Liverpool vs Southampton, EFL Cup Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, 25 January, 8pm

Another big game on the horizen with very little time to prepare, to gather our wits and regroup after yesterdays disappointment.

Hopefully with Matip back in the starting 11 we'll be a bit more stable and calm in defense and if Clyne is still suffering pain, maybe TAA could come back in as he's done well when he's played.  I'm worried about Hendo's heel problem though.  I know it's his other heel and that this is normal with this condition but it really hampered us last season having him out for so long and I think it'll be the same again this season.

Cou getting more minutes yesterday will have helped his match fitness and I'd guess he'll get a similar 60 minutes or so again in this.  Firmino back to something like his usual self was good to see, let's hope that continues too.

It'll be a tough, dogged game again with a Wembley trip to look forward to with a good result so hopefully Anfield will be up for it and urge the players on.

It'll be a mad dash home from work for me, only finish at 7pm and the dog will need a walk before I can settle down to watch.

Van Dijk with an ankle injury in the game against Leicester! Let's hope he's out for this game then.

If we don't manage to score against them without Fonte and Van Dijk, we don't deserve a final.

Van Dijk with an ankle injury in the game against Leicester! Let's hope he's out for this game then.

If we don't manage to score against them without Fonte and Van Dijk, we don't deserve a final.

What if we score 2 and concede 2? Do we deserve the final then?

What if we score 2 and concede 2? Do we deserve the final then?

Oh F**k off you idiot. Who let you out of your shithole anyway? You know damn well what I meant.

Oh f**k off you idiot. Who let you out of your shithole anyway? You know damn well what I meant.

 

Play like we did yesterday none of us will be going to Wembley 

Van Dijk with an ankle injury in the game against Leicester! Let's hope he's out for this game then.

If we don't manage to score against them without Fonte and Van Dijk, we don't deserve a final.

Lets really hope Van Dijk is injured for the game, because otherwise on current form they'll probably hold us to a draw.

Sorry to be negative but I just don't see the goals at the moment unless we adjust our setup but I F***ing bet you Klopp starts the same uncreative midfield as against Swansea.

I think it shows how much of a slump we're in currently when im actually worried about facing Southampton at Anfield. Two months ago or so I'd be saying we will win this 5-0!

Come on lads, time to book our ideas up now. This is a perfect opportunity to get to Wembley and get some silverware in the cabinet.

Karius

Clyne
Matip
Lovren
Milner

Wij
Hendo
Lallana

Firmino
Sturridge
Coutinho

Going for a 2-0 win.

I think it shows how much of a slump we're in currently when im actually worried about facing Southampton at Anfield. Two months ago or so I'd be saying we will win this 5-0!

Come on lads, time to book our ideas up now. This is a perfect opportunity to get to Wembley and get some silverware in the cabinet.

Karius

Clyne
Matip
Lovren
Milner

Wij
Hendo
Lallana

Firmino
Sturridge
Coutinho

Going for a 2-0 win.

That's our best team minus Mane.

If we can't beat Saints at home with our best team then there is major cause for concern.

Going over for this one and I expect an angry Reds performance which can only mean bad things for Southampton. I have complete faith that the lads will get themselves out of the rut we are currently in and it starts Wednesday.

Wembley here we come and against the Mancs!!!

Who the F**k knows what is going to happen with this team.

Klopp certainly doesn't, too many players out of form. If Emre Can starts then I wont be watching.

What if we score 2 and concede 2? Do we deserve the final then?

No because we'd be out.

No because we'd be out.

  

What if we score 2 and concede 2? Do we deserve the final then?

Maths not your strong point then, on your quote we lose 3-2.

Who the f**k knows what is going to happen with this team.

Klopp certainly doesn't, too many players out of form. If Emre Can starts then I wont be watching.

That's the spirit

No because we'd be out.

Oh. Ok. Just checking

Not feeling to confident at this moment, hopefully on game day my mood will change. Who was angry and moody the whole day yesterday?? Me, took the loss out in my kids and wife, complete jerk off I am!!!
No doubt we are in a little slump right now, confidence is a little low, this will be a big win if we overcome the aggregate and win !!

