Topic: Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace [Saturday 19 August, K.O. 15:00]

[So… Howard Philips]

Just ignore them, they'll never be able to convince us that he's a flop, the only way we'll be convinced is if he does turn out to be a flop (which I highly doubt).

I'm surprised Jenas hasn't highlighted all the sitters he's missed in the last two games. If you are going to tell a lie make sure it's a whopper.

[hesbighesred]

Big chance for Robertson today! I'm amazed to see so many changes, to be honest, especially in defence, but I like the slightly attacking change with Milner in midfield - it looks a little more balanced - and we are definitely going to need to rotate this season.

[6BigCups]

Second game of the season and that is our line up. Jesus.

[rocco]

I'd love 5-0

[thekitkatshuffler]

Second game of the season and that is our line up. Jesus.

Midfield Milly.  The most depressing kids TV show of all time.   

[Linudden]

Fair bit concerned about this back four; three natural centre backs and one completely unproven LB at Liverpool level. I fear we'll ship a lot of goals from that side this season unless Milner is restored as first choice, but then again, I hope I'm wrong. Hopefully Palace will hold their line higher than under their British managers beforehand and therefore there will be chances to break but... I don't like playing these fellas. They're our 2010's version of what Boro were to us in the 2000's... 

[alonsoisared]

At the risk of being a negative nelly...what the fuck is that line up? 

Should be enough to win the game, but wow.

[Lustig]

The team for today looks so unbalanced and vulnerable.

[Dougle]

Just like to put on record, in case this goes tits up today, that I am delighted with the team. Good man Jurgan, it is gonna be a bit a harem scarum afternoon for the greying denisons of Anfield.
5 - 2, I would love to be there.
Seey'all in the post match mangle.
Sing the reds through the storm Anfield !!

[pjk66]

Second game of the season and that is our line up. Jesus.

Absolutely. This does not bode well for this match and rest of season. Prove me wrong lads but surely that really plays  into bentekes hands

[The Final Third]

Klopp on Sturridge: "I think it makes sense after a good pre-season then a break with a little muscle thing we bring him in immediately."

Klopp: “It was clear we had to make changes, especially with Trent. We cannot push him through all of the games."

Klopp on team selection: “It was a combination of the last game, the next game and the actual game, which is the main thing to think about."

[Sarge]

The Klopp out heroes? Love those fans. They 'get' it.

Oh you should read some of the claptrap. Mind boggling shite.

[Yanwoo]

At the risk of being a negative nelly...what the fuck is that line up? 

Should be enough to win the game, but wow.

Surely, that's the point: pick a team to win the game, given availability, fitness and the schedule...

[IgorBobbins]

Delighted to see some rotation though. Can has been going through the motions so far for us in my opinion.

And Gini hasn't been going through the motions? Amazed that he seems to be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. But that discussion is for another time, perhaps.

[bird_lfc]

That backline worries me. Which probably means they'll keep a clean sheet and look solid as I know fuck all.

[Sarge]

Big chance for Robertson today! I'm amazed to see so many changes, to be honest, especially in defence, but I like the slightly attacking change with Milner in midfield - it looks a little more balanced - and we are definitely going to need to rotate this season.

The defensive changes do not surprise me to be honest. We have been pretty bad and the two dropped well.......

[dangerpuss]

I hope we go in at half time 2-0 up. I can imagine the shit show otherwise.

Up the reds!

[ArthurDooley82]

Not feeling that back 4  hope they prove me wrong!

[Schmidt]

You have to look at what it is playing against though. A central midfield of Milivojevec & Puncheon.

My biggest concern is having two passive aerial defenders vs an aggressive aerial attacker in Benteke.

Delighted to see some rotation though. Can has been going through the motions so far for us in my opinion. Moreno & TAA got through a fierce amount of work on Tuesday. A fresh Salah coming on against Tomkins late in the game could decide it. We never had that pace off the bench last year.

