Pre-match: Liverpool v Man City (31/12/2016, 17:30 GMT)

We are on 40 points from 18 matches. City are on 39 points from 18 matches.

I fully expect them, despite having their share of skilled players, to try and kick us off the park.

Catch us if you can.

It was our first game with them last season, at City, where I first got a glimpse of what football at Liverpool could be like under Klopp. It was also a watershed match for Bobby Firmino.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoUUrFzWT2Y

Was just about to start the thread but oh well saves me! Just win. Same team again!

If Matip is pronounced fit, would you not include him in the starting XI?

Fernandinho (their best player) and Aguero back for them. It's gonna be a tough game.

Fernandinho (their best player) and Aguero back for them. It's gonna be a tough game.

Certainly will be a tough game besides the players you mentioned there is obviously KDB,silva & another tidy player in iheanacho,but regardless of who they have in there squad i don't fear them & they will be worried about facing us at anfield under the lights that's for sure.

they will be worried about facing us at anfield under the lights that's for sure.

I'm probably missing something Jim but what bearing has "the lights" on anything? 

I hope stones is playing. This will be another great high scoring game. Cannot wait as I have tickets!!!!!!

I'm probably missing something Jim but what bearing has "the lights" on anything? 

Nothing really mate,just with it being a 5.30 KO it would be dark without them 
Seriously though & call it romanticism
But there is something special ( besides the obvious to us reds) there is something  about anfield under the floodlights

Fernandinho (their best player) and Aguero back for them. It's gonna be a tough game.

Fernandinho the dirtiest player in the league and probably Europe,  nasty piece of work

Watching the high lights of the 4:1 at theirs, I think you'll agree the score could easily have been 8:3 to us.
Don't think too much has changed since then, one or two changes maybe, but our defence has definately improved, along with our movement and penetration up top.
We are at home as well, so I only see much of the same.
 They will no doubt be more cautious of us this time, so I'm going for a modest 3:1 to the Red Men !

I'm probably missing something Jim but what bearing has "the lights" on anything? 

The only bearing could be City have turned religious and seen the lights,but realistically I think City will see stars when we hit them.

Nothing really mate,just with it being a 5.30 KO it would be dark without them 

Game 19 of the season .

The halfway mark  with many of the hard matches  already played and behind us.

If any one had said at the start of the season we would be playing as we are doing and sitting second in the league we would have taken that.

Very important match and week ahead of us. If we win 2 next matches we will be real title contenders. Come on reds!

Hope Matip will be ready for this game. We need big performance from all players.

Can't wait to batter this lot.  Pep isn't going to change how he plays so it's going to be fast and furious with lots of goals for the Reds and maybe a couple for them.  It'll be the type of game that suits us but we've got far too much for them to worry us.

3 more points on the board and into the 2nd half of the season we go 

Very important match and week ahead of us. If we win 2 next matches we will be real title contenders. Come on reds!

Hope Matip will be ready for this game. We need big performance from all players.

Yeah, hope Matip is back for this so he can put Aguero in his pocket.

And don't forget, they've got that Bravo in goal! He looks absolutely shabite, pressure and pepper the twunt.

Yeah, hope Matip is back for this so he can put Aguero in his pocket.

And don't forget, they've got that Bravo in goal! He looks absolutely shabite, pressure and pepper the twunt.

Yeah bravo really is the goalkeeping equivalent of coco the clown,really awful & certainly no joe hart 

Both teams will be looking forward to his one. Got the makings of being the best game of 2016 on the last day of the year.

I hope we come out on top!

Really fancy us for this, I think their game suits our style perfectly.

And we always seem to turn up for the bigger games, it's the Sunderland one to follow I'm concerned about given it's only 44 hours after this one.

But first, let's get another 3 points on the board to end the year!

Same team with high intensity from start, we cannot let them style into game. If we & players get at them, & pep, just give them loads of stick where ever they turn, they will cracking.  With a bit of luck we may have the option of studge & big Phil as subs just as cited are knackered. CMON you reds

Yeah bravo really is the goalkeeping equivalent of coco the clown,really awful & certainly no joe hart 

 

Bravo under the lights  we should smash 'em in!

