Author Topic: Match Preview: UCL QF 2nd Leg City 0 v Liverpool 3 [10 April 2018, KO 19:45 GMT] (Read 129213 times)

Dan6times · « **Reply #400 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:21:20 pm »

Nervous wreck for this me

I'll just leave it at that

farawayred · « **Reply #401 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:23:00 pm »

Quote from: PhaseOfPlay on April 9, 2018, 09:20:28 pm

Then why have a contest at all? Just let Barca and Real duke it out every year.

I know you're pulling my leg, but come on...

Medellin · « **Reply #402 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:23:50 pm »

Much appreciated all.

Karius.
Trent Lovren Virgil Robbo.
Gini
Ox. Milner.
Salah. Mane.
Bob.

Seems likely if a couple pass fitness tests are passed.
Getting really excited already!

So… Howard Philips · « **Reply #403 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:24:38 pm »

Quote from: farawayred on April 9, 2018, 09:18:15 pm

That's one school of thought. The other want to see the best teams competing with their best players. And the third is a coin toss between these two. Hopefully not the 1965 coin toss with Cologne...

Our pact with the Devil was sealed in blood just before that coin toss.

mrantarctica · « **Reply #404 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:26:46 pm »

Its all about mentality and game management. We have to start very strongly and quieten their home support. An early goal will drop their belief like a lead balloon. Even if we don't score early, If we get on top of their midfield and stop De Bruyne and their pacy widemen from getting into the game then the longer things go on, the more desperate they will get. They'll also be keenly aware that conceding will all but end their tie. I suspect a desperate tackle or two might on the cards if Salah or Mane get some space in the final third, and that could either see a penalty become quite a possibility.

PhaseOfPlay · « **Reply #405 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:27:21 pm »

Quote from: farawayred on April 9, 2018, 09:23:00 pm

I know you're pulling my leg, but come on...

The moment they start letting players off cards jut because they are considered to be among the best, and just in order to have them play in the marquee game of the season, is the moment the game becomes scripted. It's relatively simple to not get yellow cards - don't foul players. If you do set out to foul players, then accept the consequences. Removing the consequences just says "hey, punishments mean nothing, go do as you please". Because why the f*ck wouldn't they? There's no comeback for it.

farawayred · « **Reply #406 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:32:27 pm »

Quote from: PhaseOfPlay on April 9, 2018, 09:27:21 pm

The moment they start letting players off cards jut because they are considered to be among the best, and just in order to have them play in the marquee game of the season, is the moment the game becomes scripted. It's relatively simple to not get yellow cards - don't foul players. If you do set out to foul players, then accept the consequences. Removing the consequences just says "hey, punishments mean nothing, go do as you please". Because why the f*ck wouldn't they? There's no comeback for it.

That's a general statement that I agree with, but again, if you look at the quarter-finalists, never mind the probable semi-finalists, that logic doesn't apply to either team. If you are thinking of United, than fair play...

Anyway, I accept that there is a disagreement, and my opinion is just that - an opinion.

Trendisnotdestiny · « **Reply #407 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:35:46 pm »

PoP & Babu,

Do you reckon that Gini and Milner play more of a co-#6 Wjinaldum------Milner

AOC

Or do you think Gini just fills in for Henderson and Milner keeps his role with eye to help certain passing channels?

And could this shift throughout the game? Or would Kloppo see this as promoting a more of a sit-back and absorb mentality instead of press, press, press?

Thoughts?

vicar · « **Reply #408 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:49:51 pm »

I am slightly worried about what is our bench going to look like tomorrow.
Particularly what alternative midfield players we have available. We are looking a bit threadbare without a bit of formation change.

UntouchableLuis · « **Reply #409 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:52:45 pm »

Devils advocate here - if you had to choose one player to play tomorrow would it be Salah or VVD? Can't have both.

Sudden Death Draft Loser · « **Reply #410 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:54:09 pm »

Quote from: UntouchableLuis on April 9, 2018, 09:52:45 pm

Devils advocate here - if you had to choose one player to play tomorrow would it be Salah or VVD? Can't have both.

VVD for me

mrantarctica · « **Reply #411 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:55:43 pm »

Quote from: Trendisnotdestiny on April 9, 2018, 09:35:46 pm

PoP & Babu,

Do you reckon that Gini and Milner play more of a co-#6 Wjinaldum------Milner

AOC

Or do you think Gini just fills in for Henderson and Milner keeps his role with eye to help certain passing channels?

