The only think that because player for player and as a unit we are better.
Have to say I have absolutely no idea how the game plays out, I feel I’ve bought into the narrative on Chelsea (to me City seem no different to what’s been on offer the last 4-5 years though theyvare reminding me of the season before last where they pummel someone and then slip up.
It will be the first game these two sides have properly met, the Liverpool of last season and the Chelsea earlier on weren’t the same.
If it was away I’d take a draw but you kind of need to win your home matches, it does have a “must not lose” vibe to it.
Considering I haven’t a clue what our squad is going look like after the internationals and whether we can block the lads going.
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Odds of this becoming an anti-climax and turning out to be a boring 0-0 draw because Tuchel decides to shut up shop and being happy with taking a point back?
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10-1 with William Hill. Might be worth a few quid.
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Not sure, they only won last season because they just kept punting the ball inbetween our center backs with Werner running off the back… Van Dijk and Matip will mop that shit up all day long.
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With that backline? I hope he tries.
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I hope he overthinks like Pep does. The early in the season he’s under some pressure the better.
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I’ve just found out we’ll be watching this game at my sister-in-law’s place. Her kids are Chelsea fans.
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Can’t wait for this one! Proper big game already. Home, so win please.
Same central defensive unit for me.
Assess Robbo fitness as the week of training wears on. Tsimikas an able deputy if needed.
Midfield of Fab, Hendo, Keita. Thiago still getting up to speed for me.
Start Jota over Bobby. Get us a goal or two. Switch with Bobby on the 60-70 min mark. Bobby gets into the game quicker and would offer more impact from the bench for this one than Jota, imo. It will be hard fought, and Bobby will be in between the lines giving them problems for the last half hour.
Let’s go you reds. 2-0 and a marker set down.
Maybe a VVD header too?
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This will be won or lost in midfield. I’d really prefer this to be played in a few weeks time as we’re still not up to scratch in that area.
Hendo and Fabinho both short of minutes and Thiago still not realising you can’t dawdle on the ball in this league.
Think it’ll be Hendo, Fab and Keita, big games needed from all 3 to allow Mo, Mane and Jota to run their defence ragged.
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This is going to be a very tough game, Chelsea since Tuchels arrival have been a very stubborn team defensively and the addition of Lukaku improves their attacking threat considerably.
As many have said we need to win the Midfield battle so I can see the same back 4, with Fab, Hendo and Keita in Midfield. The later two for the press and Fabs to try and stop them playing balls into Lukaku’s feet.
I would also expect Bobby to start in order to drop deep and unsettle Jorginhio.
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Are you going to take them some little plastic flags to wave around ?
Not a clue how this will go? Must win though, I’m quite a bottle job and take my draws against the top 3 teams in my pre match thoughts. But I think we can get at these especially at the back.
First decision is Robbo/Kostas. If Robbo is fit for a 90 then Robbo, if he can’t do a 90 then play Kostas as we need Robbo at 100%. No rushing key players back from injury.
Second decision is the middle 3. Fabinho is a must, even with his limited minutes, he looks a player who doesn’t need to play much to play at his peak levels. Hendo has been training a good bit, and played a bit. Should be fit by now surely? If so he starts. Big decision between Naby and Thiago imo. Feel sometimes the games can pass over Naby at times, and still not sure if he’s the man to take over from Gini. Thiago is a class act. Can dwell on the ball which can be costly against a side like Chelsea. But fuck it, Thiago is world class, I chose Thiago.
Next semi choice is Jota/Bobby. I’m picking Jota. Think Bobby is coming to an end here unfortunately, Jota has scored two goals in two 60 minute performances really, seems to be the first sub often. Can see Jürgen sticking with it. Jota for when we need a goal, Bobby when we need to see the game out.
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Agree with all that Euphoria. Let’s hope we can get all three points
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Bobby has been outstanding so far, why would his time be up now?
I think the cards will be remixed after the international break anyway. Jota for instance will play with Portugal, while Bobby will have time to train at Liverpool and prepare himself for the next part of the season. We know how important that is for Kloppo.
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I feel one of the three of our Mo, Sadio and Bobby will be off this summer. Mo will get his deal this summer to stay. I think the club want to see sadio regain his old forum before committing to a long contract. I just feel Diogo is overtaking Bobby and Bobby is now starting to be the 4th choice , will he accept that maybe? Maybe not? If he doesn’t , which I think most footballers of his ability won’t, he will be coming to a natural end here.
I do agree with your statement at the end, all will change, happens every season with Joel vs Joe to partner Virgil. Mainly due to injuries but the pack is always switching anyways . Hopefully dies for Bobby’s sake
Milner definitely out. Robbo has trained all week with no issues so expect him to come back in. We will need Fabinho for this one. I like how no one is predicting us to win the title this season although that will change if we win this one.
This will be my first trip to Anfield since March 2020. Nearly 18 months without queuing for an over-priced hot dog, witnessing JK do his fist pumps or hugging a random stranger. Compared to the horrors that some people have had to put up with not going to Anfield is a small sacrifice to have made but I’ve missed it so much and I cannot wait to be back in there.
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You lucky bugger…the crowds outside, the smell of the ground, the sight inside the ground, the hum of the fans, and then they appear…oh I wish…enjoy
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So Chelsea finished 4th and won the CL last season. This year they have added a proven goalscorer in Lukaku and beat Christal Palace and Arsenal.
This will be a proper test to see where we are.
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Irrespective of the result, are we going to hear anything about football from the media for the entire weekend apart from about Ronaldo?
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