Pre-Match: RB Salzburg v Liverpool - 10th Dec 2019 (5:55pm)

Need a draw to qualify.  Need a win to win the group.

About £12M riding on this game for both teams.

We were 3-0 up against these at home and they scored three goals in the space of 21 minutes before a late Salah winner.

Salzburg have also scored 8 goals in their two previous Champions League games at home. 

Erling Braut Haaland, aged 19, has scored a staggering 27 goals in 19 appearances so far this season!  He's scored 8 of those in the group stages!

NB: Team no longer available

Think we will play Hendo,Gini,Milner in midfield. I would go Mane,Origi,Salah up front. Has to be a degree of insurance, legs in midfield, pace and power up front.Bobby is obviously a clever player but I think Origi is now a serious alternative.I think Mane & Salah are in but Bobby needs to do more.

I get that he's not a conventional striker but I just think it's not enough to complement Mane & Salah.He has to command his place and I think he's not doing that so I would go with Origi who offers threat and presence accros the front line.

Need a draw to qualify.  Need a win to win the group.

About £12M riding on this game for both teams.

Agree with that line up. Think the team picks itself. Gomez at CB could prove fruitful to counter their pace. More than the 12mil, its our European prestige at stake.

Fully trust the Redmen to come away with a point, if not 3.

Think we will play Hendo,Gini,Milner in midfield. I would go Mane,Origi,Salah up front. Has to be a degree of insurance, legs in midfield, pace and power up front.Bobby is obviously a clever player but I think Origi is now a serious alternative.I think Mane & Salah are in but Bobby needs to do more.

I get that he's not a conventional striker but I just think it's not enough to complement Mane & Salah.He has to command his place and I think he's not doing that so I would go with Origi who offers threat and presence accros the front line.

I seriously hope all of that was a joke or an ice-breaker before such a serious game! No way Bobby is dropped for Origi, esp when we need defending from the front at our max!

our new secret weapon of the long ball over the top has got them all bamboozled . So suck them in give it to Trent and away we go. I just cant see this team losing tomorrow they know when the time has come to man up I expect a classic away performance tomorrow and a few goals

Agree with that line up. Think the team picks itself. Gomez at CB could prove fruitful to counter their pace. More than the 12mil, its our European prestige at stake.

Fully trust the Redmen to come away with a point, if not 3.

I seriously hope all of that was a joke or an ice-breaker before such a serious game! No way Bobby is dropped for Origi, esp when we need defending from the front at our max!

And yet you agree with JD that Alex plays in place of a genuine midfield player. I'm very suspicious of posters who start with put down...in my experience it usually means they don't have a clue, so they leverage their posts with an insult....something I don't do.

And yet you agree with JD that Alex plays in place of a genuine midfield player.

He's our joint top scorer in the Champions League, that's why I put him in the team.  Plus I thought it was noticeable that it was Ox who was subbed off and not Milner towards the end of the game on Saturday.

Do think Origi us pushing Bobby for a start but think it will be Watford and not away on Tuesday. These are lively up top need to be on our guard

We have to be careful in this game and smart tactically, I think we have two choices, we either go full heavy metal on them the first 30 minutes, get a decent lead then more defensive second half, like the last 2 games, or we set up quite defensively from the off and just look to hit them on the counter. I prefer the first option as I'm a huge advocate of attack is best form of defence, especially against a high scoring team.

Do think Origi us pushing Bobby for a start but think it will be Watford and not away on Tuesday.

Agree.  Can see Origi, Shaqiri and Keita all playing v Watford.

At the extremely weird crossroads of thinking this Liverpool team is the best team in the world (it definitely is) and being extremely scared of Salzburg tomorrow night... I look forward to all games but not this for some reason... should I stop being stupid or am I right to be this worried?

The fact we won this competition last year is still yet to properly hit me in the sense it didn’t feel real and I want that realisation that this Liverpool team are the champions of Europe to hit me and I fear it may never hit me if we get knocked out tomorrow?

