Pre-Match: Liverpool v Atalanta EL QF 1st Leg Thurs 11th April 20:00 Kick Off

Another big game on Thursday against Italian side Atalanta, who currently sit 6th in Serie A.

They have won 2 of their last 6 in all competitions.

Current notable players in their squad include ex-Everton forward Ademola Lookman, ex-West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca, ex-Chelsea full back Davide Zappacosta and ex-Arsenal centre back Sead Kolasinac.

They are managed by Gian Gasperini and play a 3-4-1-2 formation.

They lost 2-1 in their last league match on Sunday against Cagliari, who won the game in the 88th minute.

I expect us to make a few changes, I think a few of our lads look a bit leggy and a couple could just generally do with a rest likewise a few need some extra minutes. We play Crystal Palace 3 days after this game so that needs bearing in mind also. I’ve put my suggested subs in brackets:

Kelleher

Gomez
Konate (Quansah)
Van Dijk (c)
Robertson (Tsimikas)

Elliott
Endo
Gravenberch (Nunez - Gakpo to CM)

Salah (Mac Allister) - Elliott to RW
Gakpo
Jones (Diaz)

Subs:

Adrian (GK)
Mrozek (GK)
Bradley
Quansah
Tsimikas
Mac Allister
Szoboszlai
Clark
Nunez
Diaz
Danns
Gordon

Injured:

Alisson (GK)
Alexander-Arnold
Matip
Thiago
Bajcetic
Jota
Doak

Should be beating these without too much worry even if we put 80% of our strongest side out, bar some stand out wins they've been terrible most of the season.

This has become more than a trophy we should win, we need to win it.

Kelleher Gomez Konate Virgil Kostas Endo Harvey Grav Salah Nunez Gakpo

12-0.

12-0.

You're being awful kind to Atalanta

You're being awful kind to Atalanta

Are they that bad?

Need this game to wash out the taste of yesterday's debacle. Thankfully we've got injured players returning and now have a squad capable of competing on both fronts. Certainly I would expect Gomez, Tsimikas, Elliott, Gravenburch, Konate and Gakpo all to start. I daresay Jones may also start and get 60 minutes with a view to possibly starting at Palace at the weekend. 

Need Curtis to get up to speed quick so hopefully he gets a decent number of minutes. We have to use our squad depth as we have the players to win the tie and still keep the backbone of the team fresh.

Hopefully we can win this competion, giving Jürgen the full set of trophies, whilst he has been at the club.

Whilst I realise the Premier League is the main prize, it would be great to pick up, another european trophy.

Let's progress a step further by beating Atalanta, on Thursday evening.

You're being awful kind to Atalanta

..be lucky to get nil..

Need this game to wash out the taste of yesterday's debacle. Thankfully we've got injured players returning and now have a squad capable of competing on both fronts. Certainly I would expect Gomez, Tsimikas, Elliott, Gravenburch, Konate and Gakpo all to start. I daresay Jones may also start and get 60 minutes with a view to possibly starting at Palace at the weekend.

Get friggin' Jota out there..even if he's still on crutches..

For the love of god please keep Konate away from the XI so he can play the league game on Sunday - was an absolute joke he played against Sheffield United and not yesterday.

If we keep playing Koante in this and Quansah in the league then consider me baffled.

As well, if we can't rely on Konate to play a few games a week then maybe he isn't what we need? No good having a lambo in the garage if the only day you can take it for a spin is on Fridays.

As well, if we can't rely on Konate to play a few games a week then maybe he isn't what we need? No good having a lambo in the garage if the only day you can take it for a spin is on Fridays.

Or it breaks down 🤷‍♂️

As well, if we can't rely on Konate to play a few games a week then maybe he isn't what we need? No good having a lambo in the garage if the only day you can take it for a spin is on Fridays.

True but its where we are for now so better waiting for the prem games.

Would go: Kelleher..Brad..Joe..VVD ..Robbo...Elliott..Endo. .Mac...Mo...Gakpo...Diaz . 4-0.

Would go: Kelleher..Brad..Joe..VVD ..Robbo...Elliott..Endo. .Mac...Mo...Gakpo...Diaz . 4-0.

Very decent side, hope it is endorsed by Jürgen, question is can we keep a clean sheet. Been giving goals away for fun lately.

Have to take advantage of being at home, full on for me, if Konate is fit he starts,  despite Sunday’s sh*t show up,top I’m keeping with that triple and allow them to bury that particular ghost, Kelleher between the sticks before he stands down for Ali and I’m hoping Jota makes the bench,…….

…………………Kelleher
   Bradley Konate Virgil Robbo
                   Endo
     Szlobo.              Macca
        Salah            Diaz
                 Nunez

Decent outfit are Atalanta, getting to this stage of this particular competition is no mean feat so their certainly no mugs, however, lying mid table in a inferior league says they are probably punching above their weight expecting to get passed us,
And trying to get passed us when we are licking our wounds, at home, in a raucous rocking Anfield I reckon there’s as much chance as a snowball has in the Sahara Desert!!

Can’t help but think this is a one leg tie and it will be done and dusted prior to landing in Italy next week.


4-0 Europa league winners elect



YNWA

Looking forward to Klopp's presser in about an hours time, especially with what he has to say about the players returning.

No flags tonight due to ticket price protest

For the love of god please keep Konate away from the XI so he can play the league game on Sunday - was an absolute joke he played against Sheffield United and not yesterday.

This.

As i said last week in the konate player thread, leave him out against sheff utd and he can play 7 of the last 8 league games with a mixture of 6/7/8 days in between only missing the midweek everton game. What do we do, play him thursday and then have him and Joe sat on the bench at united and quansah starting. Absolute joke.

So .... save him for Palace  , who are a physical side and slot Joe in alongside Virg tomorrow. But , why help ourselves? He will no doubt start tomorrow and Quansah back in on sunday. Bizarre.

Would go: Kelleher..Brad..Joe..VVD ..Robbo...Elliott..Endo. .Mac...Mo...Gakpo...Diaz . 4-0.

Id go with this. Maybe Jones in for harvey? Jones is certainly pushing for a place and harvey seems more of an impact from the bench.

Id give Jota a cameo ... 10 or 15 minutes at the end to warm him up for Palace

No flags tonight due to ticket price protest

That'll show em!!!!!