Rory Fitzgerald

"They are still assessing him. In fact the coaching staff congratulated him on his understanding of the system" Christ, he sounds like the Da of a 9 year old down at the trials for the local football club

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The 12.30 games are generally underwhelming, so by extension, I think it's something that affects all teams. For that reason, I tend to see tough aways as best played at 12.30 on a Saturday and try catch a 90% team and 50% atmosphere. The opposite then is true (in my world anyway) that it's best to get your rivals at 5.30pm on a Saturday or 4pm Sunday and hop off a better atmosphere in the ground

Given the limited options available to Klopp - which seem to boil down to Milner vs Carvalho and Firmino vs Nunez, then I was thinking about on-field partnerships. Alisson TAA Gomez Van Dijk Robertson Elliott Fabinho [Milner / Carvalho / Jones] Salah [Firmino / Nunez] Diaz Last season at Anfield, we struggled to create much against Everton's 5-3-2 (I know they shifted away from that in the last game) during the first half. Klopp gave it 15mins in the 2nd half and then took off Keita & Mane and brought on Diaz & Origi. That left a midfield of Fabinho/Thiago with Diaz/Salah wide and Jota/Origi through the middle. The number of crosses jumped from 8 in the 1st half to 28 in the 2nd half. This got me thinking about on-field partnerships given the very limited options we have. Milner/Nunez: With Elliott likely to start, its hard to see either Jones/Carvalho taking the LCM spot. Given the importance of starting games well, Klopp may go with all the experience of Milner. He has a good delivery himself but also provides an anchor for the LB to go and attack and get crosses in. This is something clearly favoured by Nunez. Taking balls to feet with back-to-goal is not his strength and referees are alot more lenient in the past 2 seasons on players getting hit from behind (Salah for sure suffers alot more from this). Carvalho/Firmino/(even Jota ?): If & when we do need to freshen it up, Carvalho and Bobby look like they could overlap on wavelegths and how they like to play with ball-to-feet, good touches and quick feet. Having them on the pitch at the same time might have benefits. If Jota is in the squad, he may also have 15mins off the bench. I did think (and still do) that Milner and Firmino will start, but did wonder about if there were different partnerships given the limited options to suit some variations to our playing style at times during the game.

Are these the main calls for the team - LCM and CF ? Alisson TAA Gomez Van Dijk Robertson Elliott Fabinho [Milner / Carvalho / Jones] Salah [Firmino / Nunez] Diaz Bench: GK - Adrian DF - Matip DF - Phillips DF - Kostas CM - Carvalho CM - Jones CM - Arthur Melo (?) CM - Bajcetic CF - Nunez

We've watched football long enough that the hamstring in the one injury that manager's tend not to risk. If Howe is hitting Trent on the break with Saint Maximin on that side, then sprints are a key part of the script. I cant see a manager risking a key a player just 3 days after that, especially as the one thing you want that player to do is the one thing that will trip it - lots of sprints when the opportunity comes up.

I was looking through the extended highlights of their games and there was alot of occassions when they looked to play offside - but it always seemed to be at the edge of the box. It was like the players were dropping together but as they hit the 18 yard line, their bodies would slightly stiffen and the momentum of their movement would slow. If it is a "thing" within their play, I expect its to ensure they don't drop too deep. Its only 3 games in and 2 against Arsenal & City, but you can take that a yard stick for how our game might play out given we'll look to dominate. Lowest shots on goal per game (5.3, Liverpool 2nd most at 17.3) Lowest possession (36.6%, Liverpool 2nd most with 70%) 3rd lowest amount of long passes (City and Arsenal are 1st and 2nd), so interesting to see if there are chances to win the ball back from them in their half Team that has seen most football played in their third with 38% of the game there and, almost by default, then the team with the lowest share of game played in the oppositions final third (18%)

Thanks, just seen loads of posts on Twitter for that just now. So, he's going 4-3-3 Last 2 question left is who plays in midfield 3. Do Fred/McTominay start with 1 of Eriksen/Fernandes. Or does he pick 1 of Fred/McTominay with Eriksen and Fernandes both playing.

I posted this a couple of pages back. Fernandes/Eriksen was tried against Brighton. The other option is Elanga as a winger and Rashford upfront. Other than that, I can't see the other viable options. ------------------- .

