Pre Match Pre Match - PSG (H) - Tues 20:00

[Brizzle]

Second final of the week. This needs our players starting the game switched on and with intensity to take it to them.

I’d like to see Elliot start given the boost he’s given past two games but it doesn’t feel likely. No Gakpo is painful too. Let’s hope he’s ok the bench.

I actually think I’d like to see Slot try his two AM tactic again but with Elliot instead of Jones.

Anyway if we’re predicting line up it’s surely going to be

Alisson

Trent
Konate
Virgil
Robbo

Gravy
Macca
Szobo

Salah
Nunez
Diaz

We need to get the upper hand early on.

 

[Hansern]

I think Jota for Darwin.

 

[rurikbird]

I think Jota for Darwin.

What about Jota on LW for Diaz?

 

[MomoWASright]

Gakpo starts. He was held back today to make sure.

 

[mom]

Gakpo starts. He was held back today to make sure.

Hope so. He’s absolute class

 

[rurikbird]

Does Gakpo typically need a few games to restore sharpness? He hadn’t been injured much in his LFC career (knock on wood), so we don’t really know what he’s like coming back after a layoff.

 

[binomial]

Personally reckon the 3 subs at HT today were with this game in mind so I see them all starting.

Endo Jones Szobo midfield please.

Jota can get in the bin too, we need dog warriors who are gonna stand and stick it on these cunts.

*checks to see how PSG got on today* Ahhh shit.

 

[bluebell]

The MF were dog shite so megamind needs to work out how to use them better. In all fairness we should have lost that tie and PSG will feel a sense of injustice which they will feel they need to avenge.
The speed of their attack worries me especially if Trent goes walkies

 

[rubans]

Macca Gravvy Szbo to start in midfield. Gravvy needs to be back on it, been sloppy recently. Robbo over Tsmi, would consider Nunez over Jota being the only other change as Jota has been really slow to get going. Diaz to stay on left as Gakpo may need to be eased in slowly. But what a game, super tough and Anfield on a massive Eurpean night. Need silky Salah back on it too.

 

[Frogfish]

Slot said he made a mistake with the starting formation vs PSG in Paris (and notice how much better we were when we went 442). I am almost certain he's going 4 MFs and Nunez up top to keep their CBs occupied and not given the freedom of the park again.

Back 6 is obvious. Macca & Salah obvious too. For the other 3 explanations below.

Alisson

Trent
Konate
Virgil
Robbo

Gravy
Macca
Jones (withdrawn HT vs Saints.)
Szobo (withdrawn HT vs Saints.)

Salah
Nunez (offers so much more than Jota when we're out of possession and in defence).

 

[rurikbird]

I think it’s almost certain Slot will go with a strikerless system and 4 midfielders in this game. For one, variations of this system ensured positive results in 2 of our toughest games since the New Year (Villa and Man City away); also PSG’s ability to pass through our press like hot knife through butter will have spooked Slot and the coaching staff and I’m sure they’ve been spending sleepless nights looking for ways to counter what they saw in Paris - and the most plausible answers to that all begin with “flood the midfield.” Yes, it feels somewhat wrong to do it at home, but let’s not forget that we’re protecting a lead and anything goes in a knock-out game as long as we get a result.

I am fairly certain Jota will not start, given how ineffective and easily contained he was in Paris. There is a stronger case for Nunez - he rattled Marquinhos and co and also scored and won a penalty on Saturday - but I think it’s still more likely Slot will opt for a specialist winger on the left. The other possibility is playing Curtis at LW like he did at Villa and still starting Nunez or Diaz up front. Regardless of formation and roles, I think we will see all 4 of Macca, Gravvy, Szobo and Curtis in the starting lineup and the only difficult personnel choice will be between Diaz, Gakpo and Nunez for the one remaining position based on fitness and specific tactical assignment for this game.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Yep I think all 4 ‘regular’ CM’s will start with Salah and Diaz.

Nunez to come on after 60 mins.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

Surely that depends on the scoreline at that point in the game. If Nunez doesnt start, and we are still winning at the 60 minute mark, then he isn't being subbed on. That's a "we need a goal" type of change, when Endo is the "we need to protect a lead" move.

 

[RedBaron]

I really hope we give them a right Red welcome when they arrive on Tuesday at the stadium and the Kop needs to bounce!

 

[darkstarexodus]

I really hope we give them a right Red welcome when they arrive on Tuesday at the stadium and the Kop needs to bounce!

I too hope we brick their coach. 🧱🧱🧱

 

[rurikbird]

Surely that depends on the scoreline at that point in the game. If Nunez doesnt start, and we are still winning at the 60 minute mark, then he isn't being subbed on. That's a "we need a goal" type of change, when Endo is the "we need to protect a lead" move.

Yup. And Harvey is a “create more chances” move and Curtis “more control in midfield.” I think Slot has a pretty well-defined role for everyone.

 

[ibromurph]

I think it's vital we have a decent ref that allows us to be physical at home.

PSG have some tricky players, and at their ground, I don't think we were able to get near them. Kvara was able to get a few soft FKs. If that's at Anfield, maybe the ref isn't blowing up and we're now going at them on the counter attack and they're now having to expend more energy running back (and less attacking us).

These be the margins. It's why I expect us to start fast and strong. Hopefully we get a goal or two in the first 25mins.

Not sure if Darwin can be trusted, but we kind of need him to put in another Real Madrid performance to occupy their 2 CBs.

 

[KopRed]

Gravenberch is a worry.

Let's hope he has the legs for 2 more big matches.

 

[rurikbird]

I too hope we brick their coach. 🧱🧱🧱

Not sure Luis Enrique deserves that.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I too hope we brick their coach. 🧱🧱🧱

Even as a joke, fuck that. We are better than that and don’t need thuggery to win football matches.

 

[Frogfish]

Even as a joke, fuck that. We are better than that and don’t need thuggery to win football matches.

Duh ! A joke is a joke we don't need American levels of 'wokeness' SvP !

 

[Brizzle]

Gravenberch is a worry.

Let's hope he has the legs for 2 more big matches.

It’s risky but i wonder whether based on the first leg, this is a game to start Endo. Never has a first half been so important. Use Grav when things get tired in the second.

 

[Brizzle]

I too hope we brick their coach. 🧱🧱🧱

Kopparberg summer fruits is on sale again

 

[Hansern]

What about Jota on LW for Diaz?

Maybe, not sure LW is Jota's best position these days. Gakpo was back doing some light training yesterday. Probably to early for him in all honesty.

 

[MomoWASright]

I think Jota’s body is done. He should come off the bench.

 

[Hansern]

I think Jota’s body is done. He should come off the bench.

Yeah, after that Darwin performance and work rate in the 2nd half against Soton. Maybe its best to start him and let him run around like a maniac for 60-65 mins.

 

[Fabio]

For me I think from here on its either

1)start Nunez, Jota comes on 60+ minutes
2) 2 10s.

 

[Hansern]

We have to be careful so that we’re to set on control tomorrow, and we have to attack the game to win.

 

[Fabio]

We have to be careful so that we’re to set on control tomorrow, and we have to attack the game to win.

I'd do the 4 mids tbh. Focus on control and slowing play down.

 

[Frogfish]

What about Jota on LW for Diaz?

A man with no pace on the wing?! At least Darwin's pace and aggression disrupts and disturbs defenders - keeps them honest.