Not feeling to confident at this moment, hopefully on game day my mood will change. Who was angry and moody the whole day yesterday?? Me, took the loss out in my kids and wife, complete jerk off I am!!!
No doubt we are in a little slump right now, confidence is a little low, this will be a big win if we overcome the aggregate and win !!

yep me too. I wish I didn't care so much.

Change it up. They'll expect us to play as. 4 3 3.

How about 3 4 1 2.?

Karius

Gomez matip loverm

Milner gini lallana ojo

.            coutinho

.     Firmino     Sturridge

Free role for Phil. Lallana playing a creative role. Ojo to give genuine pace and width

Huge game. Come on red men!!!!!

They'll sit back and protect the 1-0 lead I've no doubt about that which is why we need to alter that scoreline within the first 10 minutes..
These last few games we've huffed and puffed at the opposition in the first half without any clinical attempt to take the game by the scruff of the neck.Plenty of possession of the ball but no runners and no quick interplay.
This was apparent in the first leg and we let Southampton walk all over us.

If Van Dyke doesn't make it on Wednesday it could be a blessing in disguise as he was their best player in the first leg.

It's a cup semi final and a chance to get to Wembley is up for grabs and it's whoever wants it more on the day.

I just hope we don't get sucked into extra time and a dangerous penalty shoot out..

Difficult game, the defence is shaping up. This could be a long night, with the game going into extra time. Really need to bang in at least a few goals, to reach another final.

I've got tickets for the final so we'd f****** better win. In fairness Van Djik getting injured is massive, I think we'll do it.

Southampton will be a threat on the break just like Swansea were at weekend.

We will have Anfield behind us, Southampton should need the game of their lives to get past us.

Start off with Sturridge, no good on the bench. Play an attacking side, really give the fans something to cheer about. After the abysmal defeat to Swansea. We have just got to hope the defence does not f**k up on the night !

I've got tickets for the final so we'd f****** better win. In fairness Van Djik getting injured is massive, I think we'll do it.

Van Dijk seems certain he'll be ok for Wednesday.

Van Dijk has mistakes in his game. We would be daft to be hung up on him. He's the type of defender who has lapses in games and switches off. Seen him concede many a penalty or perform defensive errors in his time.

He could help us back into the game in all honesty.

Having said all that i rate him highly. He is very similar to Joel Matip IMO.

Not going to be able to watch this due to work commitments. If the chance of appearing at Wembley can't inspire the boys then there is no hope.

As plenty have already mentioned the addition of Matip should calm Lovren and the rest of the back 4 into a more cohesive unit.
But above that where we have really missed Matip is his ability to bring step out with the ball, so with our two attacking midfielders closely marked one of their players is going to have to confront him which should create more space esp against the Bus Parking teams.

Hopefully Klopp has seen when we need to score goals and need creativity then Can in midfield makes no sense. Bring Lallana back into the CM role, incidentally all his goals and assists have come from midfield. It was a master stroke playing him there and moving him into the Mane role just has not worked same as in the Rodgers era.

No idea who should play up top with Couts and Firmino as Sturridge just doesn't seem interested and Origi is out of form.

So if they score once, we have to score 3 right? F**k me PARK THE BUS AND HIT THEM ON THE BREAK!!!!!!!

Simple for me.

Llallana has to play as part of the midfield 3 so Can gets dropped.

Sturridge has to start to give us a focal point of attack.

At the moment there is a simple blueprint that all recent teams are adopting against us. Sit back in 2 tight banks of 4 across the width of our penalty area and concede the ball wide to us as we just stop and go backwards to the other other side. I expect Southampton to do the same.

So if they score once, we have to score 3 right? F**k me PARK THE BUS AND HIT THEM ON THE BREAK!!!!!!!

All you'll get them mate is two teams parking the bus

They won't come out unless they have to, if we sit off and they do they will be happy as pigs in sh*t

So if they score once, we have to score 3 right? F**k me PARK THE BUS AND HIT THEM ON THE BREAK!!!!!!!

