Good One of the worst things i ever saw rafa do was basically goad Drogba into a match winning performance. Should always keep mouth shut, if have to say anything be respectful but not show any fear, repeat thats it.
Nah, 17 games to go after Thursday. Pep has been in these types of battles before between Barca and Madrid with similar points gaps, he knows nothing is set this early in the season.
Yeah, Klopp has been in these types of battles before with Bayern with similar points gaps, he also knows nothing is set this early in the season. I'd take a draw on Thursday but I know they are a top top team and achieving a result will be difficult, I also know that we're capable of beating them, last season at the Etihad the score flattered them, they played against 10 men for 60 minutes. I expect this time we'll give a better performance 11 v 11. Fingers crossed(all 20 of them).
I said the other day that I think you will win by a big score, maybe 4 or 5 to 2. It still leaves a lot of games to go. People go on about the points lead on Christmas day, they never mention the fact that Newcastle had a 12 point lead mid Jan (a lot fewer games to play) and still lost the league by 4 points
I'd love it, really love it if we beat City and win it(very Keeganesque), but not gonna put the mockers on it by saying we will.
There does seem to be a bit of do7bt creeping in over there buy how hard should it be for Pep to team talk this match like? Fully expect a frantic 20 minutes from both teams trying too hard.... the first team to settle wins me thinks
Because you have a manager now who isn't in love with himself and thinks himself gods gift to mankind. Quite interesting how you instantly became a better team the minute Jose walked out the door.
City are unlikely to retain their crown, though it may go to the wire. Looking like three horse race. Tottenham already lost five games and city had lost three. In the premiership era no one has lost more than seven games and won it. There are many games to play,after city game, Liverpool must have played two of the top six twice.
At this point in time I'd give them 50/50 odds of retaining their title. With us about 1/3 chance and Spurs the next most obvious Challenger.
This is our toughest game left this season. We still have Utd and Everton away but City are quality and pose the bigger risk. Utd and Everton are always tough games but get through this one with a draw and we will be in a very good place.
the reality is vanity and demand from on high means city must go for quadruple. they will win league cup most probably but by the end of January they will be creaking. I know they have a piss easy semi compared to spurs and Chelsea but they will still be playing games. then the cl will restart and something will give. it's purely down to who needs it most st that point and who is playing who. something will give for city. it depends what they want most. cl or prem. I would presume league cup goes in the bag but fa cup might again be dumped.
I think city wants the champion league more than the premiership, though difficult for them to admit. They would like both just like every serious team.
They don't have all the players needed to do both imo. They have the following GK Ederson.. new reserve gk yes but not needed RB Walker Danilo. Not the best ever RBs LB real issues. Mendy delph. CB: Stones Otamendi (not absolutely brilliant) CB: laporte Kompany no 6: fernandinho gundogan. I believe this is the area peopel think they are not covered CM: silva, debruyne, foden, B.Silva Wide forwards: Sterling, mahrez, sane, diaz no 9: aguero, jesus So they have a player for every position but not what you'd call the best ever team in all positions Ederson Walker Stones Laporte Mendy Silva Fernandinho B.Silva Sterling Aguero Sane is prob close to the best 11 Theres 2 33 year olds in that midfield. Theres real issues at the back especially with mendy out but even with him in. In short if they go for everything and they will they will hit another rough spot somewhere and we will see what they prioritise. My view is LFC have them on the ropes today. IF we beat them thrusday they can't afford to rest anyone in league.
We do not need to man mark Aguero, just stop supply getting to him. He likes to score against us on their own ground, though yet to score at Anfield.
A draw is enough and I would be very happy with a point. The pressure is on them to attack, leaving them wide open to our very effective counter. The first goal is critical....
Just don't see it that way. City are good enough to win every game remaining. I honestly think we need over 100 points to win it
a win and we are 9 points clear of spurs. we are facing both spurs and city. reality is it's a top of the table clash and a draw is always acceptable in these situations.
