Liverpool FC Team Talk, Gossip, Rumours 2024/25

So many ways of looking at it but ultimately, and despite Joe's recent good form, I think there is very little Robertson doesn't do better.

Better awareness, better aggression, more width, way better ball distribution.

He hasn't been 100% yet but without him there pushing Foden back, I'd fear Joe will be getting doubled up on by Foden and Walker.

Liverpool travelling squad: Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Mac Allister, Salah, Adrian, Gakpo, Elliott, Tsimikas, Robertson, Clark, Gordon, McConnell, Kelleher, Koumas, Quansah, Bradley, Musialowski, Mrozek.

Interesting to see Musialowski there, haven't heard much about him for ages

I'll admit I had to google Mrozek, 20yr old keeper

He was out injured himself until last week too, so who knows, he might have otherwise been involved with the other kids over the past month.

Seems to have evolved from a tricky winger to a CF these days too (which I'd not realised). Be nice to see him get a run out after he's disappeared over the past few seasons.

Looks like City are resting Walker, Stones, Silva, De Bruyne, and Fodan tonight, with the weekend in mind.

Well, it'd be fairly embarrassing to lose to Copenhagen......

Mac was giving the presser with Klopp earlier so you'd imagine he'll play.

Klopp also hinted that we would play a strong team.

16 goals, 9 assists for someone of his age, and playing position is good, even in the Championship.

I just think we can easily put out a weakened team and still recover at Anfield if needs be as long as it is only a 1 or 2 goal defeat.

The next leg on Thursday week will have us having the same discussion again though with United in the FA Cup on the Sunday. If it were anyone else I'd be happy to go weakened for that game as well.

I'd say Darwin might start, get some miles back in his legs. Maybe he comes off at 65ish for Mo

Elliott needs a rest, he's played over 6 hours of footie in the last fortnight

Yeah I think Klopp might try to pick a team that will keep it tight, and not let the tie get out of hand. It's not his style, but a 0-0 is not a bad result. And obviously pick up no more injuries. But because of the hand that is played with so many first team players unavailable, there is somewhat of a choice to be made.

Working back from Sunday, I don't think that both Salah & Nunez will be able to start that game at the same time. I think Nunez is more likely to start, but he also could be a very good sub to bring on on 60 mins with his energy and pace against a tiring defence. But you're running the risk that the game is out of our hands at that stage. Salah is a brilliant to sub to have, but again running the risk with the game being lost before he comes on. Maybe doesn't bring the same energy or pace, but does bring a more steadied classiness and cool head. Can pick a pass or score. Because of the minutes played last weekend, I think Nunez is more likely to start Sunday. Does Klopp risk him starting 2 games in 4 days? I think Gakpo starts this one instead, possibly to try tire out Rodri & Stones

In midfield, Endo is probably gonna have to start both. MacAllister too, but hopefully MacAllister is just a 45or 60 minute job tonight. Rodri & Stones played a combined 70 mins last night between them. Hopefully Szobozlai can play 30+ mins tonight to get some minutes into his legs and rhythym. Maybe it's MacAllister & Szobozlai that do 45 each. I'd start Clark again as the 3rd midfielder as Elliott will probably be used in his roaming 3rd attacker role.

Bradley Tsimikas at FB as Gomez & Robbo will start Sunday IMO. I'd rather have Bradley be coming on for the last 20 when the game opens up rather than Gomez.

It's not about rest time, it's about the load placed on them while coming back from injury & recovery time before the biggest match of the season. Some Man City players had a week off, so will obviously be fresher, and also have a virtually fully fit squad to pick from.

Yeah I probably am! But don't want to under-estimate them at the same time. You've done the work for me on the group stage and didn't realise that they were that bit lower down in terms of quality / lucky.

I guess, really, what I mean is that I can accept a draw result tonight if it means that we are fresher on Sunday and able to give a good account of ourselves so that we can compete and hopefully win that game. I'd hate to win tonight and be picked apart Sunday because of tired legs in players like Robbo / Endo / MacAllister / Szobozlai / Nunez / Salah playing too much tonight.

...

Way stronger than I thought.

Fingers crossed everyone sees it out.

I hate having to watch Liverpool play with this inbuilt fear of injuries but that's what these few months have done to me.

I'm surprised Elliott is starting, I expected Bobby Clark to keep his place. Robertson must need the minutes to sharpen up for the weekend, I expected Tsimikas in the left back position.

Elliott is currently 12th on the list of minutes played this season for Liverpool, so it's not like he is being over worked.

But he has been playing a lot of minutes lately with 76-78-120-90 in the last 2 weeks. A few appearances of the bench before that run. A bit stoppy-starty in terms of heavy lifting in a short period of time.

Gakpo is doing similar numbers too.

Strong team. Would be very nice to get a win. Cmon red men.

I think it was more likely to play a strong tea tonight seeing as it's away. If the lads do a job tonight then it'll be kids and guys needing fitness in Anfield for the second leg.

Leave the teabag in tactics

Virgin 2

Great start

Can't ask for more than that

Nice goal ! Missed why we got peno

Excellent awareness from Mac pressing the defender. Clipped as he nicked in.