Pre Match: Watford vs Liverpool, Sat 12th August 2017 K.O. 12:30

There's....a match to talk about?

I thought this was the transfer market complaining boards?

All transfer mind boggling aside, I am so damn excited for this match! Watford too, fingers crossed, but this should be the perfect game to start the season!

Such a shame Lallana is injured, he's probably my favourite player these days. But hopefully with Mane and co we should be ready to battle.

Quote from rossyred on Aug 08, 2017 08:55:29 pm

So why on earth have you picked him in your eleven then if you think he is that bad over Wijnaldum 🤣🤣

I never once said he's a bad player or that Gini is miles ahead, I just don't agree with people thinking he's a must to be on the team sheet. Away from home against the lower teams we need to be more attaching and Can can give that more than Gini.

Just because I think he's overrated doesn't mean I don't think he's decent.

Quote from Ribapuru on Aug 08, 2017 06:39:48 pm

I understand the sentiment of going for a more like-for-like replacement in Woodburn, but I don't think he's at the level we need yet -

If indeed Coutinho is out I would probably go with either Milner or Grujic, I think it's too early for Woodburn despite his potential, if it were a cup game I'd give him a go, Milner offers experience albeit a tad slower and he can help defensively if required, Grujic needs games to build his confidence so I'd probably give Milner the nod but replace him around the hour with Marco, all this of course depends on Phill being fit or not.

YNWA

My team (if they're fit, I haven't watched much of the pre season kickabouts).

Mignolet. Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner.
Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum.
Mane, Sturridge, Salah.

Quote from bigmick on Aug 09, 2017 11:29:33 am

My team (if they're fit, I haven't watched much of the pre season kickabouts).

Mignolet. Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner.
Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum.
Mane, Sturridge, Salah.

Clyne isn't fit mate. Not even played in pre-season. And not sure why you'd leave Coutinho out of there?

Karius- Migs has had his chance and done okay. Think Karius can do better than that eventually.

TAA- Clyne is injured and I think he's a bit 'meh' anyway
Matip- Picks himself
Lovren- Slightly more experienced than Gomez and better than Klavan
Robertson- Don't buy a new left back when we need one and knock his confidence immediately by not selecting him

Henderson- Our captain, won't put in a weak performance plus his passing keeps us ticking over perfectly.
Gini- Don't think I've ever seen him lose the ball, scores important goals and keeps us pressing.
Coutinho- Picks himself if he's still here

Salah- Pace pace pace goals
Firmino- People think he works well in our system but I think he IS our system. Not many strikers can press like he can and drop in and be an attacking midfielder to let Mane and Salah attack on the counter.
Mane- Pace Pace Goals Goals.

All in all I think (hope) we'll win quite comfortable but the last 5-6 years haven't been good to us on opening day.

YNWA!!!

I fancy us to win this quite comfortably, really looking forward to it.

I notice they've bought Nathanial Challobah from Chelsea for 5 million quid. I think that's unbelievably cheap for a young player who IMHO could make something. He's one to watch.

Quote from Munch101 on Aug 09, 2017 12:23:42 pm

Karius- Migs has had his chance and done okay. Think Karius can do better than that eventually.

TAA- Clyne is injured and I think he's a bit 'meh' anyway
Matip- Picks himself
Lovren- Slightly more experienced than Gomez and better than Klavan
Robertson- Don't buy a new left back when we need one and knock his confidence immediately by not selecting him

Henderson- Our captain, won't put in a weak performance plus his passing keeps us ticking over perfectly.
Gini- Don't think I've ever seen him lose the ball, scores important goals and keeps us pressing.
Coutinho- Picks himself if he's still here

Salah- Pace pace pace goals
Firmino- People think he works well in our system but I think he IS our system. Not many strikers can press like he can and drop in and be an attacking midfielder to let Mane and Salah attack on the counter.
Mane- Pace Pace Goals Goals.

All in all I think (hope) we'll win quite comfortable but the last 5-6 years haven't been good to us on opening day.

YNWA!!!

Good post, and I thought the part I put in bold was as insightful as anything I've read since transfer madness began.

No doubt we need to strengthen in defense, though, and I hope Klopp is doing his best on that.

Quote from bigmick on Aug 09, 2017 04:27:45 pm

I notice they've bought Nathanial Challobah from Chelsea for 5 million quid. I think that's unbelievably cheap for a young player who IMHO could make something. He's one to watch.

They'll surely have a buy back clause if he's that good.
Then again, you never know with chelsea.
I was amazed they didn't fight harder to keep Solanke, but I'm not going to knock it.

Anyone tempted with starting Solanke? Kind of goes against the grain of the ideal starting eleven and is a bit of a wild option but could he be useful against a Watford side that will probably sit deep and are anticipating us playing it at speed on the ground? Zone those crosses onto his head and potentially catch them out?