Dangerous opponent as they showed at Anfield and it would be silly for the boys to play for a draw.

But we can afford to sit back a bit and pick them off on the counter. A professional job please and keep us in the hunt for Number 7 in Istanbul!

At the extremely weird crossroads of thinking this Liverpool team is the best team in the world (it definitely is) and being extremely scared of Salzburg tomorrow night... I look forward to all games but not this for some reason... should I stop being stupid or am I right to be this worried?

Two concerns for me are that despite what happened at Anfield our players go there underestimating them, plus also right now this competition feels nowhere near as important as it was last year. 

Defeat by Madrid incentivised the players to make amends whereas I think this year the players are incentivised by that 1 point defeat by City?

Two concerns for me are that despite what happened at Anfield our players go there underestimating them, plus also right now this competition feels nowhere near as important as it was last year. 

Defeat by Madrid incentivised the players to make amends whereas I think this year the players are incentivised by that 1 point defeat by City?

Once you have won something always harder to win it again maybe due to motivation or we have already done that . Dont think for one minute they will be underestimating the CL but without a doubt the league is their holy grail this year

NB: Team no longer available

I would play like that.

NB: Team no longer available

I would play like that.

Its not a game of Fifa!

Two concerns for me are that despite what happened at Anfield our players go there underestimating them, plus also right now this competition feels nowhere near as important as it was last year. 

Defeat by Madrid incentivised the players to make amends whereas I think this year the players are incentivised by that 1 point defeat by City?

I hear what you are saying about the league being a bigger motivation this season than Europe, but hopefully we can walk and chew gum at the same time regarding incentives.

I like your team and I think it fits into what Klopp has been doing re rotation,with Watford coming up one of our easier league games (not taking anything for granted). (Ox IS a midfielder by the way).

Am glad to see Lovren trained this morning. Regardless of whether Dejan or Joe Gomez starts tomorrow, at least we will have an actual defender available on the bench (as well as for upcoming games - Watford may be the opportunity to rest Virgil, who has played every game - 90 minutes I believe - for us this season except the two League Cup matches - plus a number for Holland).

So give us one more Herculean effort Virgil, take us to the knockout rounds and then you can have a day off on Saturday.

Two concerns for me are that despite what happened at Anfield our players go there underestimating them, plus also right now this competition feels nowhere near as important as it was last year. 

Defeat by Madrid incentivised the players to make amends whereas I think this year the players are incentivised by that 1 point defeat by City?

I’ve said similar, I think the Boss will want to retain the Champions League trophy & collect the PL, that’s the motivation for the players & I believe they will not need reminding by the boss, they know the hurt of Kiev & loosing out last season in the league..it’s what drives them, the fear of failure.

I’ve said similar, I think the Boss will want to retain the Champions League trophy & collect the PL, that’s the motivation for the players & I believe they will not need reminding by the boss, they know the hurt of Kiev & loosing out last season in the league..it’s what drives them, the fear of failure.

I had an awful (sort of) dream at the beginning of the season that we were lifting a trophy and it turned out to be the Europa League.

Its not a game of Fifa!

I know but we need to attack them, if not we will be a sitting duck with their hot and on fire teenager.

I know but we need to attack them, if not we will be a sitting duck with their hot and on fire teenager.

He's only mildly good-looking for me. But to each his own.

He's only mildly good-looking for me. But to each his own.

Hot in form

Just had a look at the Austrian table and they've had a couple of draws recently and are only two points ahead thought they walked that league,lunchtime kick off is a bit annoying dunno if i can watch yet but went 3-1 to us cos we are the champions of europe.

Had to double check the Kick Off time.

Not that I doubt JD, just seemed really weird when I first read that.

Think this will be a tricky tie, they score plenty of goals and our weakness is at the back, how we have a Liverpool goal fest

5.55 didnt know that!!

I think this will be surprisingly easy we had them 3-0 first game before a horrible lapse in concentration and over confidence. This time I think we will be much more focused.

