Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2024/25

Bah another deflection. Looking at the fixtures this is probably City's toughest sadly. Maybe West Ham will be but the Europa League final is a few days later so the second string could be out if they get through.

Away to Wolves is the one I've had my eye on a while. Be interesting to see when it gets scheduled for.

Ah yes, definitely that one is their toughest. Missed that one when I looked at their fixtures as it hasn't got a date yet.

True, particularly now that Marsch has them much more compact and organised at the back. Can't see them giving up those cheap goals they did with Bielsa's gung-ho approach.

Would've said the same about Palace, Southampton, and a dysfunctional Spurs team that had just lost 2-0 to Chelsea, 3-2 to Southampton, and 2-0 to Wolves (and lost their next game 1-0 to Burnley). All those came in City's last 10 games too. They're bloody good, but they're far from faultless this season. (Today was their first win in 4 in all comps, and their 4th win in 9 in all comps).

They're not the same juggernaut that stomped through the end of the season winning every game in 18/19. They might win 'em all, but form and fixture congestion would indicate there's every chance they'll slip again.

I think it's more likely than "might" win the remaining games. I'd say it's more like they should win their remaining games. 90+% chance they will IMO but a man can dream

Cannot see City dropping points, it’s just like 14 and 19 now even if their team is not as strong in attack. I don’t think they were too bothered about going out in the fa cup, they will go all out for the prized double they never won before. Pep said last night if they win every game they win the league, if they drop even 1pt Liverpool win it, so he also thinks Lpool will win every game. It’s a shame but if this happens, we lost the league over the Xmas period. Although it is a miracle we came back into it and gave another epic title race. Hopefully we will get the last day over City with a win in Paris. So that’s my prediction, both teams will win all remaining games in league, but Lpool to beat City in Paris and complete an amazing treble.

They’re a favourite for every remaining game (as we are) but strange things happen.

I think it’s fair to say they are a favourite percentage wise to win out, but it’s a lot closer to 50% probability than 100% imo.

Either way, nothing that can be done about it all. We just have to try and win our next 4 games and beat Villarreal and bring it down to the last two weeks of the season. What will be will be from there.

No not Palace. Palace are one of city's biggest bogey teams over the last few years. If they played Palace every week we would walk the league.

Yeah, but only for 4 minutes. When I started the log a couple of years ago, I have a bit of a cut off point of 80-85 mins otherwise you have a lot of 1 min appearances at the end of games which are pretty meaningless in all honesty.

The more pressure on Everton the better for me. They're really bad and pressure will usually makes bad players worse. I expect them to be terrified on the ball and will try to sit in and break with Gray, Gordon and Richarlison. We'll see a lot of aimless balls pumped long from the back line and Pickford that will be mopped up by VVD and Alisson. But the issue for them is, is Lampard has not shown that he can set up a team to sit in and defend so what's their other option, try and play? Good luck if they try that, the risk of their goal difference getting a hammering will force them to sit in and hope they can hold on for as long as possible.

Team wise, I would not be shocked by any line up. Klopp could go really strong (1-3 changes) or he may make 5 or 6 changes and the team will still look strong. Keita and Jota I'd guess are guaranteed to come in. Konate also likely but maybe he's going to get Villareal so Matip goes again. Then we have a ton of options, if Firmino is fit he could play, Tsimikas or Gomez maybe too (don't think we'd take out both full backs). Maybe Jones or Origi get a game. Could even see Milner in to kick a few people for the first 55-60 minutes.

Alisson

TAA - Konate - VVD - Tsimikas

Keita - Henderson - Jones

Salah - Firmino or Mane - Jota

Is my guess, the three scousers getting a game in the derby.

Hoping for Watford to do anything is forlorn, thay have a pathetic record against City, something like 15 or 16 consecutive losses in all competitions. No hope.

Klopp hasn't been afraid to pick a bit more stranger side against Everton, especially at home. There was one a few years ago where Origi Lallana Shaqiri & Milner played together. Solanke started a few derbies too.

Because Everton are capable of going into this fixture just to go kicking Liverpool players and potentially injure them and thus becoming fan favourites, I would err on the side of caution a bit here. I think Milner might start instead of Thiago. Henderson & Fabinho too. Can bring on Thiago on 60 if not going to plan. Jones might even see the pitch. Milner won't be afraid to get stuck in to them either, and give a kick back and let's call a spade a spade, a Milner suspension is not the end of the world here, certainly compared to Thiago. Likewise injuries.

Jota should start this one IMO, as he has a bit of steel and bite to himself too, along with Mane.

I think Tsimikas would be up for it too, with Robbo getting a rest before before the big 3 in a row. Maybe Konate can start this one too as he will be a unit in that area of the pitch.

There's a chance too that Everton will be in the relegation zone before the Derby kicks off so they will be well up for it, in their relegation battle. Intensity will be high I would suspect. Thats why I think some fresh legs will be needed, to match or better this for 60 mins at least.

They could put 12 in the box and they’d still lose badly to this City team.

This Watford team is absolutely hopeless. Our only hope from this game is they can keep it below 3 as this is a game City will look to target for the goal difference...we could do without City putting 6 past them and effectively cancelling out the goal buffer we have!

Watford are a beaten docket sadly. Wouldn't be hopeful even if it was at Vicarage road.

I think goal difference damage limitation is the only goal alright.

Ill be nervous when that game is over because there will only be five left for them to possibly slip up in.

2019 deja vu

Watfords last 11 games against Pep's City team is..

No wins

No Draws

11 Loses

64 goals against

7 goals for.

Roy's record against Pep.

Played 8

Won 1

Drew 2

Lost 6

Goals for 6

Goals against 20

That’s actually not a bad record against Pep for most managers.

Watford will still get battered, though.