Lots of talk of Utd changing their approach. Despite what Palace did at Anfield, you would imagine that they won't go with a structured 5-4-1. Back 4: Shaw and Maguire's positions are under threat for this game. Dalot looks safe at right back and the rumours are that its Maguire thats at risk, not Martinez. Luke Shaw came off on 90 against Brighton and 45 against Brentford for 23 year old Dutch international Tyrell Malacia. He was Ten Hag's 1st signing and has eyes on going to the World Cup and said after the Brentford game "I’m fit. I don’t come here to sit on the bench. I always want to play, of course. When my time comes, I will definitely be there" Wingers: Sancho (right) and Rashford (left) have played both games this season. You have to think that part of their game plan is to get down the sides of Liverpool, so hard to see this part of the team changing in terms of structure. The only change could be personnel. Elanga came on at 90 and 60 vs Brighton and Brentford, both for Sancho. Striker: Ten Hag went with Fernandes/Eriksen taking turns to be the furthest forward against Brighton as Ronaldo was on the bench. Ronaldo then started against Brentford. No sign of Rashford being played there, but he would be the other option from the squad. Midfield: This is my bellwether for the approach of Utd. Assuming its 4 defenders, 2 wingers and 1 striker, then there are 3 places left for Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Eriksen. If he plays Martinez & Varane at the back with Fernandes and Eriksen as two '8s', then its a clear sign that they will back themselves with the ball in their own third of the pitch. That draws Liverpool a bit more forward, which leaves a bit of space behind. However, if its McTominay & Fred with only 1 of Eriksen/Fernandes, then its harder to see them playing alot of those short goalkicks - so may be willing to sacrifice a bit of possession. There is a very strong contrast between the 2 sets of midfielders, so if he has to pick 2 of one type and 1 of the other type, then its possible indication of approach at 7pm when the team's are announced. He has started with Fernandes and Eriksen in both games and dropped McTominay for Brentford. Eriksen has completed both games and Fernandes only got subbed on 90 in Brighton and completed Brentford.

Once its awarded, can we then appeal the score line on the basis that we have scored at least 4 goals against them in the last 3 games ? They'd be getting off light with the goal difference and I don't want that saving them from relegation in May.

The above statement is from the article below. No mention of what a "pragmatic" approach might but the article does not give any indication that its a shift to 3 center backs. The only mention of the back line is swapping Maguire for Varane. So, does a "pragmatic" approach mean same/similar system but maybe a more direct approach. "However, the Manchester Evening News understands Ten Hag is mulling over the prospect of starting the £55.3million Martinez with Raphael Varane, who will almost certainly be recalled".

Yeah, that was bugging me all game too. I didn't see last weeks game, so can only comment on this one. I thought the left side in the 1st half was lacking. Diaz took alot of touches to come back in midfield and recycle the ball. I am not sure why there was limited connection with him and Robertson. For the 1st half, Elliott was very busy on the right of midfield with Trent and Salah. They attempted a few combinations between them to get behind Palace that was lacking on the left For Nunez, there were 4 types of balls we tried. I think we can work with the first 3 but the 4th needs to be drilled on the training ground; Crosses - getting balls clipped in and having him on the run can create chances. We tried one in the 1st minute which put Guita off and then he had a bad connection at the back post in the 1st half. Overall, its a decent option for us to continue to try Through balls - giving him a ball to run on to is also a decent option given he is a willing runner. He still needs finesse with his touch and improve on getting the ball out of his feet Percentage clearances - there were 2 or 3 balls that were hit into him at height that he did well to compete for and managed to scramble after the 2nd ball and compete to win it back Balls to feet - this is the 1 ball that he is not comfortable with. Defenders follow out strikers and the 1st touch is key. The ball bounced off him a few times and 1 instance led to a counter attack from Palace. These are the balls that his team mates need to be confident that he can hold as it allows them to make runs. If the other plays start second guessing his touch, then they don't run which means that the defender Nunez attracts (space behind from that defender stepping out) will not be punished Before the game, I thought the decision on Keita at LCM would dictate the RCM. If Keita did not make it and we went with Milner, then I did not think we would go with Henderson at RCM as its becomes a less balanced midfield when playing a counter attacking team (Milner and Henderson as 8s cant get caught ahead of the ball versus counter attacking teams). All bets are off in the 2nd half when trying to take a view on what the team needs given the red card. However, Diaz became a different player. The most threatening we seemed as those balls clipped directly to him and let him compete with Ward and hope he could trap the ball. United play Dalot/Maguire down that channel whereas Salah would be against Shaw/Martinez. Still to be seen if Ten Hag decides to take a backward step and push Martinez to LCB in a back 3 and bring in Varane to try replicate what Palace did and also just shore up his own defence. For tonight, some things to work with from Nunez but some others that are still rusty. Alot of focus on our right side to create some intricate play but not so much from the left side. But strangely, that flipped in the 2nd half with red card with Diaz being alot more direct. Alot to think about for next week and how we line up against United.

Whats the rumour ?

Just looking at the height of the Palace defence - Guehi is 5'10 and as accomplished as he is on the ground, his aerial stats are below average whilst both the full backs - Mitchell and Clyne - are 5'7. Joachim Andersen at 6'3 is their tallest defender.

Liverpool scored 4 goals from corners against Palace last season. Their set-up for those goals was broadly similar and then replicated again last week in the Arsenal game - with the 1st goal coming from a corner

Salah’s the 1st name on the team sheet but we don’t give him a pair of gloves

I know we’ve opinions on the midfield but this is a new one

I haven’t tracked preseason except I know the line up for Man City last week with Matip starting. I wondered if this season Klopp would try open the door more for Gomez at RCB and let Matip & VVD be the senior mainstay at LCB and manage minutes between them. With Matip starting last week, looks like he’s holding the jersey. Maybe Gomez plays himself in via cup games. Whatever it is, there’s obviously a plan with him agreeing a new contract, which we’ll see when does get the minutes. Other call is Firmino and Nunez and would go with Bobby for the same reason we go with Matip. Better continuity to give best chance of winning start.

We’ll get rid of him soon enough if we tell him we all use booking.com and want mayonnaise on the table when having breakfast

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