[JakeC]

I don’t really care where we finish between 2nd and 4th. There’s no benefit to finishing 2nd over 3rd apart from bragging rights.

Actually I’d rather we finish 3rd. We normally fall apart the season after we finish 2nd.

Bragging rights are very important.

 

[Klopp_De_Klown]

Someone needs to explain to this current bunch. That see the way we go away from home and the home team give 200% effort, just because it’s us in town? Well that’s us on Saturday!

If we never won another game all season, to sicken them filthbags this Saturday, would be just poetry!

Need to be super aggressive and win all them individual battles every 50/50. Shout for every throw in, corner, free and get on the refs case early! Not one backwards step to be taken. Meet these feckers head on and beat 7 bells out of them!

 

[groovyalbert]

This is probably the most evenly matched both team's squads have been in my footballing memory. Whereas, on paper, we're more impressive, Klopp has Liverpool playing, as a collective, at a higher standard than their individual levels would suggest. Their midfield emphasises this perfectly. Us, on the other hand, have yet to properly gel since Sanchez arrived, and the cohesion that was starting to form after our dip around Christmas has suffered. At home we've been good though, and if we play to the level we can, I think we'll come out on top.

The one big issue is, you know exactly what to expect from Liverpool, I'm less confident in regards to us.

 

[BusbyMalone]

Tweet

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[beep]

win win win

 

[B20]

I've run the requisite computational analyses on this, following higher order algorithms than mere xG, and the data is clear:
After going down 2-0 at the break to a dodgy penalty and an offside goal, a stormer of a 2nd half will see us roll you over 2-5.
No scenes from Mourinho as he'll leave the presser for someone else to deal with. Klopp will try to contain his glee, but can't keep from making a smug comment about Jose being justified not turning up for his presser, since he didn't turn up for the second half either.

 

[GM K]

It's damaging from a finishing 2nd POV, if we loose then there's little chance of us finishing second (given we have to go to City). If you loose it gives us a nice cushion

Jose is way too pragmatic to worry about finishing second at the detriment of going further in the CL. He will have his eyes firmly fixedon Sevilla. Having said that, United has been extremely difficult to beat at home under Mourinho. United to win it or a draw in this one.

 

[Class of 63]

http://www.thickaccent.com/2018/03/...d-breaks-up-with-the-man-utd-star-on-twitter/

Score a hat-trick against Liverpool Jesse and she'll be begging you to take her back.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

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God I remember the emotion after that goal. I was roaring. Felt like something special was born.

 

[Infra-red]

4 draws in a row, two 0-0s at Anfield, two 1-1s at OT. We haven't lost to Liverpool at OT since the Moyes era, but haven't beaten them in any competition, home or away for 3 years either... Draw absolutely written all over it, probably 1-1.

 

[Red4Life_#7]

God I remember the emotion after that goal. I was roaring. Felt like something special was born.

Exactly!! I was the same!!

 

[Sandikan]

Will drive up with the same sort of thinking as the Chelsea game really, not over confident, but not overly worried.
Having said that, Liverpool lose an incredibly small amount of games, and our full backs will need to be on their game to tie down the pacey lads.

We need to avoid gifting them a spawny goal like last year, the Milner pen, and then really being up against it.

 

[Swift Football]

United to nick this one 1-0 .

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

What about the 4-2-2-2 we used against Chelsea, would it make sense against Liverpool too or not? Maybe because Mané and Salah are more open in the wings that Pedro and Willian it would make it hard for McTominay and Matić to close on them.

It's a possibility. Away to Liverpool this season, we played with a 4231, with Herrera and Matic defending the zones that Liverpool's wingers like to drift into - similar to Chelsea. We kept them relatively quiet at Anfield and Liverpool didn't really pose a threat, apart from De Gea's save from Matip.

I think, if we can get the attacking balance right, unlike at Anfield, then the 4222 would be a good idea. With Lukaku and Martial/Sanchez/Rashford drifting wide on the counter, it could really expose Liverpool, who play with high full backs.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

One thing is to be dominated, sit back and give the respect to to the midfield containing the likes of D.Silva, KDB, Fernardinho, Gundogan...Another is to be afraid of that shower above in Ox, Henderson and Can - honestly we should take the game to them no two way about it.

