Pre-Match: Man City v Liverpool; English Premier League (Sun. Nov. 8, 4:30 pm)

Clash of the Titans 2020-2021 version as the mentality monsters of Jürgen Klopp make the short trip to The Etihad to face Pep Guardiola's former champions.

City are 10th in the table, with 11 points from six matches, but I think most of us would agree this is the team providing the greatest obstacle toward our repeating as Premier League champions. Additionally, there is the matter of City's half-baked "guard of honour" after our title win last season, followed by a 5-0 demolition of our hungover team the last time the two sides met.

We of course are coming off a 5-0 win of our own at Atalanta on Tuesday. City won 3-0 vs. Olympiakos on the same night.

We are still carrying an array of injuries, but not quite as many as we had a few days ago. Thiago is a major question, with Fabinho, Ox and of course Virgil Van Dijk all out long-term. City face questions over the availability of Sergio Aguero, Benjamin Mendy and Fernandinho.

I think 9 of our 11 lineup slots choose themselves. Alisson in goal, Robbo and Trent at fullbacks and Joe Gomez at center back. Henderson and Gini will be in midfield and Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo JOta start up front. The questions are at the other center back slot, where Klopp will choose between newly fit Joel Matip, last week's surprise standout Nat Phillps and Champions League starlet Rhys Williams. (I'm going with Matip if he's truly fit). The other position is attacking midfield or just midfield depending on how you define our formation and the subsequent roles players are asked to perform.

The choices for this slot are Thiago, James Milner, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Roberto Firmino. I think it's really a choice between Thiago and Firmino. Bobby has been out of form in terms of goal-scoring, but clearly is a favorite of Jürgen's (for very good reasons). He also has played some GREAT matches against City over the past few years. With Thiago having missed a run of matches now since his scything down by Richarlison, I think he will be limited to duty off the bench (if he's even passed fit for that). So:

NB: Team no longer available


Let's knock them down a few pegs.

Tues Sun. Nov. 8, 4:30 pm

A win would be huge but i'd happily take the draw I have to admit. Both sides showed some form in Europe this week so it should be a good game and i'm expecting to see some goals. Have got a feeling it will finish 2-2. Will be interesting to see if Matip is fit enough to start given the magnitude of the game i expect Klopp would prefer to use him. If not, i think young Phillips has to get the nod after an excellent performance last weekend. The Jota/Firmino decision is clearly a big call. For me though, it needs to be one or the other, i don't think we have looked good with both in the side and a switch to 4-2-3-1. We have struggled in midfield whenever Klopp has gone to this system thus far so i'd like to see a proper midfield three for this one. It's a shame Jesus is back for them.

A win would be huge but i'd happily take the draw I have to admit. Both sides showed some form in Europe this week so it should be a good game and i'm expecting to see some goals. Have got a feeling it will finish 2-2. Will be interesting to see if Matip is fit enough to start given the magnitude of the game i expect Klopp would prefer to use him. If not, i think young Phillips has to get the nod after an excellent performance last weekend. The Jota/Firmino decision is clearly a big call. For me though, it needs to be one or the other, i don't think we have looked good with both in the side and a switch to 4-2-3-1. We have struggled in midfield whenever Klopp has gone to this system thus far so i'd like to see a proper midfield three for this one. It's a shame Jesus is back for them.

Jesus could be the difference an absolute miracle worker

I’ll take a draw now. This is a tough one, I want to go with a midfield three, but I don’t think I can pick one I feel comfortable with against City, Milner is too slow I feel and Jones I’d count more as a CAM than a CM... my brain keeps telling me to go 4-2-3-1 with Bobby in the CAM role... but like someone said above, we have struggled with shape when we’ve played it...

             Alisson
Trent Gomez Matip Robbo
             Hendo
         Gini    Jones
    Salah  Jota   Mane

Or

             Alisson
Trent Gomez Matip Robbo
         Hendo Gini
   Salah  Firmino  Mane
              Jota

For me it has to be a midfield three so we try and control that area. I know some of you have posted a two to get Bobby in the side but for me if he has to play you keep one of the front three out.

I think this is a bit of a free hit for me given where we are in the season and the points gap to date. In saying that I would absolutely go for it and deploy an all out attack it’s inevitable we concede, just ensure we put more in at the other end.

I would love Gomez to send that lil snake c**t into the stands though with a meaty challenge almost as much as 3 points.

They work off width. Full backs hugging the touchline. Squeeze that width forve them inside and you choke them.

Also, and we have been best at this the past 5 years, go at them, show no respect and you get rewarded.

Funny us lot giving tactical advice and formations when we have the best in the business at the helm, but for the craic..Id consider 3-5-2

Trent pushed on slightly and Mane on the leftto kill the width but give us our own wide attacking options and then have the numbers in the middle to roll them over

                   
                  Alisson
    Gomez  Matip  Robbo
Trent Hendo Thiago Gini Mane
                 Mo    Jota

No Thiago Id look at Shaq in there or Bobby in thst deeper mid role
                 

3 points here would be massive.

If I'm honest, I'd take a point, but then again I said that about Atalanta so hoping the same applies to this game 

I'll be honest, doesn't feel as big of a game as it has in the past. They are still dangerous obviously, if we had Virg I'd be feeling extremely confident. If our defense holds up decently I think we'll take care of business. This game just doesn't have the do or die feeling it has in the past.

I just hope Gomez can keep his head when he sees that little T-Rex mincing down the wing... and doesn’t make it a personal thing during the 90, focus on the game and then rub the three points in his face.

