Pre Match - Arsenal (H) Sat 17:30

[Brizzle]

So more injuries are piling up... nightmare. Rumours suggest Hendo will miss out, not sure who will be back, maybe Thiago?

----------------Ali---------------
Trent--Matip--VVD--Robbo
------------Fabinho------------
-----Thiago-------Jones------ maybe Millie might be back?
Salah------Origi--------Jota I think Mane will be on the bench if he's been sent him.


We'll be needing some big performances from those without too many minutes yet this season. Arsenal have been tight at the back in recent weeks (well - keeping CSs but giving up chances) and clinical up front without making too many chances. Let's see if we can get the season back on track with a win here.

 

[Dreambeliever]

This man has to start

 

[Squiggles]

--------------------Alisson-----------------
---Trent---Konate---VVD----Tsimikas--
-------------------Fabinho---------------------
----Chamberlain-------Thiago-----------
-------Salah-------Origi----------Jota

 

[Frogfish]

WTF is it with us and injuries ? We again have more (8) than any other club in the PL (Brentford have 7, everyone else less than that). FFS.

Anyway Mane was taken off as a precaution, he'll likely be back and fit : Nov 11: "We took him out as a precaution and there is nothing serious."
Milner, Jones, Keita are all listed as likely being back from the 20th Nov. Hendo was taken off for a knock and given 50/50. I reckon it was just a precaution and he'll start.

Xhaka, Partey and Kolasinac all out for Arsenal.

---------------------------Ali---------------

Trent----------Matip--------VVD------------Robbo (though I wouldn't mind Tsimikas)

-----------------------Fabinho

--------Hendo ----------------------Thiago


Salah----------------Jota-------------------Mane

 

[Hansern]

Yeah, I think and hope Mane and Hendo will make it. We desperately need to get back to winning ways again. Arsenal are playing well and are in good form. Doubt it will be easy, but we have to win.

 

[Brizzle]

I'd actually like to see Divock get a start, he's looked strong and powerful in his fleeting appearances, and it would leave us with a potential great impact sub in Jota too.

 

[Brizzle]

Looks like Tsimikas at left back - not a terrible time for Robbo to get an injury in my opinion, he's been a shadow of himself, very wasteful in attack and his ability to hold an offside line has been poor. Give the lad a month off and let the greek deputise, bringing a fresh Robbo back for December's manic period.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I really am not confident for the game - I know it's Arsenal, but it seems we're an ... unhealthy team again. That is our biggest weakness ...

 

[Brizzle]

We will start with a better first XI, even with the injuries in the squad. Arsenal are on form so we need our squad players or those coming back from injury to be starting with the right attitude.

I think this might be our XI, with Hendo/Mane borderline. We have a dead rubber against Porto midweek (at home) before we play Southampton so plenty of time to rest and wait for key players to return.

----------------Ali---------------
Trent--Matip--VVD--Tsimikas
------------Fabinho------------
-----Thiago-------Jones------
Salah------Origi--------Jota

 

[mark1975]

At least Xhaka is out, so we won't get another 10 injuries.

 

[Frogfish]

We will start with a better first XI, even with the injuries in the squad. Arsenal are on form so we need our squad players or those coming back from injury to be starting with the right attitude.

I think this might be our XI, with Hendo/Mane borderline. We have a dead rubber against Porto midweek (at home) before we play Southampton so plenty of time to rest and wait for key players to return.

----------------Ali---------------
Trent--Matip--VVD--Tsimikas
------------Fabinho------------
-----Thiago-------Jones------
Salah------Origi--------Jota

Jones not expected to fit be until the 20th ?

 

[binomial]

At least Xhaka is out, so we won't get another 10 injuries.

Xhaka out is a bigger miss to us than Robbo.

Not a coincidence they've been on a little winning streak ever since he got fucked.

 

[Brizzle]

Jones not expected to fit be until the 20th ?

Isn't the 20th the Arsenal game?

 

[mark1975]

--------------Allison----------------
Trent---Matip--VVD--Tsimikas
------------Fabinho---------------
-------Milner------Thiago-------
-Salah------Origi-------Jota---

I'd be tempted to swap Origi and Jota as it gives us some pace down our left, but Jota probably gives Tsimikas better protection.

There's probably reasonable shouts for Minamino to start too, but playing him and Jota leaves us a little short on genuine pace upfront (Salah aside, obvs).

 

[Brizzle]

Will be interesting to see our set piece threat, White & Gabriel don't strike me as particularly dominant in the air and I don't see much height elsewhere on the pitch. Could be perfect for having the greek god on set piece and VVD & Matip/Konate in there.

 

[binomial]

I'd actually like to see Divock get a start, he's looked strong and powerful in his fleeting appearances, and it would leave us with a potential great impact sub in Jota too.

No no no no

no.

 

[Frogfish]

Isn't the 20th the Arsenal game?

Haha duh. I hadn't realised it was so far off. Not sure Klopp will throw him straight back in though if we have 3 senior midfielders available.

 

[SummerOnions]

I guess Mane won't play this one or will be on the bench - so surely it has to be one of Origi and Minamino playing. Possibly even Origi up top and Jota playing wider

 

[SummerOnions]

Haha duh. I hadn't realised it was so far off. Not sure Klopp will throw him straight back in though if we have 3 senior midfielders available.

We have Hendo Fabinho and Thiago all classed as fit, don't we?

Jones will probably play against Porto

 

[LeTallecWiz]

 

[LeTallecWiz]

 

[LeTallecWiz]

 

[LeTallecWiz]

 

[Hansern]

Mane to start then.

 

[Brizzle]

Based on that I don't think Hendo will start. But ideal if Thiago & Fabs can both do so.

 

[The Nomad]

Jones not expected to fit be until the 20th ?

Jones out for a number of weeks. Eye injury.

 

[Brizzle]

I am expecting a Fabs & Thiago masterclass in this one.

 

[momoWASboss]

You’re going to be disappointed. Thiago has been well short of those few decent performances of last season.

 

[Hansern]

He's about to find form though. Masterclass incoming.

 

[Brizzle]

In the two games he's started we've scored 6 and conceded 0. Hard to say he has underperformed given he's been injured the rest of the time. He was great in that palace game too.