LC Southampton @home Tuesday 23td Sept 8pm

[Scratch]

Yeah, should keep everyone match sharp, keep them fit without overworking them and more importantly, should be enough to progress far in the competition.

With all being well, we should be able to sub on some youngsters as well, to give them a taste of the bigger times and hopefully drive them on to succeed too.

[memzey]

It's not about needing him to get past Southampton.

It's an opportunity to get him needed minutes. If the backroom team are happy he can do 45, 60 or whatever tonight, then the rest is just over thinking.

All those possible negative outcomes are risks that come with any game. They're not reasons to be scared of putting a player on the pitch. Unless we're talking about an existing injury/issue, fatigue or loss of form/confidence. Non of which are the case here.

I understand that he isn't needed in order for us to get past Southampton. I think I make that clear in my post, if you read it again. I'm essentially just focussed on optimising his introduction to the team.

Perhaps I am overthinking matters, it wouldn't be the first time, I'm sure. The scrutiny on this game and Isak's performance, if he starts, is going to be through the roof. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I hope his contribution relieves some of the pressure on him and us, rather than increases it.

[The_weatherman]

Love it, wasn't going to watch this one, but might have to change my plans, Rio, Trey, Isak and Frimpong will be very interesting. Hope we go to the quarters at least with a back up team.

[Mark79]

I understand that he isn't needed in order for us to get past Southampton. I think I make that clear in my post, if you read it again. I'm essentially just focussed on optimising his introduction to the team.

Perhaps I am overthinking matters, it wouldn't be the first time, I'm sure. The scrutiny on this game and Isak's performance, if he starts, is going to be through the roof. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, I hope his contribution relieves some of the pressure on him and us, rather than increases it.

To be fair, I don’t think I misunderstood you. That was in response to this

Secondly, due to my belief that the opponent in this match should be dispatched relatively easily, that is to say, without the need for something special from Isak. Or to put it another way, with or without him on the pitch, we should have enough to get through the tie.

So I wasn’t saying that you felt he was needed to beat Southampton.

If anything, it’s the other way around.

I was clarifying that argument for playing Isak wasn’t based at all on him being needed in order to win, or in the interests of progressing through the tie.

[memzey]

To be fair, I don’t think I misunderstood you. That was in response to this



So I wasn’t saying that you felt he was needed to beat Southampton.

If anything, it’s the other way around.

I was clarifying that argument for playing Isak wasn’t based at all on him being needed in order to win, or in the interests of progressing through the tie.

I see. In that case, the key statement on that was the bit you excluded when you quoted me:

This needs to be taken into account when assessing the risk/reward for his inclusion against the risk of him experiencing a setback.

To be clear, my concern here is that, as the rewards for playing him are diminished to getting minutes into his legs but the risks of a setback are fixed (poor performance/injury), the decision to start him or not is not as straightforward as is being made out. That is essentially it. On reflection, my original post in this thread actually sums my thoughts up nicely. Having said that, it has been enjoyable to flesh it out, nonetheless.

It will also be enjoyable to watch us on free to air TV for a change. I can't remember the last game I watched that wasn't on Sky, amazon or TNT.

[baitman]

Yeh, just bubble wrap him until the next tranny window and bin him then

[RedReet]

Well if Isak gets injured tonight, we can all blame Memzey for scudding him.

[peterbread]

I always like the early rounds of the league cup especially when you get favourable draws and we get to see big changes and the younger players get their chance.

We’ve seen what Rio is about already this season so can’t wait to see him from the start. I’m also excited to see more of Nyoni, he’s always looked very calm and composed. And a first chance for us to see Leoni, the guy looks like a beast already. I’m hoping he’s a real threat from set pieces.

[RedReet]

Nyoni and Rio had an excellent understanding preseason, so be good to see those two in tandem again.

[labourRed]

I didn't think Nyoni would make it. Not because I didn't rate him. Just the bar is very high. But he could be a useful understudy to Gravenberch as they share some similarities. So yeah, good luck to him tonight.

[RedReet]

I didn't think Nyoni would make it. Not because I didn't rate him. Just the bar is very high. But he could be a useful understudy to Gravenberch as they share some similarities. So yeah, good luck to him tonight.

I was surprised to see him play as the 8 in preseason and get forward loads. Looks like that's where he'll play tonight too.

[baitman]

Gomez goal, anyone...

[peterbread]

Liverpool to face Southampton: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Gomez, Leoni, Robertson, Nyoni, Endo, Jones, Chiesa, Isak, Ngumoha. Subs: Woodman, Kerkez, Bradley, Ekitike, Williams, Gordon, Morrison, Pilling, Danns.

[peterbread]

Gomez goal, anyone...

Leoni to score

[Mark79]

I see. In that case, the key statement on that was the bit you excluded when you quoted me:

To be clear, my concern here is that, as the rewards for playing him are diminished to getting minutes into his legs but the risks of a setback are fixed (poor performance/injury), the decision to start him or not is not as straightforward as is being made out. That is essentially it. On reflection, my original post in this thread actually sums my thoughts up nicely. Having said that, it has been enjoyable to flesh it out, nonetheless.

It will also be enjoyable to watch us on free to air TV for a change. I can't remember the last game I watched that wasn't on Sky, amazon or TNT.

Fair enough. I thought the excluded part had already been answered by myself and others in previous replies. Essentially, the risks and cost of a setback are no greater here than they would be in the next game. Or the one after. The reward would be he’s closer to being up to speed and being able to be fully included in the fixture schedule.

Good to find out it’s on free to air though, save me finding a stream.