Cant see Milner playing again, he seems to have played a lot recently and can see him being given this one off.

And yet you agree with JD that Alex plays in place of a genuine midfield player. I'm very suspicious of posters who start with put down...in my experience it usually means they don't have a clue, so they leverage their posts with an insult....something I don't do.

Duh?!

Bottomline - we start with our regular front-3. In fact, I wouldnt be surprised to see a tweaked 4-4-2 to counter theirs, with Mane left and Hendo out on the right doubling up with Trent against Minamino, Gini anchoring and Ox as a free 8! (something similar to the second half vs City to counter B Silva and Sterling)

5.55 didnt know that!!

Should have asked a blueshite, they all know it's a five-two

"That Haarland reminds me a bit of Roger Hunt".... my ol'man said to me the other night ... and he's not far off, he's a very good player and one we should keep track of all game.
Saying that, I think Mane is on fire right now and that rest he's just had over the weekend should give him that freshness.
An attacking Mane, running with the ball down that left wing is a joy to watch and would put the shits up any full back in the world right now..
Plus, we have our new hi-powered millimetre accuracy long ball weapon which is, again, a pleasure to watch being executed.

I think we'll see a good European match of footy, open and skillful.
We don't play for draws, so a win we'll be playing for.

So many games coming up it's mental and so close together, yet we are playing with so much confidence and skill that although a boring 0-0 win, away in Europe, will be good enough, I just can't see us playing any other way but to go out there and try and batter them.

As they showed at Anfield, even if we go 3-0 up we must keep an eye on Roger Hunt !!

I think the back 4 and front 3 is pretty easy to pick. Some of the fringe players have done well in recent games but it will be the tried and tested front 3 and with Lovren injured it will be Gomez to start alongside VVD. In midfield I think we'll play Hendo, Gino and Ox.

You would like to think energy levels are high for this one with some rotation over the last 3 games so I think we will press high for parts of the game for sure. I think that's the best way to approach this game, they are a dangerous side going forwards so sitting deep and giving them time on the ball is not the way for me.

I think the back 4 and front 3 is pretty easy to pick. Some of the fringe players have done well in recent games but it will be the tried and tested front 3 and with Lovren injured it will be Gomez to start alongside VVD. In midfield I think we'll play Hendo, Gino and Ox.

You would like to think energy levels are high for this one with some rotation over the last 3 games so I think we will press high for parts of the game for sure. I think that's the best way to approach this game, they are a dangerous side going forwards so sitting deep and giving them time on the ball is not the way for me.

Lovren trained today as normal i think?

Think we will play Hendo,Gini,Milner in midfield. I would go Mane,Origi,Salah up front. Has to be a degree of insurance, legs in midfield, pace and power up front.Bobby is obviously a clever player but I think Origi is now a serious alternative.I think Mane & Salah are in but Bobby needs to do more.

I get that he's not a conventional striker but I just think it's not enough to complement Mane & Salah.He has to command his place and I think he's not doing that so I would go with Origi who offers threat and presence accros the front line.

I'll pretend i didn't just read that and at the same time i'll pretend you are blind.

Klopp is not having all this Salzburg respect. I think he wants something emphatic.

We will need to rely on our experience and if we play up to our ability I think we will see our way through to the knockout stage. I expect they will come out guns blazing first 15-20 minutes so we can weather storm, control the game and get the opening goal we should see this through. The thing I think helps us is they play pretty open style which play right to our hands.

Team selection I think pretty straight forward besides who will join Hendo/Gini in the middle of the park (I think Klopp will rely on Milner) though curious see if Lovren if fit enough and if not sure he will have Gomez back in the middle.

----------------Alisson---------------
TAA------Lovren----VvD------Robbo
-----Milner-----Hendo----Gini-------
--Salah--------Firmino-------Mane--

Subs: Adrian, Gomez, Jones, Ketia, Ox, Shaqiri, Origi

We will need to rely on our experience and if we play up to our ability I think we will see our way through to the knockout stage. I expect they will come out guns blazing first 15-20 minutes so we can weather storm, control the game and get the opening goal we should see this through. The thing I think helps us is they play pretty open style which play right to our hands.

