Pre-Match: Ajax v Liverpool (CL Group Stage Game 1 - Wed 21st Oct 8pm)

Start this up just to get away from injury talk etc..

Ajax 4 time European cup winners. Inventors of total football. Creators of some of the most tecnically gifted players over the past 50 years. First up for us in our bid for title number 7.

A huge European tie sadly being played in an empty stadium. Considering the history and pedigree of the 2 clubs we have only met once before in Europe. December 1966 we got a 5 1 hiding off them in the fog. Shanks said afterwards t"he tie is not over yet we will win easily we will smash at least 7 goals. Ajax played defensively" The 2nd leg was 2-2

The 5-1 lioss remains our biggest defeat in Europe

We go into the tie without Virgil, Alisson, Keita, Chamberlain and possibily Thiago.

Possible line up

                    Adrian
Trent   Matip    Gomez  Robbo

            Hendo Fab Gini

          Mo    Bobby  Mane

I would be tempted to play 4 in midfield. Hendo in front of back 4 with Fab,Giny and Milner with Mo & Sadio up top. Bobby to sit this one out.

                          Adrian
            Trent, Matip,Gomez,Robbo
                          Hendo
                    Fab,Milner,Giny
                       Salah,Mane.

Not sure Matip will make this and Keita should make bench . If Fab has to play CB would be Gini , Thiago and Hendo . Jota in for Bobby also

Adrian
Trent Gomez Fabinho Robbo
Keita Hendo Gini
Salah Jota Mane

Shouldn't underestimate this ajax team, not as good as the last couple of years but have some players like.tadic, promes plus a couple of the new guys like Anthony and kudus in midfield who looks excellent

What ever happens, I love watching this team! Can’t wait

5-1.... I bet this place was fuming after the game. Shanks out!

This will be tough. Ajax away always is. Our defence needs to improve, we have shipped into many sloppy goals this season already.

But I think we will prevail. I said everton would end 2-2 in the pre match thread and I will say we will win this 3-1.
Matip went for a scan after the Everton game so it will be interesting if klopp starts him or takes an extra precaution...


Team I would go for is

Adrian
TAA
Robertson
Matip or Fabinho
Gomez

Henderson
Milner
Wijnandum

Salah
Mane
Jota

I would give bobby a break. He’s not firing at all at the minute.

Tough call defensively for obvious reasons, do we try a Gomez/Fabinho or  Matip/ Fabinho combo or go with a Gomez/Matip more natural but yet untried pairing ?

I think it will depend if Thiago is fit, if he plays I think Fab will play with Matip with a midfield trio of Hendo, Thiago and either Naby or Gini, if Thiago is out I'd play Gomez/Matip with Hendo, Fabinho & Keita,  and a top three of Mo, Mane & Bobby,
                            Adrian
            Trent Matip Fabinho Robbo
                Hendo   Thiago    Gini
                Salah    Bobby    Mane

  Bench; Kelleher, Gomez, Milner,  Naby,
              Jota, Jones, Origi.

Think we'll see something like this assuming Thiago makes it, Matip over Gomez gives us slightly more experience and is more assure imo,  Fabinho played well there V Chavs so no reason he can't again this time, we all hope Thiago plays but it's doubtful, anyhoo, I think we'll be to strong for them whoever plays, their a decent side but no where near our quality,  if we play anywhere near our best I don't see anything other than a convincing victory for the Redmen.



                                         YNWA

Tough call defensively for obvious reasons, do we try a Gomez/Fabinho or  Matip/ Fabinho combo or go with a Gomez/Matip more natural but yet untried pairing ?

I think it will depend if Thiago is fit, if he plays I think Fab will play with Matip with a midfield trio of Hendo, Thiago and either Naby or Gini, if Thiago is out I'd play Gomez/Matip with Hendo, Fabinho & Keita,  and a top three of Mo, Mane & Bobby,
                            Adrian
            Trent Matip Fabinho Robbo
                Hendo   Thiago    Gini
                Salah    Bobby    Mane

  Bench; Kelleher, Gomez, Milner,  Naby,
              Jota, Jones, Origi.

Think we'll see something like this assuming Thiago makes it, Matip over Gomez gives us slightly more experience and is more assure imo,  Fabinho played well there V Chavs so no reason he can't again this time, we all hope Thiago plays but it's doubtful, anyhoo, I think we'll be to strong for them whoever plays, their a decent side but no where near our quality,  if we play anywhere near our best I don't see anything other than a convincing victory for the Redmen.



