Pre Match | Liverpool vs Real Madrid | CL Quarter Final second leg | Wednesday April 14th 20:00h | Anfield

Ali
TAA Phillips Kabak Robertson
Thiago Fab Milner
Salah Bobby Jota

We got done good and proper last week, a mix of Real’s performance, our own poor performance, tiredness after Arsenal (two day break) and Keita in after two months meaning midfield was weaker.

This time I have a glimmer of hope that we’ll push them close in the tie, though they’ll score so it’ll be tough.

I’d make three changes from last week - Bobby for Mane, as Sadio currently struggles against good defences and we need Bobby to pick pockets. Jota and Salah completes our current best forward line IMO.

There is no alternative to the defence unless he drops Fab back. I wouldn’t.

I’d seriously consider Milner and Thiago with Fab, keeping Gini with Mane to come from the bench.

If somehow, we get two up, and Real have to push on, Mane could offer something on the break, and Gini often performs better off the bench in latter stage CL ties (Barce and Roma at home).

It doesn’t matter what team Real has. If we play like Mentality Monsters we can screw the prime Galacticos.

Fabinho in midfield, with Thiago and Jones if fit.
If Jones isnt fit I would consider Shaqiri.
Him and Thiago with Fabinho sitting would create enough for the forward three.
I think Bobbby, Mo and Jota.
Keep Mane as the threat off the bench.
Milner for Shaq/Jones when shoring up is required.
Same back 5.

This is extremely difficult. Empty stadium, poor vein of form, missing vital players etc.
May as well go for it, better to lose with a bit of fight anyway.

Disagree he will get in their face and get their heads down to prevent the early long ball in behind our defence, that is waht was needed in the 1st game and that midfield just didnt pressmeffectively where Milly did it excellently against the Arse as did his other midfield & forward teammates

I’m wondering is Piped in crowd noise banned if not I’d just pipe the fucking thing in at a noise unbearable.

Give our lads earplugs.

That or borrow WWE’s thunder dome.

As much as I would like us to have a blistering start, I wouldn’t want it to happen for the simple reason that, if Real scores on the break, this tie is done.
This is rather going to be a game of cat and mouse.
The first and foremost thing we need in this game is midfield domination and by that I don’t just mean possession, but hunt Real down like a pack of wolves. We need to not let them have ball for more than 5-10 seconds.
To achieve this sort of pressing, I would have loved Hendo to be there. However, I wouldn’t have Millie in this game in midfield either. He doesn’t have the legs to press and moreso, we will again lose out on further creativity.
I would have a midfield of Fab, Thiago and Gini(simply bcoz he can press better than Millie).

I would also not play fab at no. 6 , but rather a double 6 with Thiago. This is a game for Thiago as a playmaker. He can run the show and excel against a European opposition.

Finally, upfront I would have a front 3 of Bobby, Mo with Shaq in behind. The reason why I have dropped both Jota and Mane is to ensure we drain Real till 55-60 min and then with Jota and Mane coming in…The intensity would go up a level from us, instead of going down.
And, this would be a perfect tactic to get at Real, as they will drain a bit becoz of intense game against Barca at the weekend.

So, here’s the lineup:
Ali
Trent Nat Kabak Robbo
Fab Thiago Gini
Shaq
Mo Bobby

Jota and Mane to come at 60 , with a double sub.

This is me talking after daydreaming during work, but what if all our local fans each puts something like a mini speaker at their seat in the stadium, then cheer for the team at home and transmit that sound to mimic the Anfield atmosphere?

Of course it was just daydream, but I want to say even as an fan through the tv I miss the noise we make too. I think the team really needs it right now, some real human support in matches and it’s so disheartening we can’t give any.

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The fans need to socially distance themselves along Anfield road.

Those welcomes that the teams had in previous years for big games were insane

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The first goal will be crucial. If Real score first, I think that’s us done. If we can score it, the opposing players might become nervous and then who knows.

A pity that there won’t be any pressure from the supporters, but still: let’s hope that our lads can give Real a proper fight this time. Not that awful pussyfooting around from a week ago. Get at their throats, and make them suffer from minute one right until the final whistle!

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Unfortunately I don’t hold much hope for this game. Real have quality all over the pitch and plenty of big game experience. If we do go out I just want us to go out all guns blazing leaving no room for what could have been.
Score the first goal and we have a bit of a sniff. Don’t afford them too much respect. Regardless of the result I will be happy as long as we don’t wonder what could have been.
Fuck Ramos and fuck this lot.
Up the Reds!

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Was injured anyway but now Ramos has been tested positive on Covid.

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Whatever the result, I’ll be more than satisfied if we can do this.

Come on you reds!

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Like the Barca game a few years ago, we need to come out strong and fast, get right in there faces, and try to get the early goal and shit them up a bit.

Like others, not holding out much hope for it, but its far from over and a 2-0 win is achievable.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Sadio Mane are all one yellow card away from a one-match suspension by UEFA, along with the injured Jordan Henderson.

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I wonder what the odds are on all 4 of them receiving at least one yellow card each?

Liverpool fans should gather outside the Titanic hotel tonight and party all night and keep the cheats awake.

No Origi, Curtis or Alisson in today’s open trainings session.

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No chance of a Real player coming out saying they’ll chop their bollock off if they lose this game as they’re all fannies.

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Is that where they are staying?

Surprises me this doesn’t happen more often!