Suspect without the ball, Firmino will drop and make it a 4-D-2 to make sure we always have a man over in defence somewhere rather than 1-v-1 all over the pitch. Also suspect we will be more compact than usual centrally to give better defensive access and will likely leave their wing backs - particularly Ward - quite open at times for a switch as a trade off for being more solid through the middle and leaving Mane high up the pitch again.

Yeah watching Can so far this season has been tough, either he's still in friendly mode or we're going to have a problem all season with him now that he's seemingly leaving. Still, some of the things I didn't want to see this season include Klavan playing important games, Milner in midfield, Gomez at fullback, Firmino pushed out wide and yet another midfield lacking creativity. I may have been wrong on Gomez as he's looked much improved now that he's well past his injury but the rest are all things I still worry about, and we're seeing all of them in this game.

How anyone can look at our squad and think it's fine is beyond me.

[Living Legends]

I like it.
Let's do this!
 

[rich87]

Is it a 5-3-2 or a 4-3-3? Milner rwb and robertson lwb?

[dangerpuss]

And Gini hasn't been going through the motions? Amazed that he seems to be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. But that discussion is for another time, perhaps.

Can played in the Conf cup. That midfield is pretty solid. Milner and Hendo will work hard and Gini has some more guile. I expect Firmino to drop in to steal the ball quite often.

[JackWard33]

The defensive changes do not surprise me to be honest. We have been pretty bad and the two dropped well.......

They haven't been dropped they've been rested for the more important game midweek
Let's not start pretending Lovren isn't our first choice centre back

[North Red]

Big chance for Robertson today! I'm amazed to see so many changes, to be honest, especially in defence, but I like the slightly attacking change with Milner in midfield - it looks a little more balanced - and we are definitely going to need to rotate this season.

One could say it really doesn't matter what changes are made in defense, it can't get any worse 

[wemmick]

Don't mind Klavan for this one. I think he is better than Lovren against physical forwards. It's pace that hurts him. Good to see Robertson get the nod. We'll need some good attacking play from him since we won't get much from midfield.

[ScouserAtHeart]

Prediction: 0-0

[Sevens and Eights]

I like it.
Let's do this!
 

630 am, I got my tequila with coffee on, and my kit wearing, blurry eyed backside on my couch.
I plan on annoying my fellow condo neighbors with my explitetives and cheering.

Let's go boys!

[banksybanks]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

[hesbighesred]

One could say it really doesn't matter what changes are made in defense, it can't get any worse 

Hehehe!

[pjk66]

just has the feel of benteke doing us again today. Time will tell.

[Samie]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

HAHAHA!

[pjk66]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

Bang on

[dangerpuss]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

At least fucking wait until half time! I'm so glad none of you are actually playing today.

[Sarge]

The team for today looks so unbalanced and vulnerable.

How come?

[sms1986]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

We're not light years behind them at all, and just because they've beaten West Ham and Swansea in a row doesn't mean they'll have a better season than they did last time around.

It's entirely possible that we'll sign some players based on how we do next Wednesday.

[Samie]

Bang on

HAHAHA!

[leiva-pool]

Fair bit concerned about this back four; three natural centre backs and one completely unproven LB at Liverpool level.

Does is really matter though? Our normal back line sucks as well. As long as we outscore them that's the main objective. We're gonna leak shit loads of goals regardless.

[So… Howard Philips]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

Maybe you should post in Redcafe then?

[pjk66]

Is this the right place to come for a pre-match meltdown? Watching the end of the Utd game, and the strength they have, then looking at our line-up......we're light years behind them. I really worry for us this season if we don't bring some fresh faces in before the end of the month

Certainly agree with their squad versus ours. Just so strong.  But when all first 11 are fit we can still do hem.

But unfortunately  again it looks like we are really gonna have to depend on the squad and that isn't strong enough.

[Rob17]

just has the feel of benteke doing us again today. Time will tell.

He's got a slight injury so hopefully it makes a difference!