Pre-match Liverpool v Atletico Madrid 3rd Nov KO 8pm Champions League

Big game on Wednesday night as we take on Atletico Madrid at one of those very special nights under the floodlit Anfield sky.

Buzzing for this after the first game, how will they react? Simeone will want revenge after us beating them as he stormed off after refusing to shake Jürgen's hand.

A win in this game and we can take our last two games easy so we can concentrate on the busy schedule of the league programme.

Wondering will Fab and Thiago be ready for this,  Fab is back in training so would be great to have him back, not so sure about Thiago though.

Team will be well up for this though and will want to keep a certain Mr Suarez nice and quiet, they'll no doubt be up to their usual tricks so we need cool heads and we'll be alright on the night.

Redmen to win, bring it on !!

I’ll take a win or a draw, but under no circumstances, no more injuries!!!!

I’ll take a win or a draw, but under no circumstances, no more injuries!!!!

I'm confident we'll win, but yes deffo no more injuries especially in midfield, hope it's a strong Ref.

Im more worried about West Ham than this game, like Glen says above, it’s all about staying injury free and getting Salah to continue the scoring run.

I'd be fine with a draw and five subs, or even losing well. We've got to win v West Ham or I'm losing faith in a title fight.

Could be another tough game against Athletico Madrid on Wednesday night. Although quite rightly it is so important that no more injuries are picked up, with such an important game against West Ham coming up at the weekend, where three points is vital to keep up with leaders Chelsea.

If Fab or Thiago aren’t fit to start then I do think it would be a good idea to go with Matip, Gomez/Konate and Virgil as 3 CB’s with Trent and Robbo as wing backs. I know I’ve said it before but with the injuries/lack of fitness to the midfield, it seems logical to me. Make use of being able to have Trent and Robbo help the midfield out without the defence being so exposed. We got massively lucky against them last time out, with our performance vs Brighton and generally the vast amount of goals we are letting in and chances we are giving away, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try? We’ve got the players for it so why not utilise it…

Really can’t see us playing three CB’s, if Thiago makes it he’s in with Hendo & Naby lad, picking up injuries is a occupational hazard, playing to avoid them is a recipe for disaster, play your natural game it’s less likely to happen, we were battering them first 25 until two silly mistakes let them back in, that won’t happen again,

I can see a similar quick off the blocks and in their faces start, get them immediately on the back foot under the lights with a raucous crowd, and they will fold, two up within 15 they won’t come back from that, remember..no away goal rule…it’s a straight winner takes all gun fight…and I’d fancy us against any European opposition in this scenario….


                                                               Alisson

                                               Trent   Matip    Virgil   Robbo

                                                  Thiago.            Hendo
                                                               Keita
                                                   Salah.              Mane
                                                                Jota

Opting for Matip next to Virgil, give Konate a break, and perhaps use him V Hammers, hopeful Thiago comes back in and I’m in favour of Jota who poses a bigger goal threat, need Naby on his game again, Hendo as a DM has worked before but really wish Fabinho was back for this one, could see him V Hammers too, Bobby will be gutted but he knows the craic and sometimes it’s better we have him on for last 20,

Bench; Adrian, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas, Jones, AOC, Bobby, Origi, Minamino



I’m going for a convincing 3-0 ‘F**k you’ Simeone !!(and your Shithousery)





                                                                          Y  N  W  A

I'm confident we'll win, but yes deffo no more injuries especially in midfield, hope it's a strong Ref.

What's a strong ref? Strong enough to stand up to home crowd pressure? But we're at home. Maybe more a ref who doesn't bottle challenges and makes decisive decisions?

Really can’t see us playing three CB’s, if Thiago makes it he’s in with Hendo & Naby lad, picking up injuries is a occupational hazard, playing to avoid them is a recipe for disaster, play your natural game it’s less likely to happen, we were battering them first 25 until two silly mistakes let them back in, that won’t happen again,

I can see a similar quick off the blocks and in their faces start, get them immediately on the back foot under the lights with a raucous crowd, and they will fold, two up within 15 they won’t come back from that, remember..no away goal rule…it’s a straight winner takes all gun fight…and I’d fancy us against any European opposition in this scenario….


