Rory Fitzgerald

So both start "We will see tomorrow about De Bruyne and Walker. Ruben Dias trained today and we will see about him" On Walker - "He would have remained on the pitch. He had a big twist but it is getting better. In football these kind of things happen but we will adapt and adjust" "I am going to think about it. We will discuss to the physio, of course in the FA Cup I play Zack [Steffen] but we will see"

I wasn't trying to strike up a new debate but the drop off from TAA is substantial.

Henderson is a senior player and leader in the team - he has loads of value when fit & in-form. But if he got injured tomorrow, then I do not think any of our ambitions hit a critical wall. My fears for injury are (in rough order of groupings); TAA, Alisson, VVD Fabinho, Salah Jota, Mane Matip, Robertson, Thiago, Henderson, Diaz, Firmino

That's a fair observation as well when trying to see how Klopp is managing minutes. I did make that reading myself from the subs last night. However, if Keita/Firmino did start, I could see a secondary line of thinking; Jota & Henderson came off early given they have had alot of minutes this season and started at Man City. They have 2,000mins played in the league Firmino & Keita have been in-and-out of the team recently and around 900mins in the league, so a full 90mins benefits them Training in April & May with games every 3 days is probably more ball/tactical with fitness managed through games, so we've used a competitive game to give players a higher level of workout whilst still not needing to be at full throttle

Henderson was the one that was asked to go join Jota in central areas and get around Silva and Rodri. His natural replacement for that role would be Keita - and Bobby is a good option in those spaces also. Ox, Milner, Elliott and Jones are the alternatives to Keita - and I don't see them as being the players to go chase around and close down City's players. Keita has been fairly effective in covering the ground when there is "trigger".

Do we go the same team as the league game on Sunday ? Its looking like that might be in Klopp's thinking. Which is sensible. If they were the guys to take them on at the Etihad, why are they not at Wembley, especially if we got to manage their minutes Alisson TAA [Konate/Matip]**** VVD Robertson Henderson* Fabinho Thiago Salah Jota** Mane*** *Henderson was in the 1st batch of subs on 57mins and Fab/Thiago were rested whilst Keita finished the game **Jota was in the 1st batch of subs on 57mins whereas Bobby played got subbed around 90mins for Origi ***Mane scored last week and started on the bench tonight ****The only call seems to be Matip or Konate. If VVD started tonight, then we would guess that whoever didn't start tonight was playing against City.

I am almost minded to prefer Walker to be out over De Bruyne as they lose the pace at the back. Whilst Mane/Diaz will be playing Cancelo instead of Walker, it means Salah will be facing either Ake/Zinchenko I did say almost because if you offered me a choice I'd still pick De Bruyne to miss out - but hopefully one of them do miss out.

Blessed is the team that wins the 1st leg away from home by 2 goals and then coasts at home in the return leg with a 1-0 defeat and then a 3-3 draw - that's right from the scriptures. We've won the last 2 rounds in the 1st leg and didn't put too much stress on the energy levels in the 2nd leg. No one remembers Inter at home really, no one will remember this draw. It would be lovely if we could pull the reigns and hold the lads back for the 2nd leg away at Villareal with a big win at home in the 1st leg. Great outcome to have such a rotated side in a CL QF sandwiched between 2 City games.

Kyle Walker went off injured tonight. He looked in alot of pain and was down for about 1-2mins. He then tried to play on for 5mins and went down again and came off. I'd say there is a doubt there. De Bruyne apparently signaled to come off but there is no mention on Twitter about it being serious.

Klopp - "No chance! We won’t be going there. The numbers involved are just crazy – we’ll be having nothing to do with it" We need to be involved in these discussions. Even if we do not succeed, but we need to understand the quantum of the numbers that opposition clubs are offering, if only for understanding those numbers.

Thats the question mark - Henderson was deployed as the midfielder to support Jota and press the central area. We were a triangle in midfield when City had the ball deep as Henderson always went to support Jota. It was only when City got to play through us that you seen Henderson back in a 3 man midfield position. So when we we play on Saturday. Who plays that role. Fabinho plays deep so he plays. Keita is a player that could be asked to shift forward and do the pressing role. If you start with Fabinho (deep) and Keita (licence to press), then we pick between Henderson and Thiago as to who plays the deeper role beside Fabinho. If that is the equation - then Thiago starts and Henderson is the person to come off the bench to bring tempo in that pressing role if needed.

I forgot about Cancelo - it wasn't the normal tetchy Guardiola

I thought Pep looked giddy yesterday in his interview but there are a fair few more videos of him (clinging ?) to Klopp mainly but also Van Dijk and making faces with Trent. Its a bit bizarre - did he get something from the doctor to take the edge of his intensity, he's very different to his normal behavior in these games.

