Pre-Match: Norwich City v Liverpool (15th Feb 2020, 17:30 GMT)

Pardon the early start but am looking forward to seeing the first team again.

Like a lot of the teams we face in coming weeks, Norwich is facing relegation, although nobody is in more dire straits than the East Anglia side, dead last and 7 points from safety. Saying that, they do own a home win over Manchester City this season and their striker Teemu Pukki was the subject of an intense, one-man "Buy Him" campaign on our boards this season (no prize for guessing which poster).

On paper there is no question about the outcome, but as always, Jürgen will be making sure nothing is taken for granted.

I see in training today Sadio Mane and James Milner are back at it. The article I read said Shaqiri is the only player still missing, but in the pics posted on the official site I did not see Minamino involved. I wondered if maybe the bad weather caused issue with his travel plans.

Ya got the wrong kick off time its the 12.30 eastern,5.30 u.k time.Game is on NBC here.

Their only happy Suarez has buggered off...12 in 6..3 top hats..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8Kfc7dIcaA

Ya got the wrong kick off time its the 12.30 eastern,5.30 u.k time.Game is on NBC here.

Cheers. Fixed.

I told you I couldn't wait. 

If we play at 70% it will still be too much for them if we hit anything in the 90;s its going to be painful for Deliah.

Come on Delia, let's be having you...

Smash the cu*ts.

3 more down.

NB: Team no longer available

NB: Team no longer available

Would really surprise me if Gini doesn't play.

Should be an easy win if we turn up and are focused, need to watch out for Teemu though, hell of a player 😉

Always hate this break between games, especially when we are playing this well, always that concern of losing momentum.

Fab, Hendo and Keita midfield. Rest of the team picks itself.

Always hate this break between games, especially when we are playing this well, always that concern of losing momentum.

Fab, Hendo and Keita midfield. Rest of the team picks itself.

Would you expect Gini to return for Atletico then?

A win on the cards and another 3 points, with a win by a decent margin.

Hate these long break, seems to really disrupt our momentum. Wouldn't be surprised to see the boys come out of the blocks slowly and then ramp it up 2nd half and run a way with a comfortable win.

Will he risk Mane for two games in 72 hrs ?

Would you expect Gini to return for Atletico then?

Wouldn't surprise me. Of our midfielders in the last few games Gini has looked the most "off". Probably not the right word for it, just hasn't been playing as well as Hendo and Ox, looked more in need of a rest than them and I think Keita in his cameo's since his injury has looked sharper too and deserves the start. Just think we are likely to start Keita with Hendo and Fab because he looks so sharp and as though his form is going to carry on from before he got injured. Norwich is the perfect game to get him back starting IMO.

I didn't realise we had Atletico on Tuesday, I though it was the week after, which is why I said the rest of the team picks itself, so maybe them 3 and Ox or Gini will start too with Mane coming on from the bench and then starting Tuesday. Ox did finally look a lot more natural in that forward position vs Saints so maybe we will look to carry that on into the Norwich game. There shouldn't be any need to try and rush Mane with a massive game just days later.

Difficult decisions in the next week really (difficult to guess - Klopp's got an abundance of riches).  Normally I would have expected him to maybe leave Fabinho out v Norwich, and play him v Atletico.

But the last I saw of Fab he wasn't back up to his usual standard. 

So because of that I reckon Fabinho and Keita in the starting line up v Norwich - leaves two of the three, Hendo, Ox and Gini to go to Atletico fresh, perhaps? 

Having a break has been a worry before but the lads have been dealing with it a lot better in recent times.

Think it will be comfortable in the end and they must hate playing us, always putting a few past them. Same again 0-3

Wouldnt want anyone starting Tuesday not to play some part Saturday been 2 weeks since last game more than enough time to be rested . Mane is the only one who may need easing in

I am looking forward to us making birdseed out of those canaries.We will be far too strong for them and the lads will be raring to go after the break.

Jürgen loves continuation so i’m guessing he’ll give most of his team for Atleti a run out against Norwich.

Alisson
Trent
Gomez
VVD
Milner

Fabinho
Henderson
Ox

Salah
Origi
Bobby

Mané, Lallana and Keita probably the planned subs.

Start well and crush them out of the game by half time.

Hope I'm wrong but it might be a game too early for Mane, last thing we want is to rush him back and he relapses putting him out for the Atleti game's, id ease him back in off the bench,

Of course we're gonna win this,  only question is how many, el pistolero terrorised these , bagging a hat-trick of hat-tricks back in the day, So I'd absolutely have a hard-on if Mo got a triple against them too,

Someone is due a right f***in battering from us, we've had our wee mini break but now we are chomping at the bit, starved of game time ,totally refreshed,
 
Poor old Norwich.


