Pre match: Liverpool v Sheffield United: 2 Jan. 2020: KO 20:00 GMT

I started using the team builder but honestly, I have no idea what Jürgen will do. Team looked exhausted at the end today and I'm sure all sorts of alarm bells are ringing for the sports science people.

I know some will say play the strongest team and then rotate for the Cup match (others would say never rotate - but it's not realistic).

To me the game Thursday just comes too soon for a lot of players. I would think both fullbacks (all defenders) and at least two of the midfielders from today (Hendo and Gini) need a break, probably all three starting forwards as well.

But then so many of the guys who might come in for these players, Fabinho, Lovren, Matip, Ox and now Shaqiri, are out. That leaves Jürgen's "adult backups" like Milner, Lallana, Origi to come in and spell someone. Will Jürgen dare use younger, really U23 players, like Neco Williams, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott in a Premier League match? Even if he does he would still have to retain at least 5 players in the lineup vs. Blades.

Should be quite an interesting week at Melwood, and as someone suggested on the Wolves' thread, we might not train more than once before the game.

First game of a new decade.

What say ye?
 

I started using the team builder but honestly, I have no idea what Jürgen will do. Team looked exhausted at the end today and I'm sure all sorts of alarm bells are ringing for the sports science people.

I know some will say play the strongest team and then rotate for the Cup match (others would say never rotate - but it's not realistic).

To me the game Thursday just comes too soon for a lot of players. I would think both fullbacks (all defenders) and at least two of the midfielders from today (Hendo and Gini) need a break, probably all three starting forwards as well.

But then so many of the guys who might come in for these players, Fabinho, Lovren, Matip, Ox and now Shaqiri, are out. That leaves Jürgen's "adult backups" like Milner, Lallana, Origi to come in and spell someone. Will Jürgen dare use younger, really U23 players, like Neco Williams, Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott in a Premier League match? Even if he does he would still have to retain at least 5 players in the lineup vs. Blades.

Should be quite an interesting week at Melwood, and as someone suggested on the Wolves' thread, we might not train more than once before the game.

First game of a new decade.

What say ye?
 

I think its very hard to tell and will be judged in training and by the sports scientists. We do have 4 days now until the next game which should be enough recovery time for most of the players. I think its very important we play as strong a side as possible versus Sheffield, they are a tricky team, just like Wolves, and we want to start the new year with good momentum. We can then rest players against the Bitters, they will also have to either rest players or start some seriously tired players, remember that  its been a gruelling December for all teams, not just us. One extra bonus for the Bitters match is that we will have an extra player available, Minamino.

Only name I've got as a definite is Milner, but then again I had him down yesterday and he didnt start! It remains to be seen if that is in defence or midfield, but Jürgen may want to rest a full back.

I think Alisson, Van Dijk, Gomez, Milner,  Keita and Origi will all start, the rest will be made up of who is in best shape out of the 2 full backs, 2 of the front 3 and Hendo or Gini.

Only the management will know who that is at this point.

Be nice to have Minamino to add into the mix very soon too.

Think we play the same back-5 and they get a break for Sunday's derby. Sheffield with their 3-5-2 will do well to restrict our full backs, so we'll have to play through the middle a lot, where Keita and Lallana come in. Mane to start this with Mo and Bobby on the bench.

Origi
Mane Lallana Shaq
Milner Keita
Robbo Virgil Gomez Trent
Alisson

Subs: Adrian, Neco, Nat?, Hendo, Gini, Bobby, Mo

lot will depend on how some players recover. It's a 4 day break and that extra days rest can make a difference. Keita was asurprise omission for the Wolves game. It's the front three who looked the most jaded. Mane truely is a great athlete so he might team him up with Origi. Salah always wants to play but if Shag is fit he might rest Mo.

On the other hand the Boss might play his perceived best line up and give most a break till Spurs away.

All I’ve noticed about these is, they play the age old tactic of ‘third man running’ if you hold a high line, which we do.
Almost got caught at their place with that. I’m sure our coaching staff noticed if I did. Still need to be aware.
Other than that, strongest side to start, and see how it goes.
By strongest I mean healthiest as well as most talented.

All I’ve noticed about these is, they play the age old tactic of ‘third man running’ if you hold a high line, which we do.
Almost got caught at their place with that. I’m sure our coaching staff noticed if I did. Still need to be aware.
Other than that, strongest side to start, and see how it goes.
By strongest I mean healthiest as well as most talented.

what do you mean by "third man running"?

4 days of rest is ample for today's modern athletes,  with virtually no training required apart from tactical and set pieces work, Obviously a full week would be better but 4 days is enough time for the re-charging of batteries ,

So really I don't see Jürgen making 5,6,7, changes for the 'Blades match, he might tho for the worth F**k all cup tie against that worthless pile of sh*te from Woodison, but then again losing to them Kunts would be majorly embarrassing,
The league takes precedence every time so I can see a full fittest X1 as possible against Sheffield U,

                            Allison
          Trent Gomez Virgil Robbo
                        Henderson
               Keita                    Gini
             Salah   Firmino    Mane

Start 2020 as we mean to go on,  beating everyone we face, all the way to May , including CL opponents ,

The pundits &  media all reckon City are the best side since air was put in a football,  let's make them think about that again,  winning the League, the super cup, the Club World cup and back to back Champions league will go a lot of the way to convince them.

Liverpool FC..Best Club on the planet!