Thats all true. The strikers below can be seen as our decision against Benfica - or if both get booked - then its our strike force at home in the 1st left of the semi final by default. I'd rather Option A. Diaz Firmino Salah [Mane / Jota]

We've played City and Chelsea 5 times and in all 5 we were off the pace over 0-20mins but yet all 5 ended in draws. 2 we led, 2 we came from behind - cup final 0-0 I'd love a decent start on Saturday - either we are due one or its foolish to think something changes

Mane & Jota are at risk of missing the next game if they are booked and Salah probably needs a rest. Firmino to start, Diaz on the left and then maybe Salah on the right but with a sub on 60. If we can get infront inside 60mins then maybe we can keep Mane and Jota on the bench and then sub off Salah

Pep is delighted in that interview - despite saying that he things they let us off the hook - but he is delighted. I'll take it a sign of fear.

No, kick them out of the next 2 competitions and take 2 trophies out of their grasp. Our chances of winning those 2 then increase substantially. Let them focus on the league and if they couldnt get over the line in the other 3 competitions then maybe there is another stumble in the league. Hopefully all the next 7 league games see us play 1st so City start their games in 2nd place.

Yep, I'll get my missus to call me when the corners are given but otherwise I'll just stay in the fetal position behind the sofa

If you look at their tallest players and where they will be positioned, then it looks like we'll be on outswingers all day. It keeps the fullbacks on their proper side too. City's tallest players are, in order, Rodri, Laporte, Stones, Walker, Cancelo - and all likely on the 6 yard line Our runners will then be facing, KdB, Silva, Foden, Sterling, Jesus Fabinho's chance at the back post this season from the free kick was against Jesus and looking at the Villa goal, Jesus was again at the back of the box. I might keep an eye on that.

Conceded one goal, corner against Villa away - ball cut in low to the near post for Watkins

I think he might be available purely given the statement from last week and how quickly the situation was covered in Friday's press conference - has all the hallmarks of - "he woke up on Saturday and felt good and trained with the team, and its in line with the initial expectations" April 1st: I don’t know how long, the doctor said four to six weeks. Ruben is on four now, first of March he was injured, it's now four weeks later ......... I think we need 10 more days or two more weeks more, he's going well... April 8th: Everyone is fit. Ruben, no and not Cole Palmer

Its the front 3 that's played most of this season - so that makes sense. I am 60/40 with Mane vs Diaz; -Mane has played this game so many times and knows what its about - I think Diaz will stretch the game a bit more for City/Walker. Overall, with 5 strikers available, Klopp has some choices with how he wants to play. I think Firmino is the big call. If he plays, then Klopp will be looking for more certainty in our play from deep and have him give us a ball-to-feet. It might be a sign that he wants us in the game for 60 and then play the bench - which might be a counter-tactic if he think Ruben Dias might be back and flagging towards the end.

That's the thing, Diaz and Mane started on Tuesday and neither started versus Watford and its almost 100% one of them starts against City. As for Keita, I have always had it in my head that its Henderson and Thiago either side of Fabinho

I think we go; Alisson TAA Matip VVD Robbo Henderson Fabinho Thiago Salah Jota Mane - 100% Salah starts - 80% Jota starts over Firmino and I think this a call over how we want to play - 60% Mane starts When we have the ball very deep, from goal kicks for example, and we have the ball, then I can see the attraction in Firmino. He will come to the ball and (assuming he's good Bobby), he'll hold it. Our chances of a solid start to the game improve I think with Bobby. When Trent has the ball and City's team is compact between midfield and defence, then Jota will be looking for balls played into spaces like when he won the peno away at Palace and his 2nd goal in the league cup against Arsenal when Trent hit those passes. If Trent is hitting those passes, Walker is the recovering full back. Does he hold his position a bit more if plays against Diaz and give a bit more space inside to Jota ? Subs: We've only 3 subs and our midfield will do a lot of running. You have to assume 1 of the subs is in midfield. Whoever misses out from Diaz/Mane will get on. Then the 3rd sub could be for a range of factors; (a) someone on a yellow and in trouble, (b) injury, (c) tactical if we are winning and heading into last 15-20. So I dont think it can be assumed that whichever 2 miss out from the front 3 will eventually end up on the pitch. Do you leave both Jota & Diaz on the bench given their age (as a proxy for energy) and the lack of certainty that both will get on. I think Firmino misses out with 1 or Mane/Diaz with the latter being 1st pick off the bench and Firmino will play if we are chasing a goal - perhaps going to 2 DMs with 1 of Henderson/Thiago coming off.