Pre-Match: Liverpool v Stoke Sun 10th April 16:00 KO

Appreciate your point mate, but I thought Firmino looked well off the pace against Dortmund (coming on as sub probably didn't help either) so may need to get a game in to improve his match sharpness?

Yep, exactly why I included him.

Allen to start with Stewart hopefully think Milner needs a break along with Clyne.

I think we need to be a little bit sensible with our selection here. Unlike most however I think that means we ought to play our strongest team.

IMHO it would be foolish to put all our eggs into the Europa league basket, I'd still make Dortmund slight favourites to go through and there are hard teams beyond that. Lose in the Europa and all of a sudden if we give up on the league, the season is looking like a poor one.

We're 9th in the league, 24 points behind Leicester, behind Southampton, Stoke, unlikely to catch up to West Ham, behind and adrift of the worst Manchester team for a generation. Despite that, we can match Borussia Dortmund?

No, Liverpool teams don't give up on the league. Not unless it's already won with a few games to go (note for young fans, that used to happen). I remember recent times when we gave up in the final matches of campaigns and well remember the anger that stoked up, even though we'd already qualified for Europe and there truly was nothing on the game.

No, we don't want any of that. Play a proper team, beat the might of Stoke City and then chill out for four days until we take on  Dortmund.

I think we need to be a little bit sensible with our selection here. Unlike most however I think that means we ought to play our strongest team.

IMHO it would be foolish to put all our eggs into the Europa league basket, I'd still make Dortmund slight favourites to go through and there are hard teams beyond that. Lose in the Europa and all of a sudden if we give up on the league, the season is looking like a poor one.

We're 9th in the league, 24 points behind Leicester, behind Southampton, Stoke, unlikely to catch up to West Ham, behind and adrift of the worst Manchester team for a generation. Despite that, we can match Borussia Dortmund?

No, Liverpool teams don't give up on the league. Not unless it's already won with a few games to go (note for young fans, that used to happen). I remember recent times when we gave up in the final matches of campaigns and we'll remember the anger that stoked up, even though we'do already qualified for Europe and there truly was nothing on the game.

No, we don't want any of that. Play a proper team, beat the might of Stoke City and then chill out for four days until we take on  Dortmund.

I understand your views and on other days I would agree with your opinion but I think that a mix should be found. In my opinion, we need to play experienced players with some youngsters. We should not lose faith in the league, every place is important but since we did not got beaten up like the Spurs, we need to go to Dortmund with the believe that we can do it.

Yep, exactly why I included him.

Logic in that  ...

I think we need to be a little bit sensible with our selection here. Unlike most however I think that means we ought to play our strongest team.

I do too. Even though most of our eggs are already in the Europa League, surrendering to Stoke for the mere fact we can is exactly how this league can undo you as a manager. As you say there are four days which is sufficient for recovery.

Keeping the wholesale changes and footie manager stuff to a minimum and perhaps 1 or 2 changes, but nothing as drastic as what some people have put up.

Personally, I'd bring in Flanno for Moreno, and Sturridge for Origi and that's it.

IMHO it would be foolish to put all our eggs into the Europa league basket, I'd still make Dortmund slight favourites to go through and there are hard teams beyond that. Lose in the Europa and all of a sudden if we give up on the league, the season is looking like a poor one.

Certainly be no shame getting knocked out in the Quarter Final against Dortmund.  We were making a meal of the group stage if I recall in October.

We won't be finishing in the top four.  I thought most people had already accepted that but obviously not.

I've not been massively swayed by either argument for resting or not resting players today.  Season could well be over by Thursday midnight but it won't be because of our team selection against Stoke IMO.

Appreciate your point mate, but I thought Firmino looked well off the pace against Dortmund (coming on as sub probably didn't help either) so may need to get a game in to improve his match sharpness?

I wouldn't risk going on a pitch with some of Stoke's defenders to get him sharp though.

From personal experience and seeing our team as well, don't play too soon with hammy injuries. Never works out well.

If he plays, I hope it's because he's 100% right to go.

