Topic: Match Preview: UCL QF 1st Leg Liverpool v Man City [4 April 2018, K.O 19:45 GMT]

[sms1986]

Saw their game at Everton on Saturday and they look frighteningly up to speed

To be fair, a game against Everton would probably make most teams look good!

[Zlen]

Saw their game at Everton on Saturday and they look frighteningly up to speed

They really do.
We'll have to be rock solid defensively, across the whole pitch, to earn chances.
All I'm hoping for is that we don't gift them easy goals - I want to see them forced to play to the best of their abilities if they want to score against us. I want to see them pushed to the edge psychologically and physically - if they can best us under those conditions then fair play, but don't give them undeserved gifts.

[Crosby Nick]

Did David Silva play in the 4-3 game? I think he did but was during his spell where he was in and out a bit.

Got that excited/shitting myself feeling now (nothing to do with a heavy Easter). We’re going to have to be aggressive but controlled too. I think they will probably get an away goal but don’t think we’ll worry about being able to score at their place.

[sms1986]

Did David Silva play in the 4-3 game? I think he did but was during his spell where he was in and out a bit.

Got that excited/shitting myself feeling now (nothing to do with a heavy Easter). We’re going to have to be aggressive but controlled too. I think they will probably get an away goal but don’t think we’ll worry about being able to score at their place.

He was an unused sub.

[newterp]

And VvD didn’t play for us. Should be an interesting addition from both sides.

Additionally Henderson didn’t play for us.

[Carra-ton]

We need to play at a level we haven't played at this season, or one of theirs needs to have a couple of big errors. Would be great if Fernandinho gets red carded early on.
But, that game against Everton, especially the first half was frightening.

[rocco]

Saw their game at Everton on Saturday and they look frighteningly up to speed

Gonna be a tough night for us

If we can score first again and get the crowd going mental then I can imagine a win for us but they will have learned a lot from the January game

I see a score draw in the first leg

Everton set back and rolled over   , think they had about 15% possession

[sms1986]

Everton set back and rolled over   , think they had about 15% possession

Yeah, we'll be much more tougher opponents for City than they were. They'll be tough for us too, but it's a much more even match than either of us against Everton.

[Dave D]

According to their fans, players, manager and the press, they just have to turn up on Wednesday to win. I think ourselves and the other 6 teams in the competition should just hand them the trophy right now. How could we possibly compete with the greatest team to ever play the game?

Memories of the 2005 semi finals are coming flooding back.

[rocco]

Yeah, we'll be much more tougher opponents for City than they were. They'll be tough for us too, but it's a much more even match than either of us against Everton.

Think we’re well able if at our best to go through .

[vagabond]

According to their fans, players, manager and the press, they just have to turn up on Wednesday to win.

Are you sure?

-----------------------

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sees Liverpool's three-pronged forward line as "almost unstoppable".

The two sides meet in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Liverpool the only Premier League team to come close to matching City's scoring exploits.

Mohamed Salah has 37 goals this season but Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have added another 38 between them.

"It's not just Salah," said Guardiola. "Mane and Firmino, all three, they are almost unstoppable. They're fantastic."

Liverpool are the only side to have beaten runaway leaders City in the Premier League this season, winning 4-3 at Anfield on 14 January.

Firmino, Mane and Salah scored three goals in nine minutes to give the Reds a 4-1 lead and Guardiola believes his City players must handle the atmosphere better when they return for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

"We lost a bit of control, we were involved in the environment of Anfield," he said.

"The way Liverpool play is so complicated for us. We know that. They are so quick, they are so good and it is tough.

"But it is the quarter-finals of the Champions League so we cannot expect, at that level, that something is going to be easy."

[Nick110581]

Midfield for us is massive. If we can dig in there then we have a chance.

Will he go with 3-5-2?

Is Ageuro fit ?

[jillcwhomever]

Midfield for us is massive. If we can dig in there then we have a chance.

Will he go with 3-5-2?

Is Ageuro fit ?

Sounds as if he'll start from the bench if he's fit enough.

[Nick110581]

Sounds as if he'll start from the bench if he's fit enough.

Jesus is obviously a great replacememt though

[jillcwhomever]

Jesus is obviously a great replacememt though

Perhaps, he sometimes needs a game or two before he is back to his best though. Let's hope he's rusty.

