Pre Match : Spartak Moscow v Liverpool : 26th Sept 19.45

After dropping 2 pts v Sevilla it's important we win against one of the two weakest teams in our group.

They are currently 6th in the league having played 11 games, winning just 3 and drawing 5. And yesterday drew at home against the bottom team.
So not in great form and seems like the ideal time to play them.

The flying Mane is back although Gomez will be suspended.

I would go for

Karius
TAA
Matip
Lovren
Robertson

Hendo
Gini
Coutinho

Salah
Firmino
Mane

Oh and take care to the travelling Kop.

Kariu
Taa matip lovren. Moreno
   Hendo.  Can
          Coutinho
Salah.     Sturridge.    Mane

After dropping 2 pts v Sevilla it's important we win against one of the two weakest teams in our group.

They are currently 6th in the league having played 11 games, winning just 3 and drawing 5. And yesterday drew at home against the bottom team.
So not in great form and seems like the ideal time to play them.

The flying Mane is back although Gomez will be suspended.

I would go for

Karius
TAA
Matip
Lovren
Robertson

Hendo
Gini
Coutinho

Salah
Firmino
Mane

Oh and take care to the travelling Kop.

Sturridge deserves the nod over Firmino

Sturridge deserves the nod over Firmino

He may deserve the nod but Firmino makes the front three more effective when he plays. Sturridge is better suited to a two, not a three.

Sturridge deserves the nod over Firmino

I've got no problem with Sturridge starting next game, think he could do a job in Moscow but what's the basis for the 'deserving' out of interest?

I think firmino needs rest he look out pace slow last couple games

We should have too much. 2-0 Reds.

         Ward
TAA Matip Lovren Robertson
     Hendo Can
Salah Coutinho Mane
        Sturride

Why not give Ward a shot. Could he be better than Migs or Karius? Know now how Achilles felt about his heel.
TAA and Robertson likely come back in. Same CBs as weekend.
Can for the abrasiveness, Hendo again too.
What a 3 we have in Salah, Coutinho, Mane
Be surprised if Firmino not rested, would probably go with Studge.

Love having CL games midweek, something juicy to look forward to
Another win would be great. The start of a good run!
Might even be a good thing it's away, pressures on them, suits us.
Cmon boys!

Big game really. After dropping points at home last time out, sooner or later we have to win an away game now to get us to the 10 point mark.

Here and Maribor are good chances and of we do the job at home we'll be through the group.

I've got no problem with Sturridge starting next game, think he could do a job in Moscow but what's the basis for the 'deserving' out of interest?

Probably not so much what Studge has been doing, as what Firmino hasn't recently

Probably not so much what Studge has been doing, as what Firmino hasn't recently

4 goals 3 assists this season
Pretty integral to how the others up there play
Quiet in the last game but been good this season

I think this is a tough game and any kind of win would be a brilliant result. We ought to be OK, but if we were to go behind I wouldn't be putting the mortgage on us bouncing back.

4 goals 3 assists this season
Pretty integral to how the others up there play
Quiet in the last game but been good this season

4 goals in 9 starts, 2 goals in the PL, not exactly prolific for a front man.
But yep, he gives other things, tho like I said recently he's gone a bit quiet. Probably due a goal as I say that ...

You all know barring injury, Bobby is going to start.

Daniel can start against Newcastle.

Prediction .

It'll be cold.

We have 4 strikers, we shouldn't be playing a tired player.

Anyone going to the game?

Prediction .

It'll be cold.

9C when we play so not really cold.

Luckily we are playing them before the winter cold arrives.

Haven't heard of any of their players at all suffice to say all their surnames end in "ov" which is no surprise
A couple of Brazillians in there as well.
They're sat 8th in the league at present so who knows how they'll play.

We need to sit tight and let Mane hit them on the break.
We've got enough fire power up front let's hope our backline don't buckle and give them hope.

They're sat 8th in the league at present so who knows how they'll play.

Not had a great start.  They only dropped points in 8 league games last season and they've already dropped them in 8 games this season.  Think they've only won 3 in the league.

The last time they entered the Champions League as reigning Russian champions they also faced Liverpool in the group stages back in 2002.

Their top scorer, and probably best player, Quincy Promes is out injured and so is their Captain.  Liverpool's toughest opponent is probably going to be the crowd.  Let's see what they're made of.

Lets not underestimate them. Be cautious and do a proper job on the pitch and we should be ok. I would like to see Studge start. He looked to be in great shape in the last game. Very unselfish to have passed the ball to Hendo to score. He's always dangerous around the box and creates scoring opportunities out of nothing.

