Red Tuesday

[rurikbird]

So we travel to Moscow for the midweek game on Tuesday, then Newcastle on Sunday. Should Klopp rotate much? I'm very much looking forward to Mane coming back; with him we should have too much firepower for Spartak, who have not been in a good run of form lately (3 straight score draws). They are 7th in Premier Liga with a -1 goal difference.

Before anybody asks, Spartak doesn't play on synthetic grass anymore, they use something called SISgrass, which a hybrid between natural and synthetic grass (supposedly only 5% is synthetic). Bournemouth, Derby and Birmingham use this system in their stadiums.

Our players should be mentally prepared for things like banana-throwing, Nazi symbols, monkey chants, and pyrotechnics thrown on the pitch by Spartak fans, who are just about the worst in Russia (and that's saying something!)

------------------Karius------------------
Trent----Matip------Lovren---Robbo
-------------------Can--------------------
------------Milner------Coutinho------
Ox-------------Firmino----------Mane

 

[RedStar]

Given the hostility of the crowd and racial element involved Id be inclined to start Milner at right back instead of TAA, I just think hes been a deer in the headlights a couple of times this season and that sort of toxic atmosphere might be too much for a young player

 

[King Binny]

Spartak Moscow has been encountering problems with injuries. Drew 2-2 with bottom side Anzhi thanks to an injury time goal yesterday.

 

[rurikbird]

Given the hostility of the crowd and racial element involved Id be inclined to start Milner at right back instead of TAA, I just think hes been a deer in the headlights a couple of times this season and that sort of toxic atmosphere might be too much for a young player

I don't think the Moscow crowd is particularly hostile – if we score early it will be pretty dead and overall the atmosphere is nothing compared to Turkish stadiums for example. It's just the viciousness and sheer stupidity we should be prepared for.

 

[Brizzle]

Given our draw with Sevilla I would like Klopp to prioritise this over Newcastle. We need to make a statement. I'd want to see:

---------------Karius---------------
Gomez--Matip--Lovren--Robertson
-----------Hendo---Can-------
--------------Coutinho----------------
Salah-------Firmino------Mane

 

[Gary25]

They really aren't that great. I can see us scoring 2 or 3 on the break. Mane and Salah could have a field day. As always, it's about being solid enough at the back as well.

 

[Modo]

Why do we always play the big teams after an international break?

 

[beejay]

Given our draw with Sevilla I would like Klopp to prioritise this over Newcastle. We need to make a statement. I'd want to see:

---------------Karius---------------
Gomez--Matip--Lovren--Robertson
-----------Hendo---Can-------
--------------Coutinho----------------
Salah-------Firmino------Mane

That's arguably our best side. It's the first time we've had the top 4 all fit and available isn't it? Should be interesting to see how that works as Klopp has been planning for that line-up all summer.

 

[mom]

As long as it's on a grassy snowless pitch we should be fine. 4-6

 

[manwithnoname]

That's arguably our best side. It's the first time we've had the top 4 all fit and available isn't it? Should be interesting to see how that works as Klopp has been planning for that line-up all summer.

If he's been planning for that line-up all summer, he needs sacking now

 

[beejay]

If he's been planning for that line-up all summer, he needs sacking now

I meant the top 4 in that line-up not the whole side.

 

[manwithnoname]

I meant the top 4 in that line-up not the whole side.

Ah, right!

I'd still prefer to have a better player than Firmino in there as the number 9, but seeing Salah, Coutinho and Mane all in the same side should be excellent.

 

[beejay]

Ah, right!

I'd still prefer to have a better player than Firmino in there as the number 9, but seeing Salah, Coutinho and Mane all in the same side should be excellent.

We don't have a better player than Firmino at the moment but we can safely say that this is now Klopp's chosen set-up with two fast, goal-scoring wingers supporting a hard-working fluid No 9 who will drop deep and swap positions and Coutinho moved from the wide berth to become the pivot of our centre midfield.

They will have to be awesome to overcome the deficiencies in the rest of the team but should be exciting going forward.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Given our draw with Sevilla I would like Klopp to prioritise this over Newcastle. We need to make a statement. I'd want to see:

---------------Karius---------------
Gomez--Matip--Lovren--Robertson
-----------Hendo---Can-------
--------------Coutinho----------------
Salah-------Firmino------Mane

Gomez is suspended isn't he?

 

[Glen C]

Gomez is suspended isn't he?

Yeah he got a red card in the last game.

 

[gkmacca]

Shambolic press conference. Klopp had to keep explaining the questions to the utterly clueless translator, who also had to be warned not to just make stuff up, and then he was asked crap like 'Do you love your players like Harry Kane is loved'. He took it all rather well in the circumstances.

