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

[Djibriliant]

Is Bobby Clark fit?

[classycarra]

Is Bobby Clark fit?

Haven't heard anything otherwise.

Think he probably just missed out on the bench because of Salah's return, and guess McConnell was slightly ahead of him as we had noone on the bench that plays the 6 (whereas there were three players for the position Clark plays)

[stonecold_jpm]

Would love us to come out the traps hard and fast, get a 2 goal lead and then manage the game.

Were probably the slowest starters in the league, so it’d be totally unexpected.

[amir87]

Hopefully Luton are feeling the effects of putting in a lot of energy on Sunday and start of sluggish.

An early goal would be very welcome here as we could really do with taking the foot of the gas second half.

[redk84]

Luton's home form and away form are quite similar. They pulled off a 4-4 away to Newcastle which is a bit mad! Cannot remember the events of that match but seems like they won't just lay down to get beat

I think more than anything we have to be switched on defensively and be careful not to commit too many forward, be patient and our chances will come. All our forwards have been scoring and I have no doubt we will find the net so if we can make sure we get the first goal that will be massively important tomorrow night

From there its just about managing the game, if they have any plans to sit back to hold for the draw it'd be out the window so can hopefully pick them off then.

Gakpo is relatively fresh and hoping for a big game from him as I'm sure he will be starting, and for Grav to continue playing as well as he did in the last game

[Draex]

Were probably the slowest starters in the league, so it’d be totally unexpected.

I make this prayer every game!

[William Regal]

Anyone know what time Klopps press conference is?

[AndyMuller]

1-0 will do.

[red whine]

Anyone know what time Klopps press conference is?

1.30pm

[The Final Third]

Anyone know what time Klopps press conference is?

1.30..

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/v7enf2gOVAo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/v7enf2gOVAo</a>

[Magix]

I think there may be an off-chance for a start for one of the young attackers like Kaide Gordon, someone who has pace, with Elliot kept in reserve and to come on if we need a spark. If Elliot starts, then there will be no proven game-changers from the bench (unless Mo or Nunez or both are on the bench). A tiny chance, for sure, but I can see, say, Gordon on the right with with the experience and stability of Gomez behind him, with Elliot and Bradley to come in should we need goals.

[Djibriliant]

Haven't heard anything otherwise.

Think he probably just missed out on the bench because of Salah's return, and guess McConnell was slightly ahead of him as we had noone on the bench that plays the 6 (whereas there were three players for the position Clark plays)

I'd love to see him start if he is, that way use Elliott as a wide right, not ideal but it's an option.

[classycarra]

I'd love to see him start if he is, that way use Elliott as a wide right, not ideal but it's an option.

I'm keen on seeing a youngster start too. Personal preference is saving Elliot for midfield, and starting Gordon in a front three (just because it's that little safer for the rest of the team playing youngsters further forward). But Clark or McConnell would be fun too

[TheMan]

A Gordon hat-trick in this match would be nice.

It seems like whenever we have had problems this season then an unexpected positional shift or back-up player has stepped in and provided a solution.

Well, if the rumours about our forward injuries are true then Kaide can hopefully continue this trend of us pulling rabbits out of hats.

[William Regal]

How has Gordon been doing for the u21s?

[disgraced cake]

I am awaiting this press conference with a level of trepidation I may not have had before. Besides the pre Champions League final stuff a couple of years ago when Fabinho and Thiago where doubts.

[William Regal]

I am awaiting this press conference with a level of trepidation I may not have had before. Besides the pre Champions League final stuff a couple of years ago when Fabinho and Thiago where doubts.

You can just imagine to top it off, Klopp saying Konate has picked up a knock in training 

[Caston]

What time is the presser?

[Thepooloflife]

If we're struggling for players up front, I'd hope Jurgen has Danns on the bench.....really like the look of this lad - something like 20 odd goals so far.

[MonsLibpool]

A game like this shows why a good defence wins titles. They are dangerous from set pieces and we need to be solid in that area so that the odd goal or two will give us a comfortable win.

Over the course of a season,  you can't blow your opponents away in every game.

[phil236849]

We are going to need at least one young attacker on the bench I think.
Sounds like Nunez and Salah are not far away and the questions might be whether they can do a cameo only or start- or may be if they can’t be in the squad.
I get the impression Koumas and “Dannsy” are currently closer to the first team thank Kaide, probably for physical condition only

[frag]

Gomez RB and maybe Bradley at RW, he's played there a few times.

[Samie]

Klopp name checked the likes of Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Bobby Clark as options for tomorrow.