Quote from Frankly, Mr Shankly on Aug 09, 2017 05:00:39 pm

Anyone tempted with starting Solanke? Kind of goes against the grain of the ideal starting eleven and is a bit of a wild option but could he be useful against a Watford side that will probably sit deep and are anticipating us playing it at speed on the ground? Zone those crosses onto his head and potentially catch them out?

I'd give Firmino at least 60 minutes to do his thing, but I'd certainly have Solanke on the subs bench and prepped to come on after that if we have no breakthrough.

Although with Salah and Mane working the channels....I see no reason we shouldn't have this won by halftime.

Well, so much for Phil....

Anfield HQ‏Verified account @AnfieldHQ
Philippe Coutinho is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Watford after he once again missed training. (Dominic King)

Please Jürgen, whatever you do, don't put Milner in midfield.

Guessing it has to be Can, Gini and Hendo at this point.

Not a ton of creativity there.

Quote from FL Red on Aug 09, 2017 05:55:19 pm

Well, so much for Phil....

Anfield HQ‏Verified account @AnfieldHQ
Philippe Coutinho is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Watford after he once again missed training. (Dominic King)

Please Jürgen, whatever you do, don't put Milner in midfield.

Guessing it has to be Can, Gini and Hendo at this point.

Not a ton of creativity there.

Still three good players though.

I think that's strong enough to win

Quote from LondonRed83 on Aug 09, 2017 05:57:21 pm

Still three good players though.

I think that's strong enough to win

We should win, but I'd be more worried about the CL qualifiers.

Quote from FL Red on Aug 09, 2017 06:01:27 pm

We should win, but I'd be more worried about the CL qualifiers.

Coutinho should be back for Hoffenheim. I'd use Woodburn against Watford.

Quote from FL Red on Aug 09, 2017 05:55:19 pm

Well, so much for Phil....

Anfield HQ‏Verified account @AnfieldHQ
Philippe Coutinho is a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Watford after he once again missed training. (Dominic King)

Please Jürgen, whatever you do, don't put Milner in midfield.

Guessing it has to be Can, Gini and Hendo at this point.

Not a ton of creativity there.

Thanks for bringing this to light FL. Pretty sure you're the first one break this news on this thread. Haven't heard any other members talk about it before this.

Couts will be a big blow for creativity in the midfield for sure though. But I've got confidence in Mane/Salah/Firmino to pick up the slack - just need our midfielders to get the ball to them and they can pick it up from deep and create themselves if needed.

Otherwise, I've heard some rumblings of Woodburn - think he's too young myself, but would probably be the closest thing to a like-for-like replacement for Phil.

Quote from Magillionare on Aug 09, 2017 08:12:34 am

I never once said he's a bad player or that Gini is miles ahead, I just don't agree with people thinking he's a must to be on the team sheet. Away from home against the lower teams we need to be more attaching and Can can give that more than Gini.

Just because I think he's overrated doesn't mean I don't think he's decent.

Fair enough when he said he was more reliable and people jumped on my comment seemed a bit OTT. For the record I dont have anything against Gini just think Can offers more especially away against teams like Watford. No offence chief 👍

My team selection
Migs
TAA
Matip
Lovren
Robertson
Henderson
Gini
Grujic (though reckon klopp will go with can)
Mane
Firmino
Salah

Bench:
Karius
Moreno
Milner
Sturidge
Solanke
Can
Woodburn

Prediction: 2-1 win.
A performance that shows glimmers of hope but highlights the holes and problems that we all are fully aware of

I think Klopp will select:
Migs
TAA, Matip, Lovren, Moreno
Hendo, Gini, Can
Salah, Bobby, Mane

Bench: Karius, Gomez, Robertson, Milner, Grujic, Origi, Solanke

I would rather see Robertson at left back and maybe Grujic in midfield, but this is what I think he'll do, fitness permitting.

If they start Andy and sell Moreno as they were planning, your back line backups could be Gomez and Milner, freeing a midfield bench spot for Woodburn. With Moreno starting, either Robertson or Woodburn fail to make the bench which wouldn't be ideal.

Quote from rossyred on Aug 09, 2017 06:56:52 pm

Fair enough when he said he was more reliable and people jumped on my comment seemed a bit OTT. For the record I dont have anything against Gini just think Can offers more especially away against teams like Watford. No offence chief 👍

No worries mate

Quote from Robby The Z on Aug 09, 2017 07:21:24 pm

I think Klopp will select:
Migs
TAA, Matip, Lovren, Moreno
Hendo, Gini, Can
Salah, Bobby, Mane

Agreed. Given our injuries, I think this is the safe lineup to play on opening day. One of Milner/Robertson could easily feature at LB, but other than that it's a pretty safe bet.

Personally, I would opt for a 4-2-3-1 with Firmino dropping into the #10 role and Solanke coming into the #9 spot. I think having a true #9 will help considering our lack of creativity from midfield in the absence of Lallana and Coutinho. It will also give our wide players someone to aim for when we get into good crossing positions.

Pre Match: Watford vs Liverpool, Sat 12th August 2017 K.O. 12:30

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