0-5 Champions


YNWA

Jürgen loves continuation so i’m guessing he’ll give most of his team for Atleti a run out against Norwich.

Alisson
Trent
Gomez
VVD
Milner

Fabinho
Henderson
Ox

Salah
Origi
Bobby

Mané, Lallana and Keita probably the planned subs.

Start well and crush them out of the game by half time.

Is Robbo injured?

Is Robbo injured?

He's not injured, I guess they just didn't include him.

He's not injured, I guess they just didn't include him.

If he's not injured, he plays, as good as Milner is I'd chose Robbo over him at LB every time.

If he's not injured, he plays, as good as Milner is I'd chose Robbo over him at LB every time.

Milner needs games, Jürgen will want him for the next few months and he probably won’t get thrown in to the midfield first-up. Good way to ease him back and let Robbo take care of himself - he had an ankle knock not long ago and then proceeded to play every meaningful fixture. No idea if he’s still carrying that but 🤷🏻‍♂️

Robbo starts in everyone’s preferred XI if we’re going full strength.

From memory we are usually a little rusty after a long break. Takes us a while to find our 'rhythm' as Jürgen calls it and then late on in games a few players start to feel it and tire.

Norwich a funny old team because they can play some good stuff but haven't picked up anywhere near the points of yard dog teams like Villa and Newcastle. They put in a good display against us but we beat them easily on the scoreline in the first game of the season and I think this one could be similar.

I'm expecting chances either end, but with us having better players across the board I think in a game where they may go toe to toe with us, we should after 90 minutes come out with 3 or 4 goals.

That being said any win will do!!

Hope I'm wrong but it might be a game too early for Mane, last thing we want is to rush him back and he relapses putting him out for the Atleti game's, id ease him back in off the bench,

Of course we're gonna win this,  only question is how many, el pistolero terrorised these , bagging a hat-trick of hat-tricks back in the day, So I'd absolutely have a hard-on if Mo got a triple against them too,

Someone is due a right f***in battering from us, we've had our wee mini break but now we are chomping at the bit, starved of game time ,totally refreshed,
 
Poor old Norwich.


0-5 Champions


YNWA

I could see Mane beginning the game on the bench, with an eye toward him playing 20-30 minutes as a lead-in to starting vs. Atletico Madrid. MAYBE Jürgen does that with a few others with an eye toward Tuesday and playing a  third game in a week the following weekend.

But full strength Saturday wouldn't surprise me either.

Would expect Jürgen to have an eye on Athletico.
So could be a few changes to the 'normal' starting XI.
We need to keep winning in the PL sure, but for the away CL tie we need to go strong.
These are good problems, balancing the PL and CL

Milner needs games, Jürgen will want him for the next few months and he probably won’t get thrown in to the midfield first-up. Good way to ease him back and let Robbo take care of himself - he had an ankle knock not long ago and then proceeded to play every meaningful fixture. No idea if he’s still carrying that but 🤷🏻‍♂️

Robbo starts in everyone’s preferred XI if we’re going full strength.

So you rest Robbo for Athletico at which point he hasn't played for 2.5 weeks, risky!

Would expect Jürgen to have an eye on Athletico.
So could be a few changes to the 'normal' starting XI.
We need to keep winning in the PL sure, but for the away CL tie we need to go strong.
These are good problems, balancing the PL and CL

are you suggesting players need more of a rest after a 2 week break?

I say play full strength here and against Atletico and if need be rest some players against our next victims at Anfield.

are you suggesting players need more of a rest after a 2 week break?

Guess you look and see who's the tougher opponent and plan accordingly - given its 2 matches in 4 days, might not be the same team in both.  But lets see what Jürgen decides, he general gets it right.

Guess you look and see who's the tougher opponent and plan accordingly - given its 2 matches in 4 days, might not be the same team in both.  But lets see what Jürgen decides, he general gets it right.

I have 100% faith in Jürgen and the coaching staff on this.

Would really surprise me if Gini doesn't play.

We need him for the Champions League.

Feel some sympathy for Norwich. started the season so well.


Its the Premier League though and its ruthless.


Reds to keep rolling.

So you rest Robbo for Athletico at which point he hasn't played for 2.5 weeks, risky!

It’s not rest. It’s finding minutes for Milner.

