Author Topic: Match Preview - Liverpool v Sparta Praha, Europa League R16, Thursday 20h (Read 16400 times)

Zlen · « **on:** March 12, 2024, 11:54:42 am »

Liverpool v Sparta Praha
Europa League R16, Thursday 20h
Anfield

Referee: Artur Dias POR
Assistant referees: Paulo Soares POR, Pedro Ribeiro POR
Fourth official: Gustavo Correia POR
Video Assistant Referee: Tiago Martins POR
Assistant Video Assistant RefereeHugo Miguel POR

Does this season ever stop?

I'm actually looking forward to the wretched International football break at this point, I'm simply emotionally exhausted. It has been in all honestly several weeks of such emotional intensity and pressure, that even though we aren't getting a break in the schedule - a break in intensity will be more than welcome. We have the result, we've done the hard work and we're at Anfield. So this match should be different to the rollercoaster of nail-biting, last minute, against all odds games we've been on in past weeks.

Sparta didn't play badly in the first game, well to me at least. Their keeper was kind of crap, we scored (well, Darwin did) a few worldies but they kept finding the way to our goal repeatedly, at times too easily. It was their final pass and finishing that just as consistently let them down, the difference in quality was obvious and the end result reflected it. It does seem they put a lot emotionally into that game, because over the past weekend they were comprehensively beaten 4-0 by third place team FC Viktoria Plzeň - all goals coming in the second half. They are still top in their league, but to me that result speaks of a team that was physically and emotionally drained and the fatigue caught up to them against a solid team. And team they'll face at Anfield will be much stronger than Viktoria, even with expected flurry of changes to Liverpool's lineup. Only thing in their favour is that they can play completely unburdened. It looks like it's over, they are away in what will be the biggest game of many of their careers - they can just go out there and savour the moment, show their best. But I'm sure we'll expect this and also have enough on the bench to stop them if needed.

What about us? Well, for us this game is really even split between 'play those who need minutes' and 'rest those who played a lot'. That's about it. I can see Mo, Szobo, Nunez getting 45 minutes, possibly Konate if he's actually fit to train before the game. Rotate everything else really but especially Mac, Harvey, Diaz and Van Dijk. We can afford to rotate heavily, we should use that to our benefit. Use the game to get sharper and fitter for Old Trafford, use that one to fire another manager.

Life is simple.
Liverpool are amazing.

tubby · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2024, 11:56:26 am »

Is Danns good to go for this one?

Avens · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2024, 11:57:51 am »

Can the Legends team play in this one as well?

thaddeus · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2024, 12:00:28 pm »

Thanks Zlen. I'm the opposite to you and fully onboard the more-games-the-merrier bandwagon at the moment

Does anyone know the last time we lost by 4+ goals at home? I can remember the horrible away days at Stoke and Villa but I don't remember anyone turning us over at Anfield for a really long time.

The kids were less involved against Man City - just Quansah and Bradley (and Elliott) - so I'd be happy to see a few of them come into the midfield and forward lines. McConnell, Clark and Danns would seem the most likely.

If we could find a way to give Virgil the night off that would be great. Maybe Quansah and Gomez together for the first (?) time.

Quote from: tubby on March 12, 2024, 11:56:26 am

Is Danns good to go for this one?

As far as I know he is. He was out due to the 7-day concussion protocol which meant he didn't get a chance to train ahead of the Man City game. He should be back amongst it now.

DelTrotter · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2024, 12:08:20 pm »

Gakpo, Danns, Mo front 3. Find what we can for elsewhere from Quansah, Robbo/Tsimikas, Clark, Dom etc. Get it done!!

killer-heels · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2024, 12:22:14 pm »

Play the kids' aunts.

Zlen · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2024, 12:23:48 pm »

Quote from: killer-heels on March 12, 2024, 12:22:14 pm

Play the kids' aunts.

Yeah but if aunts get injured, kids might not get their birthday socks and deodorants on time, which might impact Liverpool negatively. Much better to go for kids fourth cousins. Better safe than sorry.

MD1990 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2024, 12:36:51 pm »

i would go

kelleher
Gomez 45/Bradley45 Quansah Robertson Tsimikas
McConnell
Szobo45-60 Clark
Salah 60 Danns Gakpo

SuperStevieNicol · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2024, 12:47:07 pm »

Quote from: MD1990 on March 12, 2024, 12:36:51 pm

i would go

kelleher
Gomez 45/Bradley45 Quansah Robertson Tsimikas
McConnell
Szobo45-60 Clark
Salah 60 Danns Gakpo

Quite like this. Might see Robertson or Tsimikas at right back with Gomez in the middle.

disgraced cake · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:02:08 pm »

Should be a fun evening knowing progression is surely sealed. Sparta lost 4-0 the other day so probably scarred by last Thursday evening. It's probably in their best interest to rest players knowing they have very little chance of going through and have seen their lead in the league cut to a point.

Kelleher
Tsimikas Quansah Gomez Robbo
McConnell Clark Szoboszlai
Salah Danns Gakpo

Bench should also come in handy. Bradley can play half again, maybe Koumas on for a bit too. Big opportunity for some of the young ones to experience European football at Anfield.

reddebs · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:05:54 pm »

Thought I was losing it when I saw the date in the thread title.