YNWA
                           
               

Think we play the same back-5 and they get a break for Sunday's derby. Sheffield with their 3-5-2 will do well to restrict our full backs, so we'll have to play through the middle a lot, where Keita and Lallana come in. Mane to start this with Mo and Bobby on the bench.

Origi
Mane Lallana Shaq
Milner Keita
Robbo Virgil Gomez Trent
Alisson

Subs: Adrian, Neco, Nat?, Hendo, Gini, Bobby, Mo

Shaq is out for 7-10 days, per Klopp on the official site.

Think we will see a different Liverpool on Thursday we did well to come away with a win yesterday but it wasn't our fault they couldn't hit a barn door from 10 paces. I don't know what Mane is running on he has hardly had a break in 2 years now so pleased he got his goal.
A few days off to gather their thoughts and they will be ready for the fight again

I’ve not had a break from training for 33 days, I’m sure these lads can handle it.

As billy said strongest available lineup and that may involve 2/3 changes. Milner and Keita I reckon with Origi a possibility.

I’ve not had a break from training for 33 days, I’m sure these lads can handle it.

As billy said strongest available lineup and that may involve 2/3 changes. Milner and Keita I reckon with Origi a possibility.

Those along with Lallana are about the only adult subs left among outfield players.

Those along with Lallana are about the only adult subs left among outfield players.

Oh well there we go. I’m sure I seen someone mention 6/7 changes.

Oh well there we go. I’m sure I seen someone mention 6/7 changes.

Sure I did. But it would have to involve Neco Williams, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones to get to that number.

I just feel like it's asking too much to run the same group, or most of it, out again. But if James Pearce is accurate that is most likely what Jürgen does (your 2/3 changes).

I guess I was hoping for giving the FA Cup a go this season but apparently it will be treated similarly to the League Cup (only we have fewer veteran players to rotate in, so more kids than the Arsenal match).

In the end I'm great with whatever Jürgen does.

            Allison

TAA  Gomez VVD Milner
           
                Lallana

Salah Jones Keita Origi
 
            Firmino


It is a difficult one with our squad being so stretched.  I think we should make room for Jones or and Nico Williams. Minimum they should be playing off the bench.  They both played well against Arsenal and missed out against Villa.  Yes the next game is only a few days away.  But agree with Robby we should try to make the Cup team a little stronger than the league cup.   

For the Sheffield game I think milner wijnaldum and hendo is the midfield to go with. Can we drop mo or mane and play origi too?

I think Jürgen will go pretty much full strength and ask the boys to go once more before we make loads of changes for the FA Cup game.

what do you mean by "third man running"?

It may be known by different terminology now heimdall, but I’m an old creaky 😁
It’s quite simple, but very very effective.
Midfielder plays the ball up to a striker who turns and has his back to goal, lays the ball right back to the midfielder, who instantly lays it forward to a second striker or attacking midfielder, who has already started his run between the defenders, who are already picking up opposing attackers in the move.
It’s pacey, direct and gives you a free running player, on side, breaking the defensive line.

Horrible to defend against when it’s played right, and Utd broke through us a couple of times at theirs using it. It’s a bit outdated now, but so so effective when sprung unexpectedly.

Have ended up going to a few United games given that I live here and got a few mates with tickets.

They are a very decent outfit. Expect us to make changes and hopefully we’ll have  enough still to see them off.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Curtis Jones get a start.

Have ended up going to a few United games given that I live here and got a few mates with tickets.

They are a very decent outfit. Expect us to make changes and hopefully we’ll have  enough still to see them off.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Curtis Jones get a start.

Agree man, I live in the city too agree they are definitely are a good team at the moment. 

I think its very hard to tell and will be judged in training and by the sports scientists. We do have 4 days now until the next game which should be enough recovery time for most of the players. I think its very important we play as strong a side as possible versus Sheffield, they are a tricky team, just like Wolves, and we want to start the new year with good momentum. We can then rest players against the Bitters, they will also have to either rest players or start some seriously tired players, remember that  its been a gruelling December for all teams, not just us. One extra bonus for the Bitters match is that we will have an extra player available, Minamino.

But when I pointed out, 4 days ago, that these 2 games V Wolves and Sheff U would be difficult...you said we'd only need to be at 75%. I mean I generally respect your opinion and I'm sure you meant we would win both games and I think we will but we'll need to be 100%.

It may be known by different terminology now heimdall, but I’m an old creaky 😁
It’s quite simple, but very very effective.
Midfielder plays the ball up to a striker who turns and has his back to goal, lays the ball right back to the midfielder, who instantly lays it forward to a second striker or attacking midfielder, who has already started his run between the defenders, who are already picking up opposing attackers in the move.
It’s pacey, direct and gives you a free running player, on side, breaking the defensive line.

Horrible to defend against when it’s played right, and Utd broke through us a couple of times at theirs using it. It’s a bit outdated now, but so so effective when sprung unexpectedly.

Every team in the league has players putting blind side runs in. Runs off the shoulder or from deep with others doing dummy runs. It's a matter of timing. But your right to illustrate the importance of OFF THE BALL play. I said many years ago that Liverpool should employ a specialist OFF THE BALL coach. With our pace we have the means to get in front of the last man from an onside position. So many aspects to off the ball play that I hope we do specialist work on it. I'd be surprised if we didn't.

Such a pity we got Everton in the cup the one year I wouldn’t want to get them is in the middle of a title charge, he could get one last 90 minutes out of the first team regulars Thursday if we had gotten a burton Albion or a Colchester or a grimsby unfortunately I think he’ll go half a team vs Sheffield United on Thursday and the other half against Everton.