Probably the best option is to give Millie and Robbo a half each, and the same with Fab, Hendo, Gini Ox, and Mane Minamino.
That way, the pre injured players get eased in rather than rushed in, and everyone get time to shake off the cobwebs prior to Atletico in the week.


I’ll let Jürgen know 🤣

Klopp will go full strength, no mucking about.

100% fit squad, all rested all firing ready for final leg of season.

Said above, were due to give someone a doing, Norwich could be done by 5 or 6 saturday,

3 points is all I want 😁

Norwich aren't as bad as they have points. They have been very unlucky with struggling to score when being on top...Will be tough game.

What is with this weather warnings for saturday?

It’s not rest. It’s finding minutes for Milner.

So you weaken the team just to accommodate Milner, how odd? BTW if we are 4-0 up with 15 minutes to play then I'd be ok with giving James a few minutes, but certainly not starting him and I'd much prefer him to play in midfield than LB.

I think some on here are in danger of underestimating Norwich, I think this match could be a potential banana skin if we are to cavalier and complacent about it, its certainly not a game for experimentation after a 2 week break where we might be a bit rusty.

Norwich aren't as bad as they have points. They have been very unlucky with struggling to score when being on top...Will be tough game.

What is with this weather warnings for saturday?

Another storm is on the way, Storm Dennis - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-weather-storm-dennis-ciara-met-office-forecast-travel-flood-rain-a9330576.html. It's not expected to be as bad as Ciara was, though.

Difficult decisions in the next week really (difficult to guess - Klopp's got an abundance of riches).  Normally I would have expected him to maybe leave Fabinho out v Norwich, and play him v Atletico.

But the last I saw of Fab he wasn't back up to his usual standard. 

So because of that I reckon Fabinho and Keita in the starting line up v Norwich - leaves two of the three, Hendo, Ox and Gini to go to Atletico fresh, perhaps? 

Fresh or rusty given the time off? I would play the full team that he intends to play Atletico with bar maybe Mane. We can then sub off three of these in the second half.

Could be a bit of a tricky one. They've got have the capability to play some good stuff as they did against City earlier in the season. Also at that stage where teams down the bottom end seem to find an extra 5-10% as they're fighting for their lives to stay up.

That being said we always bladder Norwich. They've got a much more attacking style of play than what you'd expect of teams at the bottom end of the table so it's a possibility we could really open them up and hit them for a few

Will just be happy with the 3 points via any means

NB: Team no longer available

Personally think we’ll see something like this but wouldn’t be surprised if Klopp slots someone else in place of one of the full-backs and obviously midfield is anyone’s guess.

its going to be hard to get into the midfield now with competition high exactly as it should be. An early goal would be brilliant but this team has so many ways to win a game its almost impossible to say who will be the match winner this week.

So you weaken the team just to accommodate Milner, how odd? BTW if we are 4-0 up with 15 minutes to play then I'd be ok with giving James a few minutes, but certainly not starting him and I'd much prefer him to play in midfield than LB.

Okay.

I think some on here are in danger of underestimating Norwich, I think this match could be a potential banana skin if we are to cavalier and complacent about it, its certainly not a game for experimentation after a 2 week break where we might be a bit rusty.

They're seven points off safety and we're without peer

I think Klopp will play pretty much most of the guys he plans on using for the game in Madrid. Just coming off break there shouldn't be much issue with fitness playing two games in quick succession and they will get their rest if needed when we play West Ham. Given the way Norwich play I wonder if they will do what Soton tried which is try to take the game to us and press us and leave us with lots of space to attack (if we are prepared for it), pretty much a nothing to lose situation given they look most likely to finish bottom of the league.

Line-up pretty much settled, if Mane is fit enough I would start him and give em 60 minutes to shake some rust off him and would continue with Ox in the middle over Fabinho given recent form.

---------------Alisson----------------
TAA-----Gomez-----VvD-----Robbo
-----Ox------Hendo------Gini-------
--Salah-----Firmino---------Mane--

Subs: Adrian, Lovren, Matip, Fabinho, Ketia, Minamino, Origi

I think Mane misses out but makes the bench and I think Fab plays one or the other and not both of these games.

Another storm is on the way, Storm Dennis - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/uk-weather-storm-dennis-ciara-met-office-forecast-travel-flood-rain-a9330576.html. It's not expected to be as bad as Ciara was, though.

Who's afraid of the storm? I've a tip for you.

When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high and don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm, there's a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.
Walk on through the wind. Walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on. Walk on with hope in your heart, and you'll never walk alone. You'll never walk alone.

It seems an age since we last played.