We should have too much for them, but Moscow is not an easy place to go. At least it is not too late in the year.

Don't know why we would change keeper again (I think that is not helping stability) but wouldn't be surprised if we did.

Mane should be raring to go, and the front three (or four) must be better than anything the Spartak defence are used to.

Ridiculous for two English clubs to be playing there in two days.

Not had a great start.  They only dropped points in 8 league games last season and they've already dropped them in 8 games this season.  Think they've only won 3 in the league.

The last time they entered the Champions League as reigning Russian champions they also faced Liverpool in the group stages back in 2002.

Their top scorer, and probably best player, Quincy Promes is out injured and so is their Captain.  Liverpool's toughest opponent is probably going to be the crowd.  Let's see what they're made of.

Just gotta make sure they don't have a shitty little ;
Alexei Yuri Gagarin Siege of Stalingrad Glorious Five Year Plan Sputnik Tractor Moscow Dynamo Back Four Balowski upfront
 

Just gotta make sure they don't have a shitty little ;
Alexei Yuri Gagarin Siege of Stalingrad Glorious Five Year Plan Sputnik Tractor Moscow Dynamo Back Four Balowski upfront
 

Hoping russia's favourite love machine is playing though

Prediction .

It'll be cold.

And there will be a lot of ov's playing

I'd go something like this on Tuesday.

NB: Team no longer available

We have to score two because we know we will definitely concede at least 1. How nice would it be if we were so confident of our defense.

Therefore, I have gone for 1-2 for the mighty REDS.

Ridiculous for two English clubs to be playing there in two days.

I'm not sure why both the Moscow sides are playing their home European games on the same week - thought it was usually split home/away like Man Utd and Man City.

Still, I can't see there being an issue - Moscow is a lot bigger than London isn't it?  In any case I'd be more concerned about the Russian badasses than Stan from Salford who got there a day before his game.

Hopefully the first of many games with Salah, Mane and Coutinho ripping teams apart.

I had forgotten Gomez is suspended for this. I see Flanno in the traveling squad. Hopefully Trent can bounce back from a shaky performance his last time out and play more like he did vs. Hoffenheim.

Whatever the result and performance lets firstly hope our fellow reds who are travelling ovef are safe while there.

https://twitter.com/theredmentv/status/912328549943726083

https://twitter.com/rfpl/status/911649039233568768

Jürgen Klopp has named a 21-man squad for Liverpool's Champions League Group E clash with Spartak Moscow.

The Reds continue their 2017-18 European campaign with a journey to Russia, and the manager will have an array of options at his disposal when his team take on Massimo Carrera's side.

In a significant boost to the travelling party, winger Sadio Mane returns to the fold after serving a three-match domestic ban.

However, defender Joe Gomez is absent as he prepares to serve a one-match suspension meted out as a result of the red card he received against Sevilla.

Ben Woodburn will be part of the Reds' U19s squad for the UEFA Youth League contest with the same opponents.

Liverpool squad in full: Karius, Mignolet, Ward, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Robertson, Matip, Flanagan, Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, Milner, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Can, Firmino, Coutinho, Salah, Sturridge, Mane, Solanke.

I'll go for Ward, Flanagan, Solanke not to make the 18 man squad.

Jürgen Klopp has indicated Sadio Mane could be restored straight back into Liverpool's starting line-up for Tuesday's encounter with Spartak Moscow – but final decisions on his XI won't be made until tomorrow morning.

Having trained at Melwood this morning, the Reds departed for Russia just after noon from John Lennon Airport, touching down in Moscow at approximately 6.25pm local time.

Among the travelling 21-man party was Mane, who returns to the fold following a domestic suspension that ruled him out of the last three matches.

“He’s back and available again – and if he is available it makes sense to bring him from the beginning, but we will see,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com during the team’s flight to Moscow.

“It’s difficult to make the line-up already; we did some analysis of Moscow yesterday morning. That gives you a little insight [into our schedule] – you win at Leicester, have a team meeting when you come in [on Sunday], then you have the analysis meeting about Moscow and then an analysis meeting with the team about Leicester again. Then you go home and you watch Moscow and Newcastle because we play there a few days later!

“The next meeting with the players is tomorrow – and I have to go immediately to the press conference which is in a different hotel to our one, but then we will make the line-up.

