3 minutes ago, bola said:

Ok, matic and cesc have something bad in common but cesc has something that matic can't offer.. The chemistry between costa & cesc is some real lethal weapon that shouldn't really be underestimated by anyone, more so by the manager..

 

Since defensively matic won't be much of a help than cesc then why not using cesc, at least cesc can still pour that quality pass forward, might be more than enough to cover his shortcoming.. 

I just don't think Cesc would work against Liverpool in that midfield battle though. It would be basically Kante chasing back and offering cover because Cesc doesn't do that as it's not his game. Cesc is sadly a luxury player in a game against the top sides because of that. He's a far better footballer than Matic and attacking wise he's the best midfielder we have but in our system it's a huge risk playing him against teams who high press.

We will go with Matic

We have to go with Matic, at least from the start anyway. 

5 minutes ago, Chelsbear said:

I just don't think Cesc would work against Liverpool in that midfield battle though. It would be basically Kante chasing back and offering cover because Cesc doesn't do that as it's not his game. Cesc is sadly a luxury player in a game against the top sides because of that. He's a far better footballer than Matic and attacking wise he's the best midfielder we have but in our system it's a huge risk playing him against teams who high press.

We will go with Matic

 

We more likely lose the midfield battle anyway, with/without matic.. If we have to win this match ala basketball style then so be it.. I take it conte would relinquish posession that would make liverpool pouring forward which even make it easier for the likes of pedro and costa to exploit that space and who is the best person to assist them? 

no doubt conte will go with matic but we should go with cesc imo..

 

2 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I really don't understand why other teams still call us plastic? Is it because of the financial power we had when Roman took over or the increase of foreign fans we attract?

 

I've always thought it's because we use a credit card instead of cash.

Edited January 30, 20179 yr by Valerie

i think our main struggle was in midfield and with the wing backs vs tottenham. i don't think liverpool have the quality in those positions that spurs do. However, saying this, i am still not 100% confident of a win at their place. a draw would be great, but a win would be fantastic. it will be a tough game because firstly it's at anfield, secondly liverpool will want to keep in this title race so will bring everything. we got some tough fixtures coming up and these are the months where the title will be won or lost. 

Klopp on Mane

I don’t know exactly [if he will be involved].

He’s now on his way, we thought it would be possible yesterday.

We had a plane there yesterday, but he wasn’t allowed. He had to wait.

Now it’s all good, he will be here this night at some point. I spoke to him, it’s all good so far. He’ll be in tomorrow morning, I have no idea. I have to look in his eyes, then make a decision. 

no mane tomorrow, unless klopp is very desperate

Edited January 30, 20179 yr by havelschayes

Why can't we play 3-5-2 with Fab, Kante & Matic playing? Control the midfield and let Costa and Hazard do their worst with Fabregas spraying balls left right and centre. We desperately needed this against Tottenham I think.

I think we've got to respect Mane and Coutinho. Both are quality players who would push for a place on our bench.

In fairness with our formation as it is now and the lads settled into it, I don't see this game being too much of an issue.

I'd start Cesc over Matic just for the ability to thread the ball behind the likes of Milner and Lovren. They're liabilities the likes of Pedro and Hazard should be licking their lips over facing. Factor in Diegod loves bullying them off that pitch. Should be entertaining.

 

On 25/01/2017 at 20:21, bluegraham said:

I'm in the Kop lol f**ked up getting tickets in the away end.  My mate got me one in the Kop.  

Just say the word 'Justice' in every other sentence and you'll fit right in.

3 minutes ago, CarefreeSimmo_ said:

Just say the word 'Justice' in every other sentence and you'll fit right in.

I'll throw the odd history in also.  On my way over now shouldn't having pints before I got on this bus need a piss badly 

Edited January 30, 20179 yr by bluegraham

11 minutes ago, CarefreeSimmo_ said:

I think we've got to respect Mane and Coutinho. Both are quality players who would push for a place on our bench.

In fairness with our formation as it is now and the lads settled into it, I don't see this game being too much of an issue.

