Pre-Match: RB Leipzig vs Liverpool 16/2/2021 8pm

Champions league up next which could be a welcome distraction from our poor run of results in domestic football.
The game is at a neutral ground because of covid rules so will be held in Budapest, Hungary.

They are currently second in the German Bundesliga, 4 points off Bayern, but 11 points ahead of Dortmund, and with only 3 league defeats this season, and knocking out Manchester United in the groups stages, they can be a real threat.

Who will our centre backs be? Who knows, but whoever it is will need to ready and switched on.

Last chance for silverware. And unless our domestic form improves soon, winning this competition could be our best route back into next seasons competition...

Big, big game.

This is probably the toughest game we've had for a while, considering the circumstances.
Just hope the lads can put the league sh*te behind them, and get a decent result. I think a draw would be acceptable. We aren't playing terrible, we've just had an unbelievable catalogue of individual errors cost us dearly.  Lets be honest, Leicester were getting well outplayed. we scored a great goal against a packed defence, and then the catastrophe started. It cant keep happening can it ? Surely we've got to come out the other side of this soon. Let it be Tuesday eh !

Come on you red men. Going for a narrow win me, but a draw will do fine.

away goal and we have a shot.

Need a return of the mentality monsters, that’s is all. Once they return to our players minds, we will start winning again.
“Turn doubters into believers”

Nice to have a break from that awful league campaign to be fair

RB Leipzig v Liverpool

Alisson

Alexander-Arnold
Kabak
Henderson (c)
Robertson

Oxlade-Chamberlain
Wijnaldum
Jones

Salah
Firmino
Mane

Subs:

Kelleher
Adrian
N. Williams
Phillips
R. Williams
Tsimikas
Thiago
Clarkson
Shaqiri

Injured:

Van Dijk
Gomez
Matip
Davies
Fabinho
Keita
Milner
Jota
Origi

If I was to pick a team before hearing the pre match press conference it would be the one above.

The sooner Hendo goes back to playing in midfield the better, but I just can’t see Jürgen picking Phillips/R. Williams next to Kabak in such a big game.

Let’s remember who we are, get behind Klopp and the boys, and start winning some games, I have felt sapped of energy and quite depressed seeing how emotional Klopp has been recently, the guys having a hell of a bad time, but I hope all the “doubters” remember exactly where he dragged us up from.

YNWA

If we can't get any of the injured lads back then the team picks itself really which is a shame as we need a Hendo or Fab in midfield badly for this one.

Was Philips registered for this stage? Id play him and get Hendo back into midfield.

Ill go as far as to ssy I think this will be Thiagos finest hour in red and we see Sadio at his best

Was Philips registered for this stage? Id play him and get Hendo back into midfield.

Ill go as far as to ssy I think this will be Thiagos finest hour in red and we see Sadio at his best

Pretty sure he is for KO stage. I'd play him for sure. We need Jenson in the MF BADLY

Was Philips registered for this stage? Id play him and get Hendo back into midfield.

Ill go as far as to ssy I think this will be Thiagos finest hour in red and we see Sadio at his best

Phillips is registered now.

I also expect Fabinho to be included. Pretty sure he was left out on the weekend specifically so he would be ready for this one.

Does Jürgen use him at centre back or midfield, is the question.

Phillips is registered now.

I also expect Fabinho to be included. Pretty sure he was left out on the weekend specifically so he would be ready for this one.

Does Jürgen use him at centre back or midfield, is the question.

Not sure about Fab some saying a doubt even for the Derby

Not sure about Fab some saying a doubt even for the Derby

Sheesh really?

Sounds like we might have rushed him back for City are now we're paying the price.

Sheesh really?

Sounds like we might have rushed him back for City are now we're paying the price.

Never looked right against City hopefully be back anything with a muscle usually at least a week

Assuming no Fab

               Alisson

   Trent Nat Kabak Robbo

                Hendo

          Thiago  Jones

        Mo  Bobby Sadio

Assuming no Fab

               Alisson

   Trent Nat Kabak Robbo

                Hendo

          Thiago  Jones

        Mo  Bobby Sadio

If Fab is out I'm guessing Hendo will be in the back. Nat and Kabak would be a very young and inexperienced pairing for the only trophy we are still in for.

