please log in to view this image Sunday 4th February 4.30pm Premier League Anfield Into the run of big games and we've started with a win. The level of performance rose several levels from our previous two outings, too. Next up is a trip to Anfield to take on a side that we're within touching distance of in the league. Another victory would see us leapfrog them in the table and put us back into the top four. Can we overcome our poor record at this ground and make a statement before two more massive matches? Jurgen Klopp's men have had a largely positive season and have been very impressive at times. Mohammed Salah has hit the ground running in his first season with the club and their attack is extremely dangerous. Mane, Firmino and the Egyptian make up a very mobile, quick and fluid trio that we'll do well to stifle. The loss of Coutinho in January has yet to slow them down significantly, but it is very early days on that front. Virgil van Dijk was signed from Southampton in an attempt to shore up a slightly suspect defence. Losses to West Brom and Swansea suggest that it hasn't been entirely successful yet. The Dutchman was also absent for their comfortable 3-0 victory over Huddersfield on Tuesday. He's expected to return to the starting line-up for this one, though. Liverpool went on a very positive run from the end of October until the last few games. Until their surprise loss to Swansea, they'd gone unbeaten in 18 matches, winning 13 of them. They followed that defeat with another unexpected one though, crashing out of the FA Cup to West Brom. Is this just a blip or can we take advantage of a weakness that's suddenly showing? Our trip to Anfield last season was something of a disaster and easily one of our worst performances. Two early goals from Sadio Mane gave us a mountain to climb and it could easily have been more. An isolated Ben Davies was our weak point, as his side was targeted repeatedly and breached easily. Hopefully we won't see a repeat of this tactical mistake: The game at Wembley earlier in the campaign was one of our best performances and a clear highlight. An early Harry Kane goal set the tone, as we took full advantage of some very sloppy defending. Heung-Min Son took full advantage of more poor decisions to make it 2-0 after just 12 minutes. Mohammed Salah pulled one back for the visitors, as he sneaked a shot home, following some dubious refereeing. Dele Alli restored the two goal lead just before the break and Kane added a fourth early on in the second half: Serge Aurier and Harry Winks have returned to full training, but are not available for this one. The rest of the squad appears to be fit though, which means a possible return for Alderweireld and/or Rose. Clyne, Klavan, Brewster and Bogdan are out for the hosts, while Lallana also looks unlikely to play. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Alli, Son; Kane. Subs: Vorm, Walker-Peters, Rose, Wanyama, Sissoko, Lamela, Llorente. League form: WWDWDW. Liverpool: Karius; Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Robertson; Can, Henderson, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs: Mignolet, Alexander-Arnold, van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Ings. League form: WWWWLW. Referee: Jonathan Moss. TV: Sky Sports. Should we change anything from the side that beat Man Utd? Does anything need to be altered on our bench? How do we need to adapt tactically to deal with their lineup?
What with Jesus Perez already + that bombshell, I want Mrs Poch doing the pre-match stuff (she might be also vicious enough that we don't need a press officer to deal with the Jeremys) .
Jonathan Moss.... we`ve no chance! It will be hard enough at Klanfield what with Gifted Penalty and Benefit Ofdoubt lining up for the home team, combining that with Moss refusing to give us decisions because the media highlighted that Dele Alli once dived, and we will do very well to avoid defeat.
RCL is going to have to be at the very top of his game this week. Don’t upset him with anything positive.
Agreed. I always prefer us play our way, but I think it would be foolish against Liverpool at Anfield. We are very capable of defending solidly, and I feel sitting deeper will frustrate Liverpool. We’ve got enough fire power to cause them problems on the break, and a “Wembley vs Real Madrid” approach is our best bet, IMO. I’d happily settle for a point in this one.
You don't always know which Liverpool will turn up,. But in 12 home games so far they are unbeaten and have conceded just 7, 3 of those when beating City. 5 home draws - Burnley, Utd, Chelsea, Everton & WBA ( 3 x 1-1, 2 x 0-0). They score and concede far more freely away from home (32 goals in their home games, 54 away), which suggests what we already knew about them - if the opposition get a decent share of the ball and attack them, they are vulnerable at the back, but they are dangerous on the counterattack. Best to take the game to them.
The onerous is on the home team to attack, but don't forget our 12th man. The only way Liverpool and Tottenham know is to play, unlike Jose Mourinho's team away from home.
Should be a good game. Matip and VVD will start at CB I'm certain of that. Probable line up for us. Karius Gomez Matip VVD Robertson Can AOC Wijnaldum Salah Firmino Mane
True, however on the rare occasion this season, in important games, Poch has actually played a slightly different system. So I get the feeling he can be smart...but then I've seen him do some seriously dumb **** too and cost us. I feel slightly optimistic because it looked like Poch played an intelligent game against United. That though was 4 days ago and as you know, 4 days is enough for someone in football to lose his ****ing marbles
I do wonder how Poch will approach this. I really hope that at 3.30 tomorrow when the teams are announced we’re not questioning the selection. This is 2 teams going toe to toe with quality football, therefore Sissoko should be no where near the team, but bearing in mind he barely featured against United, there is a strong possibility. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Rose start tomorrow if fit, just to handle the pace of Salah. Nothing against Ben Davies as he’s been brilliant, but we should be trying to mitigate any threat that salah possesses. Same for Aurier and Mane. Just gotta stop them from scoring, as we’ve got enough to cause big problems to their much improved defence. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us start the game with: Lloris Aurier Sanchez Vertonghen Rose Dier Dembele Son Dele Eriksen Kane
If we try to sit back and defend and catch them on the break, I fear for us. If you allow Liverpool to develop a head of steam then watch out. I am sure they will be very fast out the blocks and seek to press us and not allow us time on the ball. That's what Liverpool usually do to us at Anfield and they usually win. We need to play our A game IMO press and pass.