Strongest team possible, get the game won ASAP then make changes ready for Atleti.

YNWA

It seems an age since we last played.

Strongest team possible, get the game won ASAP then make changes ready for Atleti.

YNWA

Just hope we are sharp & up to speed ..

Just hope we are sharp & up to speed ..

In fairness there is no reason we should be any less sharp than Norwich, who have had the same break, it might be a bit of a scrappy game but I'm fairly confident we'll get it won, hopefully by a healthy margin.

What about:

Adrian
Williams, Matip, Lovren, Milner
Lallana, Keita, Ox
Minamino, Origi, Jones

Then 11 changes for Atletico?

 

All the Lads look really well rested and raring to go,
Cant wait its felt like a summer break not a winter one. Just been watching Luis scoring against Norwich...what a scoring beast he was.

Every time I think of Norwich, can't help but think Of Luis    ....he F***ing tormented them and I have a massive feeling Sadio is going to do the same this weekend.

What about:

Adrian
Williams, Matip, Lovren, Milner
Lallana, Keita, Ox
Minamino, Origi, Jones

Then 11 changes for Atletico?

 

no, players cant go into the atletico game without playing a match in 2 and a half weeks, full strength saturday.

no, players cant go into the atletico game without playing a match in 2 and a half weeks, full strength saturday.

I don't think Jürgen takes "risks" he will want to see his players are game ready for Athletico and if all goes well sub them later on.
This is a perfect game to get back up to speed after a break.

looking at the forecast I wouldn't be at all surprised if its called off. Norwich is going to get 60mph winds at 5pm you cant play football in that.
The safety of the travelling fans is also a factor but hopefully if it is off they announce it early enough before they start making their Journey.

No Olympics decision yet on Salah
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp starts by providing an update on the chances of Mohamed Salah representing Egypt at the Tokyo Olympics this summer.

He said: "Do I want to lose a player during pre-season? Of course not. But we have to consider different things.

"We need more information. How would it look? When will preparation start? Nobody has really contacted us so far. So no decision made yet but we'll see."

Posted at 11:1711:17
Tokyo 2020 decision with Liverpool & Salah - Egypt boss

Liverpool

Earlier this week we reported on how Egypt coach Shawky Gharib said that Mohamed Salah's potential involvement at Tokyo 2020 will be a decision for the player and his club Liverpool.

The forward, 27, is on Egypt's provisional 50-man list for the football tournament, which will hold its final on 8 August - the first day of the 2020-21 Premier League season.

"We cannot force Salah to participate with us," Gharib told Reuters.

The tournament is for under-23 teams but three over-age players are allowed.

Posted at 11:2311:23
Klopp's not underestimating Canaries
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Liverpool

It's top versus bottom at Carrow Road on Saturday but Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp will be taking nothing for granted.

He said: "People think it will be easy because they don't really think about it and they only watch the table but we know about the problems we can have - and we know about the problems we can cause them as well."

11:27
'Make this game the most important of our lives'
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Jürgen Klopp is still only focused on the next game rather than entertaining title talk. That's worked pretty well for Liverpool so far so why change now?

"Norwich is obviously my first concern," said the German boss. "We have prepared ourselves since Monday for this game. We didn't speak about anything else.

"We have no other chance than to make this game the most important game of our lives. Play it on Saturday and try with all we have to win it."

Posted at 11:3111:31
Klopp pleased with mid-season break
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp added: "We sent players all over the world, we wanted them really to rest. I can see a difference in training.

"But it's not about seeing a difference against Norwich, it's about using this time for rest and recovery."

Posted at 11:3511:35
Mane & Milner in contention
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

With Sadio Mane and James Milner having recovered from injury, Jürgen Klopp has no qualms about putting them straight back in at Carrow Road.

"Of course they are in contention," he said. "It looks like - and I hope it stays like this - apart from [Xherdan] Shaqiri, [Nathaniel] Clyne and [Paul] Glatzel, all players are in training."

Posted at 11:3811:38
Playing through pain is normal - Klopp
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Jürgen Klopp feels the mid-season break came at a good time, after a busy festive period, given the condition of his players.

"I was a player myself," he said. "When I look back it feels like I played through 80% of the time with pain. Nobody appreciated that because I played still bad so it didn't help. Nobody asked then.

"It is completely normal for a professional football player to play through pain. That's how it is.

"After that long period in December-January, there was no player in the squad who had no pain. Everybody had something."

Posted at 11:4511:45
Klopp's an admirer of the Canaries' football
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Like Jürgen Klopp, Norwich boss Daniel Farke coached at Borussia Dortmund before heading to England.

