Pre match : Liverpool v Spartak Moscow : 6th Dec 19.45

A draw will be enough for us but Spartak need to win which should make it an exciting game.
Just like ourselves they seem to have hit a bit of form winning the last 4 and are the top scorers in the Russian league, however we are a better team and playing at Anfield we will beat these with our fire power up front.

I expect Mane to come back in and wouldn't be surprised to see Sturridge starting with Jurgens new philosophy of rotation and the game against the Bitters on the weekend.

Karius
Gomez
Lovren
Klavan
Moreno

Can
Gini
Ox

Salah
Mane
Sturridge

Go full strength for this and worry about the bitters after

Karius
Gomez
Klavan
Lovren
Moreno

Heno
Gini
Coutinho

Salah
Bobby
Mame

SM need to win so let's get all our flyers on to hit them hard on the counter and let's not settle for a draw here, we can beat these guys handily if we set up right

This result is probably more important even than the derby.   Lose here and all the hard work in this competition counts for nothing. 

The fact these can win the group though shows that they are no mugs and we need to select a strong side.

Let's be F***ing real... Spartak pose a threat and Everton don't. They're sh*t.

Strongest XI for this one and can afford to rest a body or two in the derby.

Let's be f**king real... Spartak pose a threat and Everton don't. They're sh*t.

Strongest XI for this one and can afford to rest a body or two in the derby.

And if that backfires i will be avoiding this place like the plague

Have to go strongest 11 here and if we do in the form we're in we should win tbe game.

Have to go strongest 11 here and if we do in the form we're in we should win tbe game.

Agreed about winning the game but Jürgen felt pretty concerned about burnout for a few of our lads. Don't think the team selection is quite as easy as best XI mate judging by that.

Our front lads are starting to really rack up the minutes, especially Bobby and Salah, now I can see them starting for sure but finding a time to give them a rest may prove a little tricky as is always the case in December.

Sure go with 3 at the back again.
Just maybe leave Gini in midfield this time.

NB: Team no longer available

Or drop him altogether and go 4-2-3-1.

NB: Team no longer available

Sure go with 3 at the back again.
Just maybe leave Gini in midfield this time.

NB: Team no longer available

Or drop him altogether and go 4-2-3-1.

NB: Team no longer available

See where you’re coming from Racer - second more likely in my mind.

I just can’t see him opting to keep Cou on the bench for this one. I think the rotation (injury aside) has been about getting ready for Wednesday.

See where you’re coming from Racer - second more likely in my mind.

I just can’t see him opting to keep Cou on the bench for this one. I think the rotation (injury aside) has been about getting ready for Wednesday.

I'd prefer the 2nd formation myself.
Get the "Big 4" on the pitch and then bring on Alex, Sturridge or Solanke in the 2nd half to keep the attack fresh.

I'd prefer the 2nd formation myself.
Get the "Big 4" on the pitch and then bring on Alex, Sturridge or Solanke in the 2nd half to keep the attack fresh.

Agreed.

Get the job done.

Then hope the collective at the club stop f**king about and address the squad depth at the back in Jan.

Go full strength for this and worry about the bitters after

Karius
Gomez
Klavan
Lovren
Moreno

Heno
Gini
Coutinho

Salah
Bobby
Mame

I have always believed that you start a game at full strength and once you are two or three goals a head you then start to rest players... Players get injured by over stretching/exerting which can happen with more frequency when you are forced to chase a game...

Totally agree start at full strength

I agree, this is important, bring the best we have. I also hope we play to win. Can u imagine a tie and it's 90.+3 min. and Spartak gets a corner?  I would not want that kind of thrill.

I agree, this is important, bring the best we have. I also hope we play to win. Can u imagine a tie and it's 90.+3 min. and Spartak gets a corner?  I would not want that kind of thrill.

The sort of thrill that ends with a change of boxer shorts

I have always believed that you start a game at full strength and once you are two or three goals a head you then start to rest players... Players get injured by over stretching/exerting which can happen with more frequency when you are forced to chase a game...

Totally agree start at full strength

Its a home game, bomb them right from the start, they won't know what hit them. 