And could this shift throughout the game? Or would Kloppo see this as promoting a more of a sit-back and absorb mentality instead of press, press, press?

Thoughts?

Not Babu or PoP but I think this particular role for this game will be critical to the result. Gini and Milner will need to have very good games to keep their attacking midfielders quiet, to get ourselves on the ball and try to keep us driving forward, as well as help out our defenders. We definitely have the ability to recycle the ball and keep hold of the ball for long periods with the midfielders we have. I suspect that Milner and AOC will perhaps pick up a bit extra legwork that Hendo would normally do, whereas Gini is athletic and strong but doesn't necessarily have the same coverage that Hendo does.

Lush is the best medicine... · « **Reply #412 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:57:45 pm »

Am I the only one weirdly calm for tomorrow

RogerTheRed · « **Reply #413 on:** April 9, 2018, 09:58:34 pm »

Am looking forward to hearing our fans tomorrow. Hope there is no trouble as this could be like that Arsenal game when all the Germans turned up 😀.
Allez Allez Allez!!
YNWA

lgvkarlos · « **Reply #414 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:01:08 pm »

Quote from: Laughter is the best medicine... on April 9, 2018, 09:57:45 pm

Am I the only one weirdly calm for tomorrow

I am very nervous, first leg went to well.
Can see us get some dodgy decisions tomorrow.

JackWard33 · « **Reply #415 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:03:27 pm »

Quote from: vicar on April 9, 2018, 09:49:51 pm

I am slightly worried about what is our bench going to look like tomorrow.
Particularly what alternative midfield players we have available. We are looking a bit threadbare without a bit of formation change.

Was thinking about this earlier - the longer the game goes the harder it is for us without a midfield change. But I think his solution is to change to a back 3 and take off the most fatigued midfielder/front man

PhaseOfPlay · « **Reply #416 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:09:04 pm »

Quote from: Laughter is the best medicine... on April 9, 2018, 09:57:45 pm

Am I the only one weirdly calm for tomorrow

Nope. All the odds are in our favour - we can win, lose, or draw, and still progress. They really needed that away goal to make things more uncertain, but they are now in between a rock and a hard place - overcommit, they are in danger of conceding the one goal that solidifies the tie for us. Undercommit and play cautious, and they might not get the goals required. All we have to do is score 1, and it's more than likely lights out. We're in the best possible position to be in.

PhaseOfPlay · « **Reply #417 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:11:21 pm »

Quote from: Trendisnotdestiny on April 9, 2018, 09:35:46 pm

PoP & Babu,

Do you reckon that Gini and Milner play more of a co-#6 Wjinaldum------Milner

AOC

Or do you think Gini just fills in for Henderson and Milner keeps his role with eye to help certain passing channels?

And could this shift throughout the game? Or would Kloppo see this as promoting a more of a sit-back and absorb mentality instead of press, press, press?

Thoughts?

It could be -

---------Milner
AOC---------------Gini

I think the most important thing for us is that we have someone in midfield to get the ball beyond Salah. We might see Mane playing a lot deeper than normal so that he can link the defence and attack better. Who plays the "6" then won't be as important, as we'll have numbers back.

klopptilyoudrop · « **Reply #418 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:12:07 pm »

Quote from: jazzfunk on April 9, 2018, 08:38:42 pm

if they go 2 up then we score they still need another 3 again

I thought this put the scale of City's task neatly in perspective. And they've just shipped six in two games.

Make no mistake, we've got a difficult night ahead, but we are an extremely good team too. City aren't looking to overturn a freak result from that first leg. Our energy, assertiveness, talent and teamwork got us in to this position - and all of that will be on display again tomorrow.

ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ!

cashmere pringle · « **Reply #419 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:12:15 pm »

I realise that this is the wrong thread but heads up to those planning to watch on TV or stream. BT sport is available for £2 a month for 6 months on a rolling contract.

if you are UK based and would usually find a stream might be worth getting it sorted ahead of time ..

come on !!