“Sadio is back and it’s really good. He made all the normal training sessions. When you are injured or suspended you have to do more than the rest of the squad because you cannot play, so he should be OK.”

Elsewhere, Klopp will have a decision to make in defence due to the suspension of Joe Gomez following his red card against Sevilla in Liverpool’s last Champions League outing.

The boss admits it’s likely to mean an instant recall for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but no final decisions have yet been made.

He said: “It’s likely [Trent will start] but at the moment nothing is sure. But probably.”

Liverpool departed for Russia just over 40 hours on from the conclusion of their 3-2 victory at Leicester City on Saturday evening.

Klopp acknowledges the short time between the fixture at the King Power Stadium and Tuesday’s tie with Moscow will give him and his backroom team some food for thought when selecting the line-up, but doesn’t believe it’ll be an issue for his side.

“For sure, it’s something to think about but it’s not a problem,” stated the boss. “If you do it Saturday, Tuesday, Friday and then Monday that makes no sense, but this time is one time and it’s no problem.

“After Tuesday, we don’t play again until Sunday so it’s a long part of the week. It’s no problem.”



Elsewhere, Klopp reported no fresh injury concerns following the hard-fought contest at Leicester and believes Liverpool touched down in Moscow in high spirits.

Asked if there were any fitness worries within the squad, he replied: “Not really. There are normal things, but nothing we should think about. It’s all good. We have 18 players plus three goalkeepers with us.

“It’s a little bit different because we had to train this morning, which is a little bit too early for the game tomorrow. But we’re now long enough together and that’s European football and I like it. It’s always a little bit of a kind of adventure, things are different and sometimes not what we’re used to. Moscow is a big, big city and the traffic is intense!

“The shape in general is good, our form is good and the shape from the weekend is good, so no problem. We had a good success, three points, so the feeling is good – we’re all in a good mood and everything is fine.”

Jürgen Klopp has indicated Sadio Mane could be restored straight back into Liverpool's starting line-up for Tuesday's encounter with Spartak Moscow – but final decisions on his XI won't be made until tomorrow morning.

Having trained at Melwood this morning, the Reds departed for Russia just after noon from John Lennon Airport, touching down in Moscow at approximately 6.25pm local time.

Among the travelling 21-man party was Mane, who returns to the fold following a domestic suspension that ruled him out of the last three matches.

“He’s back and available again – and if he is available it makes sense to bring him from the beginning, but we will see,” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com during the team’s flight to Moscow.

“It’s difficult to make the line-up already; we did some analysis of Moscow yesterday morning. That gives you a little insight [into our schedule] – you win at Leicester, have a team meeting when you come in [on Sunday], then you have the analysis meeting about Moscow and then an analysis meeting with the team about Leicester again. Then you go home and you watch Moscow and Newcastle because we play there a few days later!

“The next meeting with the players is tomorrow – and I have to go immediately to the press conference which is in a different hotel to our one, but then we will make the line-up.

“Sadio is back and it’s really good. He made all the normal training sessions. When you are injured or suspended you have to do more than the rest of the squad because you cannot play, so he should be OK.”

Elsewhere, Klopp will have a decision to make in defence due to the suspension of Joe Gomez following his red card against Sevilla in Liverpool’s last Champions League outing.

The boss admits it’s likely to mean an instant recall for Trent Alexander-Arnold, but no final decisions have yet been made.

He said: “It’s likely [Trent will start] but at the moment nothing is sure. But probably.”

Liverpool departed for Russia just over 40 hours on from the conclusion of their 3-2 victory at Leicester City on Saturday evening.

Klopp acknowledges the short time between the fixture at the King Power Stadium and Tuesday’s tie with Moscow will give him and his backroom team some food for thought when selecting the line-up, but doesn’t believe it’ll be an issue for his side.

“For sure, it’s something to think about but it’s not a problem,” stated the boss. “If you do it Saturday, Tuesday, Friday and then Monday that makes no sense, but this time is one time and it’s no problem.

“After Tuesday, we don’t play again until Sunday so it’s a long part of the week. It’s no problem.”



Elsewhere, Klopp reported no fresh injury concerns following the hard-fought contest at Leicester and believes Liverpool touched down in Moscow in high spirits.

Asked if there were any fitness worries within the squad, he replied: “Not really. There are normal things, but nothing we should think about. It’s all good. We have 18 players plus three goalkeepers with us.

“It’s a little bit different because we had to train this morning, which is a little bit too early for the game tomorrow. But we’re now long enough together and that’s European football and I like it. It’s always a little bit of a kind of adventure, things are different and sometimes not what we’re used to. Moscow is a big, big city and the traffic is intense!

