Rory Fitzgerald

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Thankfully my betting slips have been empty for a while. I’ve learned my weaknesses

Was looking through their highlights - not enough available clips of how they defend corners but they seem to go man-for-man. We've seen Liverpool score with men coming around the back post for 2nd balls (Salah and Jota for example) - might be something to fight for at the front post and see what happens in the space at the back post.

No particular analysis - just information. 3 games below are their only 2 defeats (away Villa, away Newcastle) and their set up at home to Man City. I thought these 3 games are good reference points for the challenge we will present. (1) ~60% possession, except vs City but still 49% is more than solid (2) 12-14 shots taken in each game (3) Restricted opposition to 4-10 shots in each game Some similarities; Inverted FB vs danger: Klopp and Arteta need to weigh the consideration of TAA and Zinchenko playing inside given that their direct opposition are very strong attacking players in Martinelli and Salah. Deep 9 between fast attackers: Will Liverpool put Gakpo as a deep-9 (akin to top of a diamond) with Salah and Nunez as the attackers. Something not dissimilar to Jesus between Martinelli and Saka. Midfield: Are we a little similar ? 3 generally attack-minded athletic lads that can cover ground. Arsenal maybe with a more settled midfield vs our rotation/injuries/suspension. 2 biggest questions: 1. Right back has 3 options. TAA as inverted, TAA as traditional RB, Gomez as traditional RB. The latter poses a question of what the rest of the team looks like and where does TAA play. 2. Diaz or Gakpo. Do we go deep-9 akin to diamond midfield. Or do we stick to Nunez playing on the shoulder with Diaz on the left.

Nothing like match day to bring a dose of reality - was nice being distracted by the turmoil at Utd - now its time to focus on us. I've talked myself into looking at how close our last 3 games were and stumbling through Fulham and Palace. I take alot of comfort from the atmosphere and the opposition which should both ensure we are bang at it from minute 1. I am going for Alisson TAA Konate VVD Tsimikas Szoboszlai Endo Jones Salah Nunez Diaz First subs off the rank: Gakpo, Elliott, Gravenberch [hopefully not needed - Gomez and Quansah] I'd go Nunez over Gakpo because I think he's the striker they don't want to face. He'll torment them down channels and give more threat on the shoulder. Also to chase in any spilled shots. I see Trent being everywhere today as we'll dominate the ball with 60%+ possession, so ok if we have Endo always facing the play and offering some protection Jones over Gravenberch is a 55/45 call but I'd side with Jones as he knows the atmosphere and game. I think he'd work that little bit harder initially in the game. I think the two "8s" will need to do a bit of running for their full backs as I think Utds main outballs and threats will come from FBs and wingers. I dont see Utd trying to go through us on the floor in the middle of the pitch. And SHOOOOT (44%) ! At home, we rank 2nd for the team with most shots taken from outside the box with 44%. We'll have 60%+ possession, so will be getting into decent areas often. We'll have Szoboszlai, Trent, Salah, Diaz and [Jones/Gravenberch] who can all hit from distance. Test out Onana and have Nunez placed on the shoulders to chase in any badly palmed saves.

Maybe lets keep the atmosphere under wraps - don't want to give Arteta an early advantage of whats in store and get the stereos & speakers out on the training pitch

Yeah, we need to be cold and clinical. Ride the wave of the opening 20mins and give the hell. But if the game is 0-0 and settles into an arm wrestle, then its just 3 points thats the same as any other 3 points, and we need to eek them out. But give them loads of our energy when the crowd are buzzing between 0-20mins and then take it from there.

Thanks mate, if I do I'll pop it in here and you're right, haven't been doing much of it recently.

Jesus when you say it like that, I'm grim

The full game from last year is available on Twitter. If you are interested in seeing how Ten Hag had his team play when De Gea had the ball (goal kick or played back to him from open play), then I time-stamped the incidents. Shaw/Dalot only outlets Casemiro never showed Fred backed up Weghorst on long balls Never held the ball at the back for more than 2-3 passes, so never invited pressure

A look at the stats of Liverpool at home and United away from this season in the PL, along with some thoughts on the early conclusions that they might point to

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Alisson TAA VVD [Konate/Matip] Kostas ..........[MacA / Endo]....... Szoboszlai......Gravenberch ..........Gakpo Salah................Jota I'd love to see 3 big athletic lads in that central area - Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Gakpo that can cover the ground I'd consider deploying Gakpo in an area with Rodri for a few reasons; Gakpo can find some space if Rodri is covering ground - Nunez can play on a defender's shoulder in the 2nd half, He has the ability to draw a foul/card from Rodri by turning him and starting a run, which might impact Rodri He has the physicality to deal with Rodri in both attacking and defensive situations (albeit, same for Nunez), If we weren't off an international, I would be putting Diaz in from the start. But I can see the attraction for him and Nunez to provide a sharp injection in the 2nd half I'm probably favouring MacAllister over Endo. We can win, we want other teams to put it up to City, so lets have a real good crack at them ourselves. We are in the title race and we can lay down a big marker. I'll be less concerned about the 5mins before KO about the announced line-up and more concerned about the way the team goes about business in the opening 5mins. This is where we wanted to be at the start of the season, making sure that this City game meant alot.

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Play a good team to get the win so it that its virtually impossible to be knocked out. We have Forest at home on Sunday, so we try to go with a strong team vs Toulouse and still not be too badly placed for the league fixture. Win this one and we can possible take our foot off the pedal in November/December.

Whats the schedule like for our players before that ? 12.30pm after an international break is a horrendous "scheduling" for a game that is worthy of a prime-time game. I find the timing/scheduling to be a bit strange - they have a 8pm game on the same day and give it to Sheff Utd vs Man Utd. There is room there for Liverpool vs Everton given the fans are from the same city. I know there might be concerns about such a late start from the fans perspective but they've done 8pm for this fixture before in midweek games. 12.30pm ? Nope !

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