"I really admire that Norwich stick to their principles," Klopp added. "It's really good football, super coaching. You can see all the patterns on the pitch, all the movements - that's from the training ground.

"They've caused 95% of all teams real problems. They've lost a lot of these games, that's why they're in the situation they are, but for me, on the outside, it looks like a club that really sticks together."

Posted at 11:5411:54
'It was a good warning for us'
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Jürgen Klopp remembers the impressive performance of Daniel Farke's side in the opening game of the season, when the Canaries took the game to Liverpool but ultimately lost.

He said: "We scored four, they scored one, but they had much more chances in that game. That's what we have to think about.

"It was a really good warning and a good start in the season for us. It was early and we were not that consistent at that time."

The Liverpool boss added: "Now both teams are in a different situation but we will feel the quality of Norwich and we have to make sure they feel our quality."

11:56
A dream preparation week for Klopp
Norwich v Liverpool (Sat, 17:30 GMT)

Jürgen Klopp said: "The dream of a manager is to have a full week to prepare for a game. You have intense training sessions which you normally cannot have. Usually the most intense session is the game.

"So we use that week, we train hard. You don't really lose anything. You find your own rhythm again."

looking at the forecast I wouldn't be at all surprised if its called off. Norwich is going to get 60mph winds at 5pm you cant play football in that.
The safety of the travelling fans is also a factor but hopefully if it is off they announce it early enough before they start making their Journey.

hmm yes, I just saw that, that would be really sh*t and put us in a big disadvantage going into the Ateltico match.

Can't see it being called off. Yellow warning isn't too bad, games have been played in similar & even harsher conditions in the not too distant past. Quality of football will probably be worse than we're used to but that's about it

Can't see it being called off. Yellow warning isn't too bad, games have been played in similar & even harsher conditions in the not too distant past. Quality of football will probably be worse than we're used to but that's about it

Yeah, it looks like it'll affect East Anglia less than Ciara did - https://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2020-02-13/wind-warning-storm-dennis-arrives-this-weekend-what-it-means-for-the-anglia-region/.

its not necessarily what happens in and around the ground (but 60-70mph wind means football is impossible ) its travelling fans having to endure dangerous driving conditions and tomorrow is just awful.  I hope I am wrong but elf and safety rules these days

no, players cant go into the atletico game without playing a match in 2 and a half weeks, full strength saturday.

Wasn't really serious. It might be 11 other players entirely.

3 gusty points please..

Let’s be avin you..

We'll just have to keep the ball on the ground and pass it not the long ball hoof sh*te we normally do.

And if it'is a bit gusty what are the odds on Alisson scoring tomorrow?

its not necessarily what happens in and around the ground (but 60-70mph wind means football is impossible ) its travelling fans having to endure dangerous driving conditions and tomorrow is just awful.  I hope I am wrong but elf and safety rules these days

You could be right Walt.  The local forecast here is it is not supposed to get bad until late evening.
But we know how often they get it wrong.
Would be sods law as I have a ticket for this and it's in with the travelling Kop.

Fingers crossed mate these things can take their own path. Hope you get to the game and see the Reds march on

Think i'm gonna do a lunchtime session at the pub for this been a while.

Weather and the two week break will make this a very tricky one.

Weather and the two week break will make this a very tricky one.

Is it definitely on?

Is it definitely on?

I think it would have been called off by now so probably.

Fingers crossed everything goes according to plan today with the difficult weather conditions to take into consideration...I'm just hoping there's no beach balls in evidence 

I'm expecting a full strength team apart from maybe Mane missing, possibly on the bench or keep him for Tuesday, maybe keeping the Ox in his place.

Anything could happen with these winds though but hoping for a decent few goals and another sweet 3 points.

Come on you mighty redmen as we march onto the title.

Fingers crossed everything goes according to plan today with the difficult weather conditions to take into consideration...I'm just hoping there's no beach balls in evidence 

I'm expecting a full strength team apart from maybe Mane missing, possibly on the bench or keep him for Tuesday, maybe keeping the Ox in his place.

Anything could happen with these winds though but hoping for a decent few goals and another sweet 3 points.

Come on you mighty redmen as we march onto the title.

Forecast rain and winds of about 32MPH. Make sure any back passes have enough on them but generally the stadium might knock 8-10 MPH off the wind. Wet & Windy...0-6.

So glad to have the team back in action today. 135 minutes and we're watching Liverpool!

cold and sunny in Boston i'm off out.WE SHALL NOT.WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!!