Pre-Match: Middlesbrough v Liverpool Wednesday 14th Dec, 19:45 GMT

Games are coming thick and fast now, time to look forward to the next one. We visit Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Time to get back to winning ways!

Current league form:



Middlesbrough have only conceded seven in seven home games, winning two (Hull 1-0, Bournemouth 2-0) and drawing one (Stoke 1-1).

Team news:

Liverpool: Can is a doubt for Wednesday's game, no news on Lovren yet. He had a hamstring issue.

Middlesbrough: Friend has been back in full training, both Ramirez and Negredo have been training individually and are doubts.

Jürgen's pre-match press conference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl6cHd5w_rU

My thoughts:

Middlesbrough are a solid team defensively and I think that it's time to shake things up a bit. Origi has been scoring goals, but I feel like he interrupts our rhythm and fluidity up front. Maybe it's an idea to get Lallana higher up the pitch again? That would give us a front three of Lallana - Firmino - Mane and an option from the bench which we have been lacking in the previous two games. It would allow Firmino to take back his spot where he is much better than out wide. This of course leaves a gap in midfield to fill and with Can being a doubt and Grujic still coming back from injury, I'd put Milner in there. He could get back in positions on the right where he can actually get in some crosses with his right foot instead of Clyne firing them at the first defender. Maybe even give Clyne a rest and give Trent-AA a shot. Get Moreno in at LB to give us width and a decent left foot to put in crosses from the left.



I know this won't happen and maybe some of you may think I'm crazy, but it's just my two cents.

Either way: Come on Red men! Let's get the three points and get back on track!

Where are Middlesborough in the table , I haven't checked, but if they're in the bottom 5 we'll probably lose this one. Citeh struggled, as did the rent boys, so they will undoubtably park the bus. Not sure we'll have the guile to get past the clippie, but i'll still go for an optimistic 2 - 1 to us.
Nervous as F**k though, I have to say.

Straight into them and F**k them off!

Won't be easy this, they have had a mixed start to being back in the Premier League but we can do this quite convincingly provided we keep our heads!

A bit of momentum to take to the Bitters!

Come on redmen!

Could be doing with the 3pts against these on Wed night. Think we can score goals but whether we can keep enough out at other end, we will see. If we can put in a solid performance at the back, would be huge boost. Great to have Matip back - not sure what happened Lovren at HT actually against WH, and whether Klavan will start. Hope Lallana can continue his good comeback form, and interesting to see if Origi starts out and out, rather than Firmino (anyone else think Firmino has lost a few pounds?). We have the ability to beat these, hopefully we can take our chances when they come.

A simple boring 1-0 win will do me...

Can't see it being an end to end 4-4 draw.....surely not.

but then is the pope catholic?... and did that bear sh*t in the woods?

 

A simple boring 1-0 win will do me...

Can't see it being an end to end 4-4 draw.....surely not.

but then is the pope catholic?... and did that bear sh*t in the woods?

 

Does the Pope sh*t in the woods?

Does the Pope sh*t in the woods?

The old one would have done when he was in the Hitler youth!

Does the Pope sh*t in the woods?

At this time of year ?  possibly.. are there any woods around Bethlehem?

I would most definitely go with TAA for this. Boro aren't conceding too many goals and their games against the better teams they've been very happy to sit off and try to soak up the pressure. In those situations Clyne has been destroying our momentum in attacks and I'd like to give the young lad a look in, not sure how Jürgen could sell that to Nat without hitting his confidence though. For what it's worth Clyne has been doing really well with getting into the positions it's just not enough to only be there, you have to be able to produce and I've been bitterly disappointed with a lot of his recent work.

Bobby needs to go back to the central role too, with Origi up top we don't have the fluidity of movement and we become really quite repetitive with our patterns.

I'd be lining up like this:

            Karius
 TAA   Matip Lovren Milner
          Henderson
      Lallana      Gini
   Mane               Origi
             Firmino

Need to get back to winning ways and try to not to let Chelsea get out of sight, they will falter and there will be opportunities to make ground but the margin for error is getting very slim indeed.

