Leeds on Tuesday

[gkmacca]

Imagine if Everton spent years in a lower league - mmmm, nice - and then drew us in a cup. Would you expect an easy game? Leeds will go all out in this, they'll be desperate. Don't arse around trying to out do each other in weird selections.

Change two or three with some lads on the bench. Keep the continuity, push the players,

Next season, hopefully, we'll be back in Europe. That means two big matches in some weeks, in addition to domestic cup competitions. In that situation, you need to use your reserves for many of the cup games, but you need your first choices to play those big games. So if ours need resting now, in the quiet and calm of our European-free context, what the hell do you think they'll be like when they're back with the big boys? This should be a test, not a timid retreat. If they're not fit enough and tough enough to play a league cup game in the same week as a league game, then my god, they're not going to be able to cope playing, say, against Bayern midweek and then Leicester at the weekend. This isn't some kiddy computer game of football, it's the real thing, and you don't change too much and still win games that you need to win. Klopp has a bad record in cup finals, we have a bad record in recent finals. Both need to win something to push on to the next level. Psychologically it's very, very important. Don't waste the chance because of some robotic dogma about how to approach these games. Be professional, be serious, be ruthless, and win the damned games,

 

[Hansern]

We're not talking about making changes just because its Leeds though. Its because we have some injuries and players might not be fit.
We've got 6 league games in December. We're in 2nd place with what looks like a shot at the title or CL spot.

Its time to be smart, dont play half fit players, use the squad and be ready for 6 league games in the next month.
If the players Klopp pick on Tuesday arent ready or gives a 100 % then the senior players outside the first team shouldnt even be Liverpool players to begin with.

 

[Woland]

We're getting beat aren't we?

 

[Fabio]

We're getting beat aren't we?

Defo

 

[gkmacca]

We're not talking about making changes just because its Leeds though. Its because we have some injuries and players might not be fit.

Come on. As soon as this kind of game gets announced, immediately it's: 'Let's change the keeper - you know, the one we all hate and think is shit - HE has to start - that makes sense - and let's change the LB and RB, because, er, well, it's done, and the CBs, that's also done, and the midfield, yeah, change that lot, and the forwards, yeah, may as well...' It's bloody ridiculous.

 

[mark1975]

---------------Karius------------------
Clyne---Matip---Lovren---Moreno
----------------Can--------------------
--------Ejaria-------Wijnaldum-----
-Mane------Firmino-----Origi----

 

[Buddha]

You can't tell me Leeds are any better than the Spurs fringe team we played (and deservedly beat)?

Just play the same cup side bar injury replacements.

 

[gkmacca]

Yes. A Spurs side that was predominantly an under 23 side against our predominantly under 23 side. So we should play the same side against a team of experienced senior players who actually play competitive games each week, instead of friendly tap-a-tap playgroup games. Very sensible and entirely logical. I wouldn't mind so much but the same people on this kind of thread show absolutely no shame when they start whining on the match thread when it all goes tits up.

 

[Buddha]

Yes. A Spurs side that was predominantly an under 23 side against our predominantly under 23 side. So we should play the same side against a team of experienced senior players who actually play competitive games each week, instead of friendly tap-a-tap playgroup games. Very sensible and entirely logical. I wouldn't mind so much but the same people on this kind of thread show absolutely no shame when they start whining on the match thread when it all goes tits up.

Sarcastic twat.

Tottenham side that night:

13Vorm
16Trippier
38Carter-Vickers
27Wimmer
33Davies
15Dier (Substituted for Wanyama at 67 minutes)
29Winks
25Onomah
28Carroll (Substituted for Lamela at 61 minutes)
14Nkoudou (Substituted for Harrison at 83 minutes)
9Janssen

So that's 7 players who featured against Chelsea yesterday involved. Plus very able (7m +) premiership level players added such as Vorm, Trippier, Davies etc in the side.

Again, you're not telling me Leeds are a better side than that lot? Play the same side and reward them for a good last-round performance.

