Forest play away to Fenerbache in the Europa League on Thursday night, while Liverpool have a full weeks rest. There is no better time to play them. After the disaster at Anfield, we need to get 3 points at their ground. Alisson Gomez Konate Virgil Kerkez Gravenberch Szoboszlai Wirtz Salah Ekitike Gakpo The alternative is to go with the extra midfielder (Mac Allister or Jones) instead of Gakpo. Then Dom and Wirtz can play as double 10’s with Mo on the right and Hugo on the left. I think Slot needs to decide on which system will be more effective for the remainder of the season.
I think against the Forests, Hammers and Wolves - system #2. When we play the bigger teams, the above variant with Frimpong.
I wouldn't mind seeing Rio or Curtis in Cody's stead. Everyone pretty much knows what Cody will do (not much). Also howabout Robbo instead of Kerkez?
Kerkez played very well last game - so I would keep him in there. Maybe Robbo to start in the next CL Tie? What's that - 3 games away?
Forest will come into this match on a high after winning 3-0 in Turkey. But more significant is the fact that their best players played 90 minutes on a Thursday and travelled all the way to Turkey. Meanwhile Liverpool had a full week to prepare. This never happens and is usually the other way around.
Sometimes this year our players have travelled all the way to Liverpool and then ran around looking like they have just eaten a Turkey........
At present there are only 3 English clubs that can do the PL/CL dance. Liverpool, City and Arsenal. All the others, Chelsea, Newcastle, Spurs, Villa, United, qualify for the CL by virtue of 3rd, 4th or 5th. Then when the next season rolls around, they do okay-ish in both, but usually drop down to the Europa or Conference because they can’t compete at the top end of the PL. And then because they are in a weaker European competition, they do better in the PL, qualifying them for the following season’s CL. Where they once again struggle to fight on both ends. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat. Newcastle and Villa are great recent examples of this. I’m sure, in time, we will weaken and find ourselves in the Villa/Newcastle cycle, but as I say, only us, City and Arsenal can consistently compete on both fronts.
PGMOL sending their finest for this game: Referee: Anthony Taylor VAR: Paul Tierney can't think of a worst pairing with consistent anti-LFC decisions over the years.
Not sure if it's because he's improved or the other refs (Michael Oliver cough) have regressed so much but I actually Taylor hasn't been as bad lately. I actually feel more comfortable with him in charge then anyone else at the moment. You can ban me from the group on Monday after he gives the softest penalty ever while ignoring Mo in a headlock.
I do appreciate the offer owian - but despite my repeated, strident and heartfelt pleas, the mods have declined to allow me that power. sigh ......
With Chelsea and AV dropping points a win will move us up in the tables and put some pressure on those teams. NF away isn't an easy fixture for us but hopefully our form continues to improve.
nope - a win puts us level with MU on points, but still behind them on GD. unless we win by 5 or more goals of course.
#LFC v Forest: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike. Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha, Morrison. Szoboszlai right back.
Fundamentally - I don't think we are currently an elite team in the PL (maybe no one but Arsenal and city are) - we get bullied, we get passed around regularly, we have no real attacking patterns of play. this is my big concern with Slot - now that he's had 2 seasons to impose his ideas - they look worse and worse. as always - I realize there are mitigating factors etc - but we are a tough watch.