I agree, this is important, bring the best we have. I also hope we play to win. Can u imagine a tie and it's 90.+3 min. and Spartak gets a corner?  I would not want that kind of thrill.

The sort of thrill that ends with a change of boxer shorts

If we can't beat them then we are not good enough to be in the knock out round. coyr

 

We would have to lose this game by 4 goals to not go through to the next round so I'm not really that worried about it. I'd play a strong defence, plus defensive midfield and give some of the youngsters/fringe forwards some game time and have the established players on the bench if we need them.

My main focus is on Everton who seem to have found a bit of form after Fat Sam came in.

We would have to lose this game by 4 goals to not go through to the next round so I'm not really that worried about it. I'd play a strong defence, plus defensive midfield and give some of the youngsters/fringe forwards some game time and have the established players on the bench if we need them.

My main focus is on Everton who seem to have found a bit of form after Fat Sam came in.

Just checked, you are right mate.

we'll still go through like you mention above.

We would have to lose this game by 4 goals to not go through to the next round so I'm not really that worried about it. I'd play a strong defence, plus defensive midfield and give some of the youngsters/fringe forwards some game time and have the established players on the bench if we need them.

My main focus is on Everton who seem to have found a bit of form after Fat Sam came in.

Nope, it comes down to head to head rather than goal difference so Spartak would finish ahead of us if they win.  Full strength and three points please.

Get business done early, then get guys off when we have the game tucked away....

NB: Team no longer available

Nope, it comes down to head to head rather than goal difference so Spartak would finish ahead of us if they win.  Full strength and three points please.

Dammit you are right:

Tiebreakers
Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings (Regulations Articles 17.01):[2]

- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Away goals scored in all group matches;
- Wins in all group matches;
- Away wins in all group matches;
- Disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
- UEFA club coefficient.


OK in that case full strength team maximum effort and no let up until the final whistle.

Get business done early, then get guys off when we have the game tucked away....

NB: Team no longer available

Like being 3-0 up ;-)

Perform like we did on Saturday, everything should be OK ! Keep banging the goals in thick and fast.

I say put our best team against them and go guns blazing. Then we can think about bitters after we have gone through.
too much on the line to gamble.

I just look at this at a very simply level.

If we don’t win then we don’t deserve to go through

Group E: Maribor (2) v Sevilla (8 ), Liverpool (9) v Spartak Moskva (6)

Liverpool will qualify with a draw, and will clinch first place with a win, or a draw if Sevilla fail to win. If Liverpool lose they are out unless Sevilla are also defeated (as Liverpool would be below Spartak in a two-way head-to-head or would be third in a three-way head-to-head on nine points).

Sevilla will qualify with a draw, or if Spartak fail to win. Sevilla clinch first place if they win and Liverpool do not.

Spartak would be through with a win or third with any other result. If Spartak win they will finish top unless Sevilla also win.

Go full strength for this and worry about the bitters after

Karius
Gomez
Klavan
Lovren
Moreno

Heno
Gini
Coutinho

Salah
Bobby
Mame

I'd be happy with this X1 although I'd be tempted to swap Henderson for Can, Emre offers more of a threat at set pieces  and can defend better too, we have to fir the throat  from the get go and put it to bed early, the longer it goes on the more nervy we will become and we all know what can happen if it gets to sqeaky arse time !!


3-1 Mighty Redmen

YNWA

I'd go 3-4-3 and setup to hit them on the counter.  I'd also leave Mo on the bench to come on if needed. 

Karius
Gomez - Lovren - Can
Chambo - Gini - Hendo - Moreno
Mane - Bobby - Coutinho

Mo off the bench if needed, but I doubt he will be required. 

Let's just F***ing Win this one... no dramas please.

Let's just f**king Win this one... no dramas please.

We really can't afford not to win this one Ian.An early goal is required to settle the nerves then go and thrash them.

I agree with the main sentiment that this game has to get the full treatment..as for the Everton game..my advice is extra security on the Pie stalls...I've heard there's a fat guy on the prowl..