But Liverpool dominated City's midfield. Two of the highlighted payers started that day. That's not to say we should sit back, though.

I think we'll see a double pivot that won't leave the defence, with Jose leaving our attacking four to attack.

If we find the right balance in that attacking quartet, we could blow them away, in my opinion.

 

[Android1974]

It's a possibility. Away to Liverpool this season, we played with a 4231, with Herrera and Matic defending the zones that Liverpool's wingers like to drift into - similar to Chelsea. We kept them relatively quiet at Anfield and Liverpool didn't really pose a threat, apart from De Gea's save from Matip.

I think, if we can get the attacking balance right, unlike at Anfield, then the 4222 would be a good idea. With Lukaku and Martial/Sanchez/Rashford drifting wide on the counter, it could really expose Liverpool, who play with high full backs.

Away, Young played as rightwinger in front of Valencia, so at least he would not provide the drifting wide you're asking.

In 4-2-2-2, unless you play Darmian as leftback and even so, it seems pretty risky on the left against Salah. Might be a asymmetrical 4-3-3 that almost looks like 4-4-2, with not much quick width at start.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Away, Young played as rightwinger in front of Valencia, so at least he would not provide the drifting wide you're asking.

In 4-2-2-2, unless you play Darmian as leftback and even so, it seems pretty risky on the left against Salah. Might be a asymmetrical 4-3-3 that almost looks like 4-4-2, with not much quick width at start.

What do you mean?

You've confused me. Why would we have to play Darmian?

 

[Android1974]

What do you mean?

You've confused me. Why would we have to play Darmian?

Young in one of the wings (of the away 4-2-3-1), like Mata, won't provide the drifting wide on the counter you wanted.

In 4-2-2-2 you would have to (or should) play Darmian because he's better than Young or Shaw at strictly defending as his mission, no wonder Mourinho used him sometimes in the back 3. Since Salah plays closer to the line, I don't think Young/Shaw plus Matić plus Pogba plus Martial/Sánchez, all more or less on the left but more centrally, would close him down enough, you'd need extra cover. Anyway, Darmian must be so out of shape Mourinho won't even consider him.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Young in one of the wings (of the away 4-2-3-1), like Mata, won't provide the drifting wide on the counter you wanted.

In 4-2-2-2 you would have to (or should) play Darmian because he's better than Young or Shaw at strictly defending as his mission, no wonder Mourinho used him sometimes in the back 3. Since Salah plays closer to the line, I don't think Young/Shaw plus Matić plus Pogba plus Martial/Sánchez, all more or less on the left but more centrally, would close him down enough, you'd need extra cover. Anyway, Darmian must be so out of shape Mourinho won't even consider him.

I never said to play Young or Mata, I said our forwards. It's inevitable that Liverpool will press high, which will leave our centre backs to play long balls. Now, there's nothing wrong with long balls, as long as they're played into the right area. Say if we do play a 4222, then I'd like to see our front two of Lukaku and Martial/Rashford/Sanchez to drift wide and run channels, as I explained before. See how Palace played against and troubled City. Very unlucky not to win.

Salah does play a bit closer to the line, but playing Darmian wouldn't change that. Yes, defensively he's the best choice, but hoping we don't just have our left back to defend. I'm hoping we can drag Salah back a bit. Make him defend. That said, Young will be fine against Salah. He played against City and he was fine against Sterling/Sane.

 

[Stookie]

They’ll be nothing more embarrassing if we park the bus at home to that lot.

 

[Android1974]

The Einsteins did it again.

 

[Android1974]

I never said to play Young or Mata, I said our forwards. It's inevitable that Liverpool will press high, which will leave our centre backs to play long balls. Now, there's nothing wrong with long balls, as long as they're played into the right area. Say if we do play a 4222, then I'd like to see our front two of Lukaku and Martial/Rashford/Sanchez to drift wide and run channels, as I explained before. See how Palace played against and troubled City. Very unlucky not to win.