For me, Firmino needs to play thru the middle. This game is probably where I would like to see a formation change. I would stick in Lucas as the 'horizontal' player and Hendo the 'vertical' one in a 4-2-3-1

Firmino
Lallana-Wijnaldum-Mane
Lucas-Hendo
Milner-Klavan-Matip-TAA
Karius

Subs- Mignolet, Moreno, Clyne, Stewart, Woodburn, Ejaria, Origi

Coyd

Let's get the three points. 

I would most definitely go with TAA for this. Boro aren't conceding too many goals and their games against the better teams they've been very happy to sit off and try to soak up the pressure. In those situations Clyne has been destroying our momentum in attacks and I'd like to give the young lad a look in, not sure how Jürgen could sell that to Nat without hitting his confidence though. For what it's worth Clyne has been doing really well with getting into the positions it's just not enough to only be there, you have to be able to produce and I've been bitterly disappointed with a lot of his recent work.

Yeah, deffo a switch he could make to give us a bit more going forward, Clynes a big boy, that's why we want competitions for places. Not sure he'll make the change though.

Coyd

Let's get the three points. 

What is coyd?

What is coyd?

Come on you doubters.

Sorry but not feeling to confident about this Unless Klopp switches the team around a bit, for example switching Origi and Firmino. I'm also open to TAA getting a start.

You don't start 18 year old kids in away Premiership matches unless you absolutely have to.

What is coyd?

 


coyr  SORRY, Auto fill faults. 

Quick turnaround helps get over the last two games.

I'd drop Gini and put Firmino and Lallana together in the middle. Or Bob swaps with Divock. Anything to get Bob central.

And TAA for Clyne. Done with his sh*t decisions and delivery with the ball.

Swap Bobby with Origi only change I would make.

Interesting last 6 results for Boro.  Their games seem to be pretty tight and not too much shame in losing by one goal against just Southampton and Chelsea in the last half dozen games.

The premier club now in the North East.

Hopefully back to winning ways because 5 points was probably the most you wanted to drop this whole month and we've already done it in 2 games.

If can't beat these then we are in trouble, their really poor championship team just come up to premier league

If can't beat these then we are in trouble, their really poor championship team just come up to premier league

The same really poor championship team that got points against Man City and Arsenal?

Footballs not that simple

KARIUS NEEDS TO BE DROPPED! CLYNE IS USLESS AND HENDARSON IS POOR. WE WILL GET BEAT:

       Manninger

TAA   Lucas   Sakho     Moreno

           Lucas
     Grujic       Can

Mane       Origi       Lucas


I'm just glad we've got a game so quick after the weekend and we need 3pts by whatever means necessary to silence some of the nonsense that's being posted.

We need 3 points with bitters game come up , lose these and we be out top 4 in new year

If can't beat these then we are in trouble, their really poor championship team just come up to premier league

Not so sure mate,boro have got a pretty decent record against us and since the  inception of the premier league they where a bit like Bolton & Birmingham city as they where a bit of a bogey  team,we all remember the game against them in the league cup a few seasons ago & im  not expecting them to roll over,they will give us a game.
Our record against them is,
Games won 64
Games drawn 39
Games lost 42

KARIUS NEEDS TO BE DROPPED! CLYNE IS USLESS AND HENDARSON IS POOR. WE WILL GET BEAT:

       Manninger

TAA   Lucas   Sakho     Moreno

           Lucas
     Grujic       Can

Mane       Origi       Lucas


I'm just glad we've got a game so quick after the weekend and we need 3pts by whatever means necessary to silence some of the nonsense that's being posted.

 

As others have suggested might be an idea to get Bobby and Divock to swap positions and see if Bobby can refind his mojo assuming he is fully fit.

I have a suspicion he has been playing through his injury due to our lack of options hence the missing zip in his game.

Not sure if Lovren will be fully fit so no point in risking him and Klavan looked a lot more assured in that second half than Dejan.
Plus unlike Dejan as soon as he receives the ball he doesn't look to just tw*t it upfield - really does my head in that.

EPL and esp away from home is not a great away of introducing youngsters so I would stick with Clyne.

Karius
Clyne
Matip
Klavan
Milner

Hendo
Gini
Lallana

Mane
Origi
Firmino

KARIUS NEEDS TO BE DROPPED! CLYNE IS USLESS AND HENDARSON IS POOR. WE WILL GET BEAT:

       Manninger

TAA   Lucas   Sakho     Moreno

           Lucas
     Grujic       Can

Mane       Origi       Lucas


I'm just glad we've got a game so quick after the weekend and we need 3pts by whatever means necessary to silence some of the nonsense that's being posted.

