[Trizy]

We are going to get twatted.

I hope you're right . If it was the week before international break I'd honestly say 3-1, 4-1 United. But we have a terrible record after the breaks.

 

[VP89]

Well I hope you are right and we put up some sort of showing, at least not be embarrassed as per City.

Personally I want to see Robertson in at LB (we all know Moreno is the player most likely to give away penalties or abdicate the LB's defensive duties) and probably Gomez at RB (more defence minded and taller than AA) but in midfield we have very limited options and it will be Henderson, Wijnaldum and Can (which doesn't fill me with enthusiasm but other than dropping one of them to enable us to play 3+1 across the front there are very limited options) and I don't see any United midfield, even one shorn of Pogba and Fellaini, being dominated.

Thing is, you guys should have been up by one or two against City before the red and had them chasing shadows. We aren't going to have a stroke of luck with playing most the game with an extra man.. Plus Liverpool that day looked like a complete attacking unit, it wasn't just about Mane alone.

Robertson will probably be a more sensible choice given moreno has zero awareness. I think he might be OK given Mata doesn't have the pace to get in behind, but if Mkhitaryan drifts we can cause problems. And yeah I'm backing Herrera and Matic this time. Might even see Carrick start this big game in controlling the tempo. We will need him to do that so he slows it down for you guys imo.

 

[ChrisNelson]

I have mixed feelings about Fellaini being out. On the one hand he's performed very well so far this season, scored the odd goal and definitely merited his place in the side.
However in a game like this I would be watching from behind the sofa (though I may well do anyway!) scared that he would get himself in to some bother due to the hostile atmosphere and the home team would know this and target him.

As for the match in general, would never wish injury on a player of any team, however I certainly haven't lost any sleep over Mane being out.
They still have quality in the team though and we need to concentrate and defend well early when the crowd is at its loudest. If we nick an early goal and make them come at us even more than they will anyway then I think we will win with a bit to spare. I can't see how Liverpool's defence stop Lukaku scoring in his current form, although having said only 1 of the 12 goals they have conceded occurred at Anfield.

 

[Roosney]

Despise this game. I can vaguely handle losing to City, Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs or anyone els but losing to this lot pisses me off for days.

I stress these games too but after a loss it really isn't that bad.
Of course it depends how it happened and what's the impact of the loss, but yeah in forehand a thought of losing to Pool is fecking horrific.

 

[cyberman]

I hope you're right . If it was the week before international break I'd honestly say 3-1, 4-1 United. But we have a terrible record after the breaks.

Do we?

 

[cyberman]

We are going to get twatted. I don't think I've ever felt such trepidation as this before prior to a United game, home or away, even when United were winning leagues and we were struggling to stay in the top half of the table.

Mane out, our most influential player (as opposed to best, though he could be that too), is a massive psychological blow to the team, on top of average recent form, poor shooting boots, Lallana & Clyne out as well and low on confidence. I can see that if something goes wrong early doors then it will be massively tough for us to get back into the game.

The team Klopp selects will be interesting (as will the bench) but I don't expect Mourinho to be as defensive as usual, he must realise we are there for the taking and it may be foolish to give us the impetus by sitting back. I foresee United controlling midfield and creating chances with us relying mostly on Salah or Coutinho to conjure up something (probably on a break). We'll lose by two goals.

No doubt you'll get some nervous Utd fans telling you you're wrong and how fantastic you are (this forum is talking Liverpool up more than their own fans are for feck sake) and even with all the tactical possiblities on show I simply can't see how you can stop Lukaku.
I think Klopps working on something. Maybe Salah as a 10 or Emre in a back 3 but the one factor above all is Coutinho and Firminho only getting back in the country yesterday will kill you. I can't see where the energy comes from

 

[JJ12]

United vs Pool games are always nerve racking but in the bigger picture I'm more nervous because this is our first real test - are we as good as we think we are?

I wish our first test came against Spurs or Chelsea where it's a little less emotional.

feck em anyway

2-1 Us

 

[cyberman]

We are going to get twatted. I don't think I've ever felt such trepidation as this before prior to a United game, home or away, even when United were winning leagues and we were struggling to stay in the top half of the table.