I just hope Gomez can keep his head when he sees that little T-Rex mincing down the wing... and doesn’t make it a personal thing during the 90, focus on the game and then rub the three points in his face.

And if the little sh*t asks, “ I suppose you think your the big man” again. Just simply say YES with a big smile !

I'll be honest, doesn't feel as big of a game as it has in the past. They are still dangerous obviously, if we had Virg I'd be feeling extremely confident. If our defense holds up decently I think we'll take care of business. This game just doesn't have the do or die feeling it has in the past.

Agreed. Their big misses are David Silva and Kompany. Now they rely on width and the brilliance of one man, De Bruyne. With Silva they had De Bruyne and used brilliant movement and the passing angles Silva worked. And Kompany was the leader they now lack. Problems at the back remain. If the Reds stay cool and don’t make any silly mistakes, they can win this. The rest of the League will be in awe after the events of Tuesday night.

Too early in the season to be gung ho at the emptihad, we already hold a 5 point lead over them so the real pressure is on them to close it, we could potentially have opened the gap to eight and that my pedigree chums will be unassailable even this early, so for me I’d be going into this game with as rock solid a midfield as possible, they will obviously target our back four and see it as our weak point,

This is where I think Matip will come back in even if he’ll be a bit rusty, his experience is invaluable and no disrespect to Nat or Rhys they just don’t have enough game time behind them for this type of opponent,

Up top will be interesting, will Jürgen play Jota instead of Bobby? I don’t think he will, he’ll stick with his tried and trusted trio, that is no slight on Diogo, he’s been awesome but if we can get our passing game going we can run them ragged then bring Jota on when they are tired, up the tempo and run at them,

So midfield, can’t see Thiago making it but if he does he’s a shoe in as is Hendo, and probably Gini, if not I’d go with Jones, I’d even consider Milner albeit that would thwart creativity,

Being without Virgil for me addresses the balance between us, Jesus for me has never really been a threat, I’m more concerned about KDB and that horrible little diving kunt Sterling, they are without Kun Aguero which leaves them a bit toothless up top and I think we will be fine defensively,

Which leaves our last player who I believe is the best in the world and that of course is Herr Jürgen Klopp, he for me is in a different league tactically wise to Pep, Pep more than once has been caught out using tactics inept and believe it or not naive against lower opposition,

It’s why he will never conquer Europe with Shitty, and I honestly believe he will NOT Win another domestic title either, anyhoo, who gives a F**k about that ?

Most Likely........


                                                                    Allison
                                                   Trent    Matip   Gomez   Robbo
                                                          Jones   Hendo  Gini
                                                          Salah   Bobby  Mane



But Hopefully.......
                                                                       Alisson

                                                                 Matip     Gomez
                                                     Trent                              Robbo
                                                                        Hendo
                                                             Thiago              Gini

                                                       Salah          Bobby          Mane



                                  Bench; Adrian, Phillips, Milner, Jones, Jota, Naby, Shaqiri


A real tight cagey affair with lots of controversy, refs will brick it as usual, Var will make unsavoury decisions, might even be a red card or / and a pen, I still make us slight favourites even without Virgil, cos Jürgen is a genius, Pep isn’t,




1-2 Champions



                                                                            Y  N  W  A

Would play Keita if Thiago unfit to start

                            Alisson

                    Matip          Gomez
Trent                                                     Robbo
                                                                       
                     Hendo         Gini

                               Keita

             Salah          Jota          Mane

Subs: Kelleher, Phillips, N. Williams, Tsimikas, Thiago, Shaqiri, Firmino

I think it’s fair to say Gomez (barring the mistake against the irons) has been excellent.

If he’s on form as well as Alisson, we have a chance!

I think it’s fair to say Gomez (barring the mistake against the irons) has been excellent.

If he’s on form as well as Alisson, we have a chance!

I'll take a draw but if we're up for it we definitely have the quality to win this.

Jota could be the key to the win again as City have never faced our front trio with Diogo in the mix.

I'll take a draw but if we're up for it we definitely have the quality to win this.

Jota could be the key to the win again as City have never faced our front trio with Diogo in the mix.

I agree, but I think Firmino will start as he seems to play well against city, could be a good chance to prove himself too - if it’s not quite working Jota will come in at 60/65.

Absolutely amazing that we have such strong options on the bench now, love this squad

Hardest league game of the season we haven't done well at the emptihad.   We have wrestled through so many obstacles be it injuries or agendas of VAR to the top of the pile.   Long way to go we aren't under pressure they are.  They need a result we aren't desperate for one.  A good result in Europe the 5-0 will make Pep nervous of trying to go gung ho attack on our back line and to be honest isn't something I am comfortable with this moment of time with the constant changes.  I'll take a draw hope we get more and really piss on their chips!

My biggest hope is that Thiago is available in some capacity he will be massive for this game. 

Jota could be the difference maker here and in midfield I'd play Keita if Thiago doesn't make it.

Would play Keita if Thiago unfit to start

Watching the training video today, starting to get the idea that Keita may be in the starting XI.

To me there is no question about Jota starting this one.

https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/414998-inside-training-finishing-practice-and-more-at-thursday-s-session

Team in good spirits during training this morning. 2 highlights from tthis:

1) why is someone putting on a one-man fireworks show outside of training this morning?

2) Jota slams one into the family jewels of Gomez from close range. The reaction from teammates Hendo, Trent, Sadio and Milner is priceless.