Liverpool FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours 2018 Mod warning post 9350 and 9421

Boom_Bap

I've no idea how this match is going to pan out, I just know that I'm f*cking excited about it.

LuckyLloyd

Boom_Bap wrote: »

I've no idea how this match is going to pan out, I just know that I'm f*cking excited about it.

It’s glorious to be involved at this stage of the game

Gbear

**** it.

I think we'll win the tie by 3 or more goals.

I think we'll stroll it this evening.

I know you're all thinking it.

Boom_Bap

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

It’s glorious to be involved at this stage of the game

Yeah, it's brilliant. I also love not knowing what Roma team we are going to play, will they try to kick us off the park like they did to Barca, are they going to sit back or are they going to give loads of supply to Dzeko.

I think our setup favours the latter 2. I don't want to see Mo on the receiving end of hard tackles.

.red.

x43r0 wrote: »

At least it's only a Semi 1st leg

I'm still sweating on the final being on my wedding day

At least you can pull out of a wedding lol, my kids communion is the fcuking 26th

Knex*

Vicxas wrote: »

A clean sheet is imperative tonight i feel.

Im gonna miss the match as I've to do wedding stuff

That's liable to invoke a level of resentment that has seen even the sturdiest of relationships fail.

Call in dead, mate.

.red. wrote: »

At least you can pull out of a wedding lol, my kids communion is the fcuking 26th

You could have pulled out years ago too and avoided all of this.

yourdeadwright

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Where I am worried Roma are stronger than us and may over run us is in central midfield.


On paper Nainggolan, De Rossi & Strootman are better than our central midfield.

On paper City's midfield destroys us to ,

yourdeadwright

Set pieces are where we really need to be turned on Roma are a big side and will look to hurt us from the set piece ,
Iv a feeling one of them could see red tonight being over aggressive and our forwards being quicker than anything they have come up against this season ,

Knex*

Damn excited about tonight, but man am I nervous. More so than any of the City games.

We're up against an extremely solid and resolute side, who'll 100% be up for this. They have just as much momentum and drive as Liverpool currently do. What's ahead of us next week in Rome is a monumental task, where there fans will be out to create a historic occasion for the club, such is the context of this moment for Roma.

We cannot give them any platform to build upon tonight.

Speaking of historic occasions, that's exactly what Liverpool needs to create tonight - in everything they do.

The atmosphere, the energy, the build up, the encouragement from all angles, the commitment to those few hours around the game, both from the fans and the players, the performance, the drive, just ****ing everything.

I do not want to be heading into Rome next week with even a 1-1 score line. A recipe for disaster that is.

Everything needs to be at peak levels here tonight.

ThunbergsAreGo

Anyone reccomend a place to watch in Amsterdam?

Steve The Barman

naughtb4 wrote: »

Anyone reccomend a place to watch in Amsterdam?

Molly Malones

.red.

Knex. wrote: »

You could have pulled out years ago too and avoided all of this.

The same kid is a supporter of that other crowd so maybe I should have😈

gimli2112

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

It’s glorious to be involved at this stage of the game

Yeah you have to wonder at people who think we got the easy draw in the Champions League Semi - final.

En route to Anfield.

Hoping for City like atmosphere.

I'd take any win to níl. Wouldn't even be too upset with níl all.

ERG89

RoboKlopp wrote:

Hoping for City like atmosphere.

Many seats empty & a feeling of apathy until someone scores?

ThunbergsAreGo

Steve The Barman wrote: »

naughtb4 wrote: »

Anyone reccomend a place to watch in Amsterdam?

Molly Malones

That's the usual one I frequent, cheers

spockety

naughtb4 wrote: »

Anyone reccomend a place to watch in Amsterdam?

The Globe. Sports bar/hostel with plenty of TVs etc.

Note: My information is possibly 15 years old.

banie01

.red. wrote: »

At least you can pull out of a wedding lol, my kids communion is the fcuking 26th

I have a dinner reservation at that was made 2yrs fúcking years ago on the 26th!
It was a ironically a wedding gift!
When we make the Final my Mrs is gonna be more than slightly discombobulated when I tell her I have other plans!