“The shape in general is good, our form is good and the shape from the weekend is good, so no problem. We had a good success, three points, so the feeling is good – we’re all in a good mood and everything is fine.”

Good to have Mane back.  TAA in for Gomez seems no brainer.  Great to go into this off the back of a win ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfqtDFNC2k

That translator  credit to Klopp for being patient with her though!

He's red, he's great, he's joseph stalin's mate, vladimir, up the red army !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfqtDFNC2k

That translator  credit to Klopp for being patient with her though!

State of that press conference.

Seemed like the Russian lot and Sky were doing their best to outdo each other on the most stupid question to ask.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZfqtDFNC2k

That translator  credit to Klopp for being patient with her though!

Some of these questions... As a manager, you're there to have a little chat about your team and the opposition. Half the questions had nothing to do with either of those. Can't really fault the young woman, she clearly knew not much about football at all. At least use a translator that knows what the journalists / managers are going to talk about and that actually speaks decent English.

State of that press conference.

Seemed like the Russian lot and Sky were doing their best to outdo each other on the most stupid question to ask.

Exactly, F***ing hell.

The level of journalism (you really can't even call it that anymore) is at an alarming low. He was just laughing it all away the biggest part of the press conference, but he was clearly irritated by that Kane question and the end. Who even comes up with these questions?

Karius
TAA
Matip
Lovern
Robertson (he needs to play in a BIG game. This may be the best big game to intergrade him in)

Gini
Hendo
Coutinho

Salah
Mane

Bobby

(Bring in Studg, Ox and Mily toward the end)

Just tried to post my side using that team builder thingy, picked my side which is below, how do you copy and paste onto a different page, anybody ?

NB: Team no longer available

Spartak.... will have the shock of their wee Russian lives, cos the true Red army are coming to town, really can't see them causing us too much grief if i'm honest, although no mugs they will find it extremely difficult to cope with our high press and our fantastic 4,
goal diff could be vital come the end of the group stage, finishing top of the group will keep us away from the likes of RM, Barca, BM, AM etc, Sevilla or us will top it but scoring a shed load in our next two will do us know harm,
i can see us absolutely battering this lot, hopefully by 3 or 4, we're due to give out a proper hammering so why not these fuckers, anyhoo i'm off got things to do.....Mos-cow 

YNWA

                           
                                         

Just tried to post my side using that team builder thingy, picked my side which is below, how do you copy and paste onto a different page, anybody ?


   Anyhoo.....
                                              Karius

                          TAA         Matip     Lovren    Robertson

                                            Henderson

                             Wijnaldom                Coutinho

                         
                                   Salah                  Mane
                                               Firmino


Spartak.... will have the shock of their wee Russian lives, cos the true Red army are coming to town, really can't see them causing us too much grief if i'm honest, although no mugs they will find it extremely difficult to cope with our high press and our fantastic 4,
goal diff could be vital come the end of the group stage, finishing top of the group will keep us away from the likes of RM, Barca, BM, AM etc, Sevilla or us will top it but scoring a shed load in our next two will do us know harm,
i can see us absolutely battering this lot, hopefully by 3 or 4, we're due to give out a proper hammering so why not these fuckers, anyhoo i'm off got things to do.....Mos-cow 

YNWA

                           
                                       

Copy cat 

Yeah, I'd like to know how to too. I want to be civilized like Billy as well

Just tried to post my side using that team builder thingy, picked my side which is below, how do you copy and paste onto a different page, anybody ?


   Anyhoo.....
                                              Karius

                          TAA         Matip     Lovren    Robertson

                                            Henderson

                             Wijnaldom                Coutinho

                         
                                   Salah                  Mane
                                               Firmino


Spartak.... will have the shock of their wee Russian lives, cos the true Red army are coming to town, really can't see them causing us too much grief if i'm honest, although no mugs they will find it extremely difficult to cope with our high press and our fantastic 4,
goal diff could be vital come the end of the group stage, finishing top of the group will keep us away from the likes of RM, Barca, BM, AM etc, Sevilla or us will top it but scoring a shed load in our next two will do us know harm,
i can see us absolutely battering this lot, hopefully by 3 or 4, we're due to give out a proper hammering so why not these fuckers, anyhoo i'm off got things to do.....Mos-cow 

YNWA

                           
                                         

Here you go.
NB: Team no longer available

When you have finished the team, a code appears, copy that, and then paste in to the post.

