Neither Gini or Mane deserve to start but being honest there’s no one else who is pushing from a start. Apart from Thiago, obviously, Klopp leaving him on the bench is madness unless he’s not fully fit.
I’d love to see Trent further forward for this game, even if it’s just the one. Give him a fewer responsibilities and a chance to redeem himself.
Alisson
Milner Phillips Kabak Robbo
Fabinho
Trent Thiago
Salah Firmino Jota
Is what I’d go for. Milner can sit next to Phillips, Trent to go forward and play in that right channel as an #8 like Henderson/De Bruyne, Thiago to drop back next to Fab. Firmino to sit on Kroos and stop him playing.
Desperately poor 1st leg, more so for the attitude rather than the score line, which reflected the attitude. No point crying over spilt milk as the saying goes, but “must do better” goes without saying for the second leg. Without the crowd we need to make it as uncomfortable for RM as possible. That means business right from the off. No sitting back fannying around with the ball, nervy passes and all that shite. This is when we want to see the mentality monsters. They might not win, but what we - as fans - want to see, is the players giving it their all; nothing less. It’s a big ask, but one that’s achievable.
We need to use the press more intelligently this time. Kroos and Modric are the ones we need to be shutting down not the goalie and the full backs like in the first leg.
If we score first then it’s game on but we are going to need to see the Liverpool of old to make it happen.
Good luck Reds , just make sure these fuckers know they’ve been in a game.