Mane out, our most influential player (as opposed to best, though he could be that too), is a massive psychological blow to the team, on top of average recent form, poor shooting boots, Lallana & Clyne out as well and low on confidence. I can see that if something goes wrong early doors then it will be massively tough for us to get back into the game.

The team Klopp selects will be interesting (as will the bench) but I don't expect Mourinho to be as defensive as usual, he must realise we are there for the taking and it may be foolish to give us the impetus by sitting back. I foresee United controlling midfield and creating chances with us relying mostly on Salah or Coutinho to conjure up something (probably on a break). We'll lose by two goals.

No doubt you'll get some nervous Utd fans telling you you're wrong and how fantastic you are (this forum is talking Liverpool up more than their own fans are for feck sake) and even with all the tactical possiblities on show I simply can't see how you can stop Lukaku.
I think Klopps working on something. Maybe Salah as a 10 or Emre in a back 3 but the one factor above all is Coutinho and Firminho only getting back in the country yesterday will kill you. I can't see where the energy comes from

 

[Thisistheone]

It's often the biggest fixture viewed worldwide in any season. In 2015 I think the viewership was double that of el classico, and even more than the Champions League final in that year.

They said this Saturdays fixture has an estimated viewership of 700m IIRC.

Over 900 million and 200 plus countries according to Jeff Shreeves.

 

[sglowrider]

I disagree, he has two midfielders he rates highly out to injury. How he sets up will be to compensate for those two.

I was referring to last season's team -- even with Pogba in it then, he didnt trust last years squad. I hope and dont think its the case this sat. We will sit back at the start unless the scousers leave blatant gaps. Then go for the jugular when they are spent.

 

[VP89]

Over 900 million and 200 plus countries according to Jeff Shreeves.

Wow, even more than a couple years ago. Interesting because I didn't know Liverpool were still the same brand in the big markets, like Asia, quite like we still are. I think I read somewhere that Arsenal displaced them?

Must be wrong though.

 

[ManuMou]

Among all the factors, we have a game changer of Martial-Lukaku-Rashford. Each one of them is able to produce game changing moment. All of them are on form. It's not that easy to have all of your attackers on form at the same time. Most of the time they "take turn". When all of MSN/BBC were on form, they were unstoppable. I know they are not MSN/BBC and have not played together, but given their form, they could still be devastating on paper, at least against Liverpool's defense.

My dream would be to see all three of them starting, though I don't expect it.

If they don't start, and if we are chasing goal in a drawing/losing situation, Jose will unleash them.

I am so glad these three are on our side, not Liverpool. Imagine you were Klopp and your team were leading by a goal, then Jose put this up and went gung-ho......the game is still open, anything could happen, both upside and downside. At least it could make you piss your pant.

 

[Sammyjunn]

I will hold it strongly against Mou id he shows them far too much respect and starts with his pragmatic tactics again, they are there for the taking.

 

[ManuMou]

It's human nature to focus on the "glorious moment", that is, attack, not defense.

No one has mentioned this guy yet. He is on our side, who is currently the best in the world in his position, and currently enjoying the form of his life.

Matches between United and Liverpool are traditionally decided by small margins and a single player can often emerge as a hero. Yes, attackers like Salah/Coutinho/Lukaku/Rashford/Martial could produce game changing moment, so does this guy. He could directly influence the result in a tight game like this.

We should worship this guy more, not just the attackers.

 

[ZAGREB RED]

Like a few others have posted on here, I think I only enjoy this game when it is all over and United have got a good result. I do think this game, even at Anfield, is more about how United play than Liverpool. United are, overall, stronger than Liverpool in every department. The combined Utd/Liverpool XI on another thread would only have places for Coutinho, Mane and possibly Salah.

 

[Jeffthered]

When has Rashford ever played on the right?

It'll be Martial or Rashford on the left.

I'm quite aware, as I am sure most of us are, that Martial and Rashford only seem to play from the left. However, I do not think this needs (or will be) the only attacking option we start with. Lindgaard has played with Rashford in the same team with Lukaku at top. Martial too.

