Pre match: Liverpool v Newcastle

[Modo]

Newcastle are fighting to stay in the premiership and will be up for it.
I watched both their games against the Swans and Man C and they in general looked quite good.
Somewhat cohesive, organised and determined.

Rafa has put together a group of players who work well with the system he plays.
Players like Shelvey and Wijnaldum have been relegated to the bench for the time being.

I can't see Newcastle going all "gung ho" and attacking us. They'll probably try to frustrate us and hit us on the counter. Pretty much how they played against both City and Swansea.

Their line up against City:

--------------------------------Darlow

Anita--------------Mbemba---------Lascelles----Dummett

-------------------Tiote-------------Colback
Townsend ------------Sissoko---------------------- Perez

--------------------------Cisse



So how do we approach this game?

This is a difficult one, do you keep the best team in to try and keep the momentum we're currently on or do you decide to rest the best players for the game against Villareal 5 days later?

Or do you assess the squad and determine the team after that?

The third option would be the most sensible one.

Personally, I'd almost rest the entire team.

Lucas looked knackered during the last 15-20 minutes of the game, evidence being his laughable attempt at goal where he himself declared that he was "fucked".
On the other hand Lucas just returned from injury so he needs a few games under his belt.

With Origi definitely out and Sturridge being our only fit striker, I'd definitely consider resting him. I'd wrap him up in bubble wrap and sheets and lock him inside a room.

Rest Moreno, Clyne, Milner and Coutinho too.

My starting line up:

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

Flanagan---Lovren--------Sakho------Smith

----------------------Stewart
--------------Allen------------Lallana
Ibe-----------------Firmino--------------Ojo

That's my opinion, however I believe that Klopp will play a mixed team considering the 5 days in-between games. But who knows? He played a reserve side against Bournemouth with Ward even starting so it could be something similar.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

---------------------Mignolet
Flanagan---Lovren--------Sakho------Smith
----------------------Stewart
--------------Allen------------Lallana
Ibe-----------------Firmino--------------Ojo

Yeah I'll go with something close to that, for the same reasons you listed. Skrtel is out with a groin injury too, so it looks like we're running on fumes in almost every outfield position where the availability of regular first team players is concerned.

Playing against Tiote and Shelvey means that we risk taking a few bad tackles. Shelvey especially, because he seems to take his departure from us as an insult and plays against us with a chip on his shoulder.

I think maybe we could be even bolder and start with Brannagan instead of Lallana (Brannagan at inside-right CM, Allen at inside-left CM). I've quite a lot of faith in our young guys -- I think they've generally put in good displays this season whenever they've been called upon this season, and I'd love to see them rewarded with more chances to impress. Ibe surely has to start, to help him build on last weekend's improvement.

Defensively, we'll need to make sure we cope with the pace of Sissoko and Cisse, and give Townsend all the shots he wants from 30 yards out.

 

[Modo]

Yeah I'll go with something close to that, for the same reasons you listed. Skrtel is out with a groin injury too, so it looks like we're running on fumes in almost every outfield position where the availability of regular first team players is concerned.

Playing against Tiote and Shelvey means that we risk taking a few bad tackles. Shelvey especially, because he seems to take his departure from us as an insult and plays against us with a chip on his shoulder.

I think maybe we could be even bolder and start with Brannagan instead of Lallana (Brannagan at inside-right CM, Allen at inside-left CM). I've quite a lot of faith in our young guys -- I think they've generally put in good displays this season whenever they've been called upon this season, and I'd love to see them rewarded with more chances to impress. Ibe surely has to start, to help him build on last weekend's improvement.

Defensively, we'll need to make sure we cope with the pace of Sissoko and Cisse, and give Townsend all the shots he wants from 30 yards out.

You're right about Shelvey but he probably won't start.
I thought about putting Brannagan there but I'm not sure he's good enough atm, considering Klopp not giving him a chance against Bournemouth.

 

[localny]

Welcome back to the rafatollah!

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

Newcastle are fighting to stay in the premiership and will be up for it.
I watched both their games against the Swans and Man C and they in general looked quite good.
Somewhat cohesive, organised and determined.

Rafa has put together a group of players who work well with the system he plays.
Players like Shelvey and Wijnaldum have been relegated to the bench for the time being.

I can't see Newcastle going all "gung ho" and attacking us. They'll probably try to frustrate us and hit us on the counter. Pretty much how they played against both City and Swansea.

Their line up against City:

--------------------------------Darlow

Anita--------------Mbemba---------Lascelles----Dummett

-------------------Tiote-------------Colback
Townsend ------------Sissoko---------------------- Perez

--------------------------Cisse



So how do we approach this game?

This is a difficult one, do you keep the best team in to try and keep the momentum we're currently on or do you decide to rest the best players for the game against Villareal 5 days later?

Or do you assess the squad and determine the team after that?

The third option would be the most sensible one.

Personally, I'd almost rest the entire team.

Lucas looked knackered during the last 15-20 minutes of the game, evidence being his laughable attempt at goal where he himself declared that he was "fucked".
On the other hand Lucas just returned from injury so he needs a few games under his belt.

With Origi definitely out and Sturridge being our only fit striker, I'd definitely consider resting him. I'd wrap him up in bubble wrap and sheets and lock him inside a room.

Rest Moreno, Clyne, Milner and Coutinho too.