Code for this team is

Code: [Select]

[team]461506369737A2351[/team]

                                              Karius

                          TAA         Matip     Lovren    Robertson

                                       Henderson   Can

                                              Coutinho             

                                   Salah                  Mane
                                               Firmino

                                              Karius

                          TAA         Matip     Lovren    Robertson

                                       Henderson   Can

                                              Coutinho             

                                   Salah                  Mane
                                               Firmino

Think we might see Sturridge start ahead of Firmino but other than that, think this is pretty much what it will be like.

Mignolet

Milner
Lovren
Matip
Robertson

Henderson
Can
Coutinho

Salah
Sturridge
Mane

Karius seems to be our man in CL, and despite his penalty save I would drop Migs anyway for being shakey and not dominant enough in his box.

TAA will slot in, but I hope he has some protection tonight, I feel Moscow will target him when they see him on team sheet .

I agree Firminho will start, but I hope Studge gets the nod at Newcastle, he historically does well there doesn't he?

I'm in Birmingham tonight for work, so any recommendations for good footy pubs for the match is more than welcome!

Here you go.
NB: Team no longer available

When you have finished the team, a code appears, copy that, and then paste in to the post.

Code for this team is

Code: [Select]

[team]461506369737A2351[/team]

Cheers Pups,  much obliged

YNWA

My 14yr old son came into my room at 1am this morning.....

"dad, you awake?"

"Aye, what is it?"

"I cannae wait for the game tonight - I think we're gonna pump Russia"

"That's the spirit son - me too. Now get to your bed before yer maw kills both of us"

Brilliant seeing it through his eyes too.......

The lads and Jürgen have had no time at all to prepare properly for this game, not even a good training session so that's the worry for me. Any kind of result would be a good result for me on that basis, long travel.

It's only about a three and a half hour flight mate - in luxury too, I'd imagine.

As for the lack of training time: Jürgen mentioned that and said the squad was together long enough not to worry about that. In fact he said he 'liked it'... 'it's an adventure'.

We should be a bad lot with ease. 😎

Liverpool and Manchester United fans warned to behave or face ‘long stay in Russia’

Liverpool and Manchester United supporters have been warned they face “a long stay in Russia” should trouble occur at their Champions League fixtures in Moscow this week.

The north-west rivals are both in action in the Russian capital, with Jürgen Klopp’s team facing Spartak Moscow on Tuesday and José Mourinho’s side playing CSKA on Wednesday. Security teams from Liverpool and United have been working with their Russian counterparts in an attempt to avoid problems for the estimated 2,000 away fans expected in Moscow.

However, the head of the Russian Football Union’s security committee, Vladimir Markin, has warned there will be severe penalties for anyone found guilty of hooliganism.

Markin told the Tass state news agency: “I don’t want to scare anyone but I warn those who plan to come here not to support their side and see the country but to commit hooliganism: the law is the same for all, not just for Russians. Those who break it will face a suitable punishment, possibly in the form of a long stay in Russia, in conditions our guests won’t like.”

Spartak and CSKA have had problems with the behaviour of their own supporters recently. Liverpool’s opponents were last week fined €60,000 by Uefa and their fans banned from Spartak’s next Champions League away fixture in Sevilla after a flare was fired towards the referee during their 1-1 draw with Maribor in Slovenia.

The Russian authorities are under scrutiny to deal with hooliganism in the country before next summer’s World Cup but, as Markin has made clear, their focus is not only internal. Liverpool and United have advised their fans not to wear club colours or travel alone in Moscow and there will be a heavy security presence at both Champions League fixtures this week.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/sep/25/liverpool-manchester-united-fans-warned-behave-or-face-long-stay-in-russia-champions-league

Seems Vladimir needs to control his own lot.

Seems Vladimir needs to control his own lot.

Random fact about that bloke: he suffers from asthma. Aye...
























They call him 'Vlad the Inhaler'. 😂😂😂

 

Karius seems to be our man in CL, and despite his penalty save I would drop Migs anyway for being shakey and not dominant enough in his box.

But Karius is just as shakey and is even less dominant in his box.

I cannot see the benefit in chopping and changing keeper, the position that is probably hardest to do that with.  Just pick one and go with him I say.