Team selection I think pretty straight forward besides who will join Hendo/Gini in the middle of the park (I think Klopp will rely on Milner) though curious see if Lovren if fit enough and if not sure he will have Gomez back in the middle.

----------------Alisson---------------
TAA------Lovren----VvD------Robbo
-----Milner-----Hendo----Gini-------
--Salah--------Firmino-------Mane--

Subs: Adrian, Gomez, Jones, Ketia, Ox, Shaqiri, Origi

I have a feeling that Shaq might start in place of Milner. Whoever plays we need a win to finish top of the group.

The team will be the 1st choice 11, or as near as at can be given the few injuries.

Rotated last 2 games for a reason.

Doing some last minute election canvassing so probably going to miss most, if not all of this game. Couple of early goals will do nicely so I'm not pulling my phone out every 30 seconds!

Not too bothered on whether we top the group or not, I'm confident we can dismantle any team in Europe over 2 legs so a draw would even be fine with me.

But I think (& certainly hope) today will be one of those games where we all look back and think "why the F**k were we even worrying?". Obviously there's a lot at stake if the unthinkable happens but this side has navigated so many "potential banana skins" over the past few years we should have complete confidence. Think we'll win by a decent margin

Difficult to predict a score line for this game. What counts is the Reds are through to the knockout stages, after tonight's encounter against Salzburg.

I know but we need to attack them, if not we will be a sitting duck with their hot and on fire teenager.

I won't even justify debating with you because that will be nowhere near the team.

But I will say just by throwing a load of attacking players onto a field does not make a team likely to be better in attack. Again its not FIFA.

Luckily Jürgen knows that too.

We have a team and patterns of play that have shown us to be incredibly good so far. I have 100% confidence that Jürgen and the boys will set up to nullify their threat and play to our attacking strengths. The lads in any configuration cannot play every game as if it was their last the way they are playing this season for me means they have so much more to give when the game dictates it. Cant see us doing anything but winning tonight.

When we play well, we pretty much walk all over anyone, so I predict that we're going to play well and walk over these.

0-3

Cant wait to see the team sheet for tonight. Jürgen has really shaken the quad up last couple of games 7 changes on Saturday how many tonight.
Watford Saturday with a new manager "bounce" but still Watford . Is the team tonight going to be in Jurgens mind his strongest line up or just one specifically for this game ?

Wouldn't say I've been dreading this one, but we've put ourselves in unnecessary peril here really. I think the only way out of it is to go with a strong team. Mane, Salah and Firmino up front, the only 4 defenders we have and although I doubted Milner would play yesterday, I think he has too, alongside Gini and Hendo.

If anyone is to break into the side I'm thinking Lallana for Milner, perhaps Origi for one of the front players.

All in all though we need to take this game very seriously now. Going into the Europa League is a headache we don't need.

Cant wait to see the team sheet for tonight. Jürgen has really shaken the quad up last couple of games 7 changes on Saturday how many tonight.
Watford Saturday with a new manager "bounce" but still Watford . Is the team tonight going to be in Jurgens mind his strongest line up or just one specifically for this game ?

You don't have to wait any longer Walton....here it is...

                        Alisson
      Trent Gomez Virgil Robbo
                      Henderson
           AOC                         GINI
                         Firmino
          Salah                      Mane

   Bench,  Adrian, Lovren, Milner, Keita,
                 Origi, Shaqiri, Jones.


Dangerous outfit this lot, no doubt their Toblerone levels will hit new heights by hosting the European Champions,  this could be a goal fest having seen how open the game at Anfield was, however there will be no Yodelling echoing through the Alps once the Mentality Monsters settle this tie and put the redbulls down & out, and  the only 'Sound of Music' will be the travelling Reds singing ' You'll never walk alone '


2-3 Mighty Redmen



YNWA

Fancy us to edge a win tonight. 2-1 Reds 👍

Good performance needed, whoever is selected for tonight's game. Win or draw no one wants to end up in the dreaded Europa League !