If Fab is out I'm guessing Hendo will be in the back. Nat and Kabak would be a very young and inexperienced pairing for the only trophy we are still in for.

It is but I just feel we need to boss midfield tomorrow and doing that would ease pressure on the 2 centre halfs

Im not looking forward to this game at all.

Personally think all european football should be on hold while theres travel bans. crazy both teams travelling to a neutral venue.

Anyway, never know might be just the game to get some confidence back.

CL is our last chance for silverware this season. Beat RB and hope for a return of Jota and VVD.

Personally think all european football should be on hold while theres travel bans. crazy both teams travelling to a neutral venue.

Does seem a massive opportunity for a few covid cases to nobble our squad further.  Agree that the squad travelling around Europe does seem incredibly daft but not sure what the other options are really!

Does seem a massive opportunity for a few covid cases to nobble our squad further.  Agree that the squad travelling around Europe does seem incredibly daft but not sure what the other options are really!

Fifa 21 play off best of 3. We could get Virg Joe and Naby to play, they must be expert at it now

Think lll go 3 2 us. Dont think ill ever see a clean sheet again! Just fancy Mane to turn up tomorrow

Does seem a massive opportunity for a few covid cases to nobble our squad further.  Agree that the squad travelling around Europe does seem incredibly daft but not sure what the other options are really!

Indeed. ;-(

I would settle for a score draw in this first leg, cannot see us keeping a clean sheet at present !

We just need to be in the tie for the second leg.

Leipzig come into this the form team, think have won their last 4 games, we've lost our last 3 - so taking nothing for granted.
Lot of things for Jürgen to decide:
- does he start Ali - know it would be tough to drop him after 2 poor games, but this is knockout so we might not have the chance to let him play his way back to form, and his form has been really poor - Kelleher might be in with a shout - tough choice
- CB partnership - f***in sick of this CB crap at this stage - but anyway - if Fab is fit would play him there - probably would stick Hendo there too - Kabak still looks a bit green and short a bit of pace - Davies isn't featuring yet under Jürgen - so maybe Nat?! There's no good options here for the boss, he just has to go with what he thinks is the least bad
- middle probably Jones/Gini/Thiago
- up front Mo/Bob/Mane

Going into this more hopeful than expectant.
Jürgen looked low after Leicester, and the team moral can't be much better.
It's going to take a huge effort and turnaround in form to get past Leipzig over two legs.
Really hope we can manage it and keep one iron in the fire.

Just watching the lads training and think Ben Davies is there and as expected no Fab

no Fab

ah bollox

With a shaky defence we need to go full throttle heavy metal, push them back and outscore them.

Or go very defensive, perhaps deploy 3CB's and go low block with counter attack.

Yes Naby lad

Just read Paul Mersons thoughts on our situation. Bang on the money if you ask me, joint favourites next season when VVD is back in. Even he agrees our luck has been awful.

I personally quite like Merson as a pundit. Truthful and usually not far from how it is...

If we go full throttle, we’ll win this. We can’t go too defensive with our likely previously untried defence, and expect them to hold out. Just don’t leave acres of space behind for Leipzig to exploit, and we’ll be fine.
Just outscore them, our luck has to change somewhen, why not tomorrow 🤷‍♂️

NB: Team no longer available

I would put Phillips and Kabak and if they click, I would leave them for the rest of the campaign.

I would rotate Firmino with Shaqiri. We may see AOC rather Thiago, depending on his fitness.

We need to win this game so at least we will have something to look forward too

Anyone see a lot of these? Are they the same set up as last time we met?

Anyone see a lot of these? Are they the same set up as last time we met?

Well they were battered 5-0 by the Mancs but are second in their league and been on a good run.

Not going to be easy at all this one IMO.