EDIT to add . to customers of BT broadband and PlusNet. there had to be a catch

Trendisnotdestiny · « **Reply #420 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:13:09 pm »

Quote from: PhaseOfPlay on April 9, 2018, 10:11:21 pm

It could be -

---------Milner
AOC---------------Gini

I think the most important thing for us is that we have someone in midfield to get the ball beyond Salah. We might see Mane playing a lot deeper than normal so that he can link the defence and attack better. Who plays the "6" then won't be as important, as we'll have numbers back.

Fantastic point ---- Firmino and Mane take on the role of helping us play out as a group response to losing some structure--- thanks mate.

A-Bomb · « **Reply #421 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:14:13 pm »

Wholly confident we'll smash them.... they had no idea what they were walking into last week, few players do.... Guardiola did, he's no clown...so for the first time in what? ever? he changed his team..... to counter the opposition, fuck me that was a glaring obvious statement of his respect for our football club, but you know what, when you've played at the highest level and watched the power of Anfield not as a 'one off' but for 30/40 years.... you know you're turning up at a powerhouse. And in Man City's case....with a yes, awesome squad....but absolutely fuck all pedigree.....

"Oh Anfield we'll walk that, piece of piss that atmosphere"

Guardiola didn't feel that way, hence why he made changes to his team.

We are a European behemoth - the reason that holds some resonance is very simple, as the opposition approach the game, they see the games that have gone before, the Chelsea game in recent history, the Madrid game in recent history, the Juve game in recent history....the Barca game in recent history..... then you go back further, and there's cups and glories galore!

Of course they shit themselves.....Shankly recognised it early, there was something special behind this club, a deep support that would hold firm and terrify any opponent.

We will win tomorrow, and when Pep goes sleep at night....he will envy Klopp for having something he knows only too well....a deep connection with a football club. He should go back to Barca if he ever wants to really feel that way again.

mrantarctica · « **Reply #422 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:14:22 pm »

Quote from: JackWard33 on April 9, 2018, 10:03:27 pm

Was thinking about this earlier - the longer the game goes the harder it is for us without a midfield change. But I think his solution is to change to a back 3 and take off the most fatigued midfielder/front man

We actually have quite a few players available who've played in the defence/back 4. We're just lacking CMs thanks to injuries.

JackWard33 · « **Reply #423 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:15:54 pm »

Quote from: mrantarctica on April 9, 2018, 10:14:22 pm

We actually have quite a few players available who've played in the defence/back 4. We're just lacking CMs thanks to injuries.

Yeah that’s what I mean - we can go to a back 3 to take advantage of the good wing backs / centre backs and cover for be lack of CMs on the bench

Lush is the best medicine... · « **Reply #424 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:17:01 pm »

Quote from: PhaseOfPlay on April 9, 2018, 10:09:04 pm

Nope. All the odds are in our favour - we can win, lose, or draw, and still progress. They really needed that away goal to make things more uncertain, but they are now in between a rock and a hard place - overcommit, they are in danger of conceding the one goal that solidifies the tie for us. Undercommit and play cautious, and they might not get the goals required. All we have to do is score 1, and it's more than likely lights out. We're in the best possible position to be in.

summed up quite nicely how I see it, as well as the after effects of Saturday and how they can lash out when things don’t go their way, chelsea at home last season was a good example

Trendisnotdestiny · « **Reply #425 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:19:09 pm »

Quote from: mrantarctica on April 9, 2018, 09:55:43 pm

Not Babu or PoP but I think this particular role for this game will be critical to the result. Gini and Milner will need to have very good games to keep their attacking midfielders quiet, to get ourselves on the ball and try to keep us driving forward, as well as help out our defenders. We definitely have the ability to recycle the ball and keep hold of the ball for long periods with the midfielders we have. I suspect that Milner and AOC will perhaps pick up a bit extra legwork that Hendo would normally do, whereas Gini is athletic and strong but doesn't necessarily have the same coverage that Hendo does.

This makes me think how of the ball do we want to have in this game --- as PoP points out, its hard to score on us if we have the ball, but at the same time we are most dangerous without the ball, pressing and then going to goal with our front three.

I think this requires some balance --- and some elephant balls to play into spaces that we can exploit; want to get after Otamendi

Ski · « **Reply #426 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:29:20 pm »

Quote from: Medellin on April 9, 2018, 08:38:53 pm

Superb OP to those who contributed.

