Topic: Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool, Tuesday 10th December 2019, 17:55, EM-Stadion

[Shankly998]

It'll be a test but it's not like Salzburg are Pep's Barca we should be winning this.

We're simply better and there isn't going to be any complacency on the night.

[PaulF]

If we lose 4-3, we'll have the same head to head and would go out on GD.

If it was 5-4 to them, we'd go through on head to head away goals.

So, score 4 and they have to score 6. I wonder what the game plan will be!

[Dave D]

We need to win or draw, it’s that simple. The way some people are going on you’d think we need to win the game 20-0.

No need to be nervous about this one. Just enjoy the game.

[hesbighesred]

Top OP Hazell, thank you. Well in the mood, now. I think this is going to be another fun day but we'll be better prepared and more professional this time, I think.

[redk84]

we were cruising at 3-0 before letting them back in at Anfield. I doubt we'd make any kind of mistake like that again but our quality and experience should show.

looking forward to this now

[duvva 💅]

Excellent OP.

Well we don’t do things easy when it comes to qualifying through groups in the CL so we shouldn’t really be too surprised to find ourselves here. If we play like we have in our last two games we’ll be fine but equally I’d expect a stiffer test from Salzburg than Everton/Bournemouth.

Be interesting to see whether the rotation from the last two games continues, I suspect not but I would like to see either Ox or Naby in the middle alongside Gini and Henderson.

May be some nervy moments but we’re more than good enough to get a result. Come on Red Men

[spider-neil]

Excellent OP.

Well we don’t do things easy when it comes to qualifying through groups in the CL so we shouldn’t really be too surprised to find ourselves here. If we play like we have in our last two games we’ll be fine but equally I’d expect a stiffer test from Salzburg than Everton/Bournemouth.

Be interesting to see whether the rotation from the last two games continues, I suspect not but I would like to see either Ox or Naby in the middle alongside Gini and Henderson.

May be some nervy moments but we’re more than good enough to get a result. Come on Red Men

I think Klopp plays what he feels is his strongest team. The only question marks are who partners VVD and who partners Henderson and Gini.

[Fordy]

I think Klopp plays what he feels is his strongest team. The only question marks are who partners VVD and who partners Henderson and Gini.

Lovern should partner VVD

In midfield it just depends on if we want to go for it our make sure we are solid in midfield then go for it. I would start Milner.

[Mighty_Red]

We need to win or draw, it’s that simple. The way some people are going on you’d think we need to win the game 20-0.

No need to be nervous about this one. Just enjoy the game.

Personally,  I feel worried because whilst our form and quality means we should win the game (as opposed to just getting a point), there is a chance that something could go against us like it did away to Napoli and Salzberg have nothing to lose.

In contrast, we have everything to lose. I would be actually be more confident if we were playing a bigger opponent, or it was a bigger match (say a 2nd round tie).

I hope that, just like against Spartak which was similar,  we ease those tensions early on.

[Roger Federer]

Think of it as a round of 32 tie. We won the home game 4-3, and now we need a draw or better to progress. We won away at Bayern last year with 0-0 going into the game, we won at home against Barcelona of course, having been 3-0 down. This is surely more similar to playing Porto than Bayern or Barcelona? We had a 2 goal advantage then, which of course makes a difference, but are Salzburg really as good as some make out?

[jckliew]

we will keep a clean sheet

[andy07]

We switched off at 3-0 up in the home leg and nearly got punished.  Play to our strengths for 90 minutes and we win.  Anything less and we could struggle particularly if they score first.   

[Felch Aid]

Hate being negative but I had a nightmare that this game was going to be repeat of our collapse against Leverkusen.

Nervous.

[Dench57]

Hopefully do what we did at Bayern and just show them what time it is. Mane will not allow us to lose this game.

[Caston]

Hate being negative but I had a nightmare that this game was going to be repeat of our collapse against Leverkusen.

Nervous.

Nah.

[clinical]

Just got the horror that was red star Belgrade in my mind.

[Andy82lfc]

Main reason people are nervous is that it matters so much to Salzburg. If they were out already it wouldn’t be much of an issue but they know if they win they go through so it’s a huge game for them. Napoli on the other hand have their easiest game of the group. Still think we’ll beat them but won’t be happy if it’s a draw going into the last ten minutes.

[hesbighesred]

In contrast, we have everything to lose.

I think that helps us, to an extent. This team has gone from learning to cope with pressure, to dealing with it, to actively thriving on it. When was the last time we failed to do the job in a seriously high-pressure match? We've absolutely done the lot, and our performance levels in such situations *should* be too much for Salzburg to handle.

Also a win and we top the group, which would probably be very handy.

[KillieRed]

Good to see JK was feisty in his presser.

