Real Madrid (a) build up

[Shaggy]

"It's a wonderful game for us on Tuesday," says Rodgers. "It is a big one against the best in the world at the moment. We will go into the game hoping to get something out of it.

"Good or bad, we can't complain. We have worked very hard for a couple of years to get to this level and playing against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu says we've been doing OK."

Damage limitation from the outset or just try and play our 'normal' game? Difficult to know how to approach this one. To be honest I'd take a respectable and honourable defeat, as **** as that is. Another hammering would be hard to take.

[Chazza]

Just to make it better Bale has been passed fit.

Keep it under 3 and we have done well I reckon.

[Gibbo]

I've got a horrible feeling we're going to end up biting the pillow.

But maybe, us being Liverpool, we may nick somat.

[Muddled]

'Biting the pillow'

Park the bus. ANY bus.

[Phoenix07]

I'd play it tight and try to nick something on the break.

Real Madrid thrive on exploiting space, and playing our normal game is basically asking them to go in dry with our blessing.

[kubrickscube]

Mig
Manquillo, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno
Lucas, Can, Henderson, Coutinho,
borini, Sterling
I don't think Stevie offers enough protection, and someone like Can needs to get amongst their midfield. Henderson had a better game without stevie in the cup.

[BigChief]

If we play with defenders we'll lose by more than 3 goals.

[danperkins]

Personally i think we should just go for it. Can't see us getting a result anyways but with our **** defence & static defensive midfield.. if we try to sit back against that Madrid side they'll destroy us.

IMO

--------------Mig-------------
Manquillo--Skrtel--Toure-Moreno
----------Gerrard --(going to play him there anyways, rather a specialist DM but not sure Lucas up to it)
Henderson--------Lallana
---------Coutinho-------------
-----Sterling--Balotelli/Borini--------

Changes in the defence although it's ****ed regardless, the diamond & two up front.

[BigChief]

I'd go 4-5-1

Back 4+Ming
Sterling Henderson Lucas Can Lallana
Balotelli

Coutinho has done nothing to deserve another starting spot for a while, and even if its not his fault its clearly pointless him being on the pitch when we're not putting runners around him.

[Gibbo]

Cant believe people are putting an inexperienced 20 year old in over our captain. Who has been far from the main problem this season. Baffles me, but yknow.

[BigChief]

Its all about the legs Gibbo. I'd personally pick Souness in there instead of Gerrard as its a tough away game. But you know, I don't think Souness' legs are up to it either.

[captainfog]

Damage limitation from the outset or just try and play our 'normal' game? Difficult to know how to approach this one. To be honest I'd take a respectable and honourable defeat, as **** as that is. Another hammering would be hard to take.

That quote is Hodgesonesque. Talk about dampening expectations

[Gibbo]

Its all about the legs Gibbo. I'd personally pick Souness in there instead of Gerrard as its a tough away game. But you know, I don't think Souness' legs are up to it either.

Suppose that's fair. But Can isn't no Usain Bolt either.

Experience is everything in these game IMO. Think Gerrard will be vital.

[Chazza]

Cant believe people are putting an inexperienced 20 year old in over our captain. Who has been far from the main problem this season. Baffles me, but yknow.

He makes the centre backs forget how to head the ball.

[danperkins]

We are not expected to win there, the least we can do is put in a good performance. Stick to what has been the best for us which is the diamond and 2 up top. Go out and go at their weak backline. We are not going to keep a clean sheet against them so the least we can do is line up positively & have a go.