I'm hoping we start well and blow Roma away tonight, and as long as we don't do a Barca in the 2nd leg we'll be grand!

x43r0

.red. wrote: »

At least you can pull out of a wedding lol, my kids communion is the fcuking 26th

If it was just someone else's then I'd have already pulled out but in this case I am the groom so it might be awkward :pac:

8-10

RoboKlopp wrote: »

En route to Anfield.

Hoping for City like atmosphere.

I'd take any win to níl. Wouldn't even be too upset with níl all.

Still in Dublin airport myself but will head out to Anfield for about 5pm

Not as nervous about this one as City, thought anything beyond that tie would be a bonus and that's how I feel today, just pumped for a big European night.

Having had a ticket for the 2001 quarter final v Roma and not being able to travel last minute I'm happy to finally see Roma at Anfield....and hopefully the ref is as much on our side tonight as he was back then when the Kop had him change a penalty to a corner

not yet

60 Cigs in: Check

Blood pressure monitor powered up: Check

Bottle of strong whiskey: Check

Neighbours warned: Check

1984 LFC shirt washed and ready: check (3 sizes to small)

Lemon and honey for hoarse throat: Check

Viagra on stand by if we win: Check..

Thud

For the day that's in it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GyLdD1iwE

shaunr68

not yet wrote: »

Bottle of strong whiskey: Check

not yet wrote: »

Viagra on stand by if we win: Check..

You'll need it after they whiskey!

Sofa Spud

Nerves kicking in - first thought when I woke this morning was 'it's tonight!' and not the usual 'oh Christ, what have I done with my life!'...

Haven't watched Roma play, so not sure what to expect - Dzeko is a bit longer in the tooth since he last played at Anfield but I wonder if they'll play a defensive game and hope on long balls or counters into him, in which case, thank fcuk we have VVD who can at least match him for height. That could be a key battle and hopefully TAA repeats his QF performances, Lovren takes his lead again from VVD and Robbo does what he's shown he's best at.

Presume it'll be Hendo at 6 and then Ox and Millie - thought Millie was great on Saturday, the amount of space he covered, my water based viewing option was a bit fuzzy, at times I couldn't believe it was him on the ball again or fighting for it on both sides of the park and I think the Ox has more to give than Gini in terms of transitioning to attack - Gini is great, but to my limited footy nous, he doesn't seem as consistent and aggressive as Ox and it feels like his physicality is what we need - and a repeat of his goal against City please!

Looking forward to seeing Bobby getting stuck-in, making the tackles and keeping the press going - is there another striker out there that can match his work rate and willingness to fight in that space where midfield can turn to attack? Presumably they'll be all over Mo, so that'll be interesting to see how he deals with that - there's been rumblings about distribution to him or he retaining possession when the better option was to pass, so lets see how that works out.

To state the obvious, if we can send them home with no away goals, then we have a chance. Have no doubt that the team will be switched on to the occasion and will give their all, so let the next 8hrs or so pass quickly and let the fun begin...

not yet

not yet wrote: »

Neighbours warned: Check


Viagra on stand by if we win: Check..

Indeed!

Knex*

Thud wrote: »

For the day that's in it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GyLdD1iwE

The reason I'm a Liverpool fan.

My Dad was watching a rerun of that final after one of the WC '94 Ireland games. Three year old me wanders into the living room and see Bruce Grobbelaar on TV, all wonky legged in goals. I couldn't stop laughing, and the Liverpool bug kicked in from there.

Luckycharms_74

Thud wrote: »

For the day that's in it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2GyLdD1iwE

Here is the full shootout

Thud

Knex. wrote: »

The reason I'm a Liverpool fan.

My Dad was watching a rerun of that final after one of the WC '94 Ireland games. Three year old me wanders into the living room and see Bruce Grobbelaar on TV, all wonky legged in goals. I couldn't stop laughing, and the Liverpool bug kicked in from there.

