Porto Away - CL

[Dreambeliever]

Some easy changes for Klopp.

Lovren, Milner, Shaq.

Nice to be able to go into this game without the pressure of the league being lost and knowing we have to win the CL

 

[FoxForceFive]

We don't have to win the CL, but doing the double will making the league win all the sweeter.

I'll be very interested to see if he plays Shaq, I hope he does.

 

[keniget]

Klopp needs to make sure there is no hangover from this Chelsea game.

Sometimes you see a bit of lethargy and complacency after a really big game. We're likely to get knocked out if there is any of that.

Play our strongest team and put the tie to bed.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Play a full team, keep the momentum

 

[FoxForceFive]

I don't think this side will suffer that way tbh, but it wouldn't surprise me if he goes with a very strong side anyway.

 

[Bradley]

Yeah, wouldn't be keen on making changes to the back line or front 3 unless anyone is feeling off. Would give Hendo the night off. And all being well take 2 of the front 3 off with 30 minutes left in the game.

 

[hmmmmm1]

Salah is looking sharp for the run in

 

[MomoWASright]

I’d keep Salah and Manè in the team just keep in the goal scoring rhythm.

 

[SummerOnions]

Gini has had a rest, so has Milner so they can start and Hendo can recover

 

[moron]

Gini has had a rest, so has Milner so they can start and Hendo can recover

Yes .. rest Hendo for sure. Play Gini in next game.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Gini has had a rest, so has Milner so they can start and Hendo can recover

If like Gini to have another game off ideally, if not Porto then Cardiff.

We may only have a few matches left but he has played so many more minutes than the rest of the midfield that he could easily hit burn out again before the end of the season, & all being well we'll have at least a semi final against Barca or Utd as well as unglamorous, but must win league games, at least a couple of which you'd guess will end up tense tight affairs. I want him at his best & freshest for as much of that as possible.

 

[SummerOnions]

If like Gini to have another game off ideally, if not Porto then Cardiff.

We may only have a few matches left but he has played so many more minutes than the rest of the midfield that he could easily hit burn out again before the end of the season, & all being well we'll have at least a semi final against Barca or Utd as well as unglamorous, but must win league games, at least a couple of which you'd guess will end up tense tight affairs. I want him at his best & freshest for as much of that as possible.

True but at least they aren't gonna all burn out like when we made it to Kiev with everyone else dead

 

[FoxForceFive]

True but at least they aren't gonna all burn out like when we made it to Kiev with everyone else dead

Yep. We have four or five more players who can fill in adequately, if not at the same exact standard, whereas last season we had just a couple & even they felt like a huge step down.

 

[rurikbird]

Shaq seems to be coming back into Klopp's good graces lately – I'd like to see him get a start in Portugal. I would rest Firmino and replace Matip with Lovren and also possibly TAA with Gomez. Need to think about the midfield – which one of Keita and Wijnaldum needs a rest more? How is Hendo's injury? At this point, I'll be happy with any combination of the 5 midfielders we have; it's hard to choose between them.

4-3-3:
-------------------Alisson-------------------
Gomez---Lovren---Van Dijk---Robbo
-------------------Hendo--------------------
----------Gini-------------Milner-----------
---Shaqiri-------Salah----------Mane---

Subs: Mignolet, Matip, Trent, Fabinho, Keita, Firmino, Origi

 

[Frogfish]

Shaq seems to be coming back into Klopp's good graces lately – I'd like to see him get a start in Portugal. I would rest Firmino and replace Matip with Lovren and also possibly TAA with Gomez. Need to think about the midfield – which one of Keita and Wijnaldum need a rest more? How is Hendo's injury? At this point, I'll be happy with any combination of the 5 midfielders we have; it's hard to choose between them.

4-3-3:
-------------------Alisson-------------------
Gomez---Lovren---Van Dijk---Robbo
-------------------Hendo--------------------
----------Gini-------------Milner-----------
---Shaqiri-------Salah----------Mane---

Subs: Mignolet, Matip, Trent, Fabinho, Keita, Firmino, Origi

Yes I could go along with that team but swap Millie and Gini to give Gomez more protection. Not sure Jomez is good for 90 mins but definitely give him 60+ mins. I think Keita is almost certain to start against probably all of Cardiff, Huddersfield and Newcastle. Maybe not against Wolves where I'm sure Klopp will revert to Fab, Hendo and Milner.