                                                               Alisson

                                               Trent   Matip    Virgil   Robbo

                                                  Thiago.            Hendo
                                                               Keita
                                                   Salah.              Mane
                                                                Jota

Opting for Matip next to Virgil, give Konate a break, and perhaps use him V Hammers, hopeful Thiago comes back in and I’m in favour of Jota who poses a bigger goal threat, need Naby on his game again, Hendo as a DM has worked before but really wish Fabinho was back for this one, could see him V Hammers too, Bobby will be gutted but he knows the craic and sometimes it’s better we have him on for last 20,

Bench; Adrian, Konate, Gomez, Tsimikas, Jones, AOC, Bobby, Origi, Minamino



I’m going for a convincing 3-0 ‘F**k you’ Simeone !!(and your Shithousery)





                                                                          Y  N  W  A

No chance Keita plays Billy. Of the two just read Fab is most likely to start but in all honesty would be surprised and probably both on bench

Considering it doesn't look like Thiago or Fab can start I think we've either got to go 3 centre backs here or bring Morton into the midfield.

Dont think Fab or Thiago are ready to start, might see them on bench if anything.

Maybe same team as weekend, with a rocket up there arses.

No chance Keita plays Billy. Of the two just read Fab is most likely to start but in all honesty would be surprised and probably both on bench

I was of the impression that Naby’s injury was bruising rather ligaments etc, and that with some manipulation from the physios he’d be good to go, perhaps not then, and if Fab is close, do we risk him ? Or Thiago for that matter, only the physio dept knows for sure, if you are indeed correct, having a Hendo, Jones, and AOC in midfield is fookin scary 😟.

I was of the impression that Naby’s injury was bruising rather ligaments etc, and that with some manipulation from the physios he’d be good to go, perhaps not then, and if Fab is close, do we risk him ? Or Thiago for that matter, only the physio dept knows for sure, if you are indeed correct, having a Hendo, Jones, and AOC in midfield is fookin scary 😟.

He's done his hamstring now I think.

He's done his hamstring now I think.

Aw Double F**k, didn’t know that, what is it with our shitty luck, Ffs, can’t just catch a break can we ?

I was of the impression that Naby’s injury was bruising rather ligaments etc, and that with some manipulation from the physios he’d be good to go

That was for the challenge from Pogba, but he done his hamstring against a Brighton. He won’t be playing this week.

You said playing to avoid injuries is a recipe for disaster but in all honesty, if we end up with a midfield of Hendo, Jones and Ox for this game, then that’s a far bigger recipe for disaster.

but in all honesty, if we end up with a midfield of Hendo, Jones and Ox for this game, then that’s a far bigger recipe for disaster.

We WILL lose with that MF against Athletico, for sure. 

May think about playing the front 4 together with Firmino playing between MF and attack, maybe?  Probably not, though.

We're desperately short of of options there; hopefully Fab is available for tomorrow and maybe Thiago for the Hammers game.

Considering it doesn't look like Thiago or Fab can start I think we've either got to go 3 centre backs here or bring Morton into the midfield.

Can see klopp playing young morton actually.

And now even thinking about it, Klopp may make a few changes from the weekend team.

Possibly something like this ?

--------------- Ali --------------
- trent - Matip - Gomez - Kostas -
------------- Morton ------------------
  ---- Hendo ------ Ox ------
     - Salah - Origi - Taki -

Subs bench loaded with super subs.

I'm fine with dropping points, but if we do, me guns will be blazing all over our malfunctioned midfield.

Can see klopp playing young morton actually.

And now even thinking about it, Klopp may make a few changes from the weekend team.

Possibly something like this ?

--------------- Ali --------------
- trent - Matip - Gomez - Kostas -
------------- Morton ------------------
  ---- Hendo ------ Ox ------
     - Salah - Origi - Taki -

Subs bench loaded with super subs.

Do you really think Klopp will play a team like that against Athletico ? No chance

Alisson

TAA Matip VVD Robertson

Fabinho
Henderson Oxlade

Salah Firmino Mane

Don't lose and a bit more of a structured performance. I think Matip needs to come back in and I'm unsure why he didn't play Saturday.

Can see klopp playing young morton actually.

And now even thinking about it, Klopp may make a few changes from the weekend team.

Possibly something like this ?

--------------- Ali --------------
- trent - Matip - Gomez - Kostas -
------------- Morton ------------------
  ---- Hendo ------ Ox ------
     - Salah - Origi - Taki -

Subs bench loaded with super subs.

I think we'll be much stronger than that. The schedule has been pretty good to us this week with us playing Saturday - Wednesday - Sunday. Enough rest there for us to play a strong team tomorrow.

Do you really think Klopp will play a team like that against Athletico ? No chance

Never know. stranger things have happened.

I think we'll be much stronger than that. The schedule has been pretty good to us this week with us playing Saturday - Wednesday - Sunday. Enough rest there for us to play a strong team tomorrow.

Could be, but I think he might shake it up, and out of the 3 games before international break we can afford to drop points in this one.