Probably the only reason anyone went in goals in schoolyard was so they could do the wobbly legs for penos

not yet

not yet wrote: »

60 Cigs in: Check

Blood pressure monitor powered up: Check

Bottle of strong whiskey: Check

Neighbours warned: Check

1984 LFC shirt washed and ready: check (3 sizes to small)

Lemon and honey for hoarse throat: Check

Viagra on stand by if we win: Check..

Edit: Big boy pull up pants ready: Check

ebbsy

I'm not worried at all.

I think we will win to nil.

Agent Coulson

Mignolet has given an interview in Belgium saying he will look to leave Liverpool in the summer.


While he is here he say he will continue to help players, Milner likes to take penalties after practice on him and Salah asks him for advice on goalkeepers.

ERG89

Agent Coulson wrote: »

Mignolet has given an interview in Belgium saying he will look to leave Liverpool in the summer.

I look forward to reading him say he was treated harsh after he leaves, in the meantime

Luckycharms_74

Liverpool must be wary of Dzeko and Roma’s high press


https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/times-sport-dissects-liverpool-must-be-wary-of-dzeko-and-roma-s-high-press-8glr8mk9t

wrote:

Liverpool face Roma tomorrow in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. The Italians have won both their knockout ties on away goals and, despite beating Barcelona in the quarter-finals, they head into this tie as the slight underdogs. But what will Liverpool be up against? Watch the video to see their tactical ploys in action.

A familiar face up front

Edin Dzeko might have been the understudy to Sergio Agüero at Manchester City but since joining Roma in the summer of 2015, initially on loan, the Bosnian striker has been their main man. The 32-year-old is the spearhead of the Roma attack and vital to their style of play.

Dzeko was the star of the victories in the last two knockout rounds. He not only created the away goal that Cengiz der scored against Shakhtar Donestk, he also scored the only goal in the 1-0 home win that saw Roma progress on away goals after the last-16 tie ended in a 2-2 draw.

Dzeko, who has been in fine form this season, is crucial to Roma’s high press





He also netted what proved a crucial away goal against Barcelona when Roma lost 4-1 and he started the remarkable turnaround in Rome, poking home the first goal in a 3-0 win that saw his side progress.

That strike against Barcelona came from a move Liverpool must be wary of. Daniele De Rossi was given time in midfield to pick out a long ball and Dzeko ran between the Barcelona defenders to score. The striker also scored from a long pass over the top against Chelsea in the group stage and Jürgen Klopp’s side must not only watch Dzeko but ensure they press Roma’s defenders and midfielders.

As well as being a goal threat, Dzeko plays an important role in Roma’s defensive system — acting as a reliable option for a long clearance up field to relieve pressure and being the figure head for one of Roma’s key tactics — a high and aggressive press.


Can Liverpool succeed where Barcelona failed?

Liverpool will want to gain a significant advantage in tomorrow evening’s game because they face a tough task in the second leg in Rome. The Italians are yet to concede a goal at the Stadio Olimpico in this season’s competition, thanks largely to the intense and organised style they play under the manager Eusebio Di Francesco.

Against Barcelona in their second leg turnaround, Roma played with three central defenders — Juan Jesus, Federico Fazio and Kostas Manolas — and two wing backs in Aleksandar Kolarov and Alessandro Florenzi.



Nainggolan and his team-mates hunt the ball down in packs




In midfield were De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan, with Patrik Schick supporting Dzeko up front. Schick, Cengiz der or Stephan El-Shaarawy are given the task of supporting Dzeko but also helping their midfield.

When Barcelona had the ball Roma would press as a team, hunting in packs to force the Spanish side back towards their own goal. It was a tactic which worked as they stifled Barcelona’s passing game, denying them space or time on the ball.

If the visiting side did manage to advance deep into the Roma half, Di Francesco’s side would set up in a 5-4-1 formation, with the full backs retreating into the defensive line. With plenty of men back, Roma could allow one of those defenders to step out and press Lionel Messi, as Juan Jesus shows in the image below.