                                         YNWA

Almost certain Thiago is out for this one. I think Jürgen will keep Joel Mario out as well, so Fab and Joe should work out OK.

I'm going to swerve it on the midfield and say He do, Gini and Curtis Jones. Front three will go unchanged is my guess

What ever happens, I love watching this team! Can’t wait

Love this post and completely agree. Remember how long we had to go without being able to see the Reds play?  Miserable days.

Somebody in the derby thread announced they wouldn't be watching anymore this season. I hope for his own sake he reconsiders. I get the sense of outrage after being wronged, but surely it's the journey as much as the outcome that makes this club so wonderful to be a part of. I wouldn't miss it for the world

A really tough game to predict, it looks like Ajax have started well in their league, but then so have we, with the exception of Aston Villa. Against Everton we were back to playing really good football and I have no doubt that if Virgil had not got injured we would have beaten the Bitters with ease, even without him we beat them until the corrupt VAR officials robbed us.

I think we will win, but I think it will be quite tight

A good test to see how the team respond to the bombshell of losing VVD.

Field strongest team available, could be a tough game away to Ajax. Still confident of starting our European campaign with an away victory !

Just want to add.

This would have been a superb away game to go to! Amsterdam's the only place I managed to get to in 2020!

Just want to add.

This would have been a superb away game to go to! Amsterdam's the only place I managed to get to in 2020!

Did you go dutch !

They've lost a few players since getting to the semi finals a few seasons ago but you know with Ajax they will know how to play the game.

I dont think they will pose a physical threat so Joe has got half a chance of putting in a decent display, but winning here will be far from easy.

I'd take a point.

Love this post and completely agree. Remember how long we had to go without being able to see the Reds play?  Miserable days.

Somebody in the derby thread announced they wouldn't be watching anymore this season. I hope for his own sake he reconsiders. I get the sense of outrage after being wronged, but surely it's the journey as much as the outcome that makes this club so wonderful to be a part of. I wouldn't miss it for the world

Aye just got to dust yourself down and go again really. We may or may not with trophies this season that much is yet to be decided but you cant beat the highs and lows of supporting this club.

Aye just got to dust yourself down and go again really. We may or may not with trophies this season that much is yet to be decided but you cant beat the highs and lows of supporting this club.

"It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." Lets show the naysayers that our season is far from over!

Aye just got to dust yourself down and go again really. We may or may not with trophies this season that much is yet to be decided but you cant beat the highs and lows of supporting this club.

Yep, can't understand why folk are so quick to right us off, of course we are weaker without the big fella but we're still capable of winning matches,  we may concede more that's true but we are more than able to score more too,

It might take one or two games to get used to life without Virgil but it's a challenge to Joe & Joel to step up and take the responsibility, you never know,  missing Virg could be a blessing, forcing J&J to up their game,

The bond we have as a squad is really  strong,  and everyone to a man will add 10% of effort for Virgil,  so right us off at your peril, we'll still be right up there in May, just watch !


                                           YNWA

Yep, can't understand why folk are so quick to right us off, of course we are weaker without the big fella but we're still capable of winning matches,  we may concede more that's true but we are more than able to score more too,

It might take one or two games to get used to life without Virgil but it's a challenge to Joe & Joel to step up and take the responsibility, you never know,  missing Virg could be a blessing, forcing J&J to up their game,

The bond we have as a squad is really  strong,  and everyone to a man will add 10% of effort for Virgil,  so right us off at your peril, we'll still be right up there in May, just watch !


                                           YNWA

Without Allison and Virg we still dominated Everton, a team is great form currently, so we shouldn't be nervous, the only worry is the injury record of Joe and Joel and the lack of a 4th choice CB now.

For me, fabinho is our number 1 centre half now for two reasons.

The first one being that both Gomez and Matip play better alongside a more commanding centre half. They both perform better being the wingman rather than the leader. Put Fabinho in there and make him boss that back line.

The second reason is, we should always protect one of gomez or matip too. Keep one on the bench at all times and perhaps rotate them for the time being. Both have injury problems so I hope we don’t play the pair or them week in, week out putting them at more risk.

