Pre match: Benfica v Liverpool; UCL quarter final, April 5th: KO 8pm

What a month ahead. Starting at, for me, one of the great names of European football, Benfica

We know first hamd what a potential banana skin this tie is they have done us before. And while percieved as the weakest team left in it they always have ballers capable of hurting teams. And a crowd that given a sniff will be all over us.

Big task for Jürgen to manage this tie spot on ahead of Sunday. Will he go full on or change things a bit, do enough to have it in our hands for the 2nd leg and fresh to attack city on Sunday?

Ali

Joe VVD Konate Robbo

       Harvey Fab Naby

       Diaz  Jota  Mane

     

Defo can see some rotation here.

But whoever does start will not let us down.

Idealistically you would want your fullest fittest and best X1 possible  for the next 270 minutes at least, for me that would mean this side to play in  the next 3 outings…..

………..                      Alisson
               Trent.   Matip.   Virgil. Robbo
                    Henderson.  Fabinho
                               Thiago
                   Salah.    Mane.   Diaz………


Risky as F**k doing such a thing, so against Benfica we’ll probably see something like this…..

………….                         Alisson
                    Trent.  Konate.  Virgil Kostas
                                   Fabinho
                           Hendo.        Naby lad
                         Salah    Bobby.    Diaz

Jürgen will probably start with Gomez at RB, then give minutes to Trent second half, if Naby is fit he’ll start if not Ox will but subbed for Thiago after a hour, Konate in for Joel and Bobby to start rather than Mane, 5 Subs remember in the CL so might also see Minamino, Divock, or Milner, if all goes well we can then rest Mo, Fabinho or Hendo,

There is no doubt in my mind the game on Sunday will be in Jürgen’s train of thought, he will want to field that side at the top, but he’ll also want to win tomorrow night knowing a win and perhaps a 2-3 goal margin will make the second leg a mere formality and allow further rotation and the resting of tired limbs, and the best preparation possible for the semi V them again,

It’s f***in full on now ppl from Saturday V Watford to somewhere near the end of the month, we got Blueshite on the 24th so nigh on three solid weeks of high intensity cup final football, never do it easy do we ?


Glad I’m not the gaffer, fookin head hurts just doing ^^^^^^^^^^^^^.


0-2 at least, Mighty Redmen



                                                                          Y  N  W  A

Would be an ideal game to let Diaz and Jota start.
Looking forward to the run in.

Fancy us beating these 3-0 or 3-1...

dont play city till sunday so plenty time to recover if klopp goes strong, and as billy noted above 5 subs can be used, so plenty scope to rotate during the game.

Expect to see a lot of the ball, deep defending to try and frustrate us. For that reason I would like to see us start Thiago because he is the player to break them down. I expect every game from here on out to see 3 or 4 players rotate in and out of the starting XI and though this is UCL QF away from home and you want to start something close to your strongest XI Klopp will have a eye on Sunday and expect our squad players get it done in Libson.

-----------------------Alisson----------------
Gomez----Konate-----VvD-----Robbo
---------Ketia------Fabino-----Thiago---
-----Mane----------Jota------------Diaz--

Best lineup available, hope to get a big lead then subs at the 60th minute.

Not sure if Trent can start but if not then he'll surely get 30 minutes at the end.

               Alisson
Joe - Van Dijk - Konate - Robbo
               Fabinho
         Hendo - Thiago
    Salah - Bobby - Mane


Trent, Keita, Diaz and Jota subs throughout the 2nd half

Best lineup available, hope to get a big lead then subs at the 60th minute.

Not sure if Trent can start but if not then he'll surely get 30 minutes at the end.

               Alisson
Joe - Van Dijk - Konate - Robbo
               Fabinho
         Hendo - Thiago
    Salah - Bobby - Mane


Trent, Keita, Diaz and Jota subs throughout the 2nd half

Considering the Portuguese opposition - could be a smart move to start Jota and Diaz?

Salah looks tired and not quite himself so I'd take him out and have him raring to go to prove a point on Sunday.

Ali; Trent (if fit), Konate, VVD, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Mane, Jota, Diaz.

Salah looks tired and not quite himself so I'd take him out and have him raring to go to prove a point on Sunday.