Some of the nonsense being posted? I've just read that team! Gonna be tough for Lucas to play in GM and in the front 3

Some of the nonsense being posted? I've just read that team! Gonna be tough for Lucas to play in GM and in the front 3

It was sarcasm mate, to tie in with the nonsense.

Despite being on the back of a pair of unhappy results, I expect Klopp to freshen up the team at least a little. It's what he does when we have three matches in 7-8 days.

Looks like Gomez may be in the squad as well. Maybe if we can blow them out he can get a runout at the end. Would be nice for multiple reasons.

Didnt realise we had such a poor record up there of late. We just need any kind of win just in time for bitters . Would try Firminho in middle for this pace either side of him and get Ojo on bench.

Sort of hoping the Bitters will do us a favour and beat the Arse tonight, but also don't want them to build up any confidence before we play them!

Just gotta return to our high tempo 5 yard pass and move strategy to get through Middlesbrough tomorrow. We need more bodies in the box, and a better service from Clyne, as well as hendo and can/ gini from the middle.
Think Karius needs to step up and shut the doubters up. Another calamity could spell the end of his prem experience for s while.
Think Lucas in front of back 4 will offer us a bit more strength and stability in defence as well.

I think Middlesbrough's have couple best players out injury any less then win, look at bitters their one worse Everton team see in long time

Opportunity to go level on points in 2nd.

Going to be a tight one, only 4 other teams have conceded less than them but hardly ever score. We seem to have gone into Christmas spirit mode so not expecting a one sided rout.

I remember going up there for one of our games when Benitez was in charge. All the way up to f****** Middlesboro from London and neither team had a shot I don't think. Worst 0-0 you'll ever see, they'll be quite happy if this is another one.

I remember going up there for one of our games when Benitez was in charge. All the way up to f****** Middlesboro from London and neither team had a shot I don't think. Worst 0-0 you'll ever see, they'll be quite happy if this is another one.

Last time I went to Anfield was a 1-1 draw vs Boro with a Riise strike. That was 2003!!!

I remember going up there for one of our games when Benitez was in charge. All the way up to f****** Middlesboro from London and neither team had a shot I don't think. Worst 0-0 you'll ever see, they'll be quite happy if this is another one.

Remember the 0-0 against villa in 2006 I believe? away from home, that was bad!

off topic sorry...

Badly need a win to get back on track. Gone for 2  1 win for the Reds, in the Prediction League.

What the heck...a mid-week game?? Might actually get to watch this one. All I can say is we better snag 3 points this time. Need to get back on track.

I remember going up there for one of our games when Benitez was in charge. All the way up to f****** Middlesboro from London and neither team had a shot I don't think. Worst 0-0 you'll ever see, they'll be quite happy if this is another one.

Remember rafa playing skrtel at right back and us getting beat up there.

Remember rafa playing skrtel at right back and us getting beat up there.

I think that was the game when we altered the make up of our team in order to counter Stewart Downing. 2-0.

They will no doubt sit deep so we really could do with Clyne and Milner offering a lot more going forward than we have seen the last two games. Esp so Milner as he has been pretty poor at both ends.

I can imagine the uproar on here if Moreno had put in Milners defensive performances over the last couple of games but maybe we have already declared Moreno is sh*t but Milner always gives 100% even if he is caught up field out of position exactly like Moreno!

I've changed my mind, I think we are going to win this game, it might not be pretty or comfortable though.

They will no doubt sit deep so we really could do with Clyne and Milner offering a lot more going forward than we have seen the last two games. Esp so Milner as he has been pretty poor at both ends.

I can imagine the uproar on here if Moreno had put in Milners defensive performances over the last couple of games but maybe we have already declared Moreno is sh*t but Milner always gives 100% even if he is caught up field out of position exactly like Moreno!

These are exactly the sort of games I imagined Moreno playing in this season, once we all realised he was staying.

If they are going to offer nothing going forward then resting Milner and playing Moreno wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as long as he has been working on the defensive side of things...

These are exactly the sort of games I imagined Moreno playing in this season, once we all realised he was staying.