Had us as slight favourites when crowds allowed not sure anymore just imagine how they would cope without Konate  and Upecamono like we have to so cruel these injuries in one position

Had us as slight favourites when crowds allowed not sure anymore just imagine how they would cope without Konate  and Upecamono like we have to so cruel these injuries in one position

It depends on our forwards, if they turn up then we win, if not then we are fu**ed!

Since this is a two legged affair I’d take a gamble and have a Phillips & Kabak CB pairing, especially if Fabinho is back, otherwise I’d have Henderson as the DM in front of them, Trent & Robbo either side with, Thiago & Gini / Henderson in midfield, Salah Mane & Bobby up top,
Alisson has been total f***in gash of late and normally I’d have him sit this one out, however, only Kelleher’s lack of European experience keeps him out of my X1.......


With Fabinho......

                                                                Alisson
                                               Trent   Phillips   Kabak   Robbo
                                                      Henderson   Fabinho
                                                               Alcantara
                                                     Salah   Firmino   Mane




Without Fabinho.....                                    Alisson
                                                Trent   Phillips   Kabak   Robbo
                                                     Henderson   Wijnaldom
                                                               Alcantara
                                                       Salah  Firmino  Mane


Wafer thin Bench ; Kelleher, Neco, Rhys, Jones, Shaqiri, Oxlaid, Tsimikas, Origi, Clarkson



I think it’s more likely we will see Hendo with Kabak again, with a Gini, Jones & Thiago midfield trio and the usual suspects atop, but again it kind of stifles how we play, we lose so much without Hendo & Fabinho controlling with the creativity of Thiago, it also allows Bobby to drop back creating the space for Thiago to slot thru balls in between defenders and allows Mane & Mo and of course Bobby room to do their magical best,

It’s why I’d gamble and have Phillips with Kabak, we may not have Fabinho but with Henderson as DM, he can control and give support to the CB’s, it is a gamble but one I think worth taking, what have we got to lose ? 



1-2 European Royalty




                                                                          Y  N  W  A

First things first: does the away-goal-rule apply, so that if we score a goal tomorrow it would count as a tiebreaker? I ask because the game is played not in Leipzig and without fans and wasn't that what once triggered this rule (= goals more valueable in hostile enviroment)?

I'd urge Jürgen to try to force Phillips and Williams/Kabak/Davies to play at CB to free Hendo and later Fab to where they are really strong. The last weeks have shown no benefit of Hendo playing CB. I'd also urge Jürgen to play like Mourinho's Spurs, at least a little bit more like them.

I hope for a draw at least. We need to try to win the CL and when you hear that VVD is back in Liverpool and Jota+Fab are two weeks away then we could still have a decent shot.

Personally think all european football should be on hold while theres travel bans. crazy both teams travelling to a neutral venue.

Unfortunately it's all about the TV Benjamins. 

I agree with you 100% in that all inter European Club football competitions should have been suspended. In addition I think all International football should have been shelved until the bug was under control/vaccines throughout the world etc. Having players fly all over the world is lunacy in my opinion.

In the end one thing will smooth over conflict and "crisis" and unhappy football supporters: Winning football matches. When the team get back to winning ways, and they will soon enough, then people will stop grinding their teeth (and some will find something else to complain about, again).

This string of results provides a big spotlight on the quality and character of fan support. The words "You'll Never Walk Alone" either mean something or they don't.

Happy to stand arm in arm with so many passionate supporters on here who like to talk about the team, the good, the bad, the highs the lows, but always in support.  Also happy to ignore a few others, who definitely are not walking in support, whether they think they are or not.

Now let's fight for a win on Tuesday.

Thiago should know how Leipzig play from his Bundesliga days so I imagine his information to be valuable .Probably a nervous centre half pairing with Davies and Philips but might be worth a try, maybe for the first half anyway ,Could do with away goals from our front 3 with some creation from Hendo , Thiago and Gini

Going for a 2-1 win...

Liverpool still 3rd favourites for the champions league! Crazy considering our form and injuries.

Well they were battered 5-0 by the Mancs but are second in their league and been on a good run.

Not going to be easy at all this one IMO.