Karius starts hes the cl keeper per Klopp. TAA will start. Its eenie meany miney mo who partners matip. Dont think he changes much else. Mane in Salah out wouldnt surprise me though personally id like to see Mane play through the middle tonight with Salah and Coutinho wide

Karius starts hes the cl keeper per Klopp. TAA will start. Its eenie meany miney mo who partners matip. Dont think he changes much else. Mane in Salah out wouldnt surprise me though personally id like to see Mane play through the middle tonight with Salah and Coutinho wide

Need to see more of Karius but I would love to see more of Ward as well. Either two should be given a run of 10-15 games to prove themselves. Given Mignolet is so bad I do feel sorry for them and it's something Klopp has failed to justify.

Hopefully, Salah, Mane & Phil will start and should give us the win we need.

YNWA

Mignolet

Milner
Lovren
Matip
Robertson

Henderson
Can
Coutinho

Salah
Sturridge
Mane

This for me.

Feels good to set the alarm for a 4:45am CL game all I'm going to say.

Thanks Jürgen.

USA reds, what channel for today’s game?

USA reds, what channel for today’s game?

fs2 mate.quick edit,i use this site to find games,http://www.livesoccertv.com/.

Took the afternoon off to watch the game, come on Liverpool!!

Great to have Mane back, in the side. Going for a 2  1 win for the Reds. Hope this game is on TV, as I am off to the pub to watch it later on.

fs2 mate.quick edit,i use this site to find games,http://www.livesoccertv.com/.

Thanks sir

I'm going for a 3-1. Believe Mane, Salah and Coutinho will be too much for them to handle.

Stating the obvious a bit but away trips to Russia are notoriously difficult and while I think we'll win as long as we don't lose I could happily call it a decent result. Win and we'll make ourselves strong favourites to top the group in my opinion. Great to have Mane back, 3-1 to us.

My 14yr old son came into my room at 1am this morning.....

"dad, you awake?"

"Aye, what is it?"

"I cannae wait for the game tonight - I think we're gonna pump Russia"

"That's the spirit son - me too. Now get to your bed before yer maw kills both of us"

Brilliant seeing it through his eyes too.......

That is brilliant.

See when I was 14, it was my Dad coming into my room, only at 3 a.m. and I couldn't ever make out what he was slurring on about. Then I'd tell him I was trying to sleep and he's slam the door as he left.  Ah, the memories.

Its eenie meany miney mo who partners matip.

We haven't got that many options. It's more like dip dip.

Win and we'll make ourselves strong favourites to top the group in my opinion.

I think Sevilla are probably the favourites as we have to go to their ground.  I assume 3 wins and a draw guarantees you go through but I haven't worked it out.  These were the first ones in to the group remember as top seeds so in theory it should be the hardest game of the group but obviously the Sevilla game would be harder.

A win tonight would give us a strong chance of qualifying IMO, if we lose then I'd say it was only a slight advantage to Spartak because they've already dropped points against Maribor and have two games still to come v Sevilla.

Goals for both sides tonight I reckon.  Hopefully we're going to have a goalfest rather than a shotfest.

I think Sevilla are probably the favourites as we have to go to their ground.  I assume 3 wins and a draw guarantees you go through but I haven't worked it out.  These were the first ones in to the group remember as top seeds so in theory it should be the hardest game of the group but obviously the Sevilla game would be harder.

A win tonight would give us a strong chance of qualifying IMO, if we lose then I'd say it was only a slight advantage to Spartak because they've already dropped points against Maribor and have two games still to come v Sevilla.

Goals for both sides tonight I reckon.  Hopefully we're going to have a goalfest rather than a shotfest.

Agree that Sevilla are the better side in terms of quality, I just think that any team going to Russia can struggle so I make this a tougher task than going to Spain. I've seen Sevilla, think we'll do them over there and they were lucky to get anything at Anfield. Also think we'll destroy Spartak when they come here, just at their home ground they're a completely different animal.

o.k.i'm off for a pre game,  

If we win, great. If we draw, not the end of the world.
Just wanna say, to all who have travelled to the game, with the reputation of the Russian thugs of late, safe journey to you all, enjoy the game, and return home safely.
I'm going for 1:3 by the way.

https://twitter.com/LFC/status/912730250634829824

Jürgen isn't parking the bus, he is driving it through the front door shouting boooommm !!

I pity Matip playing with Lovren. He is going to be a very good defender, already is, but alongside that buffoon he is made to do the job of 2 men, then you add in the keeper and Moreno....

I still think we will have too much for these and win 6-5

                                  Karius

Trent             Matip                 Lovren       Moreno

                   Can                    Henderson

                              Coutinho

            Salah          Firmino         Mane