Topic: Southampton v Liverpool (St. Mary's) August 17th, 2019 3pm

[gerrardisgod]

If Lonergan does play I wonder who will be sub. I bet Ray Clemence still has his boots.

May as well pick Michael Stensgard, way things are going.

[Raid]

Need the mentality giants to show it again tomorrow, a lot of character required in testing circumstances. Soton were pony last week but it will be a different game for them at home considering their fans have some sort of vendetta against us for taking some of their players and very handsome prices.

If available -

Adrian, TAA, Matip, VVD, Robertson, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Mane, Firmino, Origi.

Hendo put in a big shift over 120 minutes the other night and out of the front three Mo played the duration. Klopp may throw him in anyway as he seems a supreme athlete but we certainly don't want to lose him for any period of time with a muscle injury, given how explosive he is.

Shaq's well rested and Lallana was trained in the six during pre-season for a reason.

[SerbianScouser]

Yup. It just isn't happening

[Dim Glas]

can't be sure, but I'm pretty certain, last season was just ridiculous, I can't see any team bar Abu Dhabi - who have two first 11's that would finish top 4, can sustain that sort of run.

[Elzar]

Lonergan
Hoever
Lovren
Van Den Berg
Robertson
Lallana
Chirivella
Shaqiri
Kent
Brewster
Harvey

They'll be hungry and up for it

[classycarra]

Southampton will be well up for this after the week we've had. First and second choice keepers injured, Keita injured and the rest of the team absolutely knackered after the Super Cup. People will say that the opposition would be fired up regardless, but I think circumstances like this give teams an added incentive.

This is exactly the sort of game where we might have to cash in on individual brilliance. Expecting a tough, scrappy match and hoping something special from one of our front three can settle it.

Plus the bad loss to Burnley. Even before the 2 hours of football in istanbul I was annoyed about that result - much more helpful to play teams who feel they can rest on their laurels rather than concentrating trying hard to put things right after a shite performance

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Do we really think Salah won't start?

[SerbianScouser]

Do we really think Salah won't start?

The fittest football player in modern history? He could play 3 games in a row no problem. He's definitely starting tomorrow.

[classycarra]

The fittest football player in modern history? He could play 3 games in a row no problem. He's definitely starting tomorrow.

Be good to test his hamstrings' resolve, yeh

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

The fittest football player in modern history? He could play 3 games in a row no problem. He's definitely starting tomorrow.

I would really, really hope so. Wouldn't like to think we played him for longer than necessary on Wednesday, at the expense of him starting v Southampton.

[duvva 💅]

Do we really think Salah won't start?

I’d be very surprised if he’s not in the team, not sure if it’s just perception but he very rarely gets subbed in comparison to Bobby or Mane. Jurgen seems to want him on the field at all times unless the game is done or he’s injured.

[Zizou]

I’d be very surprised if he’s not in the team, not sure if it’s just perception but he very rarely gets subbed in comparison to Bobby or Mane. Jurgen seems to want him on the field at all times unless the game is done or he’s injured.

Because he doesn't do as much tracking back or pressing as those two.

[Sharado]

Lonergan
Hoever
Lovren
Van Den Berg
Robertson
Lallana
Chirivella
Shaqiri
Kent
Brewster
Harvey

They'll be hungry and up for it

If that team started there'd be a rush of calls to A and E in Liverpool.

[keyop]

Great OP Trend.

This season has a funny feel to it and seems like we are stuttering, despite an opening day win and bagging a trophy in the last week. Perhaps its the quiet transfer window, mixed pre-season, and recent injuries to Allisson, Keita, and now Adrian.

Either way, we should be beating this Southampton side. Some say play our strongest team, but I think we need to rotate, partly through necessity/injury, but also to give players a run of games to pick up form and fitness. Although we should approach every game to win and not get complacent, I'd like to see Ox and Shaqiri in for this one (possibly Lallana as a sub), with Origi an early replacement for Mane if we get a comfortable lead (he's a machine but needs some rest). They'll be some tired legs after 120 minutes on Wednesday and its pointless risking injury or a jaded performance so early in the season against beatable opposition.

Adrian (if fit)/Lonergan, Robertson, Matip, VVD, Trent, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, AoC, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane

With so many competitions available to win this season (and knowing we'll need a cricket score of points again to keep pace with City), its difficult to know when and how to rotate, but the benefit this season is we have a stronger bench without signing anyone, just by virtue of having Ox and Gomez back in the mix. Hopefully a comfortable win with no new injuries, and I fancy Spurs to take points off City to give us an early season boost.

