Liverpool vs United : PL Sunday 16th December 16.00

[Frogfish]

United's league position is misleading on current form, only one defeat in their last 8 games which includes a win away at Juventus and their only defeat away at City. This is going to be a major test despite knowing how Mourinho is going to play it. I'll go for 2-1 win but will be happy for any win to get past this psychological hurdle.

Injury Updates

Liverpool OUT : Ox, Gomez, Clyne. Doubt : Solanke. To be assessed : Matip & TAA
United OUT : Lindelof, Shaw, Sanchez. Doubt : Smalling. Very Slight Doubt : Martial, Bailly.

Players in Form :
Liverpool : Becker, VvD, Matip, Robertson, Milner, Gini, Salah, Keita, Fabinho, Henderson
United : Martial, Rashford, Dalot

Teams Last 8 Games (all comps).
Liverpool : WWWLWWLD 1-0 Napoli (H), 4-0 Bournemouth (A), 3-1 Burnley (A), 1-0 Everton (H), 1-2 PSG (A), 3-0 Watford (A), 2-0 Fulham (H), 1-1 Arsenal (A).

United : WDDWDLWW (away at Valencia tonight, Mourinho likely to field a weakened team) 4-1 Fulham (H), 2-2 Arsenal (H), 2-2 Southampton (A), 1-0 Young Boys (H), 0-0 Palace (A), 1-3 City (A), 2-1 Juventus (A), 2-1 Bournemouth (A)

Previous Line-Ups (vs Napoli and Fulham)

[/IMG]

'Stolen' from Sky. An excellent preview comparing the teams here :

https://www.skysports.com/football/...ed-compare-explore-their-premier-league-stats

The radar graphic below shows how Liverpool are more likely to thread balls through defences - for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to run onto - and also pose a greater aerial threat, which may be a surprise given the height and physicality of Jose Mourinho's men.

United's difficulties this term primarily stem from defensive frailties. They've averaged 1.6 goals conceded per game this season, which is more than twice as frequent as 2017/18, when they conceded just 0.7 per game on average.

Both sides are similarly matched in attack however United's defensive struggles are highlighted with David de Gea facing nearly twice as many shots as Liverpool stopper Alisson.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

If TAA is out -> Milner.
If Matip is out -> Lovren

I think we'll see Fabinho start this.

 

[Modo]

I'd start with the following:

Becker

TAA
Matip
Van Dijk
Robbo

Fabinho
Wijnaldum
Keita

Mane
Salah
Firmino

Milner looked knackered and might need a rest after last night's game. If TAA is injured he'll definitely replace him at RB.
Henderson played 90 mins and had a great 2nd half against Napoli, so did Wijnaldum.
I'm guessing that only one of those two will start and I'm leaning towards Wijnaldum.
Keita just has to start.
The usual front three of course, poor Shaq.

Man U are gonna park the bus. We're going to need Keita's creativity and drive in midfield.

 

[Modo]

If TAA is out -> Milner.
If Matip is out -> Lovren

I think we'll see Fabinho start this.

You bastard. Talk about a summarizing my post.

 

[Frogfish]

We've got a 5 day rest and United (though no doubt they'll rest a few tonight) have 4 days. I don't think recovery / tiredness will be a factor.

 

[SummerOnions]

Alisson
Milner Lovren van Dijk Robbo
Fabinho Wijnaldum
Salah Shaqiri Mane
Firmino

 

[Fabio]

My prostate is tingling again

Definitely losing this one

 

[Frogfish]

Having given this some thought. As I said tiredness shouldn't be a factor after 5 days rest. Same as LTW; Lovren in for Matip and Milner for TAA if they haven't recovered in time. I would prefer Fabinho to Hendo though after his 2nd half vs. Napoli I'd be surprised if Klopp left him out.

........................ Becker

TAA ........Matip .......... VvD ........ Robbo

...................... Fabinho

.... Milner ....................... Gini or Keita (I'm torn)

Salah ......... Firmino ....... Mane (yeah I love Mane but he is clearly off form so I'd consider Origi or Shaqiri if we can find a way to play him without affecting Salah).

 

[Frogfish]

My prostate is tingling again

Definitely losing this one

Mine does that when the doctor has me drop my pants, assume the doggie position and roots around in my backside. Just wish he was a woman.

 

[Insignificance]

Mine does that when the doctor has me drop my pants, assume the doggie position and roots around in my backside. Just wish he was a woman.