[So… Howard Philips]

Ok so I’ve had a little snoop on blue moon. Generally they seem to think the 4-3 in January was simply an off day from them with their midfield disrupted by david silvas absense. They seem to be ignoring klopps record against Guardiola. This is the toughest tie in europe at the moment according to the bookies but guardiolas football philosophy is a poor fit against a klopp side with this much pace. I reckon we’ll win but I’d say that if we were playing 1970 brazil at home on a big night

Silva's availability is a big plus for them. He really is tidy in a tight spot.

What we lack in midfield, unfortunately.

[rocco]

Jesus is obviously a great replacememt though

Scored a nice goal v Everton from a cross on Easter Saturday .

[So… Howard Philips]

Scored a nice goal v Everton from a cross on Easter Saturday .

So his resurrection came a bit earlier than usual?

[disgraced cake]

Same referee as Sevilla away then. He was, and I use the technical term, absolutely fucking shite

[PatriotScouser]

Our record of playing English teams in Europe with the first leg at Anfield is poor but I still believe in Jurgen and the players. It will be very hard but also achievable.

We shouldn't be too dispirited if we get a draw though as I was on London on a business trip when Arsenal and Chelsea had their clash in 2004 and the first game was a 1-1 draw at Chelsea and the expectation was that Arsenal would cakewalk the 2nd leg, but Chelsea won it. So if we don't get the win then all is not lost. Unless of course we lose by more than one goal. Even if we lost but the odd goal say 1-0 or 2-1 etc then even then all is not lost, as I back the team to score at City.

I actually think though this is going to be our hardest test in the CL and if we can get past City I do not think we'll have a harder game to get past then the one we currently face. As I have to admit I think Pep is creating something very special there. So to get past them over 2 legs would be an achievement in itself.


I'd actually be very tempted to play 3 at the back as we looked very good when Lovren came on against Palace which pushed the full backs up higher. If we can replicate that then we'll be pushing the likes of Sane and Sterling further down their end. .

The midfield is going to be interesting and I think Henderson and Oxlade-Chamberlain are must starts for me. Alex played very well against city and we need his pace, physicality and penetrative runs in midfield. The 3rd player is a choice of Can, Wijnaldum and Milner. In truth I am not a fan of Can or Wijnaldum but at home at least Wijnaldum seems to be good for us and his physicality is again something we'll need. But I'd play Can or Milner in the 2nd leg.

[Keita Success]

Everton set back and rolled over   , think they had about 15% possession

Everton had something like 17.9% possession, Fernandinho had 15%.

[free_at_last]

Lets have a few low pot shots at this keeper. I haven't watched him all season but he was out of position for Oxlade-Chamberlains
goal at Anfield and his effort for the Everton goal on Saturday wasn't great. A wall of noise from the Kop wont help him either.Step up Mr Can.

[sms1986]

Our record of playing English teams in Europe with the first leg at Anfield is poor

It is? The only loss I remember is the 3-1 against Chelsea, otherwise we've won or drawn home first legs.

[capt k]

Jesus is obviously a great replacememt though

..
Nah he is no good on Crosseds

[thegoodfella]

These can be had down their fullback positions. Walker makes a couple of mistakes every match and if it is Laporte on the left side, Salah can have plenty of chances.

[mkingdon]

I would never bet against us on a CL night at Anfield in the latter stages.

Form wise, I think we are underdogs for sure. Watford aside we haven't looked too fluent of late but still have managed to get results. This is good of course.

City meanwhile look to be purring. Still, over confidence, being the favourites and starting to believe your own press, with the title in the bag may all be ingredients for a shock to their system.

I fancy us to be able to score at their place so I'd take a 3-1, as I don't see us keeping a clean sheet.

As many have said midfield is a worry if Can isn't fit and no Lallana......we could be putting out a workman like trio again. I fancy AOC to get a start to help with that.

Trent has a huge job on and he will be targetted for sure. He's struggled against Rashford and Zaha and Sane will be even tougher. Any chance of Clyne starting? Probably not. Trent needs help for sure....

                    Karius

TAA        Matip         VVD       Robertson

                     Henderson

        AOC                       Wijnaldum

Salah          Bobby              Mane

[elsewhere]

Wish Cuneyt Cakir was our referee, he was known to be a Liverpool fan.