 

[KopRed]

Shaq seems to be coming back into Klopp's good graces lately – I'd like to see him get a start in Portugal. I would rest Firmino and replace Matip with Lovren and also possibly TAA with Gomez. Need to think about the midfield – which one of Keita and Wijnaldum need a rest more? How is Hendo's injury? At this point, I'll be happy with any combination of the 5 midfielders we have; it's hard to choose between them.

4-3-3:
-------------------Alisson-------------------
Gomez---Lovren---Van Dijk---Robbo
-------------------Hendo--------------------
----------Gini-------------Milner-----------
---Shaqiri-------Salah----------Mane---

Subs: Mignolet, Matip, Trent, Fabinho, Keita, Firmino, Origi

That lame clearing header that went backwards should send him back to the dog house.

 

[Brizzle]

Naby will be running on adrenaline and should do both Porto (who will leave him gaps to run in to) and Cardiff (who will be compact).

I'd do just one change but be ready for early subs if we can finish the tie in the first half. Players i'd prioritise resting would be Robbo, TAA and Bobby. We need to keep this professional and just get the job done and take foot off the gas. I imagine Klopp will throw Lovren into the mix but I'd hate this to be a heavy rotation from the start.

------------Alisson------------
TAA---Matip--VVD--Robbo
------------Fabinho------------
------Millie--------Keita-------
Salah-----Firmino----Mane

 

[Mystic]

Keita's 24, not played much this season, has been an early sub the last three games, and most importantly is on form, no way he'll be tired, he should play again. His little burst of form is so well timed as it's allowing Wini and Millie some much needed rest which will help this month no end, in that vein, I'd also be tempted to rest Robbo again for this game.

 

[Modo]

Why should Matip rest?

 

[Frogfish]

Keita's 24, not played much this season, has been an early sub the last three games, and most importantly is on form, no way he'll be tired, he should play again. His little burst of form is so well timed as it's allowing Wini and Millie some much needed rest which will help this month no end, in that vein, I'd also be tempted to rest Robbo again for this game.

Fatigue isn't always based on how many times you've played in a season, it's also how many times in how many days. Which is why we need to rotate more that just the one Brizzle mentioned and maybe consider rotating Keita to keep him fresh for Cardiff.

 

[hmmmmm1]

keita should be raring to go after being benched for most of the season

 

[Insignificance]

Keita should be fine. He need to play to keep the rythm in his game.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I’m not up for this at all. Anyone else not really fussed?

A work colleague today asked would I take 4 league wins or a guaranteed CL trophy from here?

Tough one but considering I don’t see City dropping points I’d have to say the CL

 

[Brizzle]

4 league wins for me.

 

[doctor_mac]

I’m not up for this at all. Anyone else not really fussed?

A work colleague today asked would I take 4 league wins or a guaranteed CL trophy from here?

Tough one but considering I don’t see City dropping points I’d have to say the CL

I don't get this though. You're not fussed about the CL game yet you see the CL as our only hope of silverware? Go balls deep in something!

I'm greedy. I want it all. The double for me please.

 

[Dreambeliever]

4 league wins for me.

It’ll be disgusting if we lose the league with 97 fucking points.

 

[Dreambeliever]

I don't get this though. You're not fussed about the CL game yet you see the CL as our only hope of silverware? Go balls deep in something!

I'm greedy. I want it all. The double for me please.

Not at all. There is hope in the league I just can’t see City slipping. 14 wins on the spin is insane.

Obviously I’d love the double.

I think if we get past Porto everyone will be right up for it against Barca

 

[doctor_mac]

Not at all. There is hope in the league I just can’t see City slipping. 14 wins on the spin is insane.

Obviously I’d love the double.

I think if we get past Porto everyone will be right up for it against Barca

It is true that Porto is not a fixture to get the blood pumping. We just need to not fuck it up though.

 

[Dreambeliever]

It is true that Porto is not a fixture to get the blood pumping. We just need to not fuck it up though.

100% I’ll be pissed off if we do.

Back to back semis is nothing to be sniffed at.

If nothing else surely we’ll be in pot 2 next season.

 

[Insignificance]

It is true that Porto is not a fixture to get the blood pumping. We just need to not fuck it up though.

We seem solid enough for me to trust this team to shut down Porto and even get a goal or so while doing it.