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Dortmund - Liverpool pre match thread

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Hansern

Hansern

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No pre match thread yet? Hmm

Anyhoo, Dortmund with a tripple injury boost. Sokratis, Hummels and Gundogan return to training.
The Echo expects Firmino to be fit.

Be tempted to start:

Ming
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Can Henderson
Milner Coutinho Lallana
Firmino

Think we need Firmino's work rate up top. Maybe a case for Origi aswell.
I'd start Studge on the bench.
 
Well I wouldn't bench Sturridge.
the rest kinda picks itself.

----------------------Ming
Clyne------Lovren------Sakho-----Moreno
---------------Can-------Henderson
Milner------------Firmino--------------Coutinho
------------------------Sturridge
 
I'd go with Hansern's line-up. From what I understand, Dortmund like to split their centre-backs, and use Weigl (who's a great prospect) and Hummels to play out of defence.

Our high pressing will therefore be critical to ensure that that part of Dortmund's game is spoilt.

Reus, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang are a great attacking trio, but their qualities are really their pace and execution. They're not the sort who'll drop deep and make the play themselves.

Basically, keep constant pressure on Hummels, Weigl, Gundogan and Kagawa, and we'll have a good chance of cutting off the supply to their attacking line-up.

We have to go into this game with a strategy. Keep it at 0-0 and we'll have done great. I'd definitely sit Sturridge out for that reason, because right now he's offering neither goals nor work rate.
 
I like Hansern's line up. We could go some decent periods without the ball so we need a lot of pressing and a high work rate. Studge could come on and make a difference.
 
We need guys who are not going to cough up possession too easily (especially in dangerous positions) when under pressure. I also think we'll be forced to go long from the back a bit more often than we like as they'll be superior in pressing us. We want to - but don't have to - win this game. The most important thing is to stay in the tie so that the return leg isn't a dead rubber and we can reduce this tie to a one off game. I'm willing to trade firepower up front for better ball possession, winning and retention to lower the chances of being eliminated in one game. Obviously, we have to be ready to tear the plan up if they score twice without an answer.

So, with that in mind, I'm probably going against the grain here with some of my picks.

--------------- Mignolet ------------------
Clyne --- Skrtel --- Lovren --- Milner
--------- Henderson -- Can ------------
Lallana -- Firmino / Allen -- Coutinho
----------------- Origi ---------------------

subs: Ward, Sakho, Moreno, Stewart, Ibe, Allen / Teixeira, Sturridge
** if Firmino isn't available, Allen starts with Teix on the bench, otherwise Firmino starts with Allen on the bench

So basically, Skrtel for Sakho, Origi for Sturridge and MIlner for Moreno are the changes which I think improve our chances of battling for, winning and holding the ball. Can we score? Dunno, but I'd take a draw or a one-goal margin defeat.

Oh and one more thing - I hope the front four don't go fucking stupid with unnecessary flicks, backheels, wheelies, etc. I'm not saying that we totally avoid these tricks, but for goodness sake, do them in higher-percentage situations or deep in their half please. This is Dortmund we're playing - gifting them the ball with five or six guys committed in attack will be a great way to buy ourselves new buttholes.
 
I think I'd go for:

------------------Mignolet--------------

Clyne-----Lovren-------Don't Care-------Moreno

-----------Can-------------Henderson------------

Lallana---------Firmino---------Coutinho

------------------Sturridge-----------------------

It's hard to pair Lovren with anyone given Sakho's shitshow on Saturday, and Skrtel's match-losing display against Southampton. So I don't care.

The only contentious issue would be the inclusion or otherwise of Milner. He's a good, versatile player so there is an argument for him starting and I wouldn't be upset if he did, but the above team is probably our best attacking unit, and he did look knackered on Saturday.

There's also the possibility of playing Firmino and Milner and dropping Sturridge, but Firmino isn't a striker and Sturridge is the best finisher at the club, so I'd play him. Seems like Benteke isn't in favour, even if he is fit, and Origi isn't very good at scoring generally, so Sturridge it is.
 
I don't think we can afford to play Moreno in a game like this, Milner was pretty solid there against Utd so I'd have him at left back
 
manwithnoname said:
Yeah, but Reus , Miktharyan and Abamayammadingdang are all QUICK.
Click to expand...


Yeah but Moreno is SHITE, how many penalties or near penalties has he given away? feels like loads, he is an utter liability defensively, and although Milner may be slower he is more disciplined and aware positionally.
 
manwithnoname said:
Yeah, but Reus , Miktharyan and Abamayammadingdang are all QUICK.
Click to expand...
To be fair this is an important point, if there is one redeeming quality to Moreno's defensive play, it's his ability to make up ground on attackers with his pace and put in a tackle, which could be very helpful against these guys. Saying that, I hardly doubt we'll be that adventurous in the away leg, and we'll probably set up in a way which reduces our chances of being exposed by their pace, meaning Milner should be fine; however in the home leg, especially if we're chasing the tie, it might be a different story.
 
tony said:
Yeah but Moreno is SHITE, how many penalties or near penalties has he given away? feels like loads, he is an utter liability defensively, and although Milner may be slower he is more disciplined and aware positionally.
Click to expand...

I will play a balanced side, give them something to think about, meaning Moreno will play. His energy and speed down the left would be crucial. He creates space for Coutinho as well, one of our main threats.

Remember Southampton, when we tire in the 2nd half, we had zero outlets when the game opened up. Moreno will provide that and let's hope it will be one of his better days defensively.
 
dmishra said:
I'd go with Hansern's line-up. From what I understand, Dortmund like to split their centre-backs, and use Weigl (who's a great prospect) and Hummels to play out of defence.

Our high pressing will therefore be critical to ensure that that part of Dortmund's game is spoilt.

Reus, Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang are a great attacking trio, but their qualities are really their pace and execution. They're not the sort who'll drop deep and make the play themselves.

Basically, keep constant pressure on Hummels, Weigl, Gundogan and Kagawa, and we'll have a good chance of cutting off the supply to their attacking line-up.

We have to go into this game with a strategy. Keep it at 0-0 and we'll have done great. I'd definitely sit Sturridge out for that reason, because right now he's offering neither goals nor work rate.
Click to expand...

I'd go Mourinho / Big Sam on this one.

Pressing is a high risk strategy - to do it against a team with a number of players who can pick passes to undo it could turn out to be a disaster.

The thoughts of Reus or Aubemayang getting the ball with only our centre backs in front of them scares me.
 
KopRed said:
I will play a balanced side, give them something to think about, meaning Moreno will play. His energy and speed down the left would be crucial. He creates space for Coutinho as well, one of our main threats
QUOTE]

Maybe, but he also creates loads of space for their midfield to run into! I doubt we will be that expansive away
Click to expand...
 

We sit back and we are doomed really. Dortmund was down 2-1 in their last match at the 80th minute. The leading team sat back to defend and it was 3-2 at the end.

Not wanting to start a full blown Moreno debate but constantly tearing down the left and leaving some gaps at the back must be a management's decision?? Granted he could do better defensively but there are no other players in the club, not even Milner, who could perform this role any better.
 
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