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Liverpool Supporters Thread (Part 21)


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Old 15-10-2016, 14:04
TheMunch
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Agreed.

He does the rest of us no favours whatsoever. I see you lot as favourites for this one, but I'm obviously hoping that we can pull something out of the bag.

Rooney off the bench for a 90th minute winner?
I've been more confident about this match than I have for Liverpool vs Man United in a long time, including the Europa League last season. I mean that was after you did the double on us. Confident about us winning as well as confident it'll be a good game, possibly one of the best matches between us in a while.

But I'd never outright claim we're gonna win. Forgetting the cliché about form going out the window, you have Mourinho who knows more than most how to handle Liverpool, and Zlatan who is the type of striker we've struggled against over the years. The previously mentioned set-piece weaknesses could well be our undoing, and you have players that can hurt us with that, especially Blind and Zlatan, and even Fellaini if he plays. If Blind starts at LB, though, then Mané will eat him alive. He'd make Suárez proud.

Lallana and Wijnaldum are both possibilities for this match. If they both play then I'd be even more confident since, as well as both of them playing well this season, especially Lallana, we won't have to make many, or any, changes to what is probably our main XI. Coutinho may not play because he played two full games for Brazil, while Firmino only played the first. Luckily the game's on Monday so he's had time to recover from the games and the travel. If we were playing at noon today then I don't think he'd play.

Wijnaldum is more of a doubt than Lallana, after your left-back's dad conveniently crippled him by making him play the second half. If he doesn't play then we could see either Can (Henderson moved forward), Grujic or Coutinho filling in for him. Either one's a good option. We know how good Can is, and proved last season against Villarreal that he's capable of jumping straight into a big game and performing. If it's Coutinho, and he's recovered from travel, then he'll be more match-fit and we get to keep Henderson in the place he's excelled at. If it's Grujic, he's a young, talented player that could surprise you, and with his height and strength he can strengthen our side against your team of giants.

For me, I'd move Coutinho into Wijnaldum's position, move Firmino to the left and play Sturridge in the middle. Or even leave Firmino there and play Origi on the left. He, too, is strong, and quick.

In any case it'll be an interesting contest. While I'm confident of us winning, and I think it's fair to say we are favourites, and not just because of home advantage, though that helps. If we happen to get beat then it wouldn't be a shock. I wouldn't say you only have one good attacking player and that I don't rate two of your other good attacking players, or criticise your defence when there's not much difference, stat-wise.

Also our entire back four, and I think some other players, stayed at home during the international break. So with a back four of Clyne, Matip, Lovren and Milner all fresh they'll be as ready as they'll ever be to take on Zlatan. If we lose, it'll be because of him. We're yet to keep a clean sheet this season so if you have him in your fantasy team you'll do well to keep him there, even if we win you'll still probably score.


Wow, big post. I feel safer trying to discuss this in here.
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Old 15-10-2016, 14:17
Jim De Ville
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Good overview, Munch.

It's a bit more difficult to discuss United's possibilities, as I really don't know how Mourinho will approach the match.

Focusing on your Mane/Blind point, I would say that Blind, whilst not being quick, is an exceptionally clever player. It's not often that he gets taken apart, regardless of where he plays. City hammered us in the opening half of our game against them, Blind included, but then I think that they would have done that to anyone.

It's full of intrigue, and like you, I see it being a quality match.
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Old 15-10-2016, 14:46
TheMunch
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Good overview, Munch.

It's a bit more difficult to discuss United's possibilities, as I really don't know how Mourinho will approach the match.

Focusing on your Mane/Blind point, I would say that Blind, whilst not being quick, is an exceptionally clever player. It's not often that he gets taken apart, regardless of where he plays. City hammered us in the opening half of our game against them, Blind included, but then I think that they would have done that to anyone.

It's full of intrigue, and like you, I see it being a quality match.
I don't think I've watched anything of Man United this season, so can't comment on Blind from experience. But I think he'll have a tough game on his hands because of the pace of Mané. He's really quick with the ball. Between him and Luke Shaw in his current state, with just returning from injury, Blind might be the better choice since he's a more intelligent player. But I think he might need some help. But I guess we'll just have to say, I can only judge how he'll do against Mané based only on knowing he's not quick and knowing what I've seen of Mané. If it was Milner going up against Mané I'd probably be arguing similar to you. Milner's not quick, but he's a clever player, and experienced, and he's been great at LB this season. If he came up against Mané, I'd be worried, but I'd also be thinking he can handle it.

If Blind plays, whether left back or midfield then I'm sure you'll feel more confident about your chances.