Yes but we will have 120 minutes to do it at 2-1 we go extra time still.

Simple for me.

Llallana has to play as part of the midfield 3 so Can gets dropped.

Sturridge has to start to give us a focal point of attack.

At the moment there is a simple blueprint that all recent teams are adopting against us. Sit back in 2 tight banks of 4 across the width of our penalty area and concede the ball wide to us as we just stop and go backwards to the other other side. I expect Southampton to do the same.

You are so right about that tactic against us, and at times I've seen 9 opposing playing parked in their penalty box defending us.

Simple for me.

Llallana has to play as part of the midfield 3 so Can gets dropped.

Sturridge has to start to give us a focal point of attack.

At the moment there is a simple blueprint that all recent teams are adopting against us. Sit back in 2 tight banks of 4 across the width of our penalty area and concede the ball wide to us as we just stop and go backwards to the other other side. I expect Southampton to do the same.

Couldnt agree more I would even look at Moreno for this and even Ojo on bench anybody who can attract the attention and create more room for our more productive central areas. We have to look at people who can run at Full backs because in all due respect Milner and clyne very rarely go past so they dont cause them many issues

Van Dijk has mistakes in his game. We would be daft to be hung up on him. He's the type of defender who has lapses in games and switches off. Seen him concede many a penalty or perform defensive errors in his time.

I agree. Remember when we played them away in the league and people saying he had Firmino in his pocket? Not quite, Firmino eluded Van Dijk twice to create 2 key chances for himself, but unfortunately, he fluffed both and it ended up 0-0.

Sturridge has to start to give us a focal point of attack.

Not the focual point for me, Firmino has to be our #9. He does everything better than Sturridge except for finishing. I'd have Sturridge as a right forward and have him attack the opposition and make runs in behind, something we sorely missed vs Swansea as we had Lallana and Coutinho drop off a fair bit throughout that match.

Southampton will be a threat on the break just like Swansea were at weekend.

We will have Anfield behind us, Southampton should need the game of their lives to get past us.

You mean like how Swansea did? ;-)

Migs
Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner
Wijnaldum, Henderson
Lallana
Sturridge, Firmino, Coutinho

You mean like how Swansea did? ;-)

No this will be different. Swansea turned up and Anfield was asleep.

This is a semi final with a trip to Wembley to face United up for grabs. The crowd will be up for this. Anfield, under the lights, crowd up. I'm expecting a huge response in this one.

Southampton can beat us, we're lacking pace and confidence, but whatever the result, they will come away knowing they've been in a game. I'm confident of that.

Sweet baby Jesus, please, please, please help us win on Wednesday so all the Red folk can be happy again 

Migs
Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner
Wijnaldum, Henderson
Lallana
Sturridge, Firmino, Coutinho

Exactly what I'd like to see as well! Let's go for it from the start.

Mignolet
Clyne
Lovren
Matip
Moreno
lallana
hendo
Gini
Firmino
sturridge
Coutinho
With this 11 i will go for 3-0 liverpool

I agree with most of the line-up's however the gaffer has said numerous times that Karius is playing the cups...so I would imagine we will see him between the sticks.

I agree with most of the line-up's however the gaffer has said numerous times that Karius is playing the cups...so I would imagine we will see him between the sticks.

We will, Jürgen confirmed it yesterday.

Llallana has to play as part of the midfield 3 so Can gets dropped.

Sturridge has to start to give us a focal point of attack.

This for me, and if anything else is fielded and is not working, For F**k sake change it early. Don't keep thinking things will improve with the same players and same tactics if it doesn't work in the first 20 - 30 mins.

No confidence going into this one. They'll sit back and we'll string 30 or 40 passes together between our box and theirs, and finish with losing possession and panicking at the back when hey counter.
Think they may even beat us.
That's the first negative scoreline I can ever remember posting, but I'm fast losing the faith in some of these players.

Any truth to the rumours that Clyne is out (rib again) and Coutinho is injured (ankle again)?

Any truth to the rumours that Clyne is out (rib again) and Coutinho is injured (ankle again)?

