v Manchester United (H): Post Match

[frank the tank]

I'd play this vs Arsenal. Skrtel's out. Can has had a bad few games at the back. Time to cut him lose a little. Tell him to protect the back four in a Lucas role. Bring the experience of Toure and Johnson into the defence. They are more right sided and so it's more balanced than shoehorning Lovren in. Johnson can also guide Markovic through the game. I think Sakho can match anything Wellbeck does, and Toure can match Giroud in the air, where he poses a threat.

Henderson breaks forward, with Can protecting. As do Markovic and Moreno. Adding Sterling up front takes some heat off Sturridge and really puts Mertesacker under pressure with his pace. Coutinho in a free role behind the front two.

------------------------MIGNOLET------------------------

-------JOHNSON-------TOURE-------SAKHO------------

MARKOVIC-------HENDERSON----CAN----------MORENO

----------------------COUTINHO----------------

-----------STURRIDGE------STERLING--------------------

I would put Lucas instead and leave Emre can in defense.......

[Liverpool]

I know its been said a million times, but even the big games this season, no atmosphere in the ground at all, same with the derby and the european nights

[G]

It's the wools, oots/daytrippers etc. Root of all evil them.

[Fierce]

I like this:

------------------------MIGNOLET------------------------

-------JOHNSON-------TOURE-------SAKHO------------

MARKOVIC-------HENDERSON----CAN----------MORENO

----------------------COUTINHO----------------

-----------STURRIDGE------STERLING--------------------

But I would also make this change, assuming Lucas is fit:

I would put Lucas instead and leave Emre can in defense.......

[Shaggy]

I know its been said a million times, but even the big games this season, no atmosphere in the ground at all, same with the derby and the european nights

Terrible isn't it, got worse and worse. Doesn't matter where the fans are from - I'm a wool FFS - you've just got to get it and buy into it. A lot of the day-trippers don't.

[captainfog]

Terrible isn't it, got worse and worse. Doesn't matter where the fans are from - I'm a wool FFS - you've just got to get it and buy into it. A lot of the day-trippers don't.

The only way to sort it is by having more season tickets. Only by having more regulars can you improve the atmosphere. It's why the smaller clubs sound great - very few day trippers.

[BobTheCharmer]

Terrible isn't it, got worse and worse. Doesn't matter where the fans are from - I'm a wool FFS - you've just got to get it and buy into it. A lot of the day-trippers don't.

Is it something more than that though? From about this time on last season, the place was rocking, fans lining the streets, flares, delirium ensued. Surely the fan base hasn't changed within 12 months? I think the fact we blew it when it seemed we were destined to finally bring the title back, the energy and hope and tears has left everyone mentally scarred. On day one, the fans as a collective could not of known how **** our form would be to Christmas. Yet after coming so close, why wasnt there that intensity from the fans? The streets should of been lined and roaring the bus in against Southampton. The atmosphere should have been electric. Yet it was like everybody including the team just knew that was our chance and another may not be along for a while. I think local middle aged fans are as guilty of not singing as day trippers.

[Shaggy]

Well local fans are worse for moaning and getting on the players' backs, in my experience anyway. Much much worse. Everyone is responsible for the dire lack of atmosphere but I have no idea what can be done. It's just a malaise in the game....it's the same at United, Chelsea, Everton, Arsenal, City.

[Tee]

Is it something more than that though? From about this time on last season, the place was rocking, fans lining the streets, flares, delirium ensued. Surely the fan base hasn't changed within 12 months? I think the fact we blew it when it seemed we were destined to finally bring the title back, the energy and hope and tears has left everyone mentally scarred. On day one, the fans as a collective could not of known how **** our form would be to Christmas. Yet after coming so close, why wasnt there that intensity from the fans? The streets should of been lined and roaring the bus in against Southampton. The atmosphere should have been electric. Yet it was like everybody including the team just knew that was our chance and another may not be along for a while. I think local middle aged fans are as guilty of not singing as day trippers.

Too easy to blame the day trippers. If anything the locals have got complacent.

[Leyton388]

I was on the kop for the Europa game when we played Beşiktaş. Atmosphere was terrible. Tried to get some songs going around me but no one wanted to know. I've been to a few games like that this season.

[captainfog]

Well local fans are worse for moaning and getting on the players' backs, in my experience anyway. Much much worse. Everyone is responsible for the dire lack of atmosphere but I have no idea what can be done. It's just a malaise in the game....it's the same at United, Chelsea, Everton, Arsenal, City.

I just think if you go once in a blue moon how are you supposed to know the songs and have the confidence to get involved?

Maybe I'm wrong.

[Shaggy]

Learn them? My kid's been once and he knows all the words to PST.

There's no excuse.

That said, I've been made to feel a dick for singing in the main stand/paddock. People look at you as if you've just nicked their dinner money.

[Daffy Duck]

I've been away from every possible football-related site since Sunday afternoon and I don't feel like reading all the post-match/player threads because they're probably ****ing depressing... Are there any good and interesting news from the past week, or should I just **** off back offline?

[captainfog]

Learn them? My kid's been once and he knows all the words to PST.

There's no excuse.

That said, I've been made to feel a dick for singing in the main stand/paddock. People look at you as if you've just nicked their dinner money.

You know what I mean, the less ardent fans aren't going to know what to sing. You get loads of them coming for an Anfield experience more than to support the team. You don't really get that at the smaller clubs because nobody outside their town is arsed.

[Liverpool]

I was in the paddock touching distance from united fans and everyone was non pulsed, looking at me at for singing/shouting abuse

4 lads in front of me had half and half scarves and I wasnt sure til Lallana missed his chance on the stroke of half time what team they were supporting.

The most tribal game of the year and no one gave a ****, depressing


No idea how to make it better, get the average age in Kop down from 50ish to lads in 20/30's. Allow groups to sit together, so they can sing together. Not going to happen though.