If they are going to offer nothing going forward then resting Milner and playing Moreno wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, as long as he has been working on the defensive side of things...

I think that could work, but why not play Moreno on the left wing ahead of Milner, would certainly give us someone speedy down that flank which would disrupt their defence, whilst we would still be ok defensively ourselves

I think that could work, but why not play Moreno on the left wing ahead of Milner, would certainly give us someone speedy down that flank which would disrupt their defence, whilst we would still be ok defensively ourselves

The main issue I could see with that is Moreno is absolutely dreadful at taking people on although he's better at crossing than Milner.

What the heck...a mid-week game??

Tis the season for it.  Only one of our next 5 games is on a weekend.

                   Mig

Clyne    Matip     Klavan  Milner

               Hendo   Gigi

  Mane       Firmino       Lallana

                   Origi




With current injuries/form this should be one of the easiest team selections Jürgen has had to make.
Presumably he will stick with Karius though, after what he's said publicly. Otherwise I expect the team to be as above.

Just F***ing Win!




Please

                Mignolet
   Clyne Matip Klavan Milner
                      Lucas
       Henderson Wijnaldum
     Mane.                    Lallana
                   Firmino

Stronger at the back whilst retaining our midfield prowess, Firmino in his more familiar false nine role ably supported by Mane & Lallana, feel for Origi but something has to give

1_2
YNWA

Just F***ing Win!

Please

Yes, just win. We need the 3 points.

With Sturridge, Lovren and Can likely to miss out i'd go with:

Karius

Clyne
Matip
Klavan
Milner

Lallana
Henderson (c)
Wijnaldum

Mane
Firmino
Origi

Subs: Mignolet; Alex-Arnold, Gomez, Moreno; Lucas, Ejaria; Woodburn.

Expecting a tight game, 1-0 to us.

Im shocked at the abuse that Karius has received. With all the sh*te he's been thrown at the last week, he needs fan support. Instead, he's been called 'dickhead', 'w**ker', etc while the inbred Manc Chuckle Brothers let rip.

If he makes another mistake soon, so be it - I wouldn't be surprised because his confidence has been shot by a section of w**ker fans and the Neville's press agenda.

This is just going to be something he has to ride through and will hopefully be conducive in his development in the long run. Support the guy for fucks sake, he needs it after this week - or are we all going to get behind the wankshaft beach ejaculating brothers?

Don't really know what to expect from tonight I just hope to god we win because my brother supports Boro.

They're good defensively and have a few dangerous players at the sharp end of the pitch.

Wouldn't be suprised to see someone make a shock start like Ejaria, Gomez or dare I say it Moreno!

Im shocked at the abuse that Karius has received. With all the sh*te he's been thrown at the last week, he needs fan support. Instead, he's been called 'dickhead', 'w**ker', etc while the inbred Manc Chuckle Brothers let rip.

If he makes another mistake soon, so be it - I wouldn't be surprised because his confidence has been shot by a section of w**ker fans and the Neville's press agenda.

This is just going to be something he has to ride through and will hopefully be conducive in his development in the long run. Support the guy for fucks sake, he needs it after this week - or are we all going to get behind the wankshaft beach ejaculating brothers?

Which fans have been calling him that, I've not seen that. A few, including myself, have been questioning his current ability but I've not seen any personal abuse directed at him.

Any kind of win would be a welcome relief. I am glad Everton won, I hate playing teams on a long losing run as it always ends with them playing us.

https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/809080774423101442

https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/809080774423101442

Interesting taking Karius out of the limelight or is he being rested   

Let's see how long Migs can hold onto the position.

Interesting taking Karius out of the limelight or is he being rested   

Dropped mate. 

As for the game itself, this has to be the one in which we bounce back. 3 or 4 goals to the reds.. and a clean sheet.

Last two seasons we've been 11th and 9th after the 16th game of the season, so in the unlikely event we get another kick in the gonads - there's always that...!

Migs in goal.

We've had the last straw with this clown a long time ago. Poor decision from Klopp (and I think that's the first time I've said that)

Migs in goal.

We've had the last straw with this clown a long time ago. Poor decision from Klopp (and I think that's the first time I've said that)

Never thought I'd be saying this but I'm relieved Mignolet is back in goal given the form of Karius.

https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/809080774423101442

Apparently gave them a training session to compare and Migs got the nod.

