I can't see Toure playing in a midfield 2 unfortunately which is how we got so much joy against them. If Pellegrini plays 442 then we could have a real chance as Can/Hendo/Milner should be able to easily out manoeuvre Toure in the middle. If he plays Toure behind the CF and 2 of Delph/Fernando/Fernandinho behind then could be trickier.
I've heard a few different preview shows now mention the injuries, noting that ours isn't so bad any more and City have more. What the **** are they all on? Yes our is better, it's gone from the worst in the world just very bad. But City's injuries are are mostly nobodies. Liverpool injured: Lallana, Lovren, Skrtel, Allen, Ings, Rossiter, Gomez, Stewart Man City: De Bruyne, Nasri, Navas, Delph, Bony (slight doubt) So even assuming Bony doesn't make it, there's only De Bruyne who would actually have any chance of starting for them.
The battle of the injuries The return of kompany is the most significant change from the last time we met. He brings more confidence to their defence. And to me their "spine" is better than ours. Hart, Kompany, Toure, Aguero could make the difference but will they be up for it? Hart has not played in the COC so far and Toure plays when he wants to. If both teams play to their potential, they will win. But we may have a psychological advantage so an early goal may just turn the tables.
In the end city have all Bar one of their best players... de Bruyne. But not having a couple options like Navas does weaken then. For me they've replaced bony even on bench so don't care. We have only lovern and Skertl out. I don't think lallana is out. This forces us to play toure and for me sorry but v aguero this is huge. That's the first key match up. Kompany, silva, aguero.... That's enough most days to win... it's how the rest support them.... if the midfield is swamped by us we will have a chance. I just see a postage stamp covering our 3 CMs who don't track runs meaning city will play wide and absolutely kill us. Our game will be entirely down to high press I think and that raises questions of will city buckle there?
To be honest lovern returned v Leicester and vardy rode him without lube Aguero v either lovern or toure is an issue. I think neither gets sahko to stay in the line and we will see city exploit sahko being g silly. We have to press from front and get cough ups but most of all score those first chance here. I think I'd rather us be back to Wall defending an early goal than be chasing game. I dunno 3-0 after 1 5mins would be nice. I do think inexperience at big day will be what Klopp needs to over come. A final is a final and if 2/3 don't turn up we can't compensate v city
It's hilarious isn't it. Especially when you see the use of the word "nobodies" and then look at the list of Liverpool players out injured Also doesnt seem to get depth in squad for subs either