 

[gkmacca]

 

[moron]

That's arguably our best side. It's the first time we've had the top 4 all fit and available isn't it? Should be interesting to see how that works as Klopp has been planning for that line-up all summer.

No Gomez for this sadly... but i think if everything ticks we will be fantastic and the talk of Europe. Seriously ... we will be brilliant and i can just feel it guys !!!

 

[beejay]

No Gomez for this sadly... but i think if everything ticks we will be fantastic and the talk of Europe. Seriously ... we will be brilliant and i can just feel it guys !!!

Had a few beers there mate? Works for me too

 

[moron]

Had a few beers there mate? Works for me too

I don't drink - but was down the pub on a work event - playing darts as part of a team building exercise - came 4th - as one would expect (at the very least) being a Liverpool supporter. Anyway - I feel sorry for the russians already on the mauling we will give them tomorrow. I cannot wait - Coutinho, Mane, Firminio/Studge, Salah in the same starting line up. We will rock the whole of Europe tomorrow more than Brexit !!!

 

[Modo]

I dunno about you lot but I'm absolutely buzzing from the prospect of seeing Mané, Coutinho, Salah and Firmino on the pitch together.
Those four forming a diamond upfront with Can, Hendo or Milner protecting the back line.
I wouldn't mind seeing Sturridge play up front instead of Firmino either.

 

[FoxForceFive]

I dunno about you lot but I'm absolutely buzzing from the prospect of seeing Mané, Coutinho, Salah and Firmino on the pitch together.
Those four forming a diamond upfront with Can, Hendo or Milner protecting the back line.
I wouldn't mind seeing Sturridge play up front instead of Firmino either.

Yeah, I'd prefer to see Sturridge with Mane, Salah & Coutinho behind/alongside him than I would Firmino.

Many of Firmino's best qualities are negated when you have three players behind him who are all capable of the same thing, whereas sturridge offers a little more of the 'poacher' angle which having that many talented players creating chances behind has to be a good thing as there will be stray balls in & around the area aplenty if they perform.

Firmino has shown a tendency to get into the box more this season, which is welcome, but knowing where to be when another player takes a shot in order to stand the best of chance of getting a rebound is something Sturridge is much much better at.

 

[juniormember]

Yeah, I'd prefer to see Sturridge with Mane, Salah & Coutinho behind/alongside him than I would Firmino.

Many of Firmino's best qualities are negated when you have three players behind him who are all capable of the same thing, whereas sturridge offers a little more of the 'poacher' angle which having that many talented players creating chances behind has to be a good thing as there will be stray balls in & around the area aplenty if they perform.

Firmino has shown a tendency to get into the box more this season, which is welcome, but knowing where to be when another player takes a shot in order to stand the best of chance of getting a rebound is something Sturridge is much much better at.

I don’t think Firmino’s qualities are negated. I think the three others are exactly what will bring out the best in him and the best in them. Can’t wait to see it come together.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

I don’t think Firmino’s qualities are negated. I think the three others are exactly what will bring out the best in him and the best in them. Can’t wait to see it come together.

And again on Sunday when we fucking batter the toon.

 

[RedStar]

I think Firmino is the type of player that makes others look good, he does a huge amount of running off the ball to create space for Salah and Mane to exploit. He's also fantastic at pressing from the front to create opportunities for others hes generally pretty unselfish with the ball. You dont get that from Sturridge and while hes undoubtedly a better finisher/poacher hes list a yard of pace and I think Klopp values the contribution of Firmino more.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Oh I have little doubt Firmino will start, but the qualities listed (working hard, pressing from the front & creating space for others) are all ones that the combination of Salah, Mane & Coutinho already bring.

When the ball bounces back off the keepers hands & just bobbles around in front of goal before a defender clears it & Firmino is standing the other side of the goal though, I know who I'd rather have playong that number nine role.

That said, it's a mouth watering combination either way & should spell goals goals goals.

 

[Modo]

Fucking John Legend concert. Must be the first time ever I miss two games in a row.

 

[Brizzle]

We're going to smash them. Expecting a big statement in this one.

 

[RedStar]

They have started the season pretty poorly from what I've read and we should be looking to make up for the points dropped at home to Sevilla. I reckon 3-1 win for us

 

[jimmy]

When the ball bounces back off the keepers hands & just bobbles around in front of goal before a defender clears it & Firmino is standing the other side of the goal though, I know who I'd rather have playong that number nine role.

The problem is that Sturridge of the last 3 seasons is hardly ever there to tap the ball in. He prefers to hang around the 16 yard box, trying to shoot from there when he gets the ball.
Even worse, he often drifts to the wings - mainly to the right wing, stepping on Salah's toes.
I'd love to see the Daniel Sturridge of 2013-14 again, but I don't think this is going to happen, so I'd rather play Firmino.