I don’t rate henderson in the holding role at all and his performances have really come on while playing further up the pitch so I wouldn’t change that. Instead, I’d like to see james milner sit in front of the back four for the time being. I think he would give us a bit more protection there. You ask milner to do a job and he does it.

Don’t know if Thiago is fit or not but either way I’d leave him out for this one. Firmino gets dropped for me too and Jota comes in. 

So onto the game. I expect a tough, high tempo match but it could work in our favour. I think Ajax are always set up perfectly to hit on the counter. I put in the score prediction that we’ll lose this but it was right after the derby when I was feeling sorry for myself. The more I think about this match, the more I think we will go there and get a result.

           Adrian

Trent Gomez fabinho Robbo

               Milner

         Hendo      Gini

Salah        Jota          Mane

Without Allison and Virg we still dominated Everton, a team is great form currently, so we shouldn't be nervous, the only worry is the injury record of Joe and Joel and the lack of a 4th choice CB now.

From my understanding Ali could be back within a week or two,  but your right it's concerning that J&J are injury prone, losing one of them now would be catastrophic.

                                            YNWA

Id take a loss here with a second string out keeping lads fresh for the eeekend. We can make up an opening day loss in the other 5 games plus Ajax and Atalanta are likely to damage each other.

Not sure we need tobrisk certsin players....Coukd be a chance to play Milner Jones Tsmiskas amongst others

For me, fabinho is our number 1 centre half now for two reasons.

The first one being that both Gomez and Matip play better alongside a more commanding centre half. They both perform better being the wingman rather than the leader. Put Fabinho in there and make him boss that back line.

The second reason is, we should always protect one of gomez or matip too. Keep one on the bench at all times and perhaps rotate them for the time being. Both have injury problems so I hope we don’t play the pair or them week in, week out putting them at more risk.

I don’t rate henderson in the holding role at all and his performances have really come on while playing further up the pitch so I wouldn’t change that. Instead, I’d like to see james milner sit in front of the back four for the time being. I think he would give us a bit more protection there. You ask milner to do a job and he does it.

Don’t know if Thiago is fit or not but either way I’d leave him out for this one. Firmino gets dropped for me too and Jota comes in. 

So onto the game. I expect a tough, high tempo match but it could work in our favour. I think Ajax are always set up perfectly to hit on the counter. I put in the score prediction that we’ll lose this but it was right after the derby when I was feeling sorry for myself. The more I think about this match, the more I think we will go there and get a result.

           Adrian

Trent Gomez fabinho Robbo

               Milner

         Hendo      Gini

Salah        Jota          Mane

Good shout regards to rotating J & J makes sense,  also having Fabinho there as the lynch pin, Milner in front I'm not so sure but if needs must so be it, I still prefer Henderson tho, especially if Thiago plays, but like you said it's unlikely.

Didn’t realise Matip picked up a knock at the weekend but then he does give Lallana and Studge a run for their money on the injury front. It makes our failure to replace Lovren look a bit foolish.

Figure Fab will start with Gomez. Think we will see Hendo, Gini and Keita in midfield. Our toughest game to start, so long as we get something from the game I’ll be happy. I think it will be 1-1. 

A good 4-0 win would bring a lot of positivity back. Let's do this Reds.

No Matip or Thiago in training today.

Matip is a character

No Matip or Thiago in training today.

Uuuhhhhh !
Was hoping Thiago was gonna make it so we could play Fab with Joe or Joel.
Looks like it will be Hendo, Gini and Millie, with the usual front 3 ( don’t think Jürgen will drop Bob) snd the usual full backs.
Still going with 1:2 us .

Be a bit more defensive I rekon, with the fast counter getting us a couple. May concede late due to tired legs.
High intensity finish !

                            Adrian
TAA                   Joe   Fab                Robbo

Gini                       Hendo                  Keita


Mo                        Mane                    Jota

NB: Team no longer available

I would rotate a little the front three.

Is Keita ready?

Looks like Fabinho alongside Gomez for this one.

I'd go:

Adrian

Trent      Gomez     Fabinho      Tsimikas

Henderson      Milner

Salah     Minamino     Jota

                                                     Mane

I genuinely believe bringing Milner into the midfield would add a bit of stability and leadership alongside Henderson.

Just want to add.

This would have been a superb away game to go to! Amsterdam's the only place I managed to get to in 2020!