My starting line up:

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

Flanagan---Lovren--------Sakho------Smith

----------------------Stewart
--------------Allen------------Lallana
Ibe-----------------Firmino--------------Ojo

That's my opinion, however I believe that Klopp will play a mixed team considering the 5 days in-between games. But who knows? He played a reserve side against Bournemouth with Ward even starting so it could be something similar.

I'd go somewhere between that and full strength (not sure where though). It's a little too inexperienced for my liking. Newcastle could be a tough nut to crack under Rafa and I'd like us to keep the winning streak going and be full of confidence going into next week.

 

[gkmacca]

Classy comments about Rafa here, amongst other stuff:

 

[manwithnoname]

Newcastle easily beat us in the game at their ground, and that was under McClaren. So God knows what to expect.

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

Newcastle easily beat us in the game at their ground, and that was under McClaren. So God knows what to expect.

Fuck me that was some shit performance. Benteke missed an open goal if I remember correctly.

 

[Rosco]

Newcastle easily beat us in the game at their ground, and that was under McClaren. So God knows what to expect.

5-1 to Newcastle.

 

[Jack D Rips]

We've finished above them for the last 123 years. We're a better team than them. We should win.

 

[Fabio]

Brannagan will be on the bench I reckon, if not start. Klopp was talking about him a bit in the pre match presser for Everton

 

[Modo]

We've finished above them for the last 123 years. We're a better team than them. We should win.

Wait a minute, didn't they finish above us during that season when Keegan embarrassed himself at Anfield you know the famous 4-3 game

 

[Jack D Rips]

Wait a minute, didn't they finish above us during that season when Keegan embarrassed himself at Anfield you know the famous 4-3 game

Oh yeah I forgot that one.

 

[Modo]

Haven't noticed it before but look at McDermott's face after Collymore scores the winning goal.
He can't hide his delight, hahaha!
Proper Liverpool supporter despite sitting on the Newcastle bench.
Contrast being Keegan.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Saw him in the crowd on Wednesday night as well.

Edit: Sad watching Pavel in that video as well RIP.

 

[gkmacca]

Kevin was at the Hillsborough service this year as well. Good bloke.

 

[gkmacca]

The Newcastle squad are staying at The Titanic tonight. Fingers crossed that's a good omen for tomorrow.

 

[Hansern]

4 points against Swansea and City doesnt change the fact that they're still shite.

Interesting to see how we line up tomorrow

 

[moron]

Saw him in the crowd on Wednesday night as well.

Edit: Sad watching Pavel in that video as well RIP.

They all come back. One day we will forgive torres our own Anakin Skywalker.

 

[Modo]

“Rafa will be welcomed back with open arms and rightly so,” said Dalglish.

“The Liverpool supporters have a reputation for paying tribute to anyone who has made a positive contribution to the club and I’ve no doubt it will be no different on this occasion.”

“It isn’t just about the trophies that Rafa won as Liverpool manager, although they are testament enough to the service he provided to the club, it is also about his legacy and we’re still reaping the rewards of that today,” added the Scot.

“I was fortunate enough that Rafa invited me to help out at the academy in whatever way I could and I will always be eternally grateful for that.

“The benefits of the changes he put in place at that time are still being seen, you only have to look at some of the players in the first team squad to recognise that.

“Sheyi Ojo, Jordon Ibe and Jerome Sinclair were both brought in at that time while others including Jon Flanagan, Connor Randall, Ryan Kent, Cameron Brannagan, Ryan Kent and Jordan Rossiter had the benefit of working with the staff that Rafa put in place.

“All of those players have played for Liverpool’s first team this season having been given opportunities by Jurgen Klopp and I am sure that Jurgen will appreciate the contribution that Rafa made in that respect.

“The staff that Rafa brought into the Academy, especially Frank McParland, Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura, all made a positive difference and the work that they put in is bearing fruit and I’m sure it will continue to do so.

“So Rafa can rightly be proud of his contribution to Liverpool and I’ve no doubt he will be given the kind of welcome he deserves tomorrow.”

 

[Modo]

 

[Gary25]

I feel a draw coming on here.

 

[mark1975]

It'll be great to see Rafa come back, he does deserve a massive welcome. Hopefully we beat them, but as said, the way they are starting the play and the fact we'll rotate heavily, means it'll probably be a close game.

 

[tombrown]

Oh yeah I forgot that one.

Remembered the other 122 ok though

 

[FoxForceFive]

I'm putting money on another 4-3.

 

[Frogfish]

Klopp said that with the 5 days rest (he said 6) between games it's like a whole week's training and the Villareal match will not affect his team selection - so expect a strong team, I'm sure Klopp feels we still have an outside chance of 4th and certainly 5th is right on the cards and with our relatively easy run-in, with us sure to start favourites for every remaining PL match, we can catch West Ham and United (who have still to play each other).

Benteke will be getting more time to recover - according to Klopp.

So :

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

Clyne -------Lovren--------Sakho------Moreno (I'd prefer to see Smith)

-------------------------Lucas
---------------Milner -----------Allen

Lallana -----------Sturridge--------Coutinho

Subs from : Ward, Kolo, Smith, Flanno, Stewart, Brannagan (to come on at some time), Firmino (to come on after 65 mins for Lallana), Ojo, Ibe

 

[Modo]

Yep, he might go for momentum rather than rest.

 

[doctor_mac]

Well we can't score four again, can we...?

 

[DHSC]

Well we can't score four again, can we...?

Nope.

Maybe 5 though.

 

[Hansern]

Ming
Clyne Lovren Sakho Moreno
Allen Stewart
Milner Coutinho Ojo
Firmino