We play this Thursday, the 14th, not the 20th as that's a Wednesday 😂🤦

The_Nomad · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:27:53 pm »

Wonder if we might see Adrian in goal for this one?

Zlen · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:36:36 pm »

Quote from: reddebs on March 12, 2024, 01:05:54 pm

Thought I was losing it when I saw the date in the thread title.

We play this Thursday, the 14th, not the 20th as that's a Wednesday 😂🤦

It’s 20h or 8 PM.
Sorry for freaking you out. 😁

diegoLFC7 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:50:58 pm »

Hopefully Gakpo gets a full 90, and can contribute to a goal and get his confidence up. Want to see Trey Nyoni get a run out. 4 clear goals is surely enough to hold off Sparta.

RogerTheRed · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:53:17 pm »

Come on Redmen!!
Thanks Zlen, I can’t make it to this but my daughters will be there. Feel that we will see a mix of youth and those needing minutes. Would not be surprised with Kelleher, Bradley, Gomez, Quansah, Robertson (cap), O’ Connell, Clarke, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Nunez, Elliott with Salah, Nyoni, Macca, Endo and VVD able to sub on at appropriate times.
That is unless Gravenberch or Jones can make an appearance from the bench.

thaddeus · « **Reply #15 on:** March 12, 2024, 01:55:16 pm »

Quote from: disgraced cake on March 12, 2024, 01:02:08 pm

Kelleher
Tsimikas Quansah Gomez Robbo
McConnell Clark Szoboszlai
Salah Danns Gakpo

Kostas and Robbo both need minutes so Kostas at right back would be interesting. He's certainly got a decent right foot on him.

kaesarsosei · « **Reply #16 on:** March 12, 2024, 02:02:33 pm »

Quote from: disgraced cake on March 12, 2024, 01:02:08 pm

Kelleher
Tsimikas Quansah Gomez Robbo
McConnell Clark Szoboszlai
Salah Danns Gakpo

I would actually start Bradley. I know he's playing a lot of games, but not the full 90 and there's no indication he is injury prone yet. I'd look to give him, Salah, Szoboszlai and Robbo another 60, then bring on Tsimikas and god knows who else to finish the game.

Otherwise this is exactly the line-up I had in mind and what I really think Klopp will do with. I think no question Robbo, Salah and Szoboszlai need the minutes.

amir87 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 12, 2024, 02:29:08 pm »

Alisson

Trent Konate Matip Tsimikas

Bajcetic Thiago Jones

Doak Danns Jota

Vegeta · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2024, 02:30:20 pm »

Do we have an under 5's team?

MonsLibpool · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:14:44 pm »

Heavy rotation for the one with one eye on the FA cup game

Kelleher

Bradley Gomez Quansah Tsimikas

Clark Endo(subbed at HT for Mac) Szobo (needs to build form)

Salah (needs to build fitness) Gakpo Koumas.

We have to be careful with our midfield selection because we need experience in there.

cptrios · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:17:08 pm »

I'm surprised to see Gakpo on all of these lineups. I agree that he needs to build confidence, but he also needs a freaking rest. Harvey, too.

MonsLibpool · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:18:28 pm »

Quote from: cptrios on March 12, 2024, 03:17:08 pm

I'm surprised to see Gakpo on all of these lineups. I agree that he needs to build confidence, but he also needs a freaking rest. Harvey, too.

He didn't start the last game.

Gerry83 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:35:25 pm »

Any chance Kelleher gets a rest?

Would also play Gakpo. Not sure hes played as many minutes as the rest.

Nick110581 · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:46:06 pm »

Play Gakpo, Kostas, Dom and Mo the build team round them.

Some of them need minutes in legs so makes sense.

Andy @ Allerton! · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:48:45 pm »

Love European nights at Anfield.

We have done well and have a good start, but need to concentrate to get through this round with one eye on Sunday.

Up the Mighty European Reds!

rawcusk8 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 12, 2024, 03:48:52 pm »

Would give VVD, Mac and Lucho the night off. No disrespect to Sparta but even with our reserves and kids we should have enough to get through. I’m all for heavy rotation and giving players the minutes they need to get back in form.

Adrian
Bradley
Gomez
Quansah
Kostas
McConnel
Dom
Tea lady (Clark if he’s fit)
Gakpo
Danns
Harvey

Fromola · « **Reply #26 on:** March 12, 2024, 04:12:47 pm »

Quote from: Nick110581 on March 12, 2024, 03:46:06 pm

Play Gakpo, Kostas, Dom and Mo the build team round them.

Some of them need minutes in legs so makes sense.

Some senior players need minutes, others need a rest. I'd sit Harvey, Endo and Mac out but 1 or 2 on the bench. Diaz rest, Gakpo i'd play maybe a half each with Nunez if both fit). Rest Gomez and Virg, have Gomez on the bench.