Yes Stoke are a team who for too many reasons to be able to count we really ought to be looking to finish above. Currently we are two pints behind them but we do have two games in hand and a better GD, so we should be able to pick them off. Southampton will prove tougher but we ought to harbour ambitions of getting past them too really. Currently we're 5 points behind them, but we do have THREE games in hand so we've surely got every chance if we take things seriously.

That'd put us up into 7th, and from there we can have a look at West Ham. Now we are 7points behind the hammers with two games in hand but an inferior goal difference. Catching them and getting into a Europa league slot (and matching last years effort too) won't be easy, but we should IMHO at least give it a go.

Certainly be no shame getting knocked out in the Quarter Final against Dortmund.  We were making a meal of the group stage if I recall in October.

We won't be finishing in the top four.  I thought most people had already accepted that but obviously not.

I've not been massively swayed by either argument for resting or not resting players today.  Season could well be over by Thursday midnight but it won't be because of our team selection against Stoke IMO.

Of course there'll be "no shame" in getting getting knocked out by Dortmund, they are the best team in the tournament IMHO. Even though we got a brilliant result over there, I still think we've got a lot to do, they are that good. No shame if we don't climb that mountain at all.

Equally I totally agree with you that we aren't going to get into the top four. I also agree with you when you say you thought everyone had accepted that, but a little amused that some haven't (don't name and shame them here, there's nothing wrong with a bit of enthusiasm however wide of reality). I actually haven't seen the posts where people are saying we'll get into the top four but I'm sure they were well intentioned, perhaps by younger members?

Teixiera might get some game time then.

If the rumours about him going to Fiorentina are true I don't expect we'll see him near the first team again.

Gone for a 2 1 win over Stoke, contrary to opinion, I think a strong side should be fielded. Think Origi should start upfront.

I wouldn't risk going on a pitch with some of Stoke's defenders to get him sharp though.

That is a valid point.

I'm off and hope we win this game. Won't be able to watch. Whoever plays, do your best!

Yes Stoke are a team who for too many reasons to be able to count we really ought to be looking to finish above. Currently we are two pints behind them but we do have two games in hand and a better GD, so we should be able to pick them off. Southampton will prove tougher but we ought to harbour ambitions of getting past them too really. Currently we're 5 points behind them, but we do have THREE games in hand so we've surely got every chance if we take things seriously.

That'd put us up into 7th, and from there we can have a look at West Ham. Now we are 7points behind the hammers with two games in hand but an inferior goal difference. Catching them and getting into a Europa league slot (and matching last years effort too) won't be easy, but we should IMHO at least give it a go.

This all day long. Never give up, strongest side possible.

I've not taken much notice of stokes recent form, but thinking we should beat them because...............



Well, because they're F***ing stoke and I hate them.

I just don't feel worried or nervous about this one, think it'll be 2 - 0 with a host of missed chances, then a late consolation for stoke, to give us a few minutes of squeaky bum time.
Otherwise comfortable.
COYM REDS. Creeping up the table, with those above us nervously looking over their shoulders. 

Won't be able to watch this one, so g'luck to the lads!
Expect Sturridge to play, and if he does would hope there'd be a fire under his arse after being left out against Dortmund. If he wants to push for a place, needs to get his head and form straight, knuckle down and put in a performance.
Be interesting to see who starts in the middle too, with Hendo and Can injured.
Hard to predict this one, but hope for the 3 pts

COYR, not long now.

Let the game begin,  YNWA!

 

Dortmund chose not to play Reus, Mhkitaryan, Aubameyang in their derby game against arch rival Shalke. They are really prioritizing the return leg at Anfield. We need to do the same.

Great to see Bobby back today.

Kolo, Skrtel, Stewart and Ojo in the line-up apparently! Good to see the two youngsters.

Hope the gamble pays off.

Dortmund chose not to play Reus, Mhkitaryan, Aubameyang in their derby game against arch rival Shalke. They are really prioritizing the return leg at Anfield. We need to do the same.

Apparently Dortmund have rested 8 players from the first leg

Only Mats Hummels, Sven Bender and Erik Durm survive from their Thursday night draw