Same as the last time City came to Anfield please.

Don't care if they have Pep in charge this time round - they won't be handle us if we play like that again.

https://twitter.com/timessport/status/814449392656617472

This Matip injury getting annoying now really think Aguero with his movement could cause Klavan and Lovren lots of problems

https://twitter.com/timessport/status/814449392656617472

Sorry to hear this.

We'll win anyway.

Looking forward to this one. Whatever about any other team, imo Citeh 'on their day' have enough ability in their side to beat anyone. In saying that, so do we Both sides score plenty of goals, and both defenses can be got at.
Of the top sides, reckon both sides have the weakest keepers, though Migs is in decent enough form, Bravo has been poor since Hart was moved on.
Stones could miss out, so expect Kolorov to start at CB, something to maybe try expose. Matip looks like will miss out too, but Klavan has done well in his place.
Aguero will be fresh coming back after suspension, and with DeBruyne/Silva/Toure/Sterling, so they have lots in attack. Hendo and Wijnaldum will need to really get stuck in - and in Lallana and Mane, we have forwards in great form, Firmino off the back of a decent performance, and then either Origi or Studge up top.
Our fitness is a massive plus, we seem to be able to turn the screw in the 2nd halves.
Given recent form, would expect this to be close, great to have the home advantage. Should be fun

Paul Merson must have had some happy pills, he's said we'll basically walk the game and win 3-1.

Paul Merson must have had some happy pills, he's said we'll basically walk the game and win 3-1.

We're fu**ed then.

id be happy with a jammy one-nil, and keep up the momentum

Unlike the other manc team, its not in Pep's nature to park the bus - so will be an open game

Paul Joyce?

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if Matip did in fact start.

Paul Joyce?

Wouldn't surprise me in the least if Matip did in fact start.

I'd be very surprised. His ankle is still a problem and he didn't even feature on the bench against Stoke.

They haven't beaten us at home in the league since 2003. They've also only beaten us once in the previous 6 games in all comps both home and away since 2013.

I'd be very surprised. His ankle is still a problem and he didn't even feature on the bench against Stoke.

They haven't beaten us at home in the league since 2003. They've also only beaten us once in the previous 6 games in all comps both home and away since 2013.

It's a fact, but irrelevant - West Ham last season 1960s and all that

Looking forward to taking my wife to her first ever game at Anfield! Gonna be my 8th this season. Enjoying every second.

I'd be very surprised. His ankle is still a problem and he didn't even feature on the bench against Stoke.

They haven't beaten us at home in the league since 2003. They've also only beaten us once in the previous 6 games in all comps both home and away since 2013.

True.

I don't like to think about their poor record at Anfield, it only serves them momentum and thus needs breaking from their POV.

I had a gander on Bluemoon, and surprisingly in general their not that confident, even with a team made up from squallions their not that optimistic. Bloody reverse psychology. They know their defence is weak, and they know ours is shaky too, but they have that fraud of a keeper in goal which should bode well for us. Touch wood. You watch him play a blinder now!

We need this so much. We need Anfield to be a fire for whole 90 mins.

In games like these an early goal from us is crucial..
The longer it stays 0-0 the more confident they'll grow into the game and with golden boots Augero back with a point to prove we'll need to be super tight in defence..
No silly free kick giveaways in and around the box as they do have some fantastic free kick takers.

If Leicester and Steptoe can put 4 past them then we've got a great chance of smashing them.

Both sides will knock it about and the crowd will be treated to some lovely football I'm sure.

Probably the most important game of our season so far..
Win this and it will cement our intent to finally win this league once and for all..

Weather forecast is rain, rain and more rain...
Let's hope it's us singing in the rain eh..

 

I think Pep would tinker a bit and play a 3-3-3-1 which was very effective for him at Bayern, albeit with better players.

Aguero
Silva-KdB-Sterling
Clichy-Yaya-Zabaletta
Kolarov-Dinho-Otamendi
Bravo

He would set it up to win the midfield battle but I trust our boys to put 3 past their dodgy defence and keeper!