I'll pretend i didn't just read that and at the same time i'll pretend you are blind.

Oh..I thought Origi was now in contention for a regualar place...may be is wasn't him that scored two great goals against Everton.

Klopp might well start with the normal front 3. It wouldn't put me out but maybe it's against the rules on here to suggest an alternative attack.

I think you’ll see a Rolls-Royce performance for the Reds tonight..

They know what’s at stake, we’ll be ok..3-1.

Tough, but entertaining match on the cards by my reckoning.

A nervy 2 all draw with both sides spurning chances to win it.

A very tough game.  We will need to be clinical as both teams will get chances.  Dread playing in europa!

in terms of Eurpoa; to be honest i think Jürgen tried to throw the Carling Cup as well, but that backfired as he has motivtaed the whole team to super human level, so the idea of us trying to lose a game doesn't compute to the players given the jersey, which is exactly what we want as fans.

anyway, we will win this tonight - the players are not going to miss out on the potential to repeat May are they -

They may well score, but I think we will win by 2.

Thinking back to how they targeted Fabinho 2nd half in the first match, with some success, I'd be tempted to go 4231.

I think it's more likely to be a staggered 433 though.

in terms of Eurpoa; to be honest i think Jürgen tried to throw the Carling Cup as well, but that backfired as he has motivtaed the whole team to super human level, so the idea of us trying to lose a game doesn't compute to the players given the jersey, which is exactly what we want as fans.

anyway, we will win this tonight - the players are not going to miss out on the potential to repeat May are they -

They may well score, but I think we will win by 2.

If we beat Villa with our C team it would be bloody hilarious.

I won't even justify debating with you because that will be nowhere near the team.

But I will say just by throwing a load of attacking players onto a field does not make a team likely to be better in attack. Again its not FIFA.

Luckily Jürgen knows that too.

This is a forum and we obviously can discuss. I may have different opinion and that is what I think. I'm for sure not a professional manager and never will be but I honestly think that Firmino can play that position, he drops deep so he's not a stranger in that area.

Many newspapers 'How Liverpool can exit CL tonight ' but we won't give you the pleasure!

in terms of Eurpoa; to be honest i think Jürgen tried to throw the Carling Cup as well, but that backfired as he has motivtaed the whole team to super human level, so the idea of us trying to lose a game doesn't compute to the players given the jersey, which is exactly what we want as fans.

anyway, we will win this tonight - the players are not going to miss out on the potential to repeat May are they -

They may well score, but I think we will win by 2.

Tried to throw?

I won't be doing the Live thread since I'm off to shopping and will be home exactly for kick-off.

Nine months ago we traveled to Germany knowing we needed a result. It was one of our better performances of the year. That 1-3 victory over Bayern Munich showed me we have the squad and gaffer to overcome suck obstacles. Obstacles that once were our Achilles’ heel. 

I won't be doing the Live thread since I'm off to shopping and will be home exactly for kick-off.

I'm blaming you if...

So much more than just qualification resting on this game. If we lose and drop into the Europa, our league campaign becomes more difficult. If we were to not progress in the CL I’d sooner see us finish bottom than go into the Europa because typically teams in the Europa struggle, or certainly don’t compete in the league.

Trips to god knows where on a Thursday and then playing on the weekend is far from an ideal situation, especially when Leicester, who as it stands are our closest competitor have the luxury of a week to prepare for games.

Losing this match simply isn’t an option.

Many newspapers 'How Liverpool can exit CL tonight ' but we won't give you the pleasure!

noticed that too.

Allison

Trent
Lovren
VVD
Robbo

Hendo
Gini
Keita

Salah
Bobby
Mane

Confirmed.