To beat this pressing style Liverpool will first need to match Roma for intensity and work-rate — something Barcelona failed to do. They could also play long balls into the channels to get Roma’s defence turned and running towards their own goal.

After beating City in the last round, Klopp praised his side, particularly for their first goal in the second leg, scored by Mohamed Salah but made by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain finding space near the halfway line, turning and playing a precision pass into Sadio Man

Klopp said: “It is a great pass from Alex in the half space, going in between.” That space between lines of defence and midfield that Klopp refers to may be hard to come by against an effective defensive unit like Roma. Liverpool will need to make their passing quick and accurate to give Salah, Mannd Roberto Firmino chance to shine.

How their pressing works in practice





With Gerard Pique on the ball, Roma have three central midfielders and two forwards in the Barcelona half, covering off potential passing options.





Pique goes wide to Non Semedo who tries to move it quickly to Sergi Roberto but he is immediately closed down by Kolarov. Note also how Jesus has stepped up close to Messi.




Roma’s pressing continually forced Barcelona all the way back to the goalkeeper Marc-Andrer Stegen. The forwards and midfielders move up the pitch in unison.






With Barcelona making it into the Roma half, the Italian side set up in a 5-4-1 formation. Ivan Rakitic is on the ball but has few obvious options for a pass — Messi comes short to receive the ball but Jesus is again close behind.




Roma’s high press was also on show in their derby draw with Lazio.

Another star Brazilian goalkeeper
Another reason for Roma’s excellent defensive record at home in the Champions League is the goalkeeper Alisson.

The Brazilian has impressed for the Italians since joining in 2016 and has been linked with a move to a number of European clubs, including Liverpool.

An imposing goalkeeper with excellent reflexes, the 25-year-old will rival City’s Ederson for the No 1 spot in Brazil’s World Cup side in Russia this summer.

The key clashes


Virgil van Dijk v Edin Dzeko






Dzeko, the former Manchester City striker, is central to the way Roma play. Not only is he their main goal threat — the Bosnian has scored 20 of Roma’s 69 strikes this season — but his workrate up top is crucial to Roma’s high press. Keeping Dzeko quiet is of vital importance to Liverpool and it is likely that Van Dijk will be tasked with doing just that. The Dutchman has tightened up Liverpool’s defence since joining from Southampton in a £75 million deal and, at 6ft 4in tall, is more than a match for Dzeko in a physical and aerial sense.

Mohamed Salah v Aleksandar Kolarov





Salah, the newly-crowned player of the year, will be looking to inflict plenty of damage on Roma given that he has already scored 41 goals (and registered 11 assists) in all competitions this season, but the Egyptian may not have it all his own way. Kolarov has 13 assists to his name this term, the most of anyone at Roma, and is often urged to go forward as a wing back in the side’s 3-5-2 system. The Serbian is also used to seeing a lot of the ball, making an average of 92 touches per 90 minutes in all competitions this season, but he may well be too busy keeping tabs on Liverpool’s devastating No 11.

Jordan Henderson v Daniele De Rossi




The captains of their respective teams will both be looking to win the battle in midfield — Henderson alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Georginio Wijnaldum, and De Rossi with Kevin Strootman and Radja Nainggolan. Both players are known for their all-action approach, although Henderson edges his opponent in terms of numbers: the Englishman has made an average of 79.59 passes per 90 minutes this season in all competitions (compared to De Rossi’s 63.44) and 2.32 tackles (De Rossi 1.42)

yourdeadwright

Same as all home knockout ties,
 Baby and Missus are sent to her Ma's from 1930hrs,
Massive Pot of  black tea is made ,and dark cholate for dipping ,
I sit on the corner of the sofa , move to standing up,move to sitting down,  move to standing behind the sofa, Rinse repeat 
All while shout ingwith TV at full blast for 90 minutes,

BullBlackNova

Indo headline: LIVERPOOL LEGEND STEVEN GERRARD ODDS-ON FAVOURITE FOR RANGERS JOB

Me: "Oh, that's odd..." *click*

Indo article: "Gerrard is now 8/1, with Graham Potter of Ostersunds (4/1), former Gers man Frank de Boer (5/1) and Neil Warnock (6/1) all in the running."