Did Felix Brych ever ref Klopp's Dortmund vs Pep's Bayern matches? I'd like to know the results.

[elsewhere]

..
Nah he is no good on Crosseds

[RedSince86]

Wish Cuneyt Cakir was our referee, he was known to be a Liverpool fan.

Did Felix Brych ever ref Klopp's Dortmund vs Pep's Bayern matches? I'd like to know the results.

Felix Brych was shocking in our game at Seville.

He gave everything to Seville in the second half.

[sms1986]

I would never bet against us on a CL night at Anfield in the latter stages.

Form wise, I think we are underdogs for sure. Watford aside we haven't looked too fluent of late but still have managed to get results. This is good of course.

City meanwhile look to be purring. Still, over confidence, being the favourites and starting to believe your own press, with the title in the bag may all be ingredients for a shock to their system.

I fancy us to be able to score at their place so I'd take a 3-1, as I don't see us keeping a clean sheet.

As many have said midfield is a worry if Can isn't fit and no Lallana......we could be putting out a workman like trio again. I fancy AOC to get a start to help with that.

Trent has a huge job on and he will be targetted for sure. He's struggled against Rashford and Zaha and Sane will be even tougher. Any chance of Clyne starting? Probably not. Trent needs help for sure....

                    Karius

TAA        Matip         VVD       Robertson

                     Henderson

        AOC                       Wijnaldum

Salah          Bobby              Mane

It was mentioned earlier, but VVD didn't play against City when we burst their invincibles bubble, I think he'll play a major part in us getting through the tie.

[elsewhere]

Felix Brych was shocking in our game at Seville.

He gave everything to Seville in the second half.

Yeah i remember that one, horrendous stuff. hopefully it's a sign he favors home teams

[LanceLink!!!!!]

I don't understand why people are calling out for three at the back, when we've played very well all season with four.

We should't be changing anything in fear of any of their players, it's a Champions League Quarter Final at Anfield, it's only the second time Manchester City have been this far in the competition in their history. Do what we do best and go a score goals for fun.

[RedSince86]

Yeah i remember that one, horrendous stuff. hopefully it's a sign he favors home teams

PSG were angry about his officiating in the game at the Bernabeu.

Hopefully it's a sign he's a bit of a homer.

[sms1986]

I don't understand why people are calling out for three at the back, when we've played very well all season with four.

We should't be changing anything in fear of any of their players, it's a Champions League Quarter Final at Anfield, it's only the second time Manchester City have been this far in the competition in their history. Do what we do best and go a score goals for fun.

Just imagine if we won 5-0 on Wednesday, very unlikely to happen but it would scare not only City but the other teams still in the competition shitless!

[Nick110581]

Can’t wait for this.

All the plaudits in the build up for them - let’s keep our heads down and focus as we have a massive chance.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Come on reds, play the game of your lives!

[sms1986]

Can’t wait for this.

All the plaudits in the build up for them - let’s keep our heads down and focus as we have a massive chance.

Think many will want the plucky European minnows to beat the European royalty.

[UntouchableLuis]

Can't wait for this. Been a long time since we have had a knock out fixture of this magnitude. I have been to some massive European games over the years (Chelsea, Arsenal, Barca, Madrid,) but this City side have as much quality if not more so than some of those teams we faced. We are going to have to make Anfield the 12th man once again and I reckon we will do. In the league fixture City showed they couldn't live with the noise and it will have some impact before the game for them.

Just hope we play our stuff and cause them problems. If we can get a draw or any win we have a great chance.

[Blue Coop]

According to their fans, players, manager and the press, they just have to turn up on Wednesday to win. I think ourselves and the other 6 teams in the competition should just hand them the trophy right now. How could we possibly compete with the greatest team to ever play the game?

Memories of the 2005 semi finals are coming flooding back.

Have you got the player and manager quotes? Cheers.

[Pradan]

According to their fans, players, manager and the press, they just have to turn up on Wednesday to win. I think ourselves and the other 6 teams in the competition should just hand them the trophy right now. How could we possibly compete with the greatest team to ever play the game?

Memories of the 2005 semi finals are coming flooding back.

You've just totally made that up.