Chelsea - Liverpool Pre Match Thread

[Hansern]

Can is back in full training today. Lovren is expected back aswell.
For Chelsea John Terry is ruled out.

Can, Sakho and Lovren trained at Melwood today. #LFC

I'd go:

Ming
Clyne Matip Lovren Milner
Can
Henderson Lallana
Mane Firmino Coutinho

Harsh on Studge but I think we need more pressing and work rate upfront.
Can for Wijnaldum as we need a bit more physical presence and defensive stability away to Chelsea.

 

[Mors]

I'd go the same team again except for Lovren in for Lucas. Unless Karius is fit - then get him in for Ming.

 

[leftpeg]

I think that would be very harsh on Sturridge after his performance at the weekend so I'd stick with the same top 3. I'm tempted to throw Karius in but on balance I'd hold him back for a home debut.

 

[Piedro]

Just walked past Emre on Castle Street on me lunch hour.

I swooned.

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

Just walked past Emre on Castle Street on me lunch hour.

I swooned.

I better he's even sexier in real life.

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

Lucas out for Lovren, Maybe Karius in for Ming, no other changes. Coutinho should have to fight his way back in. I think Klopp my bring him in for Sturridge though and put Firmino up top for his pressing.

 

[Hansern]

Think I'd let Karius play vs Derby first before starting him in the league.

Starting Studge would be fine obvisouly, he was good this weekend. Will be interesting to see how Klopp sets us up.

 

[Piedro]

I better he's even sexier in real life.

Hes fucking Gorge

 

[Frogfish]

No need to hang about if fit. These lads have all played in big games before, they are not newbies. Why take a risk on a Ming FU (even though he's not been too bad so far this season) if a better keeper is available ? Tough on Wijnaldum but I think we need Can's strength.

Can't change that Top 4 and Sturridge needs to be playing .. chances will be far harder to come by and he can make & score one out of nothing.

........................ Karius

Clyne ..... Matip ..... Lovren ...... Milner

................ Can
................................. Henderson

.......................Lallana

Mane ............. Sturridge ............. Firmino

Subs from : Mignolet, Moreno, Sakho, Ragnar, Stewart, Lucas, Grujic, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Origi, Ings

 

[Judge Jules]

I think that would be very harsh on Sturridge after his performance at the weekend so I'd stick with the same top 3. I'm tempted to throw Karius in but on balance I'd hold him back for a home debut.

Agreed on both counts. The Studge especially will be absolutely desperate to play against these - and I like the idea of him going up against David Luiz.

 

[Mystic]

I'm nervous about disrupting the centre of the team in a big match, Henderson and Wijni the Pooh are playing well and we've dominated Spurs and Leicester in the last two matches, I'd be inclined to keep things as is. Obviously bring back Lovren and maybe start Karius.

 

[Brizzle]

Lovren for Lucas
Can for Wijnaldum
Coutinho for Studge


Agree that it seems unfair on Studge, but Firmino CF in big away games is Klopp's style, so I can't see it not happening.

I think Can is essential to get stuck in on their busy AMs who are all in decent form at the moment.

 

[leftpeg]

We've also got a number of players showing some good form so I see no reason to make changes to a side that smashed the champions in its last game (other than Lovren for Lucas).

 

[cloggypop]

Martin Atkinson

 

[Hansern]

Better than Bobby Madley

 

[rurikbird]

Sturridge has got to start – I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't. He looked good last time out, he will have a point to prove against his old club and we need to put a lot of pressure on David Luiz. The only changes I would make would be in defense and the DM position (if Lovren and Can are fit). Karius for Mignolet is debatable and I can see pros and cons to both.

Chelsea's biggest threat is Hazard, so Clyne, Matip, and Henderson in particular will have to put in their best defensive performances to keep him quiet. He should never be allowed to receive the ball in our half without immediate pressure – and better if he doesn't receive the ball at all. I think Henderson can be the key to that – he can intercept the passing lanes and shadow Hazard wherever he goes in search of the ball, while Can and Clyne hold their positions. If we can neutralize their biggest threat, we definitely have enough threats of our own to beat them.

 

[Judge Jules]

Better than Bobby Madley

No, he isn't. Madley's very inconsistent, but Atkinson is consistently terrible.

 

[Woland]

Was so happy seeing Terry hobble off on Sunday, that should make a huge difference. Luiz is fucking gash

 

[Hansern]

No, he isn't. Madley's very inconsistent, but Atkinson is consistently terrible.

Maybe, I just saw the Arsenal - Soton game on saturday. He was horrendous.
Atkinson is awful aswell mind.

 

[manwithnoname]

Other than Lovren in for Lucas, I'd be tempted to play the same team.

Obviously not sure about Can's readiness to come straight back in, otherwise there would be a case for him replacing Wijnaldum.

This will be a big test. Not just because it's Chelsea away, always tough, but because it's going to be interesting to see if the consistency issues are improving or not. We can't afford to drop our level in any games, not just Chelsea and the like, and so many times we have looked superb one week, and mystifyingly abysmal in the next game.

 

[tony]

Other than Lovren in for Lucas, I'd be tempted to play the same team.

Obviously not sure about Can's readiness to come straight back in, otherwise there would be a case for him replacing Wijnaldum.

This will be a big test. Not just because it's Chelsea away, always tough, but because it's going to be interesting to see if the consistency issues are improving or not. We can't afford to drop our level in any games, not just Chelsea and the like, and so many times we have looked superb one week, and mystifyingly abysmal in the next game.

Surely you're not advocating Mong keeping his place?

 

[manwithnoname]

Surely you're not advocating Mong keeping his place?

Well, I think maybe I'd prefer Karius to make his debut in a less important, intense game.

I would love to think he could come in a be fucking brilliant straight away, but I'd also be wary about a horrible debut and the subsequent scrutiny.

 

[tony]

Yeah but when the devil you DO know is so fucking shite it's a risk worth taking, sink or swim.

 

[Red Astaire]

Nah I agree with Brenden. This is not the game for a Karius debut imo. That's not say Klopp isn't likely to do it. He likes to show trust in players so throwing him into a game like this is a distict possibilty. Same with Can.

 

[doctor_mac]

Yeah, let's not ruin this keeper before he starts.

 

[Hansern]

Seeing as he's coming back from injury I think he'll make his debut against Derby

 

[Gary25]

Be very harsh to leave Sturridge out. If Lovren isn't available I'd go same again.

 

[Woland]

I'd drop Mong. He's fucking shit and having him anywhere near our first team is an embarrassment. If Karius came in and had a stinker it's only the same as Mong every week.

 

[Judge Jules]

There is a difference though, in that Mignolet (tho' he's made a sound start to the season IMO) has proven by now that overall he's not going to improve on what we already see from him. Karius has time to prove the opposite, and slinging him in too early could work against that.

 

[darkstarexodus]

Lovren in for Lucas. Otherwise keep the same.