Ali; Trent (if fit), Konate, VVD, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Mane, Jota, Diaz.

I disagree - I think Salah needs to be played back into form and this could be the perfect game for that to happen.

Salah looks tired and not quite himself so I'd take him out and have him raring to go to prove a point on Sunday.

Ali; Trent (if fit), Konate, VVD, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson; Mane, Jota, Diaz.

Exactly why I left him out of my 11 above. Rest yes, but to also piss him off to get a reaction Sunday

A draw or any lead will suffice here.

NB: Team no longer available

I would rest Matip, Salah, Firmino, Thiago and give Trent more time to be fully ready against City.

Strongest side and get it won. Having said that, we can now rotate three or four players without weakening the side.

What a squad !
What a team !
What a Manager !

0-2 To the MIGHTY RED MEN !

Let’s put them away in the first leg. No messing around.

We win by 4 or 5. Their best bet is to come right at us at home, and that plays into our hands.

Dicey first few minutes, then we pull their pants down and spank their ass good and proper.

I'd play the very same 11 I would like to see against City. Reason: rhythm. I'd just plug in our best and go with them the next 2 games:

Alisson
Trent-Matip-VVD-Robbo
Hendo-Fab-Thiago
Salah-Jota-Diaz

Yes, Diaz > Mané.

Would imagine starts for Mane and Diaz after being on bench . Naby , Konate and Trent possible starters also

I'd play the very same 11 I would like to see against City. Reason: rhythm. I'd just plug in our best and go with them the next 2 games:

Alisson
Trent-Matip-VVD-Robbo
Hendo-Fab-Thiago
Salah-Jota-Diaz

Yes, Diaz > Mané.

Don’t see rhythm being a issue when we’re in a run in for the league, and everything else, rhythmical issues happen at the beginning of the season not near the end,
I thought of playing the same X1 for City tonight also but we can’t afford to risk injury to any of our key players, like Mo or Mane, of course there has to be a element of risk  or we wouldn’t be able to field a side, but you know what I mean,
 for me Mane, along with Mo and Diaz will start V City, Jota could get the nod tonight rather than Bobby but imo Bobby would better served in between Mo & Diaz, he’s Jürgen’s go to when he wants a bit of flare as well as his first line of defence,
if you watch Bobby close enough you’ll see how hard he works, tracking back, breaking up play, and setting off attacks, you don’t get that with Diogo, he’s more of a around and in the box type, more akin to what Fowler was,

For me you can’t leave your best player on the bench, he’s hungry is our Mo, and he will thrive in a game of such magnitude, Benfica have to come out and play if they have any aspirations of reaching the semi’s, their best chance is tonight at home and then park the bus at Anfield, and that my little nameless friend will play right into our hands,

Bon Voyage !!




                                                                         Y  N  W  A

Don’t see rhythm being a issue when we’re in a run in for the league, and everything else, rhythmical issues happen at the beginning of the season not near the end,
I thought of playing the same X1 for City tonight also but we can’t afford to risk injury to any of our key players, like Mo or Mane, of course there has to be a element of risk  or we wouldn’t be able to field a side, but you know what I mean,
 for me Mane, along with Mo and Diaz will start V City, Jota could get the nod tonight rather than Bobby but imo Bobby would better served in between Mo & Diaz, he’s Jürgen’s go to when he wants a bit of flare as well as his first line of defence,
if you watch Bobby close enough you’ll see how hard he works, tracking back, breaking up play, and setting off attacks, you don’t get that with Diogo, he’s more of a around and in the box type, more akin to what Fowler was,

For me you can’t leave your best player on the bench, he’s hungry is our Mo, and he will thrive in a game of such magnitude, Benfica have to come out and play if they have any aspirations of reaching the semi’s, their best chance is tonight at home and then park the bus at Anfield, and that my little nameless friend will play right into our hands,

Bon Voyage !!




                                                                         Y  N  W  A

Yea plenty rhythm for the whole squad when there is a game every few days.

More I think about this, hes gonna use the squad tonight, Big guns on the bench ready to come on if needed.

If result doesnt go our way tonight, we can always smash them at anfield next week. ;-)

Bigger picture sunday is the game we need big guns 100% fit no niggles etc.