I should've seen it coming.

Also, Indo, while Frank is technically a former Rangers player, it's probably Ronald you're thinking of. Frank played 15 games, Ronald played about 6 years there...

Dcully

I dont know why but im not really nervous about tonight compared to the city game.
I do not underestimate Roma at all, they are warriors and have proved this against barca.
As for how the game will go? i simply havent got a clue, the city games went more or less as i expected but roma are a very different test.

Harry Palmr

I'm not nervous at all. I have a strangely detached feeling before all big games. There plenty of time during the match to have a coronary.

Speaking of which after my dad died in 1989 a contact of his called round and he mentioned how his dad keeled over with heart failure during the Liverpool v Arsenal season decider. Football - it's just not good for you.

BorneTobyWilde

De Rossi is 34 not 44, hoping his age comes into it is silly. He's as good as he has ever been, he was never one for goals or assists. He's just a rock solid midfielder like he was 5 years ago, or ten years ago. He'll do himself justice that's for sure.
We need to win it away from the midfield, that is our game, move it fast to the front 3 and bypass midfield as much as possible.

LuckyLloyd

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

De Rossi is 34 not 44, hoping his age comes into it is silly. He's as good as he has ever been, he was never one for goals or assists. He's just a rock solid midfielder like he was 5 years ago, or ten years ago. He'll do himself justice that's for sure.
We need to win it away from the midfield, that is our game, move it fast to the front 3 and bypass midfield as much as possible.

I can hope for whatever I like, silly or not. I have immense respect for De Rossi - he is the definition of "big game player".

Grayditch

Any results where we don't concede tonight is decent in my book.

Grayditch

I'm heading to the same pub where I watched us beat City and I've drafted in the same crew and asked them all to wear the same clothes as then.

J Mysterio

Vicxas wrote: »

A clean sheet is imperative tonight i feel.

Im gonna miss the match as I've to do wedding stuff

lol. It's all downhill from here my friend!

Not even married yet and already missing Liverpool V Roma in the Champions League Semi Final - shame on you!

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

Grayditch wrote: »

I'm heading to the same pub where I watched us beat City and I've drafted in the same crew and asked them all to wear the same clothes as then.

At the exact same myself, down to getting there at the same time and hoping to grab the same seats. The nerves are beginning to jangle a little bit now.

J Mysterio

naughtb4 wrote: »

Anyone reccomend a place to watch in Amsterdam?

O'Reillys

J Mysterio

Sofa Spud wrote: »

Nerves kicking in - first thought when I woke this morning was 'it's tonight!' and not the usual 'oh Christ, what have I done with my life!'...

jasonb

Am very nervous about this, as the final is so close. Roma away will be a much tougher test than City away, especially in terms of atmosphere. As usual, keeping a clean sheet is really important, possibly more important than the win. I have no idea what to expect from Roma, but am worried they could do us. That said, I tend to be a pessimist when we're playing...

Agent Coulson

Vicxas wrote: »

Im gonna miss the match as I've to do wedding stuff

I blame Moreno.

BorneTobyWilde

We need to come out swinging again, put them away early. Playing chess football over 180 minutes or more won't work. We've got to put them away early.

Agent Coulson

Let’s hope TAA has learned from the Palace & Man U games as I think Roma will use there big man up front in the same way.

yourdeadwright

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

De Rossi is 34 not 44, hoping his age comes into it is silly. He's as good as he has ever been, he was never one for goals or assists. He's just a rock solid midfielder like he was 5 years ago, or ten years ago. He'll do himself justice that's for sure.
We need to win it away from the midfield, that is our game, move it fast to the front 3 and bypass midfield as much as possible.

The same Rossi who claimed he nearly quit two years ago as he can't compete like he used to, they are his own words, Rossi is far past his best its just a fact ,