Latching on to the positives it does take Karius out of the limelight and we get to see how Migs does with the knowledge that he has to take his chance. A pressure he's never really had before and who knows that might just spark him into some great form (I've got to get hope from somewhere). Start with a clean sheet tonight and we'll go from there.

I'm gonna wander over to the pub for this,beer prices went up now $7 for a Guinness,$6.50 for Smithwicks might slum it with the 3.50 Narragansett cans.Let's hope it's a good one.

I'm gonna wander over to the pub for this,beer prices went up now $7 for a Guinness,$6.50 for Smithwicks might slum it with the 3.50 Narragansett cans.Let's hope it's a good one.

Ah smithwicks 🍺

Easy to pretend otherwise (and fill the air with clichéd, bravado) but even at this early stage, truth is, we need to win.

Two nil to the Redmen. 😎

Think firmino needs a rest.

Karius
Clyme klavan matip Milner

 gini hendo lallana

. Mane origi Gruij

Mignolet
Clyne Matip Klavan Milner
Henderson Can Wijnaldum
Mane Origi Lallana

Drop both Karius and Firmino. The first an obvious omission with the latter needing a rest. He runs himself into the ground every game and hasn't looked sharp recently so maybe one game from the bench will suit. I assume Lovren is missing?

Very suprised by Klopp giving Mig the nod...

Should have stuck with Karius in my opinion..

Just hope Mig does not try to impress too much...

Shame for Karius - I'd have put him in and told him to ignore everything, but maybe it's wise to keep him out after the ridiculous hysteria conjured up by the Manc inbred twins and Carragher (shamefully so) which has unfortunately put so much scrutiny on him.

Just waiting for the desperate backtracking and knives out for Klopp from those on here who thought Mignolet should replace Karius after the weekend.

Shame for Karius - I'd have put him in and told him to ignore everything, but maybe it's wise to keep him out after the ridiculous hysteria conjured up by the Manc inbred twins and Carragher (shamefully so) which has unfortunately put so much scrutiny on him.

Just waiting for the desperate backtracking and knives out for Klopp from those on here who thought Mignolet should replace Karius after the weekend.

Pundits criticise players all the time, if the lad had kept quiet the way most players do when it happens it would not have been blown up the way it has. Rightly or wrongly, when a player publicly hits back at criticism from a pundit it only serves to attract more attention, it just feeds the fire and that is what has happened here. IMHO he should be dropped because he's been sh*te but it's also worth it just to take him out of the limelight for a bit.

 It might've been said before, and I'm sure it has, but I really thought that Karius was going to be our new starting #1goalie, and one for the future. Migs is not our answer!!
We shall see how this goes today, anyway if Karius isn't the answer, then this winter and it summer transfer period, a #1 GK is a priority!

KARIUS NEEDS TO BE DROPPED! CLYNE IS USLESS AND HENDARSON IS POOR. WE WILL GET BEAT:

       Manninger

TAA   Lucas   Sakho     Moreno

           Lucas
     Grujic       Can

Mane       Origi       Lucas


I'm just glad we've got a game so quick after the weekend and we need 3pts by whatever means necessary to silence some of the nonsense that's being posted.

I didn't know we had a Swedish player ?

Your posts are becoming a bit of a yolk .

All part of the nonsense being posted then ...   pal ?

No Matip in the squad tonight, that makes me nervous automatically.

Mignolet - Clyne - Lovren - Klavan - Milner - Henderson - Wijnaldum - Lallana - Mane - Origi - Firmino

Shame for Karius - I'd have put him in and told him to ignore everything, but maybe it's wise to keep him out after the ridiculous hysteria conjured up by the Manc inbred twins and Carragher (shamefully so) which has unfortunately put so much scrutiny on him.

Just waiting for the desperate backtracking and knives out for Klopp from those on here who thought Mignolet should replace Karius after the weekend.

This, and to stay off social media itself, nothing but keyboard commandos on this social media BS

No Matip in the squad tonight, that makes me nervous automatically.

Mignolet - Clyne - Lovren - Klavan - Milner - Henderson - Wijnaldum - Lallana - Mane - Origi - Firmino

Fudge, any reason why??

Live Match Thread is here
http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,49299.0.html