As for Mourinho's approach to the match, well I've mentioned him not wanting to lose in the Man United thread and was made to regret it, even though I think I'm right. But I think it depends on how he fancies his chances. If he thinks he'll have to be cautious and park the bus, he will do. The infamous game against Chelsea in the 13/14 season was like the ultimate Mourinho performance against us. He stopped us first, rather than trying to beat us first, because he felt that was the best approach, and ended up with a win. He's the type of manager that'll try to take advantage of the fact that we're probably more confident than you.

Klopp vs Mourinho will be interesting. Mourinho has a great record against Liverpool, and Klopp has a great record against Mourinho.
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Old 15-10-2016, 14:54
Jim De Ville
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As for Mourinho's approach to the match, well I've mentioned him not wanting to lose in the Man United thread and was made to regret it, even though I think I'm right. But I think it depends on how he fancies his chances. If he thinks he'll have to be cautious and park the bus, he will do. The infamous game against Chelsea in the 13/14 season was like the ultimate Mourinho performance against us. He stopped us first, rather than trying to beat us first, because he felt that was the best approach, and ended up with a win. He's the type of manager that'll try to take advantage of the fact that we're probably more confident than you.
Mourinho's a pragmatist. I agree that his first target will be to not lose, and I'm fairly certain that we won't be going for the 'gung-ho' approach, particularly not from the off.

Having said that, Mourinho does seem to be aware that simply 'parking the bus' is not something that United players (and fans) are particularly comfortable with.

I expect a pretty cautious approach, but not all-out defence. That's why I think that it could be a cracking game.
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Old 15-10-2016, 15:11
TheMunch
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If it's anyone I'm not looking forward to facing this season it's Man City. Ten minutes in and they look dangerous, and Aguero isn't even playing! I can hear my fantasy team crying.

De Bruyne makes such a difference to that side. If he and Aguero are playing against us then I'd be worried. Hopefully we'll be full of confidence by then. That game's on the 31st of December, at Anfield, and we have Sunderland away just 48 hours later. They probably leave travelling to the north east while still hungover from NYE out when enticing foreign players to come to our league.
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Old 15-10-2016, 15:13
batdude_uk1
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Mourinho's a pragmatist. I agree that his first target will be to not lose, and I'm fairly certain that we won't be going for the 'gung-ho' approach, particularly not from the off.

Having said that, Mourinho does seem to be aware that simply 'parking the bus' is not something that United players (and fans) are particularly comfortable with.

I expect a pretty cautious approach, but not all-out defence. That's why I think that it could be a cracking game.
The match will be incredibly tight I think for the first twenty or so minutes, as neither team will want to be the first to be coming from behind.

From there it will be a case of which manager will have the attitude to want to win it, if we retreat too far back into a defensive mindset, then I think we will get beaten quite easily.

So I think it is important to get that balance right between trying to contain them, and attacking at the right moments.

It is such a hard match to call, as it could go either way, plenty of potential match winners on both sides.

I think that we will win, but it will come down to how we set out, as that will give us a clear sign of what to expect from the match.
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Old 15-10-2016, 15:17
TheSloth
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It'll be like Chelse's visit to City under Jose where they were organised well defensively but attacked with purpose when the opportunity arose. The longer it goes without Liverpool getting ahead the better I suspect if Jose adopts a similar plan.

Can't wait to see the crackling atmosphere - I really hope the fans (both sets) start too reign in the tribal crap and it begins to get shunned and discouraged by the overwhelming majority.

Could be a classic.
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Old 15-10-2016, 15:22
TheMunch
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I hope there's no controversy from the officials, mainly going in Man United's favour. Not just because I don't want Man United to get unfair decisions, but the referee will be under a lot of scrutiny because he's from Manchester. Apparently he lives six miles from Old Trafford.

We've got a good record under Anthony Taylor, though.

Taylor hasn't officiated a Liverpool game in the Premier League since a 1-0 win over Swansea City in November 2015, and his previous visit to Anfield was for a 1-1 draw with Norwich two months earlier in the dying embers of Brendan Rodgers' reign.

The Wythenshawe-born ref also had the whistle as Jurgen Klopp's side recorded a 1-0 win away to Stoke in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final in January.

Taylor also oversaw the league victory against the Potters in August 2015, meaning you would have to trawl back to May 2015 to find a game that the Reds actually lost with him in charge.
However...

The last time Liverpool lost when Anthony Taylor was the ref then?