[lionel_messias]

At this rate, provisional team sheet:


Lonergan

That-bloke-who-looks-like-Klopp-who-does-fitness
Van Den Berg

Phil Babb
Craig off Big Brother

Fordy
Daniel Craig
Adam Lallana

Origi
Brewster
Samuel L. Jackson




Should be enough for Southampton.

[keyop]

It’s not remotely must win... please someone stop the madness

I think when people say this they mean we must continue to be consistent against the bottom 10 sides to have a chance - not a 'must-win' that means disaster if we lose. A true 'must-win' game is based on the context - i.e. a cup game where we have to win to get to the next round, or a game in the closing stages of the season where mathematically we must win to stay in the race (or win the title).

Regardless of the terminology anyone uses, there's no doubt we will need to be almost as consistent as were last year against the bottom sides, whilst ideally taking points off City and drawing less games. The standards are that high now.

[duvva 💅]

Great OP Trend.

This season has a funny feel to it and seems like we are stuttering, despite an opening day win and bagging a trophy in the last week. Perhaps its the quiet transfer window, mixed pre-season, and recent injuries to Allisson, Keita, and now Adrian.

Either way, we should be beating this Southampton side. Some say play our strongest team, but I think we need to rotate, partly through necessity/injury, but also to give players a run of games to pick up form and fitness. Although we should approach every game to win and not get complacent, I'd like to see Ox and Shaqiri in for this one (possibly Lallana as a sub), with Origi an early replacement for Mane if we get a comfortable lead (he's a machine but needs some rest). They'll be some tired legs after 120 minutes on Wednesday and its pointless risking injury or a jaded performance so early in the season against beatable opposition.

Adrian (if fit)/Lonergan, Robertson, Matip, VVD, Trent, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, AoC, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane

With so many competitions available to win this season (and knowing we'll need a cricket score of points again to keep pace with City), its difficult to know when and how to rotate, but the benefit this season is we have a stronger bench without signing anyone, just by virtue of having Ox and Gomez back in the mix. Hopefully a comfortable win with no new injuries, and I fancy Spurs to take points off City to give us an early season boost.

Bobby only came on at ht on Weds and given the impact he made I’d be surprised if he doesn’t start. If any of the front 3 don’t start and I suspect they will, the most likely change is probably Origi for Mane due to Mane’s reduced pre-season but then we’re resting our 2 goal man from Weds so wouldn’t be at all surprised to see all 3 play from the start if all are fit and well.

[keyop]

To be fair to Gomez, Matip made some horrendous mistakes last night too. I reckon penalties were just "fated."

The jury is out on whether Ox is still a top level player. Perhaps he just needs more time to find his rhythm. I would not start him in a must-win game. The pressure of the run-in with City will crush us if we start dropping points so soon. This game is a must-win. Mo-Bobby-Sadio please.

Wow. Not sure you're gonna make it through until May.

[I've been a good boy]

At this rate, provisional team sheet:


Lonergan

That-bloke-who-looks-like-Klopp-who-does-fitness
Van Den Berg

Phil Babb
Craig off Big Brother

Fordy
Daniel Craig
Adam Lallana

Origi
Brewster
Samuel L. Jackson




Should be enough for Southampton.

No Mr Bean? #KloppOut

[tommy LFC]

Big test, especially with City Spurs coming after.

Hopefully they will think they can get at a tired team and come out all guns blazing. We should be able to pick them off comfortably.

[lionel_messias]

No Mr Bean? #KloppOut

He's a fictional character, silly!

[sms1986]

Adrian says he is optimistic that he'll be playing tomorrow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49369915.

[newterp]

Yup. It just isn't happening, last season was ridiculous. 1 loss all season in the league, just bonkers.

But people expect more this season, it's going to be unbearably tedious on match threads here all season because of it 

Going to be? It's already been tedious in the PRESEASON threads.

[Fromola]

These are going to be really bang up for it. Like with Chelsea in the week their hammering the previous game is bad news for us, they'll have a big reaction. Their manager has give them the haidryer treatment.

We have to be well at it to get a result. It's going to be similar to Newcastle away last season, off the back of Barca away on the Wednesday. We're just going to have to try and somehow sneak a win.

