Liverpool vs Man Utd - Premier League (20/21 - Game 18)

[poorscousertommy]

They'll sit back and let us have the ball. They aren't going to have more than 25% of the ball. They gave good attackers on the break. If you're hoping for an open game I can't see it. Be similar to West brom but utd have better players.

Absolutely spot on.

They will sit back and try to catch us on the break.

[Shaggy]

I'm worried about our rubbish record after a long ish break. We seem to need be in a good rhythm to play well, although that didn't serve us well over Xmas

[danperkins]

They'll sit back and let us have the ball. They aren't going to have more than 25% of the ball. They gave good attackers on the break. If you're hoping for an open game I can't see it. Be similar to West brom but utd have better players.

[Pablo]

I'm worried about our rubbish record after a long ish break. We seem to need be in a good rhythm to play well, although that didn't serve us well over Xmas

Presuming that's why he picked a strong team against Villa's kids.

I think if there was ever a time when we looked a bit jaded and need a mini-break it's now.

I think had we come back to a game against Brighton or someone it might be a concern, but surely we'll be up for it after a break against United?

[frank the tank]

Big pity for me is the lack of any fans in the ground. Obviously it is nothing like a packed Anfield but even 2000 would have made a bit of a difference.

I echo Bob and Nevs sentiments above. United will sit very deep. I think Ole will play for a nil-all with the hope of getting a one nil. Garbage football - especially after spending so much money - but if it gets them trophies then they won't care.

He rested Fred and McTominay last night.

I expect he will play a 4-6-0 formation. 2 of Rashford / Martial / Greenwood on the wings to counter attack. With four central midfielders - Fred, McTominey, Fernandes and Pogba.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see the likes of Fred and McTominey go in physically hard on Thiago. They know that he is above them all skill-wise so will try to foul him out of the game. A strong referee will be important. Knowing our luck (or actually, how we have been ****ed over by the league) it will be that prick Martin Atkinson with Coote on the VAR.

I hate the build up to these games. Do we know who the referee is yet? I hope it's Michael Oliver.

The weak link for them will be their full backs.

Matip is crucial for us alright. Apart from that, then hopefully we can do ourselves justice in this game. If Thiago and our front 3 click,

[S-RED]

its Tierney reffing, VAR: Stuart Attwell.

[McDermotX]

Admittedly only Weds, but no indication of Matip in training apparently.

[Shaggy]

Endlessly grim times

Joel Matip ‘running out of time’ to return to fitness before Man United

January 13, 2021

Liverpool face being without centre-back Joel Matip for the top-of-the-table Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds are currently without a senior centre-back and started the last match, the defeat to Southampton, with two midfielders at the heart of the back line.

With Man United coming up next at the weekend and the need for three points imperative to regain top spot, the expectation is that Jordan Henderson will revert to midfield – which leaves another gap at the back.

Fabinho will start of course, but alongside him would be Matip if he recovered in time from the injury suffered against West Brom, which the club initially expected to keep him out for around three weeks.

Last week, however, fans were given hope that the big Cameroonian could make a quicker-than-expected recovery – only for that optimism to appear misplaced.

That’s according to the Mirror‘s David Maddock, who says our No. 32 has “yet to train with the first-team squad” despite returning to on-grass running and ball work.

If Matip doesn’t get a couple of sessions in with the team before the match, he’s unlikely to be considered for selection – which potentially means he must join in with the rest of the squad by Thursday or Friday’s session.

That will mean a choice between Nat Phillips – who played against Newcastle – and Rhys Williams – whose only league start was against Spurs – to partner Fabinho against United at Anfield.

Klopp’s decision may be slightly eased by the fact that the speedy Anthony Martial, who would be most likely to start as the No. 9 for Solskjaer, seemed to injure his hamstring in the closing minutes on Tuesday night, which would leave the less-mobile Edinson Cavani starting up front again instead.

There’s still plenty of pace from wide and deeper areas to contend with, but the direct rival for Phillips or Williams being a powerful aerial threat is arguably a better contest, even if that is a player who has been an elite performer.

Maddock further clarifies that “it is understood [Matip] has progressed to training in specially-prepared sessions with the physios”, and suggests risks won’t be taken given the game load ahead after the United match.

The Reds will face games every weekend and midweek up until at least 6 February from this point, seven matches in 20 days from Man United at home to Man City at home.

We’ll need Matip for as many of those as possible if no centre-back is signed this month, as now seems most frequently reported in the media.

[Fredo]

Endlessly grim times

Actually, if the initial reports of him being out for 3 weeks are correct, it's normal he hadn't started training yet. I expect him to join team training end of the week and have a couple of sessions with them, if everything goes to plan.

So, not too grim yet.

[Fredo]

Also, I'm pretty sure all our preparations would not have him in the team anyway.

[fabinho]

Big pity for me is the lack of any fans in the ground. Obviously it is nothing like a packed Anfield but even 2000 would have made a bit of a difference.

I echo Bob and Nevs sentiments above. United will sit very deep. I think Ole will play for a nil-all with the hope of getting a one nil. Garbage football - especially after spending so much money - but if it gets them trophies then they won't care.

He rested Fred and McTominay last night.

I expect he will play a 4-6-0 formation. 2 of Rashford / Martial / Greenwood on the wings to counter attack. With four central midfielders - Fred, McTominey, Fernandes and Pogba.

I wouldn't be too surprised to see the likes of Fred and McTominey go in physically hard on Thiago. They know that he is above them all skill-wise so will try to foul him out of the game. A strong referee will be important. Knowing our luck (or actually, how we have been ****ed over by the league) it will be that prick Martin Atkinson with Coote on the VAR.

I hate the build up to these games. Do we know who the referee is yet? I hope it's Michael Oliver.

The weak link for them will be their full backs.

Matip is crucial for us alright. Apart from that, then hopefully we can do ourselves justice in this game. If Thiago and our front 3 click,

No way he'll play for 0-0 in our current situation, run of form and their away form. They'll be going all out to try and batter us in my opinion.

[Fredo]

Did they play with 5 at the back against city recently (league cup game)? IIRC they had Lindelof and Maguire in defence and rested Bailly, so it would have been a 4 man defence I think.

Bailly gives them solidity at the back and I think look more solid with him there. Is prone to a rash challenge and error at times though.

[Doc_Piptorious]

No way he'll play for 0-0 in our current situation, run of form and their away form. They'll be going all out to try and batter us in my opinion.

I so hope that will be how he sends his team out. Do not think he will and I fully expect the game plan to be to spoil in midfield as much as possible and sit deep looking for counter attacking chances, but really hope they do as you think and try to go for it against us.

[S-RED]

yes, you only need look to the derby game they had in the league 0-0 & zero intent

[Doc_Piptorious]

yes, you only need look to the derby game they had in the league 0-0 & zero intent

Yep. Any team coming at us hard has to take the chance that we could batter them as a result of giving us space. Ole is not the type of manager to take that sort of risk. He will play safe, sit deep, and try to play the percentages as much as possible.