]

When was the last time a team was 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th were within 6 points of the top? This season is a season of firsts.

It's an absolute freak of a season without the fans being there. That's one of the reasons why it's so tight. It's been a bit depressing recently being a red, but the beauty of this league this season is that 3-4 wins in a row and all of a sudden you're right back in the mix.

[Graeme]

Craig Pawson referee with Andre Marriner VAR.

[DelTrotter]

Strongest team, in to them!

[Clint Eastwood]

Wish this was an earlier kick off.

I’d go with: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robbo; Hendo(?), Thiago, Jones; Salah, Minamino, Mane.

[Gaz123456]

Wish this was an earlier kick off.

I’d go with: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robbo; Hendo(?), Thiago, Jones; Salah, Minamino, Mane.

Agree with that. Milner in for Trent and Minamino for Bob are good moves.

[DangerScouse]

I'd be more than happy to see Joel on the bench today. Bigger games than this coming up in the league and need to keep him as fresh as possible.

[stockdam]

Really? We would be destroyed. There is no recognised decent defensive player there!

This should be the last team we should play

Destroyed? By Utd? We’re playing the team that played 6 defenders in their box the last time and were disappointed that they didn’t win.

No matter which team we put out, Utd will setup for a 0-0 draw. It’s not in their DNA to attack.

In fact I’d be delighted if they came out of their shell and tried to attack; it would open them up to the counter.

I don’t see any other tactics other than their dogshit pack their own box style.

[solidgold]

Let them have a taste of their own Medicine. Just sit back and defend in depth. Let them come and will break away and put 2-3 away. No sweat.

[Cesar]

The slight flaw in that argument is that Spurs and Villa's game in hand is against each other, so I don't think they will both win that and Everton's game in hand is against City.

Even after a horrendous run we are still only 6 points from top with 19 games to go.

We have had a horrendous run with injuries and COVID in a compacted season. Let's see how other teams cope.

That's a reassuring response tbf, I never looked at who their games in hand were myself.

Anyway, full strength today. Smash these Manc fucks. Whistle will go for them constantly anyway so may as well make it count

[Pistolero]

Well that's not strictly true mate.

well it is really isn't it John ...that quote you found from 7 weeks ago just backs up what i said yesterday about this year's competition ..ie, usually love it, but in this calamitous year I don't...hats off to those who don't share that view and I hope you enjoy the game....I'll be out with my dogs somewhere listening to Rambling Syd Rumpo

[The G in Gerrard]

Wish this was an earlier kick off.

I’d go with: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robbo; Hendo(?), Thiago, Jones; Salah, Minamino, Mane.

Think that will be the team but Kostas at left back & Ox in midfield instead of Henderson & Bobby not Sadio 

[Wengerpresser101]

I hope we win this, hope we put out a good side. Any boost in confidence (via a win) would be good for the team.

[kasperoff]

When was the last time a team was 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th were within 6 points of the top? This season is a season of firsts.

For me it's more about the number of teams we are now behind (or potentially behind). They all have to a wobble whilst we'll need to be pretty much spot on, starting now!

Which brings us to the game today. It's not a league game, but it's an ideal chance to get kick-started again, and pretty much a free hit to perhaps try something different against what we pretty much know will be another low block.

As daft as it may sound, I'm looking forward to seeing at how we address this current dip. Some players are out of form, but I feel like it's more of a tactical challenge that we have to surmount. I know Klopp can get us out of this and I'm interested to see what we do.

[smutchin]

We’d get battered with that team. I can’t be arsed with this game but we really need to win a match.

Indeed. I have a suspicion Klopp will go with a strong team just because they need an opportunity to play themselves into form.

On the other hand, several players really do need a rest and the league is still far more important than the domestic cups.

Impossible to predict who will play, so I'm happy to just wait and see. And hope that whoever does play gives a good account of themselves. AND SCORES A FEW FUCKING GOALS, PLEASE.

[Red Sky at Night]

I hope we win this, hope we put out a good side. Any boost in confidence (via a win) would be good for the team.

Let's hope so.

I'd love a few goals in our favour to get our strikers re discovering the adrenalin rush after scoring, but would be content with a 1-0 with the ball going in off Maguire's left knee if it gets us the win.

[free_at_last]

For me it's more about the number of teams we are now behind (or potentially behind). They all have to a wobble whilst we'll need to be pretty much spot on, starting now!

Which brings us to the game today. It's not a league game, but it's an ideal chance to get kick-started again, and pretty much a free hit to perhaps try something different against what we pretty much know will be another low block.

As daft as it may sound, I'm looking forward to seeing at how we address this current dip. Some players are out of form, but I feel like it's more of a tactical challenge that we have to surmount. I know Klopp can get us out of this and I'm interested to see what we do.

It is a free hit. Imagine if we played a low block straight back at them and played for pens . They would be flabbergasted

[Dave D]

I'd like us to sit back for the full 90 minutes, do fuck all apart from the odd set piece, then win it with a controversial winner in the 92nd minute. Fuck it, it's about time roles were reversed for us this season.

[markthescouser]

I’m thinking that the ref is going to give a terrible decision in our favour today. Game that isn’t quite as important to us as some of the others, but still high profile enough for people to point at and say “it all evens out in the end”, when we get fucked over in the next 18 games or so

[Zee_26]

Wish this was an earlier kick off.

I’d go with: Alisson; Milner, Matip, Fabinho, Robbo; Hendo(?), Thiago, Jones; Salah, Minamino, Mane.

I like the look of this lineup. Wonder if Gini would play instead of Jones since he's more adept and physically battling it out with Pogba and McTominay. But on the other hand, he is due a rest.

[zx12arrgh]

Please Klopp don't play Fabinho and Matip today

My suggested line up

                 Alisson
Neco Rhys Phillips Tsimikas
Jones Thiago Oxley-Chamberlain
     Salah   Origi    Minamino

Salah can be the captain of the team

How many tinnies you had mate 😂

[Jookie]

I think Milner is an absolute cert to play today. I was surprised he didn't play on Thursday due to his leadership and experience.

Think the Thursday to Sunday nature of the last 2 games means we'll rotate a bit and a few players who started on the bench on Thursday will start. Neco Williams, Milner, one of Phillips or Rhys Williams, Jones, Minamino, Salah and Firmino gives you 8 starters when you include a GK.

Think the remaining 3 is from Robertson or Tsimikas, Fabinho or Matip and then either a 3rd midfielder (Thiago, AOC or Gini) or a 4th forward (Origi, Mane or Shaqiri).

If I had to guess I'd go with the following:

Alisson

Williams
R.Williams
Fabinho
Robertson

Milner
Jones

Minamino
Firmino
Origi or AOC

Salah