Gotta win it.
We know Spartan are beatable, but they also know we are.
Strongest side from what’s available fitness wise. High tempo, high press, get an early goal and FFS don’t get caught on the break. 3:1 to us if the footballing gods smile upon us once more !😬

Come on guys, I'm a little bit surprised about this nervousness, they are a bang average team who we should have beaten easily at their place, plus we are in pretty good form at the moment, I think we'll spank them comfortably.

Think this is right.

Win - we go through as group winners
Draw and Sevilla lose or draw - we go through as group winners
Draw and Sevilla win - we go through in second place
Lose and Sevilla win - Europa League
Lose and Sevilla draw - complicated - same points, same points in games v Sevilla, same goal difference in games v Sevilla, same goals scored in games v Sevilla, but we've got more away goals in games v Sevilla - we go through in second place, Sevilla in Europa League
Lose and Sevilla lose - through in second place

Top option seems the simplest.

No questions, we need our strongest 11 for this one, just get the job done please.

Been since 1066 last time we were in the knockout stages & you don't bet against us in the later stages of this competition.

I fancy us to go all the way this year..

A must win, no excuses.

YNWA

No questions, we need our strongest 11 for this one, just get the job done please.

Been since 1066 last time we were in the knockout stages & you don't bet against us in the later stages of this competition.

I fancy us to go all the way this year..

1066 ? were we playing the normans ?

1066 ? were we playing the normans ?

Feels as though

I would rotate some players but not extreme rotation.

NB: Team no longer available

Karius; Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno; Can, Gini; Salah, Coutinho, Mane; Firmino.

Should be going all out here to win the game, don't fancy us holding out for a draw if it gets to 60 minutes with the score 0-0.

Come on guys, I'm a little bit surprised about this nervousness, they are a bang average team who we should have beaten easily at their place, plus we are in pretty good form at the moment, I think we'll spank them comfortably.

Probably nervous because our record in the big games that matter under Jürgen (and Rodgers too for that matter) has been pretty poor!

Karius; Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno; Can, Gini; Salah, Coutinho, Mane; Firmino.

Should be going all out here to win the game, don't fancy us holding out for a draw if it gets to 60 minutes with the score 0-0.

Probably nervous because our record in the big games that matter under Jürgen (and Rodgers too for that matter) has been pretty poor!

It's not a Cup final so we should be ok 

It's not a Cup final so we should be ok 

Ha ha i was going to say the same thing

Hard to believe that when we played these away in Moscow it was the arse end of September and we played with our front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino who are ripping defences apart right now and we came away with a shitty 1-1.
I think Studge came on for the last 20 minutes and missed a sitter and Mo missed a point blank header right at the end and their free kick from Fernando was pretty much the only thing they did on the night.

That was over two months ago and we have improved so much as a unit since then not only in our pass n move but overall confidence so I really don't see how this lot are gonna stop us right now.

Looking forward to this.... a lot!

Hard to believe that when we played these away in Moscow it was the arse end of September and we played with our front three of Mane, Salah and Firmino who are ripping defences apart right now and we came away with a shitty 1-1.
I think Studge came on for the last 20 minutes and missed a sitter and Mo missed a point blank header right at the end and their free kick from Fernando was pretty much the only thing they did on the night.

That was over two months ago and we have improved so much as a unit since then not only in our pass n move but overall confidence so I really don't see how this lot are gonna stop us right now.

Looking forward to this.... a lot!

Yeah there was loads of stoppage time and I remember Mo missing a sitter, was so frustrating. We owe these boys a hiding

I agree with the main sentiment that this game has to get the full treatment..as for the Everton game..my advice is extra security on the Pie stalls...I've heard there's a fat guy on the prowl..

Who, big Sam or Wayne?

Let’s get this done.

I’m like Rik Waller on Pancake Monday.

Karius

Gomez Lovren Klavan Robertson

AOC Can Coutinho

Salah Firmino Mane

That would be lovely

I would rotate some players but not extreme rotation.

NB: Team no longer available

I can’t get that LFC teambuilder thing to work on my iPhone. Just says error.

I feel a real battering is on tonight, Klopp has stoked up his players saying this is a proper final, i must admit I'm feeling really confident bolstered by our hammering of Brighton and of our confidence overall, have we kept our best t'il last?..