No way is Klopp going into this game with what is perceived as a weakened line up he knows the magnitude of what can be achieved COYR.

Big games are here now. So has to be our best 11 available for me tonight bar trent as no need to take any risks with him. So:

Alisson
Gomez
Matip
Vvd
Robbo

Fab
Thiago
Hendo

Salah
Jota
Mane

What an 8 weeks or so this could be. Will be a hell of a ride whatever happens.

One of the biggest months in Liverpool's illustrious history began on Saturday with the hard-fought win against strugglers Watford.

Our form hasn't been great the past month or so and we will need to improve if we're to remain in strong contention by the end of April for the 3 prizes still on offer.

This game is gonna be tougher than some envisage IMO.

Talk of getting a big lead & resting players assumes we've been flying & knocking goals in for fun, but we've scored the princely sum of 10 goals in our last 8 games without scoring more than 2 in any game, and have ground results out with sometimes mediocre performances.

Mo has looked off it recently & in particular against Watford.

We do however have options to refresh a weary looking side and I expect changes today, but picking the side is a tough call.

Certs for me are Ali, VVD, Robbo, Hendo & Mo.  I'd pick Thiago as he's in form & Diaz as he looks the freshest of our forwards.
The rest is up for grabs.

A tight 1 goal victory will more than do, then the big one on Sunday!

COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS!!

HISTORY BECKONS.....
 

One of the biggest months in Liverpool's illustrious history began on Saturday with the hard-fought win against strugglers Watford.

Our form hasn't been great the past month or so and we will need to improve if we're to remain in strong contention by the end of April for the 3 prizes still on offer.

This game is gonna be tougher than some envisage IMO.

Talk of getting a big lead & resting players assumes we've been flying & knocking goals in for fun, but we've scored the princely sum of 10 goals in our last 8 games without scoring more than 2 in any game, and have ground results out with sometimes mediocre performances.

Mo has looked off it recently & in particular against Watford.

We do however have options to refresh a weary looking side and I expect changes today, but picking the side is a tough call.

Certs for me are Ali, VVD, Robbo, Hendo & Mo.  I'd pick Thiago as he's in form & Diaz as he looks the freshest of our forwards.
The rest is up for grabs.

A tight 1 goal victory will more than do, then the big one on Sunday!

COME ON YOU MIGHTY REDS!!

HISTORY BECKONS.....
 

Form hasn't been good?

- 10 league wins from 10, 25 goals for 2 against   WOW !!!!

- won the league cup

- Inter sneaked a win in champions league but we still went thru.

- Got past Forest to get Into FA Cup semi final.

Seems good to me.

Strongest side and get it won. Having said that, we can now rotate three or four players without weakening the side.

What a squad !
What a team !
What a Manager !

0-2 To the MIGHTY RED MEN !

Was thinking this earlier. It’s now disappointing if we finish second. Before klopp 4th place was the hope.
As for tonight.... a win would be great. I can see it being an entertaining 2-2

Form hasn't been good?

We've been lucky for a couple of years now. Even Mo isn't good enough to win the Balon d'Or. We're poor, but we've been lucky.

I'm already getting excited and there's still 7 hours to go !!

Keep the dream alive REDS.

We've been lucky for a couple of years now. Even Mo isn't good enough to win the Balon d'Or. We're poor, but we've been lucky.

 

Defo, Mo should be president of the world by now too.

Don’t see rhythm being a issue when we’re in a run in for the league, and everything else, rhythmical issues happen at the beginning of the season not near the end,
I thought of playing the same X1 for City tonight also but we can’t afford to risk injury to any of our key players, like Mo or Mane, of course there has to be a element of risk  or we wouldn’t be able to field a side, but you know what I mean,
 for me Mane, along with Mo and Diaz will start V City, Jota could get the nod tonight rather than Bobby but imo Bobby would better served in between Mo & Diaz, he’s Jürgen’s go to when he wants a bit of flare as well as his first line of defence,
if you watch Bobby close enough you’ll see how hard he works, tracking back, breaking up play, and setting off attacks, you don’t get that with Diogo, he’s more of a around and in the box type, more akin to what Fowler was,

For me you can’t leave your best player on the bench, he’s hungry is our Mo, and he will thrive in a game of such magnitude, Benfica have to come out and play if they have any aspirations of reaching the semi’s, their best chance is tonight at home and then park the bus at Anfield, and that my little nameless friend will play right into our hands,

Bon Voyage !!