 

[gkmacca]

Leeds are a much more cynical, aggressive and direct side, which is, as I've said many times, what our promising young players don't have any experience of playing against. I have a very strong faith in the long term potential of the best of these players but I have a far greater desire to see us win games, and this idiotic rush to completely revamp the team, especially by fans who never otherwise show any interest in these young players, is a bit pathetic, even if you want to resort to name calling (it seems to be 1970s night on here). The team is already weakened by injuries, that's enough. There's rarely even any attempt to explain the mass changes, it's straight into, 'Mignolet, the shit keeper, he's got to start...that kid whose name I remembered from last time, stick him in...' This is Liverpool - a club that treats its first team as something to fight to earn the right to get into, and a club that takes competitions seriously and fights to win trophies.

 

[moron]

@gkmacca can we play the tea lady ? Like while we discuss playing our shit keeper.

 

[gkmacca]

Of course. George Sephton has earned his chance too.

 

[Buddha]

Leeds are a much more cynical, aggressive and direct side, which is, as I've said many times, what our promising young players don't have any experience of playing against. I have a very strong faith in the long term potential of the best of these players but I have a far greater desire to see us win games, and this idiotic rush to completely revamp the team, especially by fans who never otherwise show any interest in these young players, is a bit pathetic, even if you want to resort to name calling (it seems to be 1970s night on here). The team is already weakened by injuries, that's enough. There's rarely even any attempt to explain the mass changes, it's straight into, 'Mignolet, the shit keeper, he's got to start...that kid whose name I remembered from last time, stick him in...' This is Liverpool - a club that treats its first team as something to fight to earn the right to get into, and a club that takes competitions seriously and fights to win trophies.

You started with the needless sarcasm as per usual, then moan about "name calling". Weird.

Again, I'm suggesting the SAME team that outplayed a strong enough Spurs side in the last round. That's the opposite of mass changes.

I also don't think Mignolet is "shit" and wanted him to continue at the start of the season in favour of Karius. And I've always had an interest in the youth players, as evidenced by contributions to numerous threads on here.

Sarcastic, ill informed, sanctimonious twat. And yes, that's name calling. You really are a prick sometimes.

 

[Hansern]

That "U-23" side we started against Spurs had 7 senior players in it. 8 if you count Stewart as a senior given he's 23.
Thats not a bunch of kids, and it should certainly be strong enough to face Leeds.

 

[Modo]

That "U-23" side we started against Spurs had 7 senior players in it. 8 if you count Stewart as a senior given he's 23.
Thats not a bunch of kids, and it should certainly be strong enough to face Leeds.

Mignolet

T. Alexander-Arnold
R. Klavan
Lucas
A. Moreno

K. Stewart
G. Wijnaldum
M. Grujić

O. Ejaria
D. Origi
D. Sturridge (injured)

So that's the team we fielded against Spurs.
With Sturridge most likely out, who do we play?

It's difficult to determine the team. Klopp will want to rotate and I have to say that in order for A-A, Ejaria and Grujic to improve they need to feel trusted and be thrown into the deep end.

However, I also want us to win convincingly, so I'm not sure about starting with that many youths.

I think we need at least two more senior players on the pitch. One to replace Sturridge, maybe Mané.
And one in midfield.

 

[moron]

When you play a PL team with the players we had last time and they setup the same against us ( in terms of selecting certain players) - it is like two civilized countries going to war - you kinda know what the level and tactics to be. In terms of facing Leeds who are battle hardened in a right dog of a league - their methods and tactics will be like the civilized nation facing some savage rebel group. The silent rules of engagement will not be in place - this is what may be a shock to our U23's.

 

[Ryan]

Yeah, as much of the side that faced Spurs as possible please.

 

[Hansern]

Mignolet

T. Alexander-Arnold
R. Klavan
Lucas
A. Moreno

K. Stewart
G. Wijnaldum
M. Grujić

O. Ejaria
D. Origi
D. Sturridge (injured)

So that's the team we fielded against Spurs.
With Sturridge most likely out, who do we play?

It's difficult to determine the team. Klopp will want to rotate and I have to say that in order for A-A, Ejaria and Grujic to improve they need to feel trusted and be thrown into the deep end.

However, I also want us to win convincingly, so I'm not sure about starting with that many youths.

I think we need at least two more senior players on the pitch. One to replace Sturridge, maybe Mané.
And one in midfield.

I'd swap Sturridge with Can and move Wijnaldum forward.

 

[gkmacca]

Lucas isn't a centre back. There isn't an injury crisis at centre back. Is this some kind of contractual concession to him? Why would sane people willingly decide that Lucas should come in there? Is it because they don't know who is a young CB? Or do they think he really is great at CB? Or anywhere. There's no reason when it comes to these threads. People completely suspend their usual judgements about players.