I think Pep would tinker a bit and play a 3-3-3-1 which was very effective for him at Bayern, albeit with better players.

Aguero
Silva-KdB-Sterling
Clichy-Yaya-Zabaletta
Kolarov-Dinho-Otamendi
Bravo

He would set it up to win the midfield battle but I trust our boys to put 3 past their dodgy defence and keeper!

I would be amazed if Man Citeh don't score at least one goal, if not 2, but the reason I'm not worried is that I fancy us to score 4 or 5, I really do, BRING IT ON!!! :-)

Looking forward to this one. Whatever about any other team, imo Citeh 'on their day' have enough ability in their side to beat anyone. In saying that, so do we Both sides score plenty of goals, and both defenses can be got at.
Of the top sides, reckon both sides have the weakest keepers, though Migs is in decent enough form, Bravo has been poor since Hart was moved on.
Stones could miss out, so expect Kolorov to start at CB, something to maybe try expose. Matip looks like will miss out too, but Klavan has done well in his place.
Aguero will be fresh coming back after suspension, and with DeBruyne/Silva/Toure/Sterling, so they have lots in attack. Hendo and Wijnaldum will need to really get stuck in - and in Lallana and Mane, we have forwards in great form, Firmino off the back of a decent performance, and then either Origi or Studge up top.
Our fitness is a massive plus, we seem to be able to turn the screw in the 2nd halves.
Given recent form, would expect this to be close, great to have the home advantage. Should be fun

Good post, but you've missed out Sane in that quartet which would be a quintet I suppose. He was sensational in the recent win v Arsenal

Hiya lads, I'm an Irish Red and new on here.

Really looking forward to tomorrow's game, all be it a little nervous.

 Come on the reds.

Last game of the year at Anfield and what a belter it's gonna be, first 20 minutes or so are going to be so crucial, both teams eyeing each other up, not wanting to make a mistake and then watch the mighty Red Jürgen army slowly take control, LFC of course to run out winners, but it won't be an easy ride tomorrow, it will be a tight close game I think.

Looking forward to shouting myself hoarse from the Kop and cheering the lads to victory, we'll miss Coutinho again but if we play like we have been doing, we should just about have the better of them, keep Aguero quiet and stifle the service to Sterling/DeBruyne and we'll all be smiling come full time 

Let's get at these and make some noise, new years eve party starting early 

COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS !!!

Coymd,  ynwa , 3 points

Hiya lads, I'm an Irish Red and new on here.

Really looking forward to tomorrow's game, all be it a little nervous.

 Come on the reds.

P/s welcome fellow reds

Hiya lads, I'm an Irish Red and new on here.

Really looking forward to tomorrow's game, all be it a little nervous.

 Come on the reds.

Welcome to the forum mate.

I think Pep would tinker a bit and play a 3-3-3-1 which was very effective for him at Bayern, albeit with better players.

Aguero
Silva-KdB-Sterling
Clichy-Yaya-Zabaletta
Kolarov-Dinho-Otamendi
Bravo

He would set it up to win the midfield battle but I trust our boys to put 3 past their dodgy defence and keeper!

F***ing hope so!

Yaya will get shredded against our midfield.

I genuinely can't believe they've not replaced Sagna/Zabaleta & Clichy yet as their starting duo. All the money they've spent at CB and they still have sh*te in the full back areas.

I genuinely can't believe they've not replaced Sagna/Zabaleta & Clichy yet as their starting duo. All the money they've spent at CB and they still have sh*te in the full back areas.

And sh*te at CB.

The team is carried by Silva and KDB.

Absolutely arse everywhere else on the pitch. Testament to how good those two are.

Looking forward to taking my wife to her first ever game at Anfield! Gonna be my 8th this season. Enjoying every second.

