Benfica v Liverpool (A) CL 1/4 Final

[Mark79]

Tuesday 5th April - 8pm

Keita is still a big doubt and both Jones and Matip picked up knocks against Watford. Sounds like Matip’s was just a bump on the head though.

I’m sure the plan would have been to save Thiago for City at the weekend, but no idea who plays LCM for this one if Naby and Curtis are unavailable.

Mane and Diaz, plus 1 to start up front. Salah off the bench only if needed?

[Scratch]

Tuesday 5th April - 8pm

Keita is still a big doubt and both Jones and Matip picked up knocks against Watford. Sounds like Matip’s was just a bump on the head though.

I’m sure the plan would have been to save Thiago for City at the weekend, but no idea who plays LCM for this one if Naby and Curtis are unavailable.

Mane and Diaz, plus 1 to start up front. Salah off the bench only if needed?

Milner LCM?

[Liverpool]

Keita was limping quite heavily on Saturday. Don't think we'll see him in the next 7-10 days

[spud_gun]

Tuesday 5th April - 8pm

Keita is still a big doubt and both Jones and Matip picked up knocks against Watford. Sounds like Matip’s was just a bump on the head though.

I’m sure the plan would have been to save Thiago for City at the weekend, but no idea who plays LCM for this one if Naby and Curtis are unavailable.

Mane and Diaz, plus 1 to start up front. Salah off the bench only if needed?

I think we go Mane/Salah Diaz and Jota tomorrow night.

Gomez gets another run out at right back with Trent coming on for the final 20 or so if the game is safe.

May well see Ox/Elliot get a run out tomorrow if Naby and Jones are out

[Rich]

Milner LCM?

He's fit and can do a job in there, particularly if we see both Robertson and Diaz on the left. Milner can just play the percentages and keep things moving.

[Rich]

My team would be:

Gomez - Matip - VVD - Robertson
Ox - Fab - Milner
Salah - Firmino - Diaz

====
Gives Henderson, Thiago & TAA recovery time ahead of Sunday.
Salah needs minutes to get his groove back.
Firmino in there gives us more workrate and protection than playing Mane/Jota.
We don't need to win this game but that team CAN win us the game.

[Shaggy]

All I care about is wrapping Thiago in cotton wool for Sunday. We'll be fine without him, whoever plays there.

[Buzzo]

All I care about is wrapping Thiago in cotton wool before sound. We'll be fine without him, whoever plays there.

Yep, absolutely crucial we have Thiago vs City.

[Buzzo]

I think we go Mane/Salah Diaz and Jota tomorrow night.

Gomez gets another run out at right back with Trent coming on for the final 20 or so if the game is safe.

May well see Ox/Elliot get a run out tomorrow if Naby and Jones are out

I reckon Ox might get a game. Big chance for him.

I think Bobby will play v City also, Mane was on the banch on Sat so he plays for sure... maybe Salah gets a rest ahead of City - Diaz, Jota, Mane?

[Corndog]

Give Taki a run out too.

Bring the likes of Salah and mane off the bench if needed.

[S-RED]

All I care about is wrapping Thiago in cotton wool for Sunday. We'll be fine without him, whoever plays there.

Thiago will trip up getting off the bus Sunday & miss the game; its his M.O. these days, always miss the big games !!

[spud_gun]

I reckon Ox might get a game. Big chance for him.

I think Bobby will play v City also, Mane was on the banch on Sat so he plays for sure... maybe Salah gets a rest ahead of City - Diaz, Jota, Mane?

Agreed. I think we'll aim to go 'full strength' against Citeh.

Ali, TAA, Robbo, VVD, Matip Hendo, Fab, Thiago, Mo, Mane and Bobby

[Scratch]

Are we being a bit dismissive of Benfica here? They have reached this stage on merit, and whilst they are one of the weaker teams left, they are no mugs and getting a result in the first leg would be a boost for the City game (conversely, a loss could hit confidence).

[Sus]

Nah they are a bit crap and we owe them for knocking us out in 2006 - I'd rest Salah as well and put in Minamino. Salah looked well off it on Sat

[Buzzo]

Are we being a bit dismissive of Benfica here? They have reached this stage on merit, and whilst they are one of the weaker teams left, they are no mugs and getting a result in the first leg would be a boost for the City game (conversely, a loss could hit confidence).

Not at all, but we have two legs, we only have big games this month so we will need to rotate. In an ideal world we can play Thiago against every team but it is not realistic. The only game that I think we will see a few changes for is the FA Cup as we have Utd at home three days later.

With tomorrows game you could also argue that Mo needs a rest and we now dont drop in quality if that happens.

Will be a tough game tomorrow for sure, but the City game is potentially season defining.