I'd start Cesc over Matic just for the ability to thread the ball behind the likes of Milner and Lovren. They're liabilities the likes of Pedro and Hazard should be licking their lips over facing. Factor in Diegod loves bullying them off that pitch. Should be entertaining.

 

 Ok, nice try...

I felt really confident going into the Spurs game and they won by having two shots on goal. We shouldn't allow Liverpool too much space and even a draw wouldn't be the end of the world. 

COYB!

20 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Neither. I know we should be more than capable of beating them but mane being back is a large boost.

Unlike their fans, we are a bit more respectful to the abilities of their side and know they are capable of beating us. 

Quite right, bloody useless donkeys each & every one, shower of rabble rousers,

also clyne still injured didn't train, doubt for tomorrow

trent alexander is dogsh*t, hazard & alonso will send the kid into early retirement

Really looking forward to seeing what Conte has learned from our last game against them. 

I'm half expecting him to bend Klopp over his knee and give him a dam good spanking.

So who is confirmed as missing for Liverpool? 

Mane is unlikely to start. Clyne is injured. Is Henderson and Can available, I keep thinking one of them is injured or am I just making that up? Anyone else? 

I'm sorry but Mane is quality. He'd be perfect for us on the right of the 3.

Am not sure I will have him over Pedro or Willian.

I wouldn't make too many changes to our resent starting eleven. Cahill made a nice goal against Hull but everytime he has the ball in our defencive zone I feel terrified. I'd put Zouma as right center back and move Azpi to left. Furthermore I prefer Cesc to start instead of Matic.

 

                                       Tibo

.         Zouma.                  Luiz.                  Azpi 

Moses.            Kante.                Cesc.                Alonso

             Pedro                Costa               Hazard

 

 

 

Not too many changes?

Our starting XI is the easiest to predict in the league. And we are miles clear, work that one out.

2 hours ago, havelschayes said:

Klopp on Mane

I don’t know exactly [if he will be involved].

He’s now on his way, we thought it would be possible yesterday.

We had a plane there yesterday, but he wasn’t allowed. He had to wait.

Now it’s all good, he will be here this night at some point. I spoke to him, it’s all good so far. He’ll be in tomorrow morning, I have no idea. I have to look in his eyes, then make a decision. 

no mane tomorrow, unless klopp is very desperate

So Liverpool flew a private jet all the way out there only to be told he couldn't get on it?! Hilarious!

I'm desperate for a win tomorrow, I can't stand losing to these bar stewards. 

6 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I really don't understand why other teams still call us plastic? Is it because of the financial power we had when Roman took over or the increase of foreign fans we attract?

 

Liverpool are hardly ones to talk with the spending they did in the 80's to make a name for themselves. They broke the British transfer record twice in the 80's and were consistently the highest spenders in terms of net spend. *insert picture of Moh the Arsenal fan*

 

As for foreign fans every team has them so once again i don't really understand why every Liverpool fan refers to us as 'plastics' on RAWK?

The ironic thing is, Liverpool have the biggest plastic fan base of them all!!!!!

The bottom-line is if we perform to the levels we are capable of we should wipe the floor with Liverpool however what concerns me is the mindset of our players, previously when Liverpool dropped points against Sunderland we took our foot off the gas and lacked focus & intensity in the game against Spurs. Last week we had majority of results go in our favor & I just hope this doesn't lead to complacency.

 

6 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

I really don't understand why other teams still call us plastic? Is it because of the financial power we had when Roman took over or the increase of foreign fans we attract?

 

Liverpool are hardly ones to talk...

Spot on!

Besides... In 2002/2003 we desperately could've done with reinforcements to add to our squad, but we didn't (probably couldn't afford to) spend a single penny on new players (we did get de Lucas on a free transfer, though) and still finished above Liverpool in the league.

And in 1999/2000 season while we were beating the likes of Barcelona at Stamford Bridge in Champions League there weren't any kind of European nights at Anfield, let alone the so called Magical™ variety. Whatever those are anyway...

I had to find this video cause I laugh every time I watch this video