Juan Mata rarely ends a game, after all this time at United.... and he doesn't start all matches, and clearly (unlike a Matic, Pogs, Lukaku etc..) isn't seen as a first and fundamental priority in picking a first XI. It's clear Mourinho picks Mata for a reason, of course I get that, but I don't think he is convinced by him at all. I can only think that it's the fact that he is a leftie, and quite safe in possesion in the last third. Because Martial, Rashford, fellani even... all have more of a positive impact on our game than Juan Mata. One goal, few assists, and certainly isn't a talisman in any way at all. All the other attacking players at the club can be quite inspirational... but Mata. I don't see it, and rarely have at OT. Lukaku, Rashford and Martial could be a real handful as a front three.

 

[mitchmouse]

I dread this fixture. virtually never enjoy it. even when we are three up, we can bugger it up. the thought of losing to this lot makes me almost physically sick

 

[Irrational.]

I'm sure one of the main things Jose will be looking at stopping will be this:


I'm guessing he'll give the job of man-marking Coutinho to Herrera, in a similar way to Hazard last season.

What I don't understand is how teams keep allowing Coutinho to have pot-shots from outside the box. He telegraphs the same move every time. Moves the ball onto his right and then hammers it towards goal. It's similar to Arjen Robben, they both seem to score the exact same type of goal time and time again. Is that move really that difficult to defend against?

 

[Siorac]

People, are you seriously suggesting we will park the bus against a team that can't defend?

We did it last season.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I dread this fixture. virtually never enjoy it. even when we are three up, we can bugger it up. the thought of losing to this lot makes me almost physically sick

I agree but the masochist in me yearns for these games

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I'm sure one of the main things Jose will be looking at stopping will be this:


I'm guessing he'll give the job of man-marking Coutinho to Herrera, in a similar way to Hazard last season.

What I don't understand is how teams keep allowing Coutinho to have pot-shots from outside the box. He telegraphs the same move every time. Moves the ball onto his right and then hammers it towards goal. It's similar to Arjen Robben, they both seem to score the exact same type of goal time and time again. Is that move really that difficult to defend against?

If it wasn't, players would never score from them would they?

Good/great technical players have a knack of making a yard of space to shoot. Scholes,Gerrard,Ronaldo even our very best Sir Bobby would just drop the shoulder and power them in from 30 yards out.

 

[Cassady]

Just realized I will be in Zemun/Belgrade during this game and next one. Any advice of a good bar/pub to watch the game from our Serbian friends? Hopefully with United fans around. Don't want to listen "5 times, la" or "our year" or "Klopp is better than Jose".

There's a bar called The Kop la .

Highly reccomended .

 

[Adisa]

We are going to get twatted. I don't think I've ever felt such trepidation as this before prior to a United game, home or away, even when United were winning leagues and we were struggling to stay in the top half of the table.

Mane out, our most influential player (as opposed to best, though he could be that too), is a massive psychological blow to the team, on top of average recent form, poor shooting boots, Lallana & Clyne out as well and low on confidence. I can see that if something goes wrong early doors then it will be massively tough for us to get back into the game.

The team Klopp selects will be interesting (as will the bench) but I don't expect Mourinho to be as defensive as usual, he must realise we are there for the taking and it may be foolish to give us the impetus by sitting back. I foresee United controlling midfield and creating chances with us relying mostly on Salah or Coutinho to conjure up something (probably on a break). We'll lose by two goals.

Better United sides have been beaten by worse Liverpool teams. Anyone thinking game won't be tight needs a dose of reality.
I'm nervous as feck tbh.

 

[Adisa]

Despise this game. I can vaguely handle losing to City, Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs or anyone els but losing to this lot pisses me off for days.

Same.
Losing to these cnuts would be unbearable with pundits eager to call us pretenders.

 

[King.of.Red]

we must win this game. 1-0 or 2-1 is fine as long as we get 3 points. of course if we can win with 4 goals, it will be great.

 

[cyberman]

@Adisa
I simply cannot remember a game like this when both sides have had such extreme runs of form.
The 3-0 Gerrard pen game?
1 win in 7, 3rd worst defensive record in the league v the start we've had coupled with their best player getting injured with their 2 starting attackers only getting back to England Thursday morning.
Hell even the kickoff time kills the atmosphere.
I keep reading posts about history etc but Ive never seen a set of circumstances like this. It really is incomparable to other Liverpool v Utd games imo

 

[The holy trinity 68]

I don’t care how we play, please just beat this lot.