[DanA]

My Guess:


--------------------------Alisson------------------------------
A-Arnold---------Lovren---------Van Djik---------Robertson
------------------------Henderson----------------------------
---------------Keita---------------Wijnaldum-----------------
-------Salah------------------------------------Mane---------
-------------------------Firmino------------------------------
Subs
63' - Oxlade for Keita
75' - Origi for Bobby
85' - Gomez for Firmno (up 2-0)

[Knight]

My Guess:


--------------------------Alisson------------------------------
A-Arnold---------Lovren---------Van Djik---------Robertson
------------------------Henderson----------------------------
---------------Keita---------------Wijnaldum-----------------
-------Salah------------------------------------Mane---------
-------------------------Firmino------------------------------
Subs
63' - Oxlade for Keita
75' - Origi for Bobby
85' - Gomez for Firmno (up 2-0)

Bobby Firmino so good he can be subbed off twice.

I hope this is the team, want to see more of Keita and Salah together.

[Lofty Ambitions]

Bobby Firmino so good he can be subbed off twice.

We all want a team of Bobby Firminos 

[storkfoot]

Suffice to say, I am more nervous about this game than I was about the derby. 

They were very, very good in spells at Anfield. I am thankful we “only” have to face Watford at the weekend.

[spider-neil]

Bobby Firmino so good he can be subbed off twice.

I hope this is the team, want to see more of Keita and Salah together.

Would be harsh on Ox, especially seeing as he is in goal scoring form. But I think Klopp may give Keita the nod with his experience of playing in the stadium.

[PaulF]

We all want a team of Bobby Firminos 

Stringing together 20 nolook passes.

[Caligula?]

My Guess:


--------------------------Alisson------------------------------
A-Arnold---------Lovren---------Van Djik---------Robertson
------------------------Henderson----------------------------
---------------Keita---------------Wijnaldum-----------------
-------Salah------------------------------------Mane---------
-------------------------Firmino------------------------------
Subs
63' - Oxlade for Keita
75' - Origi for Bobby
85' - Gomez for Firmno (up 2-0)

Think that'll be the team myself, minus the subs.

[PaulF]

Are Salzburg likely to single out and boo ex players? Shouldn't bother our lot but might balance out knowing the ground.

[keyop]

Don't understand any nerves or worry about this given our results over the last 2 seasons. This team thrives on pressure and can get results when needed.

We've come back from far worse positions, with a far worse squad, against far better opposition. We'll be fine.

[Gray Hamster]

Don't understand any nerves or worry about this given our results over the last 2 seasons. This team thrives on pressure and can get results when needed.

We've come back from far worse positions, with a far worse squad, against far better opposition. We'll be fine.

Pretty much exactly the way I see it mate

[Clayton Bigsby]

They will apply pressure but we will win. Will possibly be a bit hairy for a while but we will pull away I reckon. A team that has to attack a klopp team is equivalent to a red rag to a bull

[Sharado]

Fuck these fizzy pop rats the kings of Europe are in town. Need a professional, grown up, mentality giants performance and we should be dusted by half time. Don't give them a sniff.

[Dench57]

Wouldn't be surprised to see Milly start

[So… Howard Philips]

They will apply pressure but we will win. Will possibly be a bit hairy for a while but we will pull away I reckon. A team that has to attack a klopp team is equivalent to a red rag to a bull

See what you did there!

[Clayton Bigsby]

See what you did there!

completely accidental 

[Mighty_Red]

I think that helps us, to an extent.

It's perverse, and I'm not usually a bedwetter. I'm 95% confident that we get the job done but for some reason the 5% is what I'm thinking of.

I'm glad the players don't have the same nerves as I have! They are now getting used to being hunted rather than being the hunter.

[vagabond]

Angry Klopp is one of my favorite Klopps

[spider-neil]

Angry Klopp is one of my favorite Klopps

I like angry Gini. When he was dropped for Barca he came on the pitch like a bull in China shop.

[Trendisnotdestiny]

Why the photos of the Griffeys?

Back to Back Jacks Baseball meme - since Hazell wrote the last two.

[BCCC]

We'll have to outscore them, there's no way I see us keeping a clean sheet against these.

[nico 8]

I think that helps us, to an extent. This team has gone from learning to cope with pressure, to dealing with it, to actively thriving on it. When was the last time we failed to do the job in a seriously high-pressure match? We've absolutely done the lot, and our performance levels in such situations *should* be too much for Salzburg to handle.

Also a win and we top the group, which would probably be very handy.

Have we not become that team (like the late 70's /80''s) where we knew what was required and efficiently did the business on the pitch. We are truly becoming a machine finding answers / solutions at anything and everything thrown at us. This team has arrived. when refereeing  / VAR decisions go against us, we still get the job done. I think the one area where we can improve on as a team-  keeping possession for lengthy spells.