In the circumstances a draw isn't too bad, but puts pressure on to win next week. It's going to be very hard to get anything.

[BrandoLFC]

We're going to live or die by the Mane, Bobby, Salah front line.  All 3 are going to start would be my guess and we'll win because they are.

[Number 7]

These are going to be really bang up for it. Like with Chelsea in the week their hammering the previous game is bad news for us, they'll have a big reaction. Their manager has give them the haidryer treatment.

We have to be well at it to get a result. It's going to be similar to Newcastle away last season, off the back of Barca away on the Wednesday. We're just going to have to try and somehow sneak a win.

In the circumstances a draw isn't too bad, but puts pressure on to win next week. It's going to be very hard to get anything.

I think it will be an ugly game and I think we'll struggle at times in the match, but we've got the quality to win. They gave us a tough game down there last season and we only put the game to bed in the last 10 mins.

[Fromola]

I think it will be an ugly game and I think we'll struggle at times in the match, but we've got the quality to win. They gave us a tough game down there last season and we only put the game to bed in the last 10 mins.

Having a fresh Henderson and Milner on the bench to bring on swung that. They overran us until then (I think Southampton tired a bit as well later on). They'll be at us from the off.

[John C]

Cracking OP Trend, thanks for that mate.

[RedForeverTT]

If available -

Adrian, TAA, Matip, VVD, Robertson, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Mane, Firmino, Origi.

I just think playing Lallana and Shaq at the same time loses a bit of steel. Otherwise it is possibly the line up Klopp would go with.

Really frustrating to see Keita getting injured so often.

[classycarra]

I just think playing Lallana and Shaq at the same time loses a bit of steel. Otherwise it is possibly the line up Klopp would go with.

Really frustrating to see Keita getting injured so often.

Agreed mate, I think it's that lineup minus Shaqiri with one of Milner/Chamberlain instead.

[RK7]

It's mad that dropped points this early could hurt anyone but the strength and consistency of City means any points dropped in these games, this early will make the task much more difficult. It's the reality of it sadly.

[hesbighesred]

Yup. And with a week to rest and train before the next game. First choice players will play if fit.

Does the week after the game somehow reduce the miniscule amount of time between the games? If there isn't any rotation, then I can't imagine it will be with the fitness team's full blessing.

[hesbighesred]

What a post, Trend. My God.

Agreed, I should have said that before but thank you Trend for a really quality and fun OP.

[Tobelius]

Adrian says he is optimistic that he'll be playing tomorrow - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49369915.

Thank Fowler for that 

[Trendisnotdestiny]

Cracking OP Trend, thanks for that mate.

Grateful to be here!   

[88_RED]

We need to play the best team we possibly can today and the best team will be the one that is 100% fit and fully recovered irrespective of individual players..

All we need to do is cast our minds back to the champions league semi final second leg at Anfield.. Was it our best team on the night? Absolutely it was.. Was it our best team on paper? No way.. But it was the 'team' that won that match and it will be the 'team' that wins, loses or draws today..

So whichever team Klopp puts out, let's get behind it and support them to pick up the 3 points..

[RedG13]

Great OP Trend
Excited  for the game.
Couris how we will rotate players in for the game
I think we may go something like
Adrian
Trent-Lovren or Matip-Virgil-Robertson
Fabinho-Gini
Lallana-Firmino-mane
Salah

I would like to see Lallana or Ox in a Mf type so they are penetration player

[Bobinhood]

This is just our first good chance to start writing this years legend. 0-6. A Lonergan stormer with a very late Shaq lob from 35 yards. Boom 0-1. Whatever it takes.

[PhaseOfPlay]

Great OP Trend
Excited  for the game.
Couris how we will rotate players in for the game
I think we may go something like
Adrian
Trent-Lovren or Matip-Virgil-Robertson
Fabinho-Gini
Lallana-Firmino-mane
Salah

I would like to see Lallana or Ox in a Mf type so they are penetration player

That's a terrible poem, mate.

It doesn't even rhyme.

[jckliew]

At this rate, provisional team sheet:


Lonergan

That-bloke-who-looks-like-Klopp-who-does-fitness
Van Den Berg

Phil Babb
Craig off Big Brother

Fordy
Daniel Craig
Adam Lallana

Origi
Brewster
Samuel L. Jackson




Should be enough for Southampton.

Looks good, that.