Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2024/25

...

Well we've had a few games where we weren't missing pucks of players so it's nice to get the sh*t show back on the road.

Ugh. Was hoping for a redemption arc.

If anyone needs a redemption arc, it's him... has had some absolutely atrocious performances against Real Madrid in particular. I've a feeling he'll be behind the other options in the pecking order to start at least..

He'd finally make up some of his transfer fee so

City are a bit of a different case to anyone else in just how much they can rotate when they want to though. Ridiculous depth.

Does seem like something mad is going on at Liverpool with these repeated explosions of injuries alright. Not freshening up the hardest running positions after years of high intensity probably the chief fault.

SSN reporting that Ben Doak collapsed on the pitch in a game this evening

He clashed heads and went down afterwards. He walked off the pitch.

I'm confused as Bajcetic was on the plane to Madrid and looked in great spirits. Why is he travelling? For the experience? Cos it's can't be for rehab.

But, what are those averages more recently, say after Xmas or since the world cup. A lot higher I'd imagine. Couple that with he's a growing lad expected to carry a big load in the centre of a midfield 3 in what's supposed to be a high energy, pressing set up, then it's a big ask, and to me it's no surprise he's broken down.

He only played once before Stephens Day for 21 minutes so that doesn't really effect the averages.

Edit: he actually played 90 minutes in September against Derby and 20 minutes over two CL games against Ajax.

So that gives him an average play time of 56 minutes since Stephens Day. Eight games where he's played more than 70 minutes.

I would love to see us win, to take the monkey off the back with Madrid.

Hendo being out is a pain

I think him missing is more a miss in terms of leadership, than anything physical. And I think that is what we are lacking tonight, and probably did at the weekend too. It's probably why Milner will start IMO.

There were a couple of times on Saturday when senior members of the defence, like VVD for example, were bad and making mistakes etc. There was nobody giving them a bollocking, to keep the standards higher. VVD makes a mistake and he looks over towards Trent as in to blame him. But VVD was at fault but Trent can't give the bollocking to VVD as VVD is more senior and also Trent is having a poor season in some areas. Trent would have been justified to give out, but can't. That's where Hendo is needed. Keeps everyone on their toes. With all his qualities, Allison is more of a friendly supportive type captain rather an giving out one.

Chelsea went 3-0 up away at Real Madrid last season, so it can be done. It's keeping the heads while at that stage is the important thing, if you are to get there.

Would you include Elliott as 1 of the 4? Like in the Man Utd game. It gives the ability to drop back into a 4-3-3 at times too.

I think Madrid might end up playing 4 midfielders themselves so playing only 2 dedicated midfielders might be too risky.

Klopp generally doesn't just drop players into the starting line up after weeks/months of not being involved. They generally make appearances on / from the bench first. For this reason, I think we can rule out Keita, Ox & probably Jones. This leaves Fabinho, Milner & Elliott as potential options to start. I'd be reluctant to only start 2 of those myself. Start 2, get to HT still in the game and then switch to 4-2-4 and try and hit them then? Kroos, Modric etc might have tired by then and Madrid will have eyes on Barca at the weekend potentially.

Forget Nabby, I think he'll be lucky to play again after the last outing.

You'll have

Alisson

TAA, Konate, VVD, Robertson

Fabhino, Milner

Salah, Gakpo, Nunez

Jota

There are grounds for optimism Liverpool could win the tie, without doubt. Real conceded a lot of chances in the first leg and the centre backs Militao and Alaba, was it, looked slow and not particularly mobile. Alaba is out injured tonight. So, if VanDijk and co.perform and keep them scoreless, who knows? Real just won't sit back and defend in any event.

Not even with the 3-0 loss in Barca did I feel the tie was as dead as it is tonight.

Same.

No if we were playing at home, i might sense a chance, but our away form has been brutal this year.

A midfield of only Fab & Milner, this could be great or horrific

We’ll be fine with that athletic midfield of Milner and Fabinho covering every blade of grass.

In strangely looking forward to this. Tired old midfield or not.

Liverpool to win, but not go through is my prediction. And that's probably a stupid biased view as in reality we lose 2-0 or something on the counter attacks.

Feck it, it could be our last CL game for a year or two, might aswell make the most of it. No point being over negative before the game.

If we go through, brilliant. If we don't, go qualify for the CL again and make up for it next season.

I'm surprised he even put Keita on the bench.

Think we are in for a mauling, and I'm generally optimistic. Not tonight.

I think we may win but no chance of going through, I'm predicting 2-1 Pool...

Milner does also have a habit to chase the ball in an attempt to press / win it back. This will leave Fabinho exposed.

I'd expect Gakpo to help out the midfield in an attacking sense but he may have to have his best game in a defensive sense too.

Don't think it will be an annihilation, RM will just try and get through to the next round using as little energy as possible. I'll go for 0:0 at HT anyway and for it to be a boring enough half.