Well..where do i start,sad news when i lost me arl fella a few days before the 1st leg,he would have been 84 on the day it was played & what a birthday he must have had looking down watching.
Tomorrow he comes home & our lads (red & blue) will be with him for the game tomorrow before his send off on weds,i do hope it's one to be remembered!
He was a great red me arl fella,very knowledgeable supporter & his insight will be greatly missed.
Give it to them tomorrow redmen!
YNWA.

Sorry for your loss mate. Hope you're dad smiles from above at ft tomorrow night after the lads have done him proud. YNWA!

Chakan · « **Reply #427 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:29:45 pm »

Quote from: Medellin on April 9, 2018, 08:38:53 pm

Superb OP to those who contributed.

Well..where do i start,sad news when i lost me arl fella a few days before the 1st leg,he would have been 84 on the day it was played & what a birthday he must have had looking down watching.
Tomorrow he comes home & our lads (red & blue) will be with him for the game tomorrow before his send off on weds,i do hope it's one to be remembered!
He was a great red me arl fella,very knowledgeable supporter & his insight will be greatly missed.
Give it to them tomorrow redmen!
YNWA.

Condolences to you and the family mate.

Redsnappa · « **Reply #428 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:37:59 pm »

Quote from: farawayred on April 9, 2018, 09:18:15 pm

That's one school of thought. The other want to see the best teams competing with their best players. And the third is a coin toss between these two. Hopefully not the 1965 coin toss with Cologne...

I'll take that. We won

BrandoLFC · « **Reply #429 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:40:09 pm »

Unless there's an early sending off like Mane's tomorrow then I think we have this. We'll have the out ball to Salah now that he's going to play, we'll catch them on the break for sure and I cannot fathom how we won't score at least one. Our defense has been really, really good as well. Everything points to us progressing baring some freak occurrence.

RedForeverTT · « **Reply #430 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:43:13 pm »

Quote from: JackWard33 on April 9, 2018, 10:03:27 pm

Was thinking about this earlier - the longer the game goes the harder it is for us without a midfield change. But I think his solution is to change to a back 3 and take off the most fatigued midfielder/front man

It wouldn't be a walk in the park but I would;t worry so much about fatigue or about our bench. We won't come to that.

City is stuck between a rock and a hard place against our natural game. Sure they will come at us but unlike other teams they have faced where attackers drop deep to defend, Salah and Mane is always on the halfway line which means one or 2 or their defenders, Walker and Otamendi has to stay behind. We always knew Otamendi who incidentally shipped out 6 against Brazil, will have a few mistakes in him every single fucking game.

Where do that leave them? 8 attackers running ragged trying to break us down but worry about conceding. It is their onus to attack us which leave a big gap for Salah to exploit.

As Gerrard said, we can't asked for a better position to take to Man City. Let the worry be on them.

Sir Capon of Debaser · « **Reply #431 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:43:36 pm »

Anfield HQ
‏
Verified account

@AnfieldHQ
9s10 seconds ago
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A request from Liverpool to have police officers stationed on bridges along the route their team bus takes to Manchester tomorrow has been turned down.

scouse neapolitan · « **Reply #432 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:45:51 pm »

Condoloences to you and all the family Medellin. Your Dad will be there tomorrow night with my old man and thousands of other dads who are no longer walking with us. They were there with us last week at our place and they'll be there for all our days. Irrespective of the score tomorrow, they're part of our history and just what makes us a special club.
RIP YNWA

Sir Capon of Debaser · « **Reply #433 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:47:04 pm »

Quote from: Medellin on April 9, 2018, 08:38:53 pm

Superb OP to those who contributed.

Well..where do i start,sad news when i lost me arl fella a few days before the 1st leg,he would have been 84 on the day it was played & what a birthday he must have had looking down watching.
Tomorrow he comes home & our lads (red & blue) will be with him for the game tomorrow before his send off on weds,i do hope it's one to be remembered!
He was a great red me arl fella,very knowledgeable supporter & his insight will be greatly missed.
Give it to them tomorrow redmen!
YNWA.

Sorry for your loss mate

dudleyred · « **Reply #434 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:47:44 pm »

Quote from: Capon Debaser on April 9, 2018, 10:43:36 pm

Anfield HQ
‏
Verified account

@AnfieldHQ
9s10 seconds ago
More
A request from Liverpool to have police officers stationed on bridges along the route their team bus takes to Manchester tomorrow has been turned down.

