Pre Match: Liverpool v Everton 01/04/2017 12:30pm

nearing the end of my trip now and in a couple of hours I will be packing up my things and heading down the M6 from Edinburgh. Tomorrow will be the first time I've ever seen the reds kick a ball in anger, and I'm absolutely buzzing.

Enjoy fella.

Heart always says LFC win.
Head says a draw.

Bit worried about this since we are playing after international break (when we are usually cr@p), Phil and Bob have had a long trip and are not up to their usual high standards after a long trip, Origi is not doing so well this season and finally & most importantly Lallana is out.

Possibly a 1-1 draw.

Might as well look for another CM next season if his heel injury is going to flare up regularly.

https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/847767722901557248

I really hope Klopp doesn't start with Lucas in midfield.
If he is concerned with Coutinho's lack of physicality in midfield I would be happy to see Grujic in place of Lallana.

I know it's a step up but he has been playing well for the U23's and has the physicality to look after himself in a derby.

I really hope Klopp doesn't start with Lucas in midfield.
If he is concerned with Coutinho's lack of physicality in midfield I would be happy to see Grujic in place of Lallana.

I hope he doesn't go with Lucas although we don't know the state of Grujic so that's a bit of a stab in the dark.

It's not a question of being concerned over Coutinho's lack of physicality - basic fact is Coutinho isn't in the team to try and put crunching challenges in.  He should be as high up the pitch as possible.

I'd play Clyne left back and push Milner up into the middle.  I'd pick Milner over Lucas to play some decent balls forward.

I think Lucas might get the nod, free up Can to play more attacking.

But I can also see Origi starting with Coutinho dropping into midfield, It might actually help the wee Brazilian find some form, he will see more of the ball in the midfield 3.

can't wait,  shame hendo, Lallana & possibly Bobby out.  We hould still win this one

I hope he doesn't go with Lucas although we don't know the state of Grujic so that's a bit of a stab in the dark.

It's not a question of being concerned over Coutinho's lack of physicality - basic fact is Coutinho isn't in the team to try and put crunching challenges in.  He should be as high up the pitch as possible.

I'd play Clyne left back and push Milner up into the middle.  I'd pick Milner over Lucas to play some decent balls forward.

I don't want to see Milner in midfield he just doesn't have the tool set to play in that position.

Sums up the state of this club we are potentially one more injury in midfield away from our season fizzling away.
A huge gamble by the club which I hope doesn't back fire!

With Couts scoring for Brazil, and them qualifying, he should be on cloud nine and performing like Ronaldinho!
With Studge on the bench, we will be able to change things if required, as long as he gets more than 19 mins.
Need Can to have a top performance again, and all the above could lead to a memorable victory.
Looking forward to this one, but always nervous for the derby.
Wondering how many of our lads will get kicked off the pitch ?

With Couts scoring for Brazil, and them qualifying, he should be on cloud nine and performing like Ronaldinho!
With Studge on the bench, we will be able to change things if required, as long as he gets more than 19 mins.
Need Can to have a top performance again, and all the above could lead to a memorable victory.
Looking forward to this one, but always nervous for the derby.
Wondering how many of our lads will get kicked off the pitch ?

No studge he is not even back in training.

With both Hendo and Lallana out for quite some time now, Klopp needs to make some changes that can work for us for the next few games rather than a stop gap solution. Since TAA seems to be the most ready player to break through from fringes, I would bring him in the team and move Milner in midfield.

State of this squad.

Henderson's becoming as reliable as Sturridge.

Just hope we can throw a team together capable of beating the bitters.

State of this squad.

Henderson's becoming as reliable as Sturridge.

Just hope we can throw a team together capable of beating the bitters.

The beauty about it is (if "beauty" is the right word) - Everton have every bit as big an injury list as us... bigger in fact, in terms of first xi starters. Truth is; we've really only two out. 😞

With both Hendo and Lallana out for quite some time now, Klopp needs to make some changes that can work for us for the next few games rather than a stop gap solution. Since TAA seems to be the most ready player to break through from fringes, I would bring him in the team and move Milner in midfield.

Milner in midfield is a recipe for disaster.

Would rather we play Grujic in CM.

The beauty about it is (if "beauty" is the right word) - Everton have every bit as big an injury list as us... bigger in fact, in terms of first xi starters. Truth is; we've really only two out. 😞

That's the worrying thing! 

As there's now talk of Lucas and his mobility scooter entering the fray!

Milner in midfield is a recipe for disaster.

Would rather we play Grujic in CM.

Grujic would be my first choice also but don't know where he is in terms of being match ready.

That's the worrying thing! 

As there's now talk of Lucas and his mobility scooter entering the fray!

Clearly those of us who said the squad was too thin before the season started were talking total bollocks weren't we.

Clearly those of us who said the squad was too thin before the season started were talking total bollocks weren't we.

Do you want some kind of award for having been proven right, you seem to mention this in every second post these days :-)

Anyway as for who to play in midfield my vote would be to give Grujic a go or perhaps even Stewart at a push, defintely not Milner or Lucas.

we dont perform that well with the early kick off's, we dont perform well after breaks.....

lets hope the boys realise the importance of this and the remaining fixtures.

Do you want some kind of award for having been proven right, you seem to mention this in every second post these days :-)

Anyway as for who to play in midfield my vote would be to give Grujic a go or perhaps even Stewart at a push, defintely not Milner or Lucas.

I would take Milner over Lucas, at least for being able to play some good balls forward. Even last season it was evident Lucas can not keep up with the pace as a midfielder. I get that he is a top guy and all that, but his only real role for us should be coming on as an extra mid in the final minutes to help shut a match.

Intrigued at the idea of Grujic, although Klopp would need to be brave to introduce him in this match. Maybe Bournemouth midweek is a better time for that.

I notice nobody mentioning Kevin Stewart in this conversation. I know he signed a deal before teh season, but I wonder if he may be off in the summer.

I can't believe people are preferring a kid who's never played or Kevin Stewart over James Milner in midfield, or in any position on the pitch come to that. The only variable is whether or not we trust Alberto at left back, Milner is better than Grujic and Stewart put together in midfield.   

I can't believe people are preferring a kid who's never played or Kevin Stewart over James Milner in midfield, or in any position on the pitch come to that. The only variable is whether or not we trust Alberto at left back, Milner is better than Grujic and Stewart put together in midfield.   

What makes you think Milner would be so great in central midfield though? From memory the last time Milner played there for us he got taken advantage of all game because he couldn't get near anybody.

Kind of contradicting yourself a bit at the end mate. You can't on one hand say Grujic has never played but then say Milner is better than both he and Stewart combined. How do you know?

Do you want some kind of award for having been proven right, you seem to mention this in every second post these days :-)

Anyway as for who to play in midfield my vote would be to give Grujic a go or perhaps even Stewart at a push, defintely not Milner or Lucas.

Just you wait till Lovren gets the armband, we'll never hear the end of it!