Bring in Danns, Mcconnell, Clark, Tsimikas and have a couple of more youngsters ready to bring on if and when the tie is closed out.

exiledintheUSA · « **Reply #27 on:** March 12, 2024, 04:37:49 pm »

Adrian!!!

redk84 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 12, 2024, 04:46:42 pm »

Whatever team starts is fine by me....am sure all the allowed minutes have been calculated and this can be a good game to play without so much intensity

Kennys from heaven · « **Reply #29 on:** March 12, 2024, 05:27:40 pm »

Really not a fan of allowing sides any foothold at all so get an early goal or two to really shut the tie down then go enjoy themselves

Got a feeling that Sparta will come flying out first 5-10 mins to force what they can. Hit them on the counter and take the wind out.

Yorkykopite · « **Reply #30 on:** March 12, 2024, 05:47:19 pm »

Thanks Zlen. I agree with you about Sparta. They did cause us problems.

I thought that regular Thursday nights in the Europa would cause us problems at the start of the season. But right now they are gold dust. Here's a chance not only to blood the young 'uns but also to coax senior players back to full fitness. Mo will surely start this one, and Szobozslai will be grateful to get some more miles in his legs. I'd imagine that Bobby Clark will be given a berth too so he can continue his good work.

No doubt it will start to feel like a friendly if we get our noses in front on the night. But there again Jurgen doesn't really do friendlies.

neil4ad · « **Reply #31 on:** March 12, 2024, 05:57:25 pm »

Quote from: cptrios on March 12, 2024, 03:17:08 pm

I'm surprised to see Gakpo on all of these lineups. I agree that he needs to build confidence, but he also needs a freaking rest. Harvey, too.

This. Harvey definitely needs a rest. Maca and Endo too. Gomez could use one, I think, but we're stretched for CB

Legs · « **Reply #32 on:** March 12, 2024, 06:19:42 pm »

Quote from: neil4ad on March 12, 2024, 05:57:25 pm

This. Harvey definitely needs a rest. Maca and Endo too. Gomez could use one, I think, but we're stretched for CB

Tsimikas has played CB for Greece so could put him there we wont will we ?!

Clark Danns McComnell all need to start to

kop306 · « **Reply #33 on:** March 12, 2024, 06:33:43 pm »

kelleher

bradley gomez quansah kostas

sobo endo clark

salah cody koumas

second half changes
bradley, gomez, sobo, endo ,mo

you could play robo at centre half depending on how many goals we are ahead

also clark or mcconnell could play right back when bradley gets a rest second half

danns or gordon would replace mo

elliot or trey to replace sobo

virg and macca i wouldnt even bother putting them on the bench keep them rested for the mancs

kop306 · « **Reply #34 on:** March 12, 2024, 06:34:51 pm »

Quote from: cptrios on March 12, 2024, 03:17:08 pm

I'm surprised to see Gakpo on all of these lineups. I agree that he needs to build confidence, but he also needs a freaking rest. Harvey, too.

cody is getting a rest next sunday

farawayred · « **Reply #35 on:** March 12, 2024, 07:07:19 pm »

Quote from: Fromola on March 12, 2024, 04:12:47 pm

Some senior players need minutes, others need a rest. I'd sit Harvey, Endo and Mac out but 1 or 2 on the bench. Diaz rest, Gakpo i'd play maybe a half each with Nunez if both fit). Rest Gomez and Virg, have Gomez on the bench.

Bring in Danns, Mcconnell, Clark, Tsimikas and have a couple of more youngsters ready to bring on if and when the tie is closed out.

Just how I see it too. Szobo and Salah need the minutes, Gakpo isn't playing against United (I'd give him maximum time). If Kostas doesn't play now then when? If Konate is questionable for United, I'd mull over giving Gomez a rest.

neil4ad · « **Reply #36 on:** March 12, 2024, 07:20:02 pm »

Quote from: Legs on March 12, 2024, 06:19:42 pm

Tsimikas has played CB for Greece so could put him there we wont will we ?!

Clark Danns McComnell all need to start to

Good point about Tsimi

reddebs · « **Reply #37 on:** March 12, 2024, 07:22:15 pm »

Quote from: Zlen on March 12, 2024, 01:36:36 pm

It’s 20h or 8 PM.
Sorry for freaking you out. 😁

FFS mate 🤦

nerdster4 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 12, 2024, 07:55:18 pm »

Adrian
Bradley Quansah Gomez Robertson
Clark endo Elliott
Salah danns Gakpo

Dom for endo at half time
Koumas for Salah at half time
Tsimikas for Robertson at half time

Hazell · « **Reply #39 on:** March 12, 2024, 07:58:46 pm »

Thanks for the OP Zlen.

Sparta should really have scored at least a couple more last week but like you said, it was a big game for them. I can't seem them being that intense in the second leg and it may be bit of drab affair given the scoreline. Like you, I'd like to see Salah start, together with Szoboszlai and Nunez and give the likes of Mac Allister and Elliot, who have been playing a lot recently, a bit of a rest. They should all start on Sunday though.

Think Quansah will start but would like to see Danns and Clark start too. Then hopefully if it's comfortable enough, give the likes of McConnell and Koumas some time as well. That's the ideal scenario, hopefully we won't be caught cold early on.