Man City v Liverpool - Sunday 21/02/10 KO 3PM

Right tonight is done and dusted. Huge huge tie on Sunday. We cant give them a 4 point gap and a game in hand. Their home form is top notch. 9 wins 3 draws from 12 home games. Lets make it unlucky number 13!

I see nothing to fear in their team. Yes they have good players but our best are better than their best. Our keeper is better then their keeper. Our boss is better then theirs!

If we pass the ball sloppy and dont get bodies in the box when we are attacking then we will most likely pay the price. We need that battling type of display we got against the blueshite but with a touch more class about us.

Kuyt up top. Aquilani behind him, bear with me, Stevie dropped back beside Masch. Lucas would be harsh done by but in this tie I think we need Stevie in a more controlling position and I truly think we'd get rewards from playing the Italian in that role off the front man.  

Put these lot on the back foot, don't show them too much respect and 3 points are there for the taking. Huge tie this.

Nice one Brian for kick starting the thread for the big game....

I like what i saw in Babel tonight, I would put him on the left without any doubt although Maxi and Riera might say something about that... I think Ngog and Kut will take their usual positions... I would seriously play Gerrard along with Masch, with Aquliani in the hole.. We might see the best of him in that role ??

Actually i dont care who plays at long as we get the 3 points there!!!

Hey cant believe its not on the tele.....!!!

From what I've seen of Man City recently, they are sh*te.  A team of individuals who on their day, can be great but as a team they're pretty poor.  Stoke caused them all sorts of problems in their last 2 games and they've been lucky to draw as many games as they have. 

Anyway we're not exactly playing great either and will need to be a bit more creative and clinical to beat City.  Not even going to hazard a guess at the team but I'd expect Lucas to come back in and perhaps Babel deserves a start.

I'm sure the lads will know how important this game is and I've a funny feeling we'll grind out a narrow win and a massive 3 points.

Mark Lawro is a cock!!!

Manchester City v Liverpool

  
Rafa Benitez will probably go there and play a flat back eight as opposed to four. Since they've gone out of the Champions League and suffered injuries to key players, he has made his team very difficult to beat and play against and they are nicking some results.

City have good home form. It is one those games that both sides will be desperate to win and I sometimes feel with such games that neither team ends up winning.

Verdict: 2-2

So we're gonna play a flat back 8 with a team thats hard to beat, yet the score is gonna be 2-2?

Makes sense...

 Without a doubt this is a match we must win.

think Rafa will keep it tight but can see us winning 1-0 maybe 2-0

Yes do agree Aqualani be playing behind the striker but should b Ngog. He did give a decent game against unirea & to bench him for this game wouldn't do him good.
How bout giving Stevie G a free role where Lucas & Mash combining to kill off manc play? Kuyt on the right and Babel on the left.
We need players who can sprint & counter for this game & to be pressing them all the way.
Like u say manc play too individual rather a team & they don't drop back too well to defence.  So this is where Stevie G free role play into the game (Attack & defence - he can do both) & with a bit of speed from Kuyt & Babel supporting from side, our forward can surprise their defence. 
And our play wouldn't be too boring or defensive.
Just a suggestion

Yes do agree Aqualani be playing behind the striker but should b Ngog. He did give a decent game against unirea & to bench him for this game wouldn't do him good.
How bout giving Stevie G a free role where Lucas & Mash combining to kill off manc play? Kuyt on the right and Babel on the left.
We need players who can sprint & counter for this game & to be pressing them all the way.
Like u say manc play too individual rather a team & they don't drop back too well to defence.  So this is where Stevie G free role play into the game (Attack & defence - he can do both) & with a bit of speed from Kuyt & Babel supporting from side, our forward can surprise their defence. 
And our play wouldn't be too boring or defensive.
Just a suggestion

Then that would be :

                         N'Gog
Babel                Aquilani              Kuyt
             Lucas              Masch
Aurelio        Agger     Skrtel         Carra
                         Reina

No room for Stevie in the free role unless we play three at the back, and I wouldn't want to change our back four, which has looked very solid for a while now.