The man u game wasn't a 5-0 game,it flattered man u and they battered them at home in the first half even though Utd nearly got a undeserved draw in the second half when they sat back a little.I think we have an advantage it's not being played at their home ground in Germany as their record in the league at home is 9 wins from 11 games with 1 defeat,Leipzig play with a high tempo with and without the ball,both their wingbacks are quick and like to venture forward.I will be happy with a score draw to take them back to Anfield where hopefully our home form will improve by March.

Liverpool still 3rd favourites for the champions league! Crazy considering our form and injuries.

Bettieng odds mainly reflect the disposition of bettors, more than any real analysis of a team's chances. If the bookies know there are a lot of peeps who want to take a.flutter on Liverpool, their odds will go shorter, regardless if it is a smart play. Those shops' first priority is to guarantee their profit.

Interesting build up to this one. I have the feeling Liverpool that we all know & love are going to turn up (just like that Atalanta game where every pundit and their granny fancied Atalanta).

Don't think Ali will be dropped - think Jürgen will see that as doing him more harm than good. Don't think we will see anybody other than Hendo plus another at CB (as much as Id love a proper CB pairing).

As a few have said, one or two away goals will set us up nicely. Not expecting a win due to the form - score draw for me.

Need a result tonight, if only for the morale of the side. Going for a 2-1 win for the Reds !

Really have to score tonight.

I’d have Gini in, he seems to shine more attack wise in CL, hopefully if you can get Hendo in holding, which I admit is unlikely, Thiago could finally shine.... then just simply try and out score them.

                Alisson
Trent - Phillips - Kabak - Robbo
                 Hendo
             Gini  - Thiago
      Salah - Firmino - Mane

If they score first will we see the panic button pressed or will we see leafership and calm heads remembering who we are and what we have achieved?

If its option 1 we will get another result similsr to the last 2. If we go option 2 we take a lead back to Anfield. Its that basic for me.

With no Fab or Milner Id gladly play Kabak with Davies or Nat and get Hendo back in with Gini and Jones or Thiago

Thing is though I don’t think the second leg will be at Anfield due to the travel restrictions from Germany to the UK, unless they of course are lifted by then, but there is no guarantee of that, so F**k knows where it will be played ?

Not that it matters much because there will no fans there anyway, so it makes no difference where it’s played from our point of view, but we do need to score tonight regardless  of where the second leg is played, despite our domestic form I’m fairly confident we can win this tonight, Leipzig don’t have any buses  to park so this could well be a attack V attack affair with plenty of goals and see who blinks first,

As biased as biased can be I’d take us to win every time against a side coming at us, the quality we have will see us through despite not being at full strength, BUT, we will need a strong midfield two bona fide CB’s and plenty of pace, and if at all possible back to the Rock N roll football of a couple of seasons back where we steam rollered our way to the final.

This Won’t be for the faint hearted !




                                                                             Y  N  W  A

Thing is though I don’t think the second leg will be at Anfield due to the travel restrictions from Germany to the UK, unless they of course are lifted by then, but there is no guarantee of that, so F**k knows where it will be played ?

Not that it matters much because there will no fans there anyway, so it makes no difference where it’s played from our point of view, but we do need to score tonight regardless  of where the second leg is played, despite our domestic form I’m fairly confident we can win this tonight, Leipzig don’t have any buses  to park so this could well be a attack V attack affair with plenty of goals and see who blinks first,

As biased as biased can be I’d take us to win every time against a side coming at us, the quality we have will see us through despite not being at full strength, BUT, we will need a strong midfield two bona fide CB’s and plenty of pace, and if at all possible back to the Rock N roll football of a couple of seasons back where we steam rollered our way to the final.

This Won’t be for the faint hearted !




                                                                             Y  N  W  A

Indeed. This is going to be proper!! This is standing in front of the tv with beer dressed full kit roaring like a lunatic stuff

If both legs are at a neutral ground why not just have a one off game?

I get that tv companies have their stake but surely it’s better if players are not on planes travelling to another country, especially when celebrating goals is considered a threat to the pandemic.
Or maybe tv contracts are more important than spreading the virus. Who knows.

If both legs are at a neutral ground why not just have a one off game?