Already having withdrawal symptoms. Definitely the away game everyone would be up for and it's got F**k all to do with the actual game   

Just want to add.

This would have been a superb away game to go to! Amsterdam's the only place I managed to get to in 2020!

Ha ha me too mate

I genuinely believe bringing Milner into the midfield would add a bit of stability and leadership alongside Henderson.

Sorry but a Milly/Hendo midfield is something I'm glad we haven't seen that much of in recent times.

Sorry but a Milly/Hendo midfield is something I'm glad we haven't seen that much of in recent times.

yes far too negative

Sorry but a Milly/Hendo midfield is something I'm glad we haven't seen that much of in recent times.

I totally agree. Both industrial but both lack that spark. It's one or the other.

Already having withdrawal symptoms. Definitely the away game everyone would be up for and it's got f**k all to do with the actual game   

So you wouldn't be learning  some Dutch culture had you gone then HR ? 😁

In my opinion, we are arguably without the worlds best Keeper, Center back and Midfielder, playing a side who are on form, and are historically quality ball players, not hoofers.
I’m praying we can get a result with what we currently have as replacements, considering the few returning from recent injury.

Can we really do this ?

I’d be happy with an away point under the circumstances !

This will be a really tough one. A point would be great.

Competitive debut for Koumetio anyone?

                 Flapdrian
Trent    Gomez     Koumetio   Robbo
  Henderson   Fabinho    Wijnaldum
Salah          Bobby         Mane

Competitive debut for Koumetio anyone?

                 Flapdrian
Trent    Gomez     Koumetio   Robbo
  Henderson   Fabinho    Wijnaldum
Salah          Bobby         Mane

Just read he is not eligible to be added to the squad for UEFA. I'm guessing he is not considered home grown so there is no room for him? Not sure since he is young enough. Same article said Nat Phillips not eligible, but Harvey Elliott is stuck on the A list. That makes me think some things didn't transpire on the transfer window that the club expected. At any rate, no Nat or Billy.

In my opinion, we are arguably without the worlds best Keeper, Center back and Midfielder, playing a side who are on form, and are historically quality ball players, not hoofers.
I’m praying we can get a result with what we currently have as replacements, considering the few returning from recent injury.

Can we really do this ?

I’d be happy with an away point under the circumstances !

How did we get on against Everton, are you seriously trying to suggest Ajax are better than Everton at the moment?

Just read he is not eligible to be added to the squad for UEFA. I'm guessing he is not considered home grown so there is no room for him? Not sure since he is young enough. Same article said Nat Phillips not eligible, but Harvey Elliott is stuck on the A list. That makes me think some things didn't transpire on the transfer window that the club expected. At any rate, no Nat or Billy.

So if Joe and Joel both get injured, which lets face it is not beyond the realms of possibility, we are fu**ed then, we'd have to play with 1 CB or chuck Henderson in there alongside Fabinho. God knows how Klopp would play that, all out attack is probably the best tactic or play all 4 FB's or at least 3 of them

Think Ajax are a handy side, playing away tonight, I would settle for a draw, especially with key players out through injury.

Yea this won’t be a walk in the park they are a good attacking side. Tadic was always a handful against us when playing for the Saints.

Play Bobby centre half. Play the ball out from the back

Play Bobby centre half. Play the ball out from the back

That will be tough when Bobby keeps passing it to the opposition as he does.

I reckon Fab will be playing a big part in defence tonight, gutted about Virgil, and I will probably be having a mini breakdown once kick off begins! Come on ye reds!

Think Ajax are a handy side, playing away tonight, I would settle for a draw, especially with key players out through injury.

I have a feeling this could be like the 2017 campaign - full of energy and goals!

How did we get on against Everton, are you seriously trying to suggest Ajax are better than Everton at the moment?

EERRRRRRR.... YES. EVERTON ARE sh*te. YARD DOGS WHO'VE PLAYED NO ONE OF ANY QUALITY, OR OF ANY FORM UNTIL US. SO DECIDED TO BOOT US AROUND AND GO ROUTE 1 FOR 75 MINS. F***ing sh*t. YOU'LL SEE A BETTER QUALITY OF FOOTBALL FROM AJAX TONIGHT.
Sorry about the caps, was halfway through before i noticed, so just carried on.