Nothing mentioned by a Klopp in his presser, you shouldn't assume anything just because the Echo reported no pics of those two in training.

           Mignolet
TAA Lovren Matip Moreno
        Hendo Gini
Lallana Coutinho Firmino
          Sturridge

Put out a side that means to score, set the tone ffs. GO FOR THEM!!
TAA and Moreno to come in an give us more in attack than defense - it's a risk, but we need impetus.
If we go with Hendo/Gini/Can (or Lucas)  in a three, think that's too much of the same thing.
And hopefully Matip shores up the defense.

Would expect Saints to have watched the Swansea video closely.
They'll be ready - we need to be ready for them being ready......

Any truth to the rumours that Clyne is out (rib again) and Coutinho is injured (ankle again)?

Clyne took an injection Saturday so it would not surprise nor disappoint me to see TAA in there at all.

I wonder if Hendo and Clyne were playing with knocks on saturday? 80-90% isn't good enough, we all need to be at 100% if we want to be in the final.

Any truth to the rumours that Clyne is out (rib again) and Coutinho is injured (ankle again)?

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-train-ahead-southampton-tie-12496894

No signs of Clyne and Coutinho

We have got to put Southampton under pressure from the kick off and not give them time to settle.This is our chance to make the final,don't let me down REDS just go all out and beat them by 2 clear goals-----even if they are penalties.

Got a funny feeling that we could come roaring back in this game, we have to click back into gear at some point, I thought it would be against Swansea but obviously not. Surely there has to be a big reaction after that humbling loss and th eprospect of a final plus big crowd should see us pumped up, ala the Dortmund game last year.

Another National Coach Express, exercise.

We've failed them lately.

Emre Can to get the winner anyone?

Early goal... very early.. earlier than St Etienne, earlier than Juventus even.
2nd leg Semi Finals at Anfield when we are 1-0 down from the first leg are special nights.
and the only way to turn the game on it's head is to get an early goal.
GAME ON!
However the majority of our 2nd leg semis at Anfield, as we all know have always been nerve grinding nail biters.
Man City before  the Cardiff final and Stoke last year...
We never make it easier for ourselves do we.. it's almost a tradition.

Southampton are just hitting a rich vein of form as of late and they do have a good pace to their attack with Redmond, although I still think they will defend their lead tomorrow as a priority.

It's ours for the taking if we really want it..
Show Southampton to much respect and we'll fall again.
The players(and Jürgen to a certain degree) have to snap out of this rut we've got ourselves into, kick the doubters in the plums and go on and win this Trophy

Get that early goal and the whole dynamics of the tie changes, including my blood pressure

 

In our two defeats this year klavan has two assists for the winners. Matip starts or by by Wembley

Another National Coach Express, exercise.

We've failed them lately.

We have mate but we'll sweep these aside IMHO under the lights and backed by a noisy Anfield faithful. 4-0.

No Van Dijk massive loss for them.

No Van Dijk massive loss for them.

Out for 3 months apparently, desperate luck for them but a right f****** touch for us.

Hope the we turn up tonight & this includes the home crowd, we need them to push the players on tonight...


We need a quick goal to settle us down...

Do we go I to extra time & penalties if we draw?

Going to be a very tough game this

Out for 3 months apparently, desperate luck for them but a right f****** touch for us.

This is good news - buy him ffs

I actually think we will cruise this one. No way they can stand the onslaught that's coming.

Some team is due a pasting & why not start with these lot...

Hope the we turn up tonight & this includes the home crowd, we need them to push the players on tonight...


We need a quick goal to settle us down...

Do we go I to extra time & penalties if we draw?

Away goals count double after extra time. So 2-1 3-2 etc... to us after 120 minutes, then we're done for.

The sources about Van Dijk are fake apparently. Touch and go whether he makes it tonight

Im actually expecting Southampton to score first leading to a huge last 15 minutes when Anfield becomes Anfield and we win it

This is the game we find out if we have any resolve left to win any honours this year.

