I would predict something like this: Adrián Gomez Matip Virgil Robertson Fabinho Milner Keita Salah Firmino Mane
I think that's pretty close to what we'll see. Klopp is gonna go strong to try to win this and get another trophy in early. Chelsea's main threat may come from the pace of Pusilic and Joe has the legs to deal with that.
I would predict something like this: Adrián Gomez Matip Virgil Milner Keita Wijnaldum Shaq Salah Firmino Origi
I like that lineup. I don't think Keita will be in the holding role, but I think that is an inspired tactical switch. Allows Hendo and Fabinho to rest up for the weekend, and you can bring in Ox to run at his former club too, maybe get him that much more invested... Ox - Fabinho - Hendo, good for Shampton. Even though I wouldn't do it, I would not be shocked to see Lallana deployed in the deep lying playmaker position. Which is somewhat worrisome, thinking of him marking Pulisic and Mount on the counter. Maybe I'm wrong.
Liverpool travelling squad: Fabinho, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Adrian, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Lonergan, Shaqiri, Brewster, Robertson, Origi, Matip, Hoever, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott. No lovren I guess he is being sold then
Precautionary - will be reassessed tomorrow. However - I said this in the Injury thread - DO NOT PLAY HIM! We need him for the season.
Kante is out apparently, as is Willian and some others. their defence right now is a huge question mark. they haven't figured out a playing style, are low on confidence, have a manager who is unproven at this level, and are relying on a bunch of youngsters. so all in all - we're totally screwed ....
He was only partially fit Sunday - then it looks like he reaggravated the injury. This is why I am saying hold Keita out here if there is an issue. EDIT - Lampard says Willian and Rudiger will not be risked from the start. Kante will be reassessed tomorrow. Even if they play they will not be effective and it might actually be beneficial for us
Just received an invite to the Koala Bar by the Shanghai Koppites. 3AM kick off. Could be, well it would be fun. It's the 11+ hour flight each way that puts me off.
It's not the 22 hours of arse bone crushing or the hanging in airports. The invitation came just a tad too late. It screwed up my timing for the trip to Istanbul. I'm set up at home here now. Me and Ringo will have a howling time. A win would set up the start of a nice streak toget the season rolling.
Firmino on the bench. Ox starts. Adrian, Gomez, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Milner, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mane, Salah Subs: Lonergan, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Hoever, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Shaqiri, Elliott, Brewster, Origi, Firmino
Could that be a diamond midfield? Adrián Gomez Matip Virg Robertson Fabinho Henderson Milner Ox Salah Mane
Interesting! I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Mane pressing as the 9 and Ox on the left. I think that's something to which he's more suited than Ox, and even in the "diamond" Ox would essentially be taking up the Bobby role I'd think, pressing through the middle when defending and dropping deep to combine with midfielders when attacking. But that lineup in a true diamond, if Ox stayed more as a CAM and Salah and Mane were more free, that would be interesting. Not long to wait and see now.
This Chelsea team looks a lot stronger than the one that faced United. Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson, Kovacic, Jorginho, Kante, Pedro, Pulisic, Giroud
Keita - muscle strain - will be reassessed in a few days. Sounds like some tightness that they think will diminish quickly.
Well - they bleated on about Kante not being fit, then injured again, then late fitness test....so either it was "mind games" or he's going to labor. In any event the Kante - Jorginho midfield didn't work last season - hopefully that continues.
Giroud isn't going to help them counter too much, I wouldn't think. I'd hope Liverpool would be able to control this match.