My team
Ali
TAA Matip VVD Robbo
Fab
Nabby Hendo
Mane Bobby Salah
Thiago, jota and Diaz super subs
3 Likes
Ali
Trent Joël Virg Robbo
Henderson Fab Keita
Salah Jota Mané
Klopp likely disagrees but Thiago seems to make so many dangerous backpasses that I just wouldn’t start him in this one. We can’t afford to give them any early lead. I hope it’s Keita starting but he played 90 against Benfica so it doesn’t seem likely he will start, whereas Thiago was subbed at 60. Milner might be a surprise starter just to make it more difficult for City to have a free flowing midfield.
This third midfielder is the only area where I think we need to team select with a mind on negating City. Otherwise I think our selections will be proactively to make life extremely difficult for City.
Jota had probably scored more goals to break the deadlock in games than anyone at Liverpool. He is the most likely to get us into an early lead or to score against the run of play. IMO he must start. The big choice will be between Mané and Diaz. I would go for the old head in Mané and give Diaz his run later in the match. I think Diaz also played every minute of the Benfica game as well so I think that one is decided.
I’m probably more confident than usual that we will perform well here. These matches with City always have my stomach in knots, but I really enjoy the Klopp - Pep clash. The games pretty much never go as I think they will because of what both coaches are trying to do to wrestle control of the match, improving on what happened the last time they played. I’m really looking forward to it.
I agree on Thiagos dangerous backpasses but without him we would have given up the midfield battle before the game even begins. From my recollection of the game at Anfield, our MF was non existent. I think if possible it should be Hendo, Thiago and Fab
3 Likes
I agree. Thiago is a big game player and the fact that he was taken off in Lisbon points to his inclusion here.
3 Likes
That probably although he gave the ball away with a slack pass and immediately had a strange ‘was that me, I can’t believe it reaction’ instead of getting over it and getting on the move again and then got a yellow card for a cynical foul as a result. Was subbed off almost immediately after this.
Thiago is a strange one. Has moments of pure world class then moments of pure Sunday league in the same match!
2 Likes
This is one where I don’t think we’ve quite replaced Gini. City are already there to be got at and we don’t need Thiago’s wizardry to unlock anything. Therefore, the game arguably lends itself to a picking a higher octane replacement. Naby is playing well, but I think he tends to play much better when he’s facing the opposition goal. Again, it is a quality that i think could hurt City a lot, but with City’s off the ball movement you cannot afford to only be playing in one direction so maybe he doesnt get the shout, to start at least.
Neither Jones nor Elliot tick those boxes yet, and Ox is well below all in the pecking order. So who does that leave to go alongside Fab and Hendo? Milly?
2 Likes
Not sure about that, mate. I’d have Mane instead of Jota.
The rest I agree with.
2 Likes
I think his defensive abilities are rather underrated actually, but I do agree with you. I’m guessing we’ll probably see a Fabinho, Henderson, and Thiago midfield, with any difference from that likely to be Milner for Thiago.
Jota just has the knack of scoring at the moment, he’s playing better than Mane (although Mane might be the better player)
1 Like
Soz Naby lad, but this is the kind of game Fab, Hendo, Thiago is for.
Alisson
Trent Matip Van Dijk Robbo
Fabinho
Hendo Thiago
Salah Firmino Mane
Trent Matip Van Dijk Robbo
Fabinho
Hendo Thiago
Salah Firmino Mane
Huge debate about our forward line, but I suspect Klopp will want the old band back together for this one. And judging by the way Diaz was the only one to do 90 on Tuesday, he might sit it out.
6 Likes
Until he inevitably scores 
, he has the tendency to be a bit of a passenger at times. We can afford passengers against city.
As I said above I think this might be the old front three back together.
2 Likes
I think Naby’s defense is a very proactive one, one where he is moving forward to win the ball. It’s why he is a good fit for us, but when things are happening over his shoulder that he needs to know about it he is less good. It’s what I mean about him being excellent as long as he’s being asked to play the way he’s facing. I’m loathed to make accommodations solely to counter the opposition strengths, but I do think against City you need to be able to play with your head on a swivel a bit more than Naby has often done.
1 Like
I remember we played with 4 attackers (right when Jota first signed) away to City and the game ended in a 1-1 draw but we were the more threatening side by far. In recent away games to City we’ve gone back to our normal 4-3-3 and have lost control in those games.
Particularly now with City having Diaz out, I hope we go back at them with 4 attackers and put those back line players under pressure. Keeping Rodri and the fullbacks pinned back is how you can actually regain some control of the midfield against them. It seems counter intuitive, but I think we’re likely to have more control in this game with 2 midfielders than our standard 3. Plus I like the idea of Bobby and Jota leading the press against the likes of Walker, Stones and Ake (maybe) who all have a mistake in them.
Alisson
Trent Matip VVD Robbo
Hendo Fabinho
Salah Firmino Jota Mane
Trent Matip VVD Robbo
Hendo Fabinho
Salah Firmino Jota Mane
5 Likes
That would be a great line up
Interesting shout with four attackers.
My take on the ramifications of the result is that if Man City beat us, they will go on to lift the title. They have seven games to go and beating their closest rivals will give them a huge boost for the run in.
If we win we get our noses in front, but I still give Man City some chance, due to having the easier run in. But hopefully we beat them well and they struggle mentally and drop more points.
A draw keeps Man City’s nose in front and they would be favorites to go on and win it at that point.
1 Like
Can’t remember what I picked the last time, but anyway.
Lots of comments on Thiago.
He has to start, he is THE class midfielder at the moment.
The debate surrounds Hendo (inspirational leader in poor vein of form) or Keita (inconsistent but brilliant).
I really cannot see a midfield that doesn’t include Fabinho and Thiago.
4 Likes
Or maybe we’re all just a bit “overthinking”, Pep-like.
I fully expect a midfield of Fabinho, Hendo and Thiago.
2 Likes