I reckon:

Karius

TAA
Matip
Lovren
Milner

Henderson
Wijnaldum
Lallana

Sturridge
Firmino
Coutinho

Always seem to fall foul, of the away goal rule. Need to score at least 3 if we concede. Very important to try, to keep a clean sheet, easier said than done.

COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Always seem to fall foul, of the away goal rule. Need to score at least 3 if we concede. Very important to try, to keep a clean sheet, easier said than done.

The good news is the away goal rule in the League Cup only applies after extra time. If it finishes 2-1 in 90 minutes then we have an extra 30 to get a goal.

They played Icicle works-Whisper to a scream while i was in line at the supermarket this morning,never heard it there before,i'm taking this as a good omen.

I reckon:

Karius

TAA
Matip
Lovren
Milner

Henderson
Wijnaldum
Lallana

Sturridge
Firmino
Coutinho

I'd go with this we need goals end of please god no Can in midfield out of form and slowing our play down .

I'd go with this we need goals end of please god no Can in midfield out of form and slowing our play down .

Be utterly bemused if Klopp started Can tonight for the reasons you've given.

I'd go with this we need goals end of please god no Can in midfield out of form and slowing our play down .

I'd like that.

Flexible 4-3-3 with Coutinho moving from the left to the tip of a 4-4-2 diamond so to move Sturridge and Firmino in centrally.

move Sturridge and Firmino in centrally

Really the Key and something I think we got wrong on Saturday when Origi came on and Firmino got pushed out of the center...you gotta put him in the middle to get the best out of him.

Let's get back on track for the season. Starting tonight!!

Im expecting maximum effort with a lot of quality thrown in.

Im actually expecting Southampton to score first leading to a huge last 15 minutes when Anfield becomes Anfield and we win it

That's what I thought was happening against Swansea then it all went tits up

Well I got to finish work early by over 2hrs today so I'm already home, had my tea and have plenty of time left to take the dog out before the game.  Wasn't due to finish till 7 so it would have been a mad dash to make it in time.

Result!!

A half fit VVD might not be a bad thing.

I fancy us to go through but I also think they'll score so the attack needs to be on their game tonight.

Going to be a cracking game, think we'll turn it around and book ourselves in to the final but it will be no easy task.

I'd go with:

Karius

TAA
Lovren
Matip
Milner

Henderson
Wijnaldum
Lallana

Coutinho
Firmino
Sturridge

I'd make Sturridge stay right though and look to come in on his left peg. I wouldn't want him running the channels down the side, very narrow and almost a 2 up top. There's no joy to be had in shifting Firmino and moving Lallana to the right, I think he's too crucial to have in the midfield. The thing we've missed the most recently is that linchpin that connects the two and I'd rather sacrifice a bit of width on the right than I would sacrifice what Lallana gives us. Besides with Sturridge and Firmino basically operating as a 2 it should give him more options and if Saints sit back as we suspect it could be key.

3-1 to us and a typically tense but triumphant Anfield evening.

Come on!!

https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/824313254050746368

I know away goals only count after extra time tonight but they should count at 90 minutes and then not after extra time IMO.

One team getting 120 minutes to score an away goal is an advantage over a team who only gets 90 to score an away goal.

https://twitter.com/MelissaReddy_/status/824313254050746368

I just F***ing love him ❤

I know away goals only count after extra time tonight but they should count at 90 minutes and then not after extra time IMO.

One team getting 120 minutes to score an away goal is an advantage over a team who only gets 90 to score an away goal.

Bloody good point that mate had never thought about it like that.

Always thought it gave an advantage to the team at home in the second leg but suppose that depends on the first leg score.

I know away goals only count after extra time tonight but they should count at 90 minutes and then not after extra time IMO.

One team getting 120 minutes to score an away goal is an advantage over a team who only gets 90 to score an away goal.

Yes, but the biggest advantage is with the home team in the event of a penalty shootout....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5r5m0pI_r4

Come on lads!

KO is 8pm right? Countdown timer is wrong no?

Topic locked.

Live match thread is here http://www.lfcreds.com/reds/index.php/topic,49423.0.html