                                                                         Y  N  W  A

I think mo has to start as well billy, but as there are usually 3 players designated to cover him, when he gets the ball, he doesn’t have to try and beat them all.
If he passes the ball on sharply, that’s three of theirs out of the game 🤷‍♂️
The alternative is losing possession !

Today is dragging…

we seem to enjoy going to Portugal so cant wait to see the lads perform one of their European specials. 2-0 I expect Diaz to be on fire tonight

We've been lucky for a couple of years now. Even Mo isn't good enough to win the Balon d'Or. We're poor, but we've been lucky.

I agree. We are so bad, it's unreal.
Our strikers never score. Our midfield cannot press. And don't even get me started on our defense. Even I could dribble past that tall guy with the ponytail in the center. Our fullbacks can't cross to save their life. As for our keeper, he's only good at scoring goals...
Last but not least, our manager has no passion whatsoever! He could be taking a nap during our games, you wouldn't notice.
Rubbish, the whole lot.

A lot of people putting pressure on the squad to roll these over in one leg so to save a bit of gas in the second leg. That will certainly be the last thing on the Red men's minds and they'll be expecting a proper challenge tonight. Big match, big night for Benfica - make no mistake they'll be as stuck into this as we are. A victory, any victory, would be just fine for us.

Going for 0-2
 Come on reds

Roll on kick off time gone for  1  2, for reds !

Form hasn't been good?

Said the past month or so and 10 goals in 8 games (plus one ET) highlights that despite getting results, we haven't been that great...

No we have been bang average if were all honest. Well kick into form though and at the right time

Fancy this 2 0

Time to prove that we are the greatest team in the world.

Said the past month or so and 10 goals in 8 games (plus one ET) highlights that despite getting results, we haven't been that great...

Form has been winning.

I agree that some of the play in some of the games hasnt been great. Some slack passes, struggling to break down the old 10 men bus parked systems.

We haven't really looked like losing though have we ?

I agree. We are so bad, it's unreal.
Our strikers never score. Our midfield cannot press. And don't even get me started on our defense. Even I could dribble past that tall guy with the ponytail in the center. Our fullbacks can't cross to save their life. As for our keeper, he's only good at scoring goals...
Last but not least, our manager has no passion whatsoever! He could be taking a nap during our games, you wouldn't notice.
Rubbish, the whole lot.

10 wins on the bounce 2 goals conceded our luck is keeping us alive it seems or maybe the harder you work the luckier you get.

Still over 2 hours to go, is today deliberately going slow on purpose  I need my footy fix, be interesting to see what team Jürgen puts out, a winning one I hope, but all will not be lost if we don't win tonight.

Got to move much quicker looking very static lately, come on you mighty reds

Nervous

Said the past month or so and 10 goals in 8 games (plus one ET) highlights that despite getting results, we haven't been that great...

Funny really, we've had games this season where we have played really well and not won, yet seems to be more said about the performance when we don't play at our best but still win.

At this stage of the season, I couldn't care less how we win, just so long as we do.

Said the past month or so and 10 goals in 8 games (plus one ET) highlights that despite getting results, we haven't been that great...

Also says to me we are due a rout!

Said the past month or so and 10 goals in 8 games (plus one ET) highlights that despite getting results, we haven't been that great...

You've got a bit of stick but I think you're spot on. Yes of course wins are all that matters but at some point we simply have to start playing a bit better or we'll get beat.

I suspect we'll start to go through the gears soon though. Hopefully starting tonight.

6 massive fixtures coming up:

Benfica
Man City
Benfica
Man City
Man Utd
Everton

- after the massive effort the lads and the mgmt team have put in to close the gap at the top to 1 point, there's no let up

Jürgen must have an eye on City at the weekend, am sure they will too.

Benfica are a tough side, but think I'd still prefer to play them then 2 matches against Atletico, F***ing horrible shower to play against.

City game is the priority just imo, so would take a draw tonight and really focus on Sunday.

Really looking forward to it, love the CL matches, couldn't really have asked for a better draw so hope the lads make the most of it tonight.
And not take anything for granted,