I get that tv companies have their stake but surely it’s better if players are not on planes travelling to another country, especially when celebrating goals is considered a threat to the pandemic.
Or maybe tv contracts are more important than spreading the virus. Who knows.

Mate, you are talking far too much sense. This is UEFA, modern day football.

If both legs are at a neutral ground why not just have a one off game?

I get that tv companies have their stake but surely it’s better if players are not on planes travelling to another country, especially when celebrating goals is considered a threat to the pandemic.
Or maybe tv contracts are more important than spreading the virus. Who knows.

Totally about TV money.

But I don't mind there being two games instead of one. Always up for watching the Reds.

If both legs are at a neutral ground why not just have a one off game?

I get that tv companies have their stake but surely it’s better if players are not on planes travelling to another country, especially when celebrating goals is considered a threat to the pandemic.
Or maybe tv contracts are more important than spreading the virus. Who knows.

Or maybe tv contracts are more important than saving ordinary lives......there, fixed it for ya mate !




                                                                            Y  N  W  A

The way we've been playing at home recently might be no harm to be on neutral ground for our "home" leg.
Really hoping we but in a decent performance tonight.
And keep the clanger count low.

I think it’s more likely we will see Hendo with Kabak again

I think if we went with Kabak & Phillips or Davies at CB, they would be more cautious seeing Hendo at DM. That just might take a bit of pressure off our midfield.
I was going to go with a 1-1 draw, but just cant do it. Has to be a win for me, so 1-2 the red men.
We need to just put everything behind us. Treat this as a whole new season starting tonight. Go full on and get them pressed back under pressure.  Everyone on 100 % and like last season, not many will cope with us, including these.

If both legs are at a neutral ground why not just have a one off game?

I get that tv companies have their stake but surely it’s better if players are not on planes travelling to another country, especially when celebrating goals is considered a threat to the pandemic.
Or maybe tv contracts are more important than spreading the virus. Who knows.

Not a bad idea Bob. But of course if we lost, id want a second leg then 

Have a sneaky suspicion we'll get an easy win tonight. If we don't....I may swerve the forum for awhile because I imagine it will be full meltdown mode. Don't care who plays, just go out and kick their ass.

Think a goal is of the most importance tonight. Followed by no injury and not conceeding more then 2 if we only get one.

I think taking a 2-1 or 3-2 etc back to Anfield leaves us in a good position. Going back to Anfield with 0 is a disaster

Not going for any prediction, learnt my lesson v Leicester I got it totally the wrong way round! I just want us to take whatever chances we get, keep it tight at the back, stick together, support each other and put that smile back on Jürgen’s face! Most pundits give us next to no chance, so let’s just smash it!

Went 4-1 here. Blind stupidity or not, feeling confident we’ll stroll this.

Think a goal is of the most importance tonight. Followed by no injury and not conceeding more then 2 if we only get one.

I think taking a 2-1 or 3-2 etc back to Anfield leaves us in a good position. Going back to Anfield with 0 is a disaster

We're not playing at Anfield in the 2nd leg by the sounds of it.

We're not playing at Anfield in the 2nd leg by the sounds of it.

Eh?? German teams not allowed in the UK?

Think a goal is of the most importance tonight. Followed by no injury and not conceeding more then 2 if we only get one.

I think taking a 2-1 or 3-2 etc back to Anfield leaves us in a good position. Going back to Anfield with 0 is a disaster

Your right about the 0,an away goal is vital & I recon we’ll score a few tonight.

I deffo think that Phillips and Kabak should try and build up a partnership, I think its the only way forward personally. We need to get that energy back into our midfield with Hendo in that 6 role until Fabinho comes back. That way we may see a better Tiago cos let's be honest he doesn't work playing that No.6 role. Play Jones aswel where he can make those forward runs then if Tiago has to drop a little deeper to help out Hendo and the full backs then so be it.

There's a risk free bet on paddy power for this if its anybodies bag.

Different competition and a hopefully a change of furtunes. Expecting goals and just hope we get a few of them to bring back to Anfield.

Please win and make everyone happy again