 

[Adisa]

@Adisa
I simply cannot remember a game like this when both sides have had such extreme runs of form.
The 3-0 Gerrard pen game?
1 win in 7, 3rd worst defensive record in the league v the start we've had coupled with their best player getting injured with their 2 starting attackers only getting back to England Thursday morning.
Hell even the kickoff time kills the atmosphere.
I keep reading posts about history etc but Ive never seen a set of circumstances like this. It really is incomparable

Not as extreme but Liverpool were on an 11 game winning run before Juanfield. I remember the pundits and posters going into the game, certain we were getting beat. Not only did we win, but we played them off the park.
I can't remember a previous scenario but there have to be some. Even in out best periods, we got beat by those cnuts.

 

[DannyCAFC]

I'm sure one of the main things Jose will be looking at stopping will be this:


I'm guessing he'll give the job of man-marking Coutinho to Herrera, in a similar way to Hazard last season.

What I don't understand is how teams keep allowing Coutinho to have pot-shots from outside the box. He telegraphs the same move every time. Moves the ball onto his right and then hammers it towards goal. It's similar to Arjen Robben, they both seem to score the exact same type of goal time and time again. Is that move really that difficult to defend against?

Not really, that clip was just incredibly lazy defending from Pogba.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Not really, that clip was just incredibly lazy defending from Pogba.

In that case a lot of players are guilty of lazy defending as Coutinho score far too many of them.

Sometimes posters can't comprehend what it's like to play at that level;it's one thing watching another being on that pitch.

We're all experts on TV

 

[Hugh Jass]

Would take a draw. Will be a tough match.

 

[Turnip]

Haha I like the optimism

BTW, last time we scored 4 at Anfield as 1969. Even 3 at Anfield was almost 20 years ago, in 1999. So if we score 3 this year, treble confirmed.

Interesting statistic. We've broken a lot of our own records over the last few years, and most of them have been negative, so about time we get one like this. I'm sticking to my prediction, 4-0.

If we got that result,I'm sure there would be a few whisperings of sack Klopp starting to brew.

Unlikely score at Anfield though unless they get a man sent off.

While I don't think he's about to be sacked (nor should he be, I've always liked him and think he'll get them to improve eventually), I think there's more than a few disappointed in him. 2 seasons on and basically no progress, probably backwards steps if anything.

 

[Adisa]

Would take a draw. Will be a tough match.

I'm nervous as feck but in truth, looking at both teams, we should be winning this match.
I actually think the pressure is on us to win. Everyone is going on about how fantastic we are and we're facing a side that has one win in seven.
I guess that's why I'm very nervous.

 

[Sunny Jim]

Cant wait tbh.

 

[pascell]

Do we?

We've always been slow starters when playing after the international break, even under SAF and that's my biggest worry. We were very lethargic vs Stoke which was after an international break, our poorest showing in a long time.

 

[ManUnitedCanuck]

Getting both excited and nervous for this one! Hate losing to this lot and would love to get a result at Anfield to put even more pressure on them.

Come on United!

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

There's a bar called The Kop la .

Highly reccomended .

Good, thanks, will go there. Should I bring baseball bat, just in case?

 

[DannyCAFC]

In that case a lot of players are guilty of lazy defending as Coutinho score far too many of them.

Sometimes posters can't comprehend what it's like to play at that level;it's one thing watching another being on that pitch.

We're all experts on TV

OK then, since Pogba is obviously impervious to criticism on this forum:


There are a few half-hearted attempts to block some of those goals (#5 from Davis, #6 from Nasri/Zabaleta, #9 Southampton again) but on all of those, players are at least sticking a foot out to try and block.

Tell me one goal from that clip where anybody is defending as lazily as Pogba. He just starts playing walking football allowing Coutinho to step right across him with a free shooting path to goal and doesn't even attempt to block the shot.

Great player with extraordinary technical and physical ability but he's not perfect and there is improvement to be had in areas; defensively he could contribute a bit more focus and effort at times.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Away from home, in Anfield. Always a tough match.

 

[AngliaRed]

I havent submitted my predicted 11 yet.

Cant decide what JM is gonna go for in the following posistions:

CB - Jones or Smalling
LB - Young or Blind

I Think without Fellani its a dead cert we’ll have Herrera & Matic sitting.

I even think JM may even utilise Hererra in a man marking job on Coutinho like he did perfectly against Hazard.