Probably his thoughts as well…. Poor bloke.

 

[ibromurph]

We shouldn't be playing a 4-3-3 in this one. There's no point. There's no chance in hell that United are going to try and play out of the back with the likes of Smalling and Jones at the back. They'll be going long and skipping the press.

Thus I expect us to go with the 4-2-3-1 which we use against such teams. It's one that falls nicely into a 4-4-2, or 4-2-2-2.

Alisson

Trent
VVD
Matip
Robbo

Fabinho
Gini

Mane/Keita
Bobby
Shaq

Salah

 

[Woland]

We could twat these. This is the first time in years I'm thinking we could put six past these dickheads

 

[Insignificance]

Whatever worked against Burnley and Bournemouth should be applied in this one.

 

[Frogfish]

We shouldn't be playing a 4-3-3 in this one. There's no point. There's no chance in hell that United are going to try and play out of the back with the likes of Smalling and Jones at the back. They'll be going long and skipping the press.

Thus I expect us to go with the 4-2-3-1 which we use against such teams. It's one that falls nicely into a 4-4-2, or 4-2-2-2.

Alisson

Trent
VVD
Matip
Robbo

Fabinho
Gini

Mane/Keita
Bobby
Shaq

Salah

Yeah. I like that better than the one I picked.

 

[Frogfish]

Nice discussion on a combined team (of fit players - otherwise both agreed Gomez would make the team). Interesting that Neville said he wouldn't play Lukaku on Sunday and would take Mane over Martial or Rashford.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...-mourinho-assessed-by-soccer-saturday-pundits

 

[ILD]

I'd play Milner if he's recovered. Let him propel Herrera about 50 feet into the air on Sunday.

 

[Modo]

I'd play Milner if he's recovered. Let him propel Herrera about 50 feet into the air on Sunday.

Yeah I'd like that

 

[Buddha]

I'm confident that, for once, we'll get ahead early and go on to comfortably win.

3-0

 

[Insignificance]

I'm confident that, for once, we'll get ahead early and go on to comfortably win.

3-0

I was confident we would trash them last february. Fuckety Fuck. They will lay low, kick the ball as far away as possible over 90 minutes and Mata will score a wondergoal.

 

[ibromurph]

I'd play Milner if he's recovered. Let him propel Herrera about 50 feet into the air on Sunday.

Only 50 feet? I'd be disappointed.

 

[manwithnoname]

I'm confident that, for once, we'll get ahead early and go on to comfortably win.

3-0

That would be lovely!

Although I'd prefer a proper old-fashioned stuffing, maybe beat them 4-0? Not enough to humiliate and force a sacking, though.

 

[RedStar]

I dont think they would sack him regardless, simply to deny us the satisfaction. They seem to draw an awful lot of games we have struggled to beat top 6/7 teams this year and Mourinho has form in frustrating us so Im predicting a 1-1 scoreline. They will happily settle for a point.

 

[Hansern]

Yeah, this is a massive test in my opinion.
They will frustrate the life out of us, Mourinho has a knack of getting a result and we havent beaten the Mancs in the league since 2013/14.
Will be a difficult game and Mourinho will do everything he can to fuck it up for us.

Cant wait for the game mind. It will be a cracker.

 

[Judge Jules]

I'd play Milner if he's recovered. Let him propel Herrera about 50 feet into the air on Sunday.

I heard Zidanny Murphy on the radio the other day saying Herrera was one of the few players he'd go out there to deliberately kick if he were playing now.

I think we'll beat them but I don't think it'll be by a wide margin. A scruffy 2-1 home win coming up methinks.

 

[Holle]

My prostate is tingling again

Definitely losing this one

Removal or fingering could help there.

 

[tombrown]

Trent a doubt

 

[Modo]

How's Matip?

 

[Buddha]

How's Matip?

Depends how you've been treating it lately...

 

[Brizzle]

VVD tested his crunching tackle yesterday, I would LOVE to see another on Sunday. Preferred recipient Herrera (the weasel) but i'd accept Rom or Lingard.

 

[Insignificance]

VVD tested his crunching tackle yesterday, I would LOVE to see another on Sunday. Preferred recipient Herrera (the weasel) but i'd accept Rom or Lingard.

Seen a lot of talk about that being a straight red... I see his foot is above ground but he is quite a bit earlier than Mertens in that tackle. It looks ugly the way he hit the leg, but red is harsh?

Even Riise and Hangeland changed from "great tackle" to "straight red" after the replay.