Wow let me tell you - I appreciate how non US and U.K. fans follow Liverpool - the time difference is crazy.
I know most will be picking Ox to start, but I would pick Naby Keita again. I think that if Klopp backs him, and he can ever get some momentum going, we will reap the rewards later on. It will be really interesting to see how Klopp manages the squad with Chelsea in the FA Cup on Tuesday. I would really like to see him pick a strong team in the cup.
I think Klopp sees Keita as somebody to pick the lock of atletico and will give him the start again - and if it doesn't work then he'll let the Ox sledgehammer the door open.
Do we think Klopp will pick two different elevens for Watford on Saturday and Chelsea on Tuesday? I would like to see him do something like this: Watford: Alisson Trent Matip Virgil Robertson Fabinho Keita Wijnaldum Salah Firmino Ox Chelsea: Adrian Neco Lovren Gomez Milner Chirvella Lallana Jones Mane Minamino Origi Saving Gomez and Mane for the Cup gives a great shot to beat Chelsea. It will be really interesting to see how Klopp approaches it. Some would argue that our strongest team should play against Chelsea, and we can afford to rest players against Wafford and Bournemouth in the league. Some will say that the youngsters who played in the last two rounds deserve to continue their cup run. The right answer is what ever Klopp decides.
I am actually gonna miss this one cos of work -- very rare for me. But I will checking my phone for the score as I cannot avoid it until later. Ox for Keita for me and play Naby against Chelsea.
I want Keita to get another run out to shut some really uninformed people up. funny enough I think Klopps midfield evolution is supposed to be Fab, Keita and ox as starters.
you clearly mean me. the fact of the matter is that Keita has underproduced compared to his advanced reputation. i don't care why. why isn't relevant. you put a player on the pitch, in the starting lineup and he is expected to produce, either offensively or defensively, and Keita has underproduced by any reasonable standard.. i have no dog in the fight, so all I want is a player who can be consistently counted on to play up to his presumed potential. if you think Keita has done that, then why, when apparently fit, has he been on the bench? if he starts against Watford, i don't expect him to score a goal or assist on one, though that would be wonderful. what i don't want is a listless performance where he doesn't seem to be "in the game". i've seen that more than once, and that is why i have stated that i think Gini is the preferred choice. Wijnaldum can play the same role as Keita would be assigned, regardless of specifics. here's an article that sheds some light on the issues surrounding the controversy. https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/liverpool-gini-wijnaldum-keita-stats-17826058
I don't think either Gomezor Virgil cover the distances to make them need a rest at this stage and Fabinho has had a massive break so he should be good for the next while too. I'd rest him maybe against Bournemouth next weekend (or v Chelsea), play him v Watford, (Chelsea) and Athletico Watford - back 5 - Oxlade Fabinho GW - front 3 either regular or give Firmino a break and play Mane, Salah, Origi Chelsea - naby, Milner, ox - with mane, Minamino, Origi - but in defence I'd go strong, with (rest Trent) Gomez, Lovren, Virgil, Andy Bournemouth, maybe rest Andy and Gomez. bring in Milner for Andy and Matip or Lovren. Midfield maybe rest Fabhino or GW and play Ox and Keita with one of them Athletico is then really just a question of who of Naby, Ox and Milner starts beside the other two midfielders with Hendo out. I say play Naby. If the crownd and the players are up for it, his extra passing zip into the quick gaps to the buzzing front three might hep overwhelm Athletico.... but, then again, no-one is paying me millions to pick these temas!!!
I haven't seen that happen much recently.... to my recall he's been good in his last half dozen outings (bar maybe one...)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Salah, Firmino. Subs: Adrian, Minamino, Lallana, Origi, Matip, Jones, Hoever.
Hopefully all 3 start Tuesday. Lovren is a surprise choice, but Klopp loves to throw him in out of nowhere. Could be Gomez and Matip against Chelsea.