Then that would be :

                         N'Gog
Babel                Aquilani              Kuyt
             Lucas              Masch
Aurelio        Agger     Skrtel         Carra
                         Reina

No room for Stevie in the free role unless we play three at the back, and I wouldn't want to change our back four, which has looked very solid for a while now.

I was thinking that! Unless we pull a fast one and stick 12 out there. No-one will notice, right?

No-one will notice, right?

Not if Stevie runs fast enough!

Not if Stevie runs fast enough!

And if he doesn't..


"It would be best if you let Stevie stay, Ref, trust me..."

Kuyt up top with Gerrard in behind.

Maxi & Babel on the flanks.

No Ngog for this one, need to keep the ball better against what will be a physical Man City back four.

Why not with 3 defenders? we are putting 2 def midfield. Lucas or Masch can play just in front of the defender. Stevie will have his free role. Stevie can always do he helping at the back when needed and do his trademark pass to our forward.
it will be 3511. By doing tis i think we can control the midfield or spoilt the game plan of manc.

Why not with 3 defenders? we are putting 2 def midfield. Lucas or Masch can play just in front of the defender. Stevie will have his free role. Stevie can always do he helping at the back when needed and do his trademark pass to our forward.
it will be 3511. By doing tis I think we can control the midfield or spoilt the game plan of manc.

No way not for me, why change what has been a very solid 4 at the back in the last 6 games in one of our most important games of the season.

They will be expecting what we plan cause we always or mostly uses the same away game tactics.
Manc will be playing home & will for sure attact like sh*t. To stop them, believe we should b controling the midfield & for sure they won't be expecting Stevie be in a free role.
For most opponents, our threat comes from Stevie & Torres. And they know where & how our top 2 play.
Also it will surprise them cause manc will never expect us to play this tactic to win as we always go away not to loose.
And lastly we need to get the 3 points and to stamp our top 4 mark on them.

We need to be as smart and clever, and avoid panicking, like Man City did when they came to Anfield.

Lucas has to go back in the team, you can rearrange Aquilani, Gerrard and Kuyt however you see fit.  Not too sure Riera deserves a place.

I expect a tough game.  City haven't lost in the PL at home so we will have to be at our very best to get a result.  But I don't fear any individual Man City player and think we can do the job.

What about:

              Lucas     Masch

  Kuyt           Aquilani         Gerrard

                    Ngog

?

Not sure Aquilani should start if I'm honest. Same goes for Riera.

                  Reina

Carra    Skrtel     Agger     Insua

          Lucas   Mascherano

Kuyt        Gerrard            Maxi

               Ngog

Pacheco and Babel as impact subs again for me as they were quality when they came on but I dont think they would be as effective from the start. Aquilani on the bench as well as I dont think he did enough last night        

I'd play two up top, City are vunerable at the back. Stoke played two up top at Eastlands and were unlucky not to beat them.

If we play 2 defensive midfielders Lucas and Masch with one up top we will play right into there hands and at best will get a draw but will probably be beaten by a late goal like the Arsenal.

 If we go for City with Stevie back in the centre with Masch with Kuyt and Babel up top we will beat them. Otherwise it will just be containment again from us.

What about:

              Lucas     Masch

  Kuyt           Aquilani         Gerrard

                    Ngog

That'll be o.k. for the u 12s six a side tounament in the summer......

Should have the beating of these if we treat the game the same as against the mancs, bitters and spurs. If we sit back and try and counter that will invite them to have a right go and we do lack a bit of pace at the back. We need to get right at them in mid field and make them turn back towards their own goal. Cut out the service to their forwards by pressing the ball from the off. When we get stuck into sides it seems to up the confidence of our players so much it's like watching a different team sometimes.  High tempo, win second ball if not first and pressure. LET'S MAKE OUR SECOND TOUCH A PASS, AND NOT A TACKLE. Shame Sotis isn't avai;lable, Adebyoare
will be a threat in the air.      Too defensive    1 - 1.    High tempo, in you face footy,  2 - 0 the RED MEN.