Jones & Ox dont really work in the same midfield, Taki & Origi are due a start in a bigger game than the league cup, morton can help in MF while likes of Fab & Thiago get match fit.

Just thoughts, Klopp will probably do something completely different.

NB: Team no longer available

I would rest Robertson and Salah, would give Matip this one because he did not deserve to be dropped. I may be mad but he should be rested for the weekend and these b***ard like to play the man rather than the ball.

Think one of Fab or Thiago will start with Hendo and Jones. Expect Matip ,Jota to start and could be tempted to give Tzimikas a run

Think one of Fab or Thiago will start with Hendo and Jones. Expect Matip ,Jota to start and could be tempted to give Tzimikas a run

I agree, I think Fabs will come in with Henderson and Jones.

Never know. stranger things have happened.

They have but we have a chance to top the group , and I think that will be a factor in team selection .

4-2-3-1 with Fab and Hendo sitting in front of the back 4.

1-1 with no injuries and I'll be happy.

What's a strong ref? Strong enough to stand up to home crowd pressure? But we're at home. Maybe more a ref who doesn't bottle challenges and makes decisive decisions?

Quite simply a ref that doesn't fall for their sh*t all the time.

Pretty sure Thiago will start, he's trained longer than Fab.

Pretty sure Thiago will start, he's trained longer than Fab.

And he has been out for a month longer

They have but we have a chance to top the group , and I think that will be a factor in team selection .

Defo, klopp will go as strong as he thinks he can. We want the win no doubt, but a draw not the end of the world either.

Pretty sure Thiago will start, he's trained longer than Fab.

I think probably Sub for both, coming on for last 20 or sooner if needed.

We dont even know what fabs injury was, if it was just a nock and not muscle he may well be fitter than we think ?

Difficult to predict a result tonight will mid field injuries. Maybe a narrow 2  1 win for the Reds, simply because I am bias !!

NB: Team no longer available

I would rest Robertson and Salah, would give Matip this one because he did not deserve to be dropped. I may be mad but he should be rested for the weekend and these b***ard like to play the man rather than the ball.

I would skip Fab and Thiago for this one too because they are physically tough and you need to be 100% for this game. Thiago for sure, maybe Fabinho.

it is said that the secret to a happy life is having something worthwhile to get out of bed for, European Matchday....it doesnt get much more enjoyable than that. A day of anticipation hoping for a night to remember. No doubt the lads will make us suffer but they never let us down.
Lets hope Simone burst a vessel in his anger at our 4th goal going in before half time.

Got to admit I'm not overly confident in tonight's result. 

First of all - we don't need a result here.  Atletico probably do.  Secondly - midfield issues.  I'd be amazed if one of the three we had left aren't playing carrying a minor knock. 

And finally - I expect if any of the other five midfielders are 'close' to a comeback then Klopp won't risk them ahead of the more important game this week at the weekend.

As ever, I will be more than happy to chew on my own words when Liverpool prove me wrong.   Looking at it right now though I'd expect Atletico to shade it by a goal.  I hope the fans going tonight put in a performance to help the reds into the next round!

Struggling to know what to expect for this one.

Struggling to know what to expect for this one.

mate with the Crowd in full flow we could play in midfield and still win. The extra few % makes avg players world beaters I think they are more than worried about facing us and we know what games they will want to play this is a very experienced group of players now its another European night and win for me. Thiago and Fab could both be available according to some reports whilst they have quite a few injured or banned.

it is said that the secret to a happy life is having something worthwhile to get out of bed for, European Matchday....it doesnt get much more enjoyable than that. A day of anticipation hoping for a night to remember. No doubt the lads will make us suffer but they never let us down.
Lets hope Simone burst a vessel in his anger at our 4th goal going in before half time.

Id love it if we destroy them tonight. starting to dislike that simone even more now with all this handshake pish.

mate with the Crowd in full flow we could play in midfield and still win. The extra few % makes avg players world beaters I think they are more than worried about facing us and we know what games they will want to play this is a very experienced group of players now its another European night and win for me. Thiago and Fab could both be available according to some reports whilst they have quite a few injured or banned.

Yea they are missing a few big players.

I do think Fabinho and Thiago will start alongside Hendo until we can establish control in the middle of the park but will be subbed 15-20 mins to go with Ox and Curtis ,really hope the fans get behind the lads and make Simeone uncomfortable

I do think Fabinho and Thiago will start alongside Hendo until we can establish control in the middle of the park but will be subbed 15-20 mins to go with Ox and Curtis ,really hope the fans get behind the lads and make Simeone uncomfortable

particularly as he has said that he won't shake Klopp's hand this game either.

C'mon redmen let's stay focussed and fully switched on for the entire game tonight.