Liverpool vs FC Porto - CL Last 16 (2nd Leg)

[cream]

Only one or two changes in the starting line up and then gradually sub players off after we've scored one or two.

As has said before, we've rotated plenty during the first half of the season so we can go full pelt at the business end. The squad has had plenty of rest recently too. Momentum and confidence are important too as is making a statement.

[Chris]

Momentum and confidence are important too as is making a statement.

That's just cliched guff init? Do Mo Salah and Mane lose momentum if Ings and Solanke play and play ****? Would we lose all momentum if we had no midweek game? And who do we need to make a statement to? Is 5-0 in the first leg not enough of one? The whole world will be watching Real v PSG tonight anyway!

[labourRed]

I'd go

Karius
Gomez - Matip - VVD - Moreno
Lallana - Can - Milner
Oxlade-Chamberlain - Ings - Mane

And bring off VVD, Can, Mane during the game if no other injuries. I suspect it may be a little stronger than that though.

[RedReet]

That's just cliched guff init? Do Mo Salah and Mane lose momentum if Ings and Solanke play and play ****? Would we lose all momentum if we had no midweek game? And who do we need to make a statement to? Is 5-0 in the first leg not enough of one? The whole world will be watching Real v PSG tonight anyway!

I disagree. There is a positive vibe about the club that we need to keep going. Say we play a weakened side and they do get beat. Questions will then be asked. Are our fringe players good enough, what happens if we have any injuries, is our squad strong enough to go all the way, are we just a 3 man team etc. Could also affect the morale and form of the fringe players who we might need to call on at some stage. Klopp wouldn't do it obviously, but I think back to when Rodgers (I think) hung the kids out to dry after a league cup defeat. That surely didn't help their development.

Play a strong team, win 3,4,5 again, put a marker down for the rest of Europe so nobody wants to draw us in the next round. Don't give the opposition any glimmer of hope that they have a chance if they draw us.

That being said, I wouldn’t be too bothered if we did field a weakened side, but I just don’t think there will be as many changes as people expect.

[Fosterbloke]

That's just cliched guff init? Do Mo Salah and Mane lose momentum if Ings and Solanke play and play ****? Would we lose all momentum if we had no midweek game? And who do we need to make a statement to? Is 5-0 in the first leg not enough of one? The whole world will be watching Real v PSG tonight anyway!

Maybe it's knowing they're missing a first team game? I've never been a pro footballer so I wouldn't claim to know their mindset.

[Irishnev]

I genuinely hope Migs doesn't play, if ever a meltdown was a possibility then he'd be a good bet to be the catalyst!

Rotate 2 or 3 and take off players on the hour mark. Make sure we keep it tight and then ease home.

[Fosterbloke]

Heading to bed now, up in less than 6 hours, can't wait!

Out of interest, is anyone going to watch the PSG vs Real Madrid game instead?

[Pablo]

It's a shame it's a bit of a dead rubber in a way.

[The_weatherman]

Heading to bed now, up in less than 6 hours, can't wait!

Out of interest, is anyone going to watch the PSG vs Real Madrid game instead?

I would love PSG to make a comeback in the absence of Neymar, Cavani with two and Di Maria with one. I'll be rooting them on.

[Norbs]

It's a shame it's a bit of a dead rubber in a way.

It's never a dead rubber when we're involved

[rodo]

Liverpool: Karius, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Milner, Henderson, Can, Lallana, Mane, Firmino.

Subs: Mignolet, Van Dijk, Salah, Klavan, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ings, Alexander-Arnold.

[Yozza]

No Virgil or Salah
Moreno in

[danperkins]

Surprised Firmino starting but that is a good enough side to beat Porto.

[Assassin]

Is Solanke injured?

[RedReet]

Not too surprised by that team. I did half wonder if we'd see Lallana out wide as we obviously need some experienced cover out there.