Maribor (H) build up & match thread and inevitable post match recriminations

[Yozza]

V

Liverpool v Maribor

19:45 Wed 1st Nov 2017

Live on BT Sport


Liverpool midfielder James Milner says the side have "shown glimpses" of their potential this season.

The Reds have lost one of their last seven games in all competitions and top their Champions League group on goal difference ahead of Spartak Moscow.

In their previous game in the competition, they thrashed Wednesday's opponents Maribor 7-0 away from home.

"We have had injuries and I think we are waiting for it to click," Milner said ahead of the game.

"We have shown glimpses - when we showed it in Maribor, it was pretty devastating.

"We have to be on top of our game, set the tempo and come out all guns blazing."

Former England international Milner filled in at left-back for much of last season but has been mainly used as a substitute at the beginning of this season.

But he has started the last three games in his more familiar midfield role.

"Last season I was asked to do a job and I did that as well as I could. I said I didn't enjoy playing there but the team comes first," added Milner.

"I have definitely found myself enjoying my football again playing in midfield."

Coutinho and Lovren doubts

Manager Jurgen Klopp will make a late decision on the fitness of defender Dejan Lovren, who suffered a thigh in the warm-up before Saturday's victory over Huddersfield.

The 28-year-old Croatian, heavily criticised for his performance in the Reds' 4-1 Premier League defeat at Tottenham earlier this month, said a "disgusting" death threat against his family was sent to him on social media.

Midfielder Philippe Coutinho is a major doubt after he missed the Huddersfield game with a thigh injury, while full-backs Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno will also be assessed.

Goalkeeper Loris Karius will continue in goal again in the competition, having started ahead of league regular Simon Mignolet in the previous three European matches.

[Fosterbloke]

A few rumours that TAA, Woodburn and Grujic could feature.

[labourRed]

A few rumours that TAA, Woodburn and Grujic could feature.

That would make sense, with Milner, Sturridge and Oxlade Chamberlain. I also think they'll play Salah the first half at least 'cause they couldn't handle him in the first game.

[kev776]

So potentially:

Coutinho
Moreno
Lallana
Mane
Gomez
Lovren
Clyne

after 10 games, possible 7 unavailable for tonight, WTF is going wrong.

[SB]

What’s happened to Gomez & Moreno then?

[Shaggy]

A few rumours that TAA, Woodburn and Grujic could feature.

Woodburn is playing for the u19s in an hour so he won't feature.

[Fosterbloke]

Woodburn is playing for the u19s in an hour so he won't feature.

Ah, just going by the u23 absences. Grujic is playing very well though.

Personally I'd love to see Wilson and Brewster, just for the ****s.

[poorscousertommy]

I'd rather we won the game first before ****ing about too much if I'm honest!

[Kenneth]

Same. We should be taking the CL as seriously as we can, we haven't got out of the group yet.

[Irishnev]

I'd rather we won the game first before ****ing about too much if I'm honest!

[Pablo]

Yep. Same. Play a strong side and if we manage to kill the game early then give some of the fringe players a game.

This will be harder than the away game, they will just sit deep.

[baitman]

go full pelt, score 10, then let the kids have a go for 30 minutes and win 10-9

[Yozza]

Liverpool v Maribor: Team news

Jürgen Klopp has confirmed one change to his Liverpool team for tonight's Champions League meeting with Maribor – but does not intend to rotate his XI significantly.

Having started each of the three previous Group E games, Loris Karius will once again be fielded in the Reds goal for the match against the Slovenian champions.

Philippe Coutinho, who was on the scoresheet when Klopp’s charges claimed a 7-0 win in Maribor last month, is a doubt for the return after missing the weekend success at home to Huddersfield Town in the Premier League.

“To be honest, it doesn’t look like,” the manager told Liverpoolfc.com on Tuesday when asked if the Brazilian could be involved, though he stopped short of ruling his No.10 out for certain.

“Yesterday he was on the pitch running. Everything looks good, but not sure. We’ll see.”

The Reds must also assess Dejan Lovren, who was a late withdrawal due to a thigh injury last Saturday, plus fellow defenders Joe Gomez and Alberto Moreno.

Ultimately, Klopp plans to select the strongest line-up available to him, with squad rotation not part of his decision-making process for the tie.

“That’s absolutely not [the case]. I don’t think we have to rest players – we will not. It’s not about rotation, it’s about who gives me the best impression,” he said.


Maribor’s preparations have been affected by travel issues.

Technical problems with their plane meant Darko Milanic’s team had to endure a delay that eventually denied them the chance to train at Anfield on the eve of the game as planned.

“We had done that part of the training session which was necessary for tactical preparation already here in Maribor,” said Milanic, whose 22-man squad does not include the injured Luka Zahovic or Denis Sme.

Jasmin Mesanovic was on target in a 1-0 win at Domzale on Saturday, increasing his tally for the current season to eight in all competitions, though none have yet come in the Champions League.

[dom9]

This is on TV for free if anyone gives a ****.

[Mark79]

This is on TV for free if anyone gives a ****.

Is it on that BT Showcase channel?