Hopefully a precautionary request and not as a result of something more sinister

BabuYagu · « **Reply #435 on:** April 9, 2018, 10:58:28 pm »

Quote from: Trendisnotdestiny on April 9, 2018, 09:35:46 pm

PoP & Babu,

Do you reckon that Gini and Milner play more of a co-#6 Wjinaldum------Milner

AOC

Or do you think Gini just fills in for Henderson and Milner keeps his role with eye to help certain passing channels?

And could this shift throughout the game? Or would Kloppo see this as promoting a more of a sit-back and absorb mentality instead of press, press, press?

Thoughts?

Just to be controversial, I will say neither

I think we will play with something similar to the 4-B-2 we saw against Arsenal (4-0) and Bayern in pre-season.

defensive phase ball central, then we have

Gini - Milner

Ox - Bobby
Salah Mane

defensive phase, ball our left

Gini - Milner

Ox - Bobby - Mane

Salah

defensive phase, ball our right

Gini - Milner

Salah - Ox - Bobby

Mane

Allows us to maintain pace on the counter, compact, good defensive access, and prevent them flooding midfield.

In the attacking phase I suspect we will be quite conservative. Gini will stay behind the ball. One FB & Milner will avoid getting ahead of the ball and we will use the pace of our front four to try and quickly tear holes in them before they can transition into their defensive shape.

BabuYagu · « **Reply #436 on:** April 9, 2018, 11:00:38 pm »

Quote from: Medellin on April 9, 2018, 08:38:53 pm

Superb OP to those who contributed.

Well..where do i start,sad news when i lost me arl fella a few days before the 1st leg,he would have been 84 on the day it was played & what a birthday he must have had looking down watching.
Tomorrow he comes home & our lads (red & blue) will be with him for the game tomorrow before his send off on weds,i do hope it's one to be remembered!
He was a great red me arl fella,very knowledgeable supporter & his insight will be greatly missed.
Give it to them tomorrow redmen!
YNWA.

My condolences mate to you and family.

elbow · « **Reply #437 on:** April 9, 2018, 11:02:44 pm »

Quote from: Trendisnotdestiny on April 8, 2018, 08:36:43 pm

The actual acquarium or geggenpressed by otters?

Geggenpressed by Otters sounds like a Half Man Half Biscuit song.

vivabobbygraham · « **Reply #438 on:** April 9, 2018, 11:04:13 pm »

Quote from: Medellin on April 9, 2018, 08:38:53 pm

Superb OP to those who contributed.

Well..where do i start,sad news when i lost me arl fella a few days before the 1st leg,he would have been 84 on the day it was played & what a birthday he must have had looking down watching.
Tomorrow he comes home & our lads (red & blue) will be with him for the game tomorrow before his send off on weds,i do hope it's one to be remembered!
He was a great red me arl fella,very knowledgeable supporter & his insight will be greatly missed.
Give it to them tomorrow redmen!
YNWA.

Condolences to you and your family. I hope his insight has been passed on to you, my friend. YNWA, pops

Floydy · « **Reply #439 on:** April 9, 2018, 11:06:53 pm »

Really tough game tomorrow, City will come at us for sure get an early goal, but we need to be bold enough when we win the ball to attack them in certain spaces, personally for me that would be down the middle, so the fullbacks are key here, Robbo & TAA may need to play smart here on when to go and when to stay in the transition.
My only concern is midfield, we look a bit light beyond the 1st choice 3 of gini, ox, milner. As the game pans out with potential extra time can these 3 be expected to remain constant enough, who off the bench can we bring on here? Moreno, wide, Ings, wide , centrally we rely on Woodburn.
Cant be arsed typing too much technical detail i will leave that to the experts but we need to score here but remain resolute and robust. City will throw the kitchen sink at us for 90+ minutes and its will be those free kicks conceeded in and around the box, corners that we need to deal with. But be fuckin as sharp as a razor when we break as the opportunities will come but we may have to be patient for long periods of no possession.
I know those of you lot lucky enough to be going will make a fuckin din and make sure Jürgen and the lads get all the support they need on what could be a long night.

Remember lads, these are paths we have trodden before, we need to win this battle, but the war will then begin. Should we slay the Middle Eastlands team then bigger battles and scalps await.
Tonight we sleep, tomorrow we fight. Wine for my men we ride at dawn.