One of the last ‘easy’ games of the season but we are Liverpool…
Fully expect us to concede first or have a man send off before start playing football 
Y.N.W.A.
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Referee: Michael Salisbury. Assistants: Mat Wilkes, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Darren Bond. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: Craig Taylor.
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There are no easy games, but because Manchester City just stuffed this lot 6-0 there are going to be people who expect us to run up a cricket score here. They ought to try to remember the recent Manchester United game and temper their expectations a little.
It’ll be interesting to see if Tsimikas retains the starting berth at left back, given Robbo’s recent struggles; otherwise, the team pretty much picks itself given last night’s rotation against Lille.
Ali
Trent Ibou Virg ???
Mac Grav
Mo Dom Cody
Lucho
I’d be happy with a 1-0 scoreline; getting 3 points every week is all that matters.
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Agreed with the second part. Would prefer a quiet 2-0 for ease on the nerves - goal after 25/30mins and again after 55-65
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Not that I necessarily expect it here, but Elliott is knocking on the door for a start I think.
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A couple of those names rung a bell with me. I think it was this article:
From those selected by the newspaper, five aren’t allowed to officiate Liverpool matches due to allegiances to the Reds or their rivals.
Darren Bond, Jarred Gillett, Peter Bankes, Rob Jones and Michael Salisbury were the five named, three of whom come from Merseyside or nearby areas.
Does this mean that PGMOL have changed their criteria about conflicts of interest?
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Salisbury is from near Preston so it seems a bit of a odd one anyhow.
Bond is Lancashire but no suggestion where he however did a Burnley match with controversy.
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Why do you all hate one another?
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I don’t know. I do expect Michael Salisbury to make a big show of how unbiased he is.
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We don’t really know do we…
Maybe Penwortham just outside Preston is seen as a bit silly to restrict refs to especially when some of these Greater Manchester refs can do Liverpool games.
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Curtis probably a doubt alongside Jota and Gomez (though we do have options and replacements as long as it’s not long term)
Everyone else was planned or precautionary, interesting to note the suggestion on points which points to probably a much changed side next week.
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There was a new ref announced a few years ago who was excluded because he had come from the Liverpool FA. I can’t remember who that was, but I can’t see why he would be perceived as being biased towards (or against) Liverpool teams when they had previously been refing all Liverpool amateur teams.
It’s all theatre anyway. If a referee is incapable of putting any personal feelings to one side, they shouldn’t be officiating in any game.
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I think it’s a case of using the squad in full over the next few games.
I’d expect us to be fairly strong against Ipswich on Saturday. Eindhoven on Wednesday gives us the opportunity to rest a few players before Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. The next game is then on Thursday against Spurs in the League Cup before an FA Cup game against Plymouth.
We are fortunate in that every big game has a match with rotation opportunities or a longer rest before the next big match. Just expect February to get a bit brutal.
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In my opinion, this is why integrating the lesser-spotted players now is important, because if we can’t get them to be reliable now, waiting for when we need to use them would be a recipe for disaster.
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Much less worrying than the financial feelings or the good process boys club feelings.
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I’m sure that Arne and his team will know the personnel, formation and tactics to see us through this game. COYR YNWA 
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Also Ipswich have had lots of good performances this season. Beat Chelsea and Spurs, and gave us a decent game last time. City score line was an anomaly
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Alisson
Trent Konate Virgil Kostas
Grav Mac
Harvey
Salah Nunez Gakpo
Going for an 8-0 win…
With 7 goals coming in the first half.
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What only one goal for Chiesa’s caméo at the end?
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More of the fucking nonsense that preceded the United game.
Predicting fantasy scores really is the epitome of childishness.
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