Salah does play a bit closer to the line, but playing Darmian wouldn't change that. Yes, defensively he's the best choice, but hoping we don't just have our left back to defend. I'm hoping we can drag Salah back a bit. Make him defend. That said, Young will be fine against Salah. He played against City and he was fine against Sterling/Sane.

Now I understand, the wide-forwards dropping to the sides to catch the long balls, Sánchez/Lingard for the rebounds... Attackingly, it makes sense, even without a Fellaini kind of header. And you wonder why Mourinho didn't try it before against City, that also play 4-3-3 and press. Still, not sure it does it defensively, and that should be Mourinho's main worry in the first half at least.

 

[deafepl]

Park the bus. They have 102 shots, and 80% possession. We win 1-0 with an offside Smalling goal, through a corner which was actually a goal kick.

Make it 4-0 with Salah's own goal and Van Dijk's own goal assisted by Salah. Rashford's strike goal from a free kick to make it look like Goalkeeper's own goal like in Benfica game.

 

[deafepl]

They’ll start like lightning. If we can keep the ball better, unlike the first half v Palace, we should nullify a bit of their potency. Our midfield is key. It’ll be 4 in midfield as we cannot expose the back line too much. We also have to move quickly.

This will be a tense game but I cannot wait for it!

I reckon Sanchez/Lingard will come in supporting midfield which could make it 4-4-2 but I think our fullback need to support width, dragging defenders out of their position.

 

[minoo-utd]

No news on Martial?

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

No news on Martial?

Probably in tomorrow's presser.

 

[SteveJ]

Has there been a press conference yet?

 

[Giggs86]

Tweet

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What a fecking goal that was!

Legend has it that poor Squirtel is still suffering from vertigo until this very day.

 

[SwSw]

I don't see Pogba playing this one.

DDG
Valencia Smalling Lindelof Shaw
McTominay Matic Young
Martial Lukaku Alexis

I think Young would be playing there to provide a more cover.

 

[roonster09]

4 draws in a row, two 0-0s at Anfield, two 1-1s at OT. We haven't lost to Liverpool at OT since the Moyes era, but haven't beaten them in any competition, home or away for 3 years either... Draw absolutely written all over it, probably 1-1.

Before Jose took over, we won every league game against Liverpool for 2 years. So it can't be 3 years without win.

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

DDG
Valencia Smalling Lindelof Shaw
McTominay Matic Young
Martial Lukaku Alexis

 

[Loublaze]

4 draws in a row, two 0-0s at Anfield, two 1-1s at OT. We haven't lost to Liverpool at OT since the Moyes era, but haven't beaten them in any competition, home or away for 3 years either... Draw absolutely written all over it, probably 1-1.

We last beat them in Jan of 2016

 

[meamth]

I guess we all want to see Salah vs Shaw isn't it?

But of course Young will start this game

 

[RedCurry]

We’ll approach this game just like we approached the Chelsea game. Since they have very good wide players, we’ll probably setup to play very narrow. 4-2-2-2 will be my guess.

 

[tenpoless]

I really fancy our chances in this game. Come on United!

What a fecking goal that was!

Legend has it that poor Squirtel is still suffering from vertigo until this very day.

Squirtel hurts itself in confusion!

 

[McGrathsipan]

They’ll be nothing more embarrassing if we park the bus at home to that lot.

You know that's what he will do.

 

[B20]

What a fecking goal that was!

Legend has it that poor Squirtel is still suffering from vertigo until this very day.

that clip reminded me how infuriating it was to always see skrtel backing off attackers.

 

[haram]

There needs to be an understanding between the fullback and CB when defending against Salah so Young will play again.

 

[Tincanalley]

Sanchez up front?

 

[Shiva87]

Can't believe people want a left side match up between Salah and Shaw. Shaw's weakest bit is his defending - and Salah is currently the league's best attacker. That match up can be a disaster. Young has shown Jose that he is willing to stay back and defend (even though he isn't the best at it). So he is a more likely starter.

Jose could also take a chance and play Bailly there - who has the pace to match Salah and is our best defender. If he does that, we will move to a back 3. I am expecting that to happen. Will be surprised (but delighted) if Jose doesn't do that and looks to push Salah the other way round and see if he wants to defend!