Aw Diego don't take yer missus she'll hate it, she'll much prefer going shopping,  you know what these creatures are like, the idea of attending a football game thingy sounds appealing to them initially, but once she feels the draft on her knees, the unfamiliarity of growing men all around her, sneering, spitting, swearing, slagging off everything not in red, farting, smelling of stale ale and pish, no she won't enjoy it at all,
You should reserve the matchday ticket for a person who is more familiar with all of the above and who won't utter any grievance of having missed out on a exciting day at the local shopping precinct for some retail therapy, someone like yours truly who would fully appreciate sitting amongst fellow brethren and who would add to the fantastic atmosphere,
My dearest Diego, you know it makes sense, please feel free to PM me so that we can arrange our rendezvous on matchday, your wife will be eternally grateful you saved her from all that grief and embarrassment.
I look forward to your information, thanks mate,
Happy New Year

YNWA

4:15 AM KO down here after a boozy NYE night and back up for work at 7.30 the next morning.

Get the 3 points lads and make it all worthwhile.

Let's do these!

4:15 AM KO down here after a boozy NYE night and back up for work at 7.30 the next morning.

Get the 3 points lads and make it all worthwhile.

Let's do these!

Good luck mate!!  Best to just not sleep at all under those circumstances

I have learnt my lesson to never predict games like this and certainly know to not get too carried away and confident.
All I do know is that Jürgen has established a squad with the mindset to never give in and to believe in themselves and klopp's tactics.
If we all get to witness that then I will be content no matter the result.
Yes, it is a must win but I still feel we are in the infancy of what this club can be again and the most important thing is concentration, positivity and a clear belief that victory is always within our grasp.

Anything other than a loss would be tolerable for me. You gotta be realistic, against teams like City you cannot expect a win.

Good luck mate!!  Best to just not sleep at all under those circumstances

Thanks mate.

Na, can live off 3 hours sleep as long as we win.

If we manage to defend properly, we have a good chance to win. Lallana, Firmino, Mane and Sturridge or Origi can all win us this game.

We just need to defend properly. I don't need a clean sheet, but no silly goals.

It's the collective team vs individual talent.

Looking forward to this one, feels like a cup final.

Just seen some scary stats in the paper.

most goals this season - Liverpool
most shots - Liverpool
most shots on target - Liverpool
Accuracy - 52% Liverpool
Most passes - 11,053 Liverpool
Most touches - 14,684 Liverpool

Will take a draw.

One post on their forum based on my spying mission. They sound afraid.

One post on their forum based on my spying mission. They sound afraid.

We are what they (and everyone else jerking off Pep) thought they'd be.

Bring our game and we win this one.

4:15 AM KO down here after a boozy NYE night and back up for work at 7.30 the next morning.

F**k sake totally overlooked the kick off time Gonna be fu**ed by kick off.

I have to be honest, Aguero being back is a worry for me, I can see him scoring against our dodgy defence, so it looks like we're going to have to rely on our attack to sneak us the win.

Aw Diego don't take yer missus she'll hate it, she'll much prefer going shopping,  you know what these creatures are like, the idea of attending a football game thingy sounds appealing to them initially, but once she feels the draft on her knees, the unfamiliarity of growing men all around her, sneering, spitting, swearing, slagging off everything not in red, farting, smelling of stale ale and pish, no she won't enjoy it at all,
You should reserve the matchday ticket for a person who is more familiar with all of the above and who won't utter any grievance of having missed out on a exciting day at the local shopping precinct for some retail therapy, someone like yours truly who would fully appreciate sitting amongst fellow brethren and who would add to the fantastic atmosphere,
My dearest Diego, you know it makes sense, please feel free to PM me so that we can arrange our rendezvous on matchday, your wife will be eternally grateful you saved her from all that grief and embarrassment.
I look forward to your information, thanks mate,
Happy New Year

YNWA

Billy that is brilliant and spot on 👏👏👏!!

For some reason Guardiola thinks a hostile crowd tonight will make Sterling play better . He really should get to know his players better, Sterling curls up in a ball and goes hiding when the crowd gives him sh*t, he always has done.

can see him scoring against our dodgy defence, so it looks like we're going to have to rely on our attack to sneak us the win.

It's been like that for a while now to be honest O R: remember the calls for Rodgers to get a defensive coach?

It is all about stopping the supply. We can't let the likes of De Bruyne and Silva get any sort of hold; they're the real dangers.