 

[davud graham]

Isn't it more that Klopp seems to prefer playing Lucas at centre back rather than in midfield. No previous managers have played him there but when he does play nowadays it's primarily at centre back so it's reasonable that posters would select him there if they expect either Matip or Lovren to be rested.

 

[Mystic]

Lets be real, that Spurs side consisting of 4 of their first team squad is stronger than the side Leeds will play. However the Leeds side will be much more settled together, and will be much more motivated, so they'll present a very tough challenge. I agree with those saying that a side similar to last rounds should be enough to win, however it'll only be enough to win if they're up for the game and don't treat it like a walk in the park.

 

[Hansern]

Thats up to Klopp though, and you know he'll have whoever is playing ready.

Lucas has played more CB then in midfield the last year I reckon. No problem starting him there.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Lets be real, that Spurs side consisting of 4 of their first team squad is stronger than the side Leeds will play. However the Leeds side will be much more settled together, and will be much more motivated, so they'll present a very tough challenge. I agree with those saying that a side similar to last rounds should be enough to win, however it'll only be enough to win if they're up for the game and don't treat it like a walk in the park.

It's not stronger. Or I doubt it is anyway.

More talented? Almost certainly. More potential? Definitely. Stronger as a team? Nah.

This is a Leeds side who are 5th in the championship. They fight, scrap & kick together to win points every week. They'll be a much tougher opposition, much tougher, than that Spurs side imo.

 

[manwithnoname]

Lucas isn't a centre back. There isn't an injury crisis at centre back. Is this some kind of contractual concession to him? Why would sane people willingly decide that Lucas should come in there? Is it because they don't know who is a young CB? Or do they think he really is great at CB? Or anywhere. There's no reason when it comes to these threads. People completely suspend their usual judgements about players.

No they don't.

The only games Klopp has given Lucas recently have been at CB, often playing lower-quality opposition. So it's probably people guessing he might do the same again against Leeds, resting one or both of Lovren and Matip, and playing his two reserve CBs instead, Klavan and Lucas.

Both played against Spurs in the last Cup game.

I wouldn't play Lucas anywhere at all, but every time he's started recently it's been at CB

 

[Ryan]

And he's played very well.

 

[Comical Aly]

And he's played very well.

Meanwhile at Brendan's

 

[mark1975]

I suppose the flip side is that we got to two finals last season, played our best available first teams in both games and just didn't turn up on the day.

I get that Leeds are going to play their best side, that they're more aggressive and cohesive than an otch both cup XI, but I think we will make some changes (ie 2-3), and can afford to without fucking it up.

 

[mark1975]

And he's played very well.

He has, but he's done his usual "playing well". Performing brilliantly for 85 minutes along with his customary 5 minutes of madness.

 

[Pesam]

Sarcastic twat.

Tottenham side that night:

13Vorm
16Trippier
38Carter-Vickers
27Wimmer
33Davies
15Dier (Substituted for Wanyama at 67 minutes)
29Winks
25Onomah
28Carroll (Substituted for Lamela at 61 minutes)
14Nkoudou (Substituted for Harrison at 83 minutes)
9Janssen

So that's 7 players who featured against Chelsea yesterday involved. Plus very able (7m +) premiership level players added such as Vorm, Trippier, Davies etc in the side.

Again, you're not telling me Leeds are a better side than that lot? Play the same side and reward them for a good last-round performance.

Buddha I would fancy a full strength Leeds team to get at least a draw against that Spurs team. Only 2 of that Spurs team above started against Chelsea and 3 came on as late subs (giving 5 involved and not 7 as you state). They were hugely ineffectual against us in the last round and the young players are either not very good or (more likely) were overawed by the occasion. If we put out the same line-up as in the last round and they play to the same level as they did against Spurs we could lose.

 

[manwithnoname]

He has, but he's done his usual "playing well". Performing brilliantly for 85 minutes along with his customary 5 minutes of madness.

Yeah, he played very well "apart from when he mis-kicked the ball across our own area to their striker and he scored"

He played very well "apart from when he repeatedly kicked the attacker in the box and gave away a penalty"

His fans turn more blind eyes to Lucas than Lefty feminists do to Islam