[Lynndenberries]

This won't be easy given our injuries. Just need to get the 3 points.

Expecting something like this to start, but hopefully Nunez and/or Salah are fit enough:

Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Virgil, Gomez, Endo, Alexis, Gravenberch, Diaz, Gakpo, Elliott.

Bring Robertson and Konate back in for the final.

[jillcwhomever]

Koumas would be exciting especially as he seems top of his confidence at the moment, he's had some great games for the under 21's recently.

[disgraced cake]

I echo Klopp's comments about needing a big atmosphere, European style. Hope we can get one even if its Luton in February.

[Higgins79]

I cant see us starting kids tomorrow unless we literally don't have anybody else. I think we go with the most senior fit 11 tomorrow and then see where we are on Thursday for the cup final.

[Samie]

This won't be easy given our injuries. Just need to get the 3 points.

Expecting something like this to start, but hopefully Nunez and/or Salah are fit enough:

Kelleher, Bradley, Quansah, Virgil, Gomez, Endo, Alexis, Gravenberch, Diaz, Gakpo, Elliott.

Bring Robertson and Konate back in for the final.

You never think any game easy mate. How are we not fighting relgation? 

If we can;t beat luton at home, who are averaging less than a point in away games we don;t deserve any trophies.

[jillcwhomever]

I cant see us starting kids tomorrow unless we literally don't have anybody else. I think we go with the most senior fit 11 tomorrow and then see where we are on Thursday for the cup final.

We can't play Mo three games a week especially if he has an issue, also if Darwin is carrying something we may have to try something new.

[Lynndenberries]

You never think any game easy mate. How are we not fighting relgation? 

If we can;t beat luton at home, who are averaging less than a point in away games we don;t deserve any trophies.

I have been burnt too many times thinking we will just walk over certain opposition, including Luton earlier this season!

Just feels like we have to manage the next few weeks until the international break carefully so we can get a few players back.

[killer-heels]

Id rather go strong for this and rotate heavily for the cup final.

[DelTrotter]

Id rather go strong for this and rotate heavily for the cup final.

Fuck that, our full back up team should be winning at home to these.

[Lynndenberries]

Id rather go strong for this and rotate heavily for the cup final.

I would agree. I'm just not sure we will have an option given Mo and Darwin's fitness.

I'm slowly getting to the point where I just want to prioritize the league. Think it was Neil who made a good point on TAW yesterday that we haven't gotten to the League Cup final or the knockout stages of the Europa league by playing particularly strong lineups, so I wonder if our selection choices follow that pattern.

[disgraced cake]

Id rather go strong for this and rotate heavily for the cup final.

Surely there isn't going to be huge rotations for the Final or in Europe. We're losing players but entirely rotating in the three knockout competitions leaves us with a pretty great chance of ending the season empty handed. The idea that only 13 games matter with three months of the season left is hopefully not what Klopp and Co are thinking

[mullyred94]

Any chance of Jayden Danns in the squad if Nunez & Salah can't play?

[killer-heels]

Surely there isn't going to be huge rotations for the Final or in Europe. We're losing players but entirely rotating in the three knockout competitions leaves us with a pretty great chance of ending the season empty handed. The idea that only 13 games matter with three months of the season left is hopefully not what Klopp and Co are thinking

Whats your approach? Play players into the ground? We are missing a big chunk of our best 11, there will have to be prioritisation.

[jillcwhomever]

Any chance of Jayden Danns in the squad if Nunez & Salah can't play?

He mentioned him, Koumas and Clark in the press conference.

[mullyred94]

He mentioned him, Koumas and Clark in the press conference.

Cheers, chuck him on the bench

[RJH]

Luton's home form and away form are quite similar. They pulled off a 4-4 away to Newcastle which is a bit mad! Cannot remember the events of that match but seems like they won't just lay down to get beat

On the other hand, that game is the only point they've picked up Away against a team that wsn't involved in the relegation fight.
They drew with Forest and Burnley, beat Sheffield and Everton, and 6 defeats against higher placed clubs - and that's without Away games at four of the current top 5.


You are right about not laying down though . Most of their losses have been by a single goal (and their two 3-goal defeats came in the first two gameweeks). They've also scored in 12 games in a row. Their aggregate score against Arsenal and City was 4-6 (albeit those were two home games). 

Liverpool should be winning this, but absolutely cannot be complacent.

[MonsLibpool]

Id rather go strong for this and rotate heavily for the cup final.

You'd rather bin good chances to win trophies to "focus on the league"