Will come down to which defense and keeper holds their nerve lets be honest both teams capable of scoring goals and conceding . Would have felt more comfortable with Matip think Klavan will face a big test against the nimbler forwards rather than the last three he has faced . Think the Anfield factor might just give us the edge

Will come down to which defense and keeper holds their nerve lets be honest both teams capable of scoring goals and conceding . Would have felt more comfortable with Matip think Klavan will face a big test against the nimbler forwards rather than the last three he has faced . Think the Anfield factor might just give us the edge

Klavan? Nah, more like Lovren will face a big test. He needs to be on his game otherwise we're fu**ed. Hope he has a stormer

Must stay sober enough to watch game.

Klavan? Nah, more like Lovren will face a big test. He needs to be on his game otherwise we're fu**ed. Hope he has a stormer

They will both need to be on their game what I was saying is that Klavans and in a way Lovren would both prefer a more physical centre forward rather someone who relys on runs and movement

These are the days you look forward to as a football fan, big game, two attacking entertaining sides going head to head. Really looking forward to this one. Less than 7 hours to go, starting to feel the buzz, moreso knowing the adversary is worthy, and kinda feeling bit more confident Think that's something Klopp has brought, on the big days, particularly at home, feel we have the measure of anyone. Whatever happens, you know the lads won't give up, and the crowd can be the 12th man. Let's geddit on...

Been totally confident about this one for weeks. No Couts makes a slight difference but I still think we'll have too much up too for them to handle. De Bruyne their danger man if he gets into his stride. Apart from that they are quite ordinary.
A lot of their players like to travel with the ball which gives us the opportunity to get at them with the press.
They have s top striker in Aguero but like Klopp said, cut the service to him and BOOM !
Only worry for me is, in the last couple of games, Bob, for all his good work, did give possession away too often. We need to improve just that part of our game, and they won't live with us. Just can't afford to give them free opportunities, make them work for everything.
As confident as I am....
still squeaky bum time 😊
But still going for 3:1.
Come On You Red Men !

Just can't afford to give them free opportunities, make them work for everything.

That's where we need our pressing to come together.

It will all depend which Citeh team turn up, on paper they should get the better of us with players such as Kun Aguero, De Bruyen, Silva, even if they are on their game we would give them problems,
For me they are a dressing room full of ego's and not all playing to the same tune,

We are and will continue to be a fluid, consistent machine who play for each other, Have players willing to run through brick walls and will not give up, we hunt in packs to retrieve the ball and immediately go on the attack,
City do not have the front three we have who interchange and don't allow defensive units to settle,
Add our fantastic home passionate crowd under the lights and we have all the ingredients of a very special victory,

                           Migs
      Clyne Lovren Klavan Milner.
   Lallana.      Hendo.    Wijnaldum
       Mane.      Origi.    Firmino

Bench ; Karius, Can, Sturridge, Moreno, Lucas, Ejaria, Woodburn

3-1 Mighty Redmen

YNWA

That's me all ready and off to the match...have a good one lads, enjoy your New Years Eve with a mighty fine win from the Redmen. Absoutely buzzing for this one 

That's me all ready and off to the match...have a good one lads, enjoy your New Years Eve with a mighty fine win from the Redmen. Absoutely buzzing for this one 

Have a great day and night cas hopefully we will all be smiling into the wee hours with a win under our wings , and the confidence to take it on the the second half of the season ,

To all those going tonight ramp it up and a safe journey home to you all .

That's me all ready and off to the match...have a good one lads, enjoy your New Years Eve with a mighty fine win from the Redmen. Absoutely buzzing for this one 

As always, enjoy the trip and match!

There'll be goals, that's for sure. 3-2 Liverpool.

I'm heading over to the pub for this,gonna be interesting to see if we get any spillover from the official bar,they might all be at their mom and pops house for the hols still.

Course they'll score but who gives a F**k cos we'll score more.

5-2 to the Redmen!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38472284

Guardiola   says Klopp is best manager . Pre match  presser.

Course they'll score but who gives a f**k cos we'll score more.

5-2 to the Redmen!!

That would do for me Debs, I got us down for 3-1 but 5-2 would be extra special,

Happy and Prosperous New Year to you and your Kin X

YNWA