Even if they put in a better performance, they currently have no midfield presence and we need to take advantage of that.

comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 7 minutes ago
Even if they put in a better performance, they currently have no midfield presence and we need to take advantage of that.
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Slot will be over that, he’s already proving he’s good at exploiting weaknesses in opposition. Obviously pep may try something different to counter this, but that would be a big gamble and could easily backfire.

Gvardiol was terrible yesterday against the dutch farmers. He is the weak link in that defence.

comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 7 minutes ago
Even if they put in a better performance, they currently have no midfield presence and we need to take advantage of that.
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Slot will be over that, he’s already proving he’s good at exploiting weaknesses in opposition. Obviously pep may try something different to counter this, but that would be a big gamble and could easily backfire.
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Pep is known for overthinking and he is probably even more likely to do this when he's got such a gap in his team.

Yeah our easiest route to smashing them is Pep overthinking it

comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 7 minutes ago
Even if they put in a better performance, they currently have no midfield presence and we need to take advantage of that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Slot will be over that, he’s already proving he’s good at exploiting weaknesses in opposition. Obviously pep may try something different to counter this, but that would be a big gamble and could easily backfire.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pep is known for overthinking and he is probably even more likely to do this when he's got such a gap in his team.
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That’s what I was getting at. Pretty sure he’s tried it before against us and we tore them apart, if my memory’s working right….

Wary of wounded animals, its on us to go out and pile the pressure on them early, sink their morale further.

comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 7 minutes ago
Even if they put in a better performance, they currently have no midfield presence and we need to take advantage of that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Slot will be over that, he’s already proving he’s good at exploiting weaknesses in opposition. Obviously pep may try something different to counter this, but that would be a big gamble and could easily backfire.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pep is known for overthinking and he is probably even more likely to do this when he's got such a gap in his team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That’s what I was getting at. Pretty sure he’s tried it before against us and we tore them apart, if my memory’s working right….
----------------------------------------------------------------------

His overthinking things was partly a reaction to Klopp imo. He's said several times that tactically Klopp teams have caused him most problems, so he's gone for riskier solutions which haven't played out.

Will he feel the same about Slot? Not so sure. Think the tendency will be to go back to players that know his system well. Go back to basics. If I were to guess I'd say Walker will return at RB. Midfield likely to be Gundo, KdB and Bernardo.

In Klopp's early days he definitely did overthink it and it backfired but after that 4-1 in 2018 he tended to be more conservative against us.

It was actually 4-3...I always forget that they actually scored towards the end

comment by Inbefore (U20589)
posted 39 minutes ago
Wary of wounded animals, its on us to go out and pile the pressure on them early, sink their morale further.
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This is true cos for the first time we are overwhelming favourites and a draw is a poor result for us.

It will be a draw. City will park the bus, look for the break.

1-1

City park the bus??

As much as they can. They play more conservative at Anfield and will not want to concede an early goal or easy chances IMO.

No idea what to expect tonight!

You'd make us favourites on paper being at home with our form. Madrid haven't been great and are missing a couple, but they have really had our number everytime we play them for a while now.

Excited nevertheless.

City's version of park the bus is essentially keeping the ball isn't it?

I can see them doing that for prolonged periods without being particularly ambitious. The team (and crowd) will need to be patient I'd have thought.

comment by Szoboss (U6997)
posted 6 minutes ago
City's version of park the bus is essentially keeping the ball isn't it?

I can see them doing that for prolonged periods without being particularly ambitious. The team (and crowd) will need to be patient I'd have thought.
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Will be interesting this time because we tend to play more like they do now. I wonder if we will see more of a Klopp like performance to really go at them while they're down, or if we will go with the more conservative approach.

comment by Neo (U9135)
posted 34 minutes ago
No idea what to expect tonight!

You'd make us favourites on paper being at home with our form. Madrid haven't been great and are missing a couple, but they have really had our number everytime we play them for a while now.

Excited nevertheless.
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Hope we go full strength. A win will really boost us and set us up for City. A win would surely dampen City’s confidence further I reckon.

Ancelotti really had Klopp's number tbh...even with Napoli and Everton, it was never easy.

Really have no idea what to expect with Slot now incharge

One thing, Slot has pretty much got all his substitutions spot-on, and they've changed the game for the better when we've been struggling.

Apparently I saw Real are starting with a midfield four tonight. Really not sure what to expect to be honest but here's hoping

Slot already done what Klopp couldn’t do, beating Real Madrid, and in his first game against them. Things are going too well, something horribly wrong is coming isn’t it?

But wow what a fantastic performance again tonight. Bradley sensational. Mac was very good. But all round the whole team was brilliant,

A few people won’t like this, but one thing that I think has helped us so far this season is not making any signings in the summer. No players to bed in and Klopp left an already healthy squad, which has improved as a unit and seen considerable improvements in several individuals.

That’s not me saying we don’t need to bring anyone in, we clearly do in two or three positions. But thus far, showing confidence in the existing squad has certainly paid dividends.

We just look more rounded and balanced, controlled, especially with the full backs staying back more this season.

How many times over the years we had Trent and Robbo in the opposition half and left 2 centre backs to deal with the transitions. It’s why we conceded so many, having to go every time and pushing and then running out of steam at the end of the season.

This way of playing is definitely going to help come the end of the season at the crunch time, and if we can hopefully get Zubimendi and a left back in, in January, we can get even better.

How does Ali get back in the team? Term prob thinks he just walks str8 back in?

comment by Terminator1 (U1863)
posted 18 minutes ago
A few people won’t like this, but one thing that I think has helped us so far this season is not making any signings in the summer. No players to bed in and Klopp left an already healthy squad, which has improved as a unit and seen considerable improvements in several individuals.

That’s not me saying we don’t need to bring anyone in, we clearly do in two or three positions. But thus far, showing confidence in the existing squad has certainly paid dividends.
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It is far too early in the season to be saying this.