....i hope so cos i believe we can go far in this comp, some have likened us to citeh in regards to how quickly we can move the ball and how we counter, and its hard to argue against it, ..

If we can shore up our defence in January and perhaps add a DM of quality we will be very difficult to stop, but lets not get ahead of ourselves here, we have a job to do tonight first and foremost....

                         Karius
        Trent  Gomez Klavan Moreno
                    Gini        Can
          Salah     Coutinho   Mane
                        Roberto...

Would be my starting X1..but i reckon Klopp will stick with Henderson & Gini...


Bench ;  Migs, Lovren, Ox, Can, Milner, Sturridge, Solanke...


5-0 Mighty Redmen

YNWA

Group E: Maribor (2) v Sevilla (8 ), Liverpool (9) v Spartak Moskva (6)

Liverpool will qualify with a draw, and will clinch first place with a win, or a draw if Sevilla fail to win. If Liverpool lose they are out unless Sevilla are also defeated (as Liverpool would be below Spartak in a two-way head-to-head or would be third in a three-way head-to-head on nine points).

Sevilla will qualify with a draw, or if Spartak fail to win. Sevilla clinch first place if they win and Liverpool do not.

Spartak would be through with a win or third with any other result. If Spartak win they will finish top unless Sevilla also win.

The only combination of results, I want to see, is to see Liverpool win and go through, to the next stage of the competition.

I can’t get that LFC teambuilder thing to work on my iPhone. Just says error.

Think you have to be a subscriber to use it mate.

Should batter this lot.

Police are on full alert for tonight as they are weary of CSKA fans who were in Manchester last night, hanging around and travelling to Liverpool to see their mates from 'Spartak' tonight.

They're a friendly lot.

Mane to score a couple tonight.

 Have to make sure that I am back for this.... Lucky I am going out, and not going out out

Easy win this lads!!!

COYRM

Easy win this lads!!!

COYRM

Recent history should be a healthy reminder about expecting "easy' victories

My team would be:

                 Karius

 Gomez Lovren  Klavan  Moreno
                                 
             Gini     Can

               Coutinho

       Salah   Firmino   Mane


I think however Jürgen may go with:

                  Karius

          Can   Lovren   Gomez

TAA          Hendo  Gini         Moreno   

           Salah         Coutinho   

                  Firmino               


Prove to us you belong amongst europes elite reds. Go out there and get the win convincingly.
           

                 

This won't be easy, they will sit in and hope to get lucky on the break. They will be hard to break down and yes we have the pace and everything. If we score early it would open up a little but if they get thru to half time it could go to the wire.

Defense will have to be on blob, one stupid error and it could unravel. Not a game to over rotate, need a front 3 of Mane, Firmino,Salah then Coutinho just sitting off the front 3 backed up by Can and Hendo.

I'd go for Robbo at left back, rest depends on fitness etc

Can't see Klopp going for 3 central defenders with 2 wing backs. Can't afford to have wing backs to high leaving space. Two full backs  holding their position, support the attack yes but within the team but not as wing backs...not for this game anyway.

Their club doctor is absolutely outrageous.

www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/spartak-moscow-doctor-bans-players-11646872.amp


Enough said!

Looks like can for hendo

Their club doctor is absolutely outrageous.

www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/spartak-moscow-doctor-bans-players-11646872.amp


Enough said!

Something really creepy about that entire article. Doesn't seem very appropriate as far as a football club is concerned. But hey...it's Russia right?

Our recent run of form seems to have suppresses all the neighsayers from the forum. Considering this one the biggest games in the last 8/9 years it's very quiet.

Our recent run of form seems to have suppresses all the neighsayers from the forum. Considering this one the biggest games in the last 8/9 years it's very quiet.

Don't tempt fate !!!!!

Our recent run of form seems to have suppresses all the neighsayers from the forum. Considering this one the biggest games in the last 8/9 years it's very quiet.

I can't wait for this game to start. This should be a proper game with an amazing atmosphere at Anfield. Wish I could be there.

Coutinho captain !