Very defensive looking line-up from Liverpool and a conservative one from Barca somewhat. I think it will be a tight and tense 1-0 Barca win.
Champions League Semi Finals (30th April - 8th May)
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
TAA and Firmino have injuries?
Coutinho and Vidal in first 11 susprise me. I can actually see Vidal getting the card early and then playing like shit for the rest of the game. on the paper it looks like one of the slowest Barca sides I've ever seen.
He's hungry.
It's his night.
Firmino has been struggling with a small muscle tear. He was expected to be fit but clearly not risking him for the full 90.
Trent being out is probably just down to tactics
They're the most press resistant side around. Saying that Barca struggle with press is basically saying that everyone does. That's a given.
They faced Betis' press, which is even more aggressive than Liverpool's since they press even in the oppositions box. If they handled Betis' press, they'll handle Liverpool's.
Looks like a diamond. Firmino not fit though as he’d always start if so.
Liverpool's away form against the top English sides:
1-2 vs. City
2-1 vs. Spurs
1-1 vs. Arsenal
1-1 vs. Chelsea
0-0 vs. United
What am I supposed to be scared of? Fabinho containing Messi? Their front three, who failed to scored more then we did against Spurs and United?
And then I read "Barca can't handle the pressing" - you obviously don't watch La Liga, because if you would, you would know some teams press like absolute crazy: Eibar and Real Betis don't press any less then Liverpool. In 2019 we haven't failed against any high pressing team.
I fear no one. Yes, quote me after the match when we got 'battered' and 'got at', but I don't see any reason why we would fail.
1-2 vs. City
2-1 vs. Spurs
1-1 vs. Arsenal
1-1 vs. Chelsea
0-0 vs. United
What am I supposed to be scared of? Fabinho containing Messi? Their front three, who failed to scored more then we did against Spurs and United?
And then I read "Barca can't handle the pressing" - you obviously don't watch La Liga, because if you would, you would know some teams press like absolute crazy: Eibar and Real Betis don't press any less then Liverpool. In 2019 we haven't failed against any high pressing team.
I fear no one. Yes, quote me after the match when we got 'battered' and 'got at', but I don't see any reason why we would fail.
Vidal is a good selection. Most Barca fans that I speak to wanted him to start the game since he offsets some of Liverpool's energy in the midfield three.
Firmino's fit enough for the bench. TAA's been dropped for Gomez I think.
You know what happens when the caf approves
How does Betis compare to Liverpool when it comes to attack? Barca could very well handle the press but could they handle Liverpool's front 3?
Did they handle it though? Didn't they lose 3:4 at Camp Nou? Or it wasn't Betis?
These score suggestions are insane, literally within 5 posts you'll have like 8 different score guesses. 
I truly have no idea how this will pan out.
I truly have no idea how this will pan out.Press aggression has nothing to do with the quality of a given player. If Betis' press is better, it's better because they execute it better, regardless of their ability on the ball.
Handling their quality is another thing altogether, however, which I'll concede Liverpool are far superior to Betis.
Very defensive line up from us. Don’t think we should have dropped TAA.
They did lose that first one. Had a player sent off too, but late in the game. In the return game in 2019, they handled the press much better away at Betis. 4-1, I think.
There's less control in midfield without Arthur, but seeing that Liverpool line up, Vidal is a reasonable selection. He's been in great form last few games, and adds energy and drive to that midfield. It seems Liverpool will be very defensive here, which is also reasonable and expected.
Vidal instead of Arthur Valverde at it again, such a defensive minded coach. Vidal is completely done at this level he couldn’t keep up with us let alone Liverpool. I’m actually mad right now after seeing the lineup.
Valverde at it again, such a defensive minded coach. Vidal is completely done at this level he couldn’t keep up with us let alone Liverpool. I’m actually mad right now after seeing the lineup.3-0 Barcelona
I hope Barca take them to the fecking cleaners. No mercy.
It really is a poor show by Valverde, I’m really pissed off and I’m not even a Barca fan (well apart from today).
I don't condone the eating of your fellow man, but I wouldn't take exception to him biting Salah firmly on the ass.
A man has got to eat.
Not too optimistic but hoping for a 5-0 Barcelona victory with Suarez and Coutinho scoring all of them.
Interesting line ups
Looking forward to this game, we all want a Barca result but if pool come back with an away goal I feel it’s anybodys tie. Should be a high quality game all around.
Going for 2-0 Barca
Going for 2-0 Barca
Both line ups more defensive than I thought. I think this will be a cagey game unfortunately.
How long has Gomez been fit for? Has he started any games since coming back from injury? I rate him quite highly but he might be a bit rusty
How long has Gomez been fit for? Has he started any games since coming back from injury? I rate him quite highly but he might be a bit rusty
Messi hat trick tonight please.
Barca will boss Pool today. 80%ish possession, 2or3-0 scoreline.
3-1 Barca. Suarez with 3 goals all created by Messi
If Keita plays at LW, we should be ready for the worst.
We’ve made a lot of conservative choices in big away games this season and tonight’s another case of that. I feel like we play much better when we actually pick a balanced side ala spurs away. Oh well Klopps not perfect. We’ll see how it goes, if we’re still in the tie coming back to Anfield I’ll be delighted.
I see a pool win
Firmino not playing, Gomez at RB when he hasn't started a game in like 6 months, Captain not playing, Fabinho and Keita marking Messi
Changing my prediction to a 4-0 to Barcelona.
Seems like Klopp lost the plot.
Changing my prediction to a 4-0 to Barcelona.
Seems like Klopp lost the plot.
Wow, you're ever so cocky an individual aren't you.
I really hope it's not horribly misplaced and Barcelona can put a 2 to nil shift in.
As even a 2-1 massively puts it Liverpools way for a "famous Anfield night"
KLopp: "If we win it's about boys, if we lose is about me"
no dear, if you lose it's wind, rain, snow, 3 injuries in first half, sprinklers...
no dear, if you lose it's wind, rain, snow, 3 injuries in first half, sprinklers...
Liverpool will batter them
You seriously can't think that a Pool team who I'm not sure have actually conceded even 2 goals more than a mere handful of times this season are suddenly taking a pasting.
white text job?