Stoke City 6-1 Liverpool.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport...thony-12009146


What is it with bald referees?
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Old 15-10-2016, 16:53
Sick Bullet
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A few minutes away from some good results, but as usual
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Old 15-10-2016, 16:59
Orchideam
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A few minutes away from some good results, but as usual
2 draws ahead of us is pretty good, and frankly, unexpected.

I just hope we can take the advantage handed to us is all!
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Old 15-10-2016, 17:03
TheMunch
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I'm not as worried about Man City now. Karius or Mignolet will deal with those penalties all day long.

Man City are just 3 points and +3 GD ahead of us. If we win on Monday those three points could be huge with all the points dropped today.
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Old 15-10-2016, 20:31
Dandem
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I have to admit, I'm extremely nervous going into Monday night. On current form, we'll be the favourites but we all know that form goes out of the window in a clash like this.

Mourinho, as much as I loved us dismantling his Chelsea team at The Bridge last year, has an annoying habit of frustrating and destabilising us with his pragmatic approach to football. I suspect he'll pile bodies in the United half, and try to do us in on set pieces. I wouldn't be surprised to see Fellaini/Pogba/Ibrahimovic on the goalkeeper with both Karius and Mignolet looking uncertain on crosses.
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Old 15-10-2016, 21:24
Sick Bullet
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2 draws ahead of us is pretty good, and frankly, unexpected.

I just hope we can take the advantage handed to us is all!
Yeh 4-0 for tops, but I always worry against United any win will do pls
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Old 16-10-2016, 01:27
TheMunch
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Klopp: "They make masks of my face. If someone wants to wear it, I can’t believe it – I don’t like my face too much so I would not wear it!"
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Old 17-10-2016, 11:02
openarms
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Get the feeling Liverpool fans can't wait for the game to start and United fans can't wait for it to end.

We're playing better than we were last year so they have good reason to fear. United fan team selections are all over the shop as they can't settle on a starting XI. Right now I'd take the 2 : 1 performance we showed away at Chelsea.

Jose looks like he could do with some sleep. Two big losses this week and he could slip back into self-destruct mode like he did last season.



And that would be terrible
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Old 17-10-2016, 11:13
TheMunch
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Apparently, there are rumours (yes, I'm spreading a rumour of a rumour) that Moreno will start. I did think that was an option if Milner was needed in midfield. I'd much prefer him being kept at LB.

Moreno's pace could be effective, and up against Valencia, but as well as him being error-prone, a weakness of his is his height. He's a bit on the short side for a defender, and against a side that will probably look to take advantage of their height it could be a problem.

Imagine Moreno vs Zlatan, it'd be the mismatch of the year.
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Old 17-10-2016, 11:24
openarms
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Milner at LB all day long for me. Are you sure Mourinho didn't start the rumour

Jose has a bad rep for blaming players, refs, physios, Exeter tea ladies for bad performances when the solution is staring him in the face. Just get your team to play better football!
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Old 17-10-2016, 11:34
TheMunch
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This really isn't the game to bring Moreno in.

Also, 7 years ago today, a red balloon scored a goal against us for Sunderland. I hope the balloon is dead.
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Old 17-10-2016, 18:26
TheMunch
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I'm seeing rumours that Luis Suárez is at the game.

Danny Agger will be there, too.
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Old 17-10-2016, 19:10
Dandem
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Apparently, there are rumours (yes, I'm spreading a rumour of a rumour) that Moreno will start. I did think that was an option if Milner was needed in midfield. I'd much prefer him being kept at LB.

Moreno's pace could be effective, and up against Valencia, but as well as him being error-prone, a weakness of his is his height. He's a bit on the short side for a defender, and against a side that will probably look to take advantage of their height it could be a problem.

Imagine Moreno vs Zlatan, it'd be the mismatch of the year.
Well this was a stupid rumour
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Old 17-10-2016, 19:40
Grouty
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Team: Karius, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Coutinho, Henderson, Can, Mane, Sturridge, Firmino.
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Old 17-10-2016, 20:15
1manonthebog
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We're being very wasteful here and can hardly get out of our own half.
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Old 17-10-2016, 20:20
1manonthebog
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It's all united. We've not got going at all.
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Old 17-10-2016, 20:25
Michael_Vaughan
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Jose team performance all over. They're winning the midfield as we lack an enforcer in there. Still no score though, this could be a reversal of their last few visits to Anfield. Most of possession to Utd and we nick it on the break. Would take that on the game so far but still time for us to make our mark.

We need a bit more composure in attacking areas. The ball is zipping off the surface and the accuracy isn't there in our passing yet.
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Old 17-10-2016, 20:27
Michael_Vaughan
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Taylor definitely favouring them with the 50 50 decisions in these early stages.
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