Liverpool FC v Newcastle United - Boxing Day 3pm

[Gethin]

Will be good to see Rafa back - as someone (Jarg Armani I think?) pointed out the other day, it's even better for him to come back when we've got a manager that doesn't make us miss him. 

 

Goalie and CBs pick themselves but expecting quite a few changes in the other positions, not sure he's brave enough to pick Moreno and Clyne at the same time though.... 

 

Game's not on UK TV but I guess it'll be reasonably easy to pick a stream up 

[Cobs]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

[Hightown Phil]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

 

Hard to argue against that. 

[The_Adder]

Hard to argue against that.

Lallana, Moreno and Lovren all in the same team doesn't inspire like.

[Cobs]

Lallana, Moreno and Lovren all in the same team doesn't inspire like.

There should still be enough in that XI to be beat Newcastle at home. We need to be at full strength for Arsenal & City

Edited December 23, 2018 by Cobs

[Ombudsam]

I’ll be off the chart for losing my headless if we drop points in this. I’ll be way worse than anyone I have ever talked down to on the same subject.

[D.Boon]

This could be the game for Operation give Mane a run up front.

[Dan]

I’ll be off the chart for losing my headless if we drop points in this. I’ll be way worse than anyone I have ever talked down to on the same subject.

The 2013/14 run in was stressful as f*** with a dreadful kick in the gut at the end of it all. I'm determined to try and enjoy this ride.

[Ombudsam]

The 2013/14 run in was stressful as f*** with a dreadful kick in the gut at the end of it all. I'm determined to try and enjoy this ride.

How are you doing that?

[Jim D]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

Nah too many changes, Newcastle have played well this season on the road. If we're going to make changes then do three at most. Our best players can get a well earned rest FA Cup weekend.

[Jonesy]

How are you doing that?

Through the mediums mime and dance

[Sion]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

Moreno and Sturridge fine. But can't be having Lallana starting.

[McBain]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

Weird. That's exactly how I'd go.

 

But 4231

[surf]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

This looks like a cup team. Do we really need to rest Salah & Robertson? You'd expect that team to beat Newcastle at home, but still...

[Big Red Machine]

We have Arsenal 72 hours later.

[Rico]

There were some classic 4-3 matches with Newcastle back in the 90s. Could do without one of those this time though.  

[Barnesy_10]

Lallana looked f***ed after 10 mins on Friday... Massive risk to expect him to make it to 60 mins

[Jim D]

Lallana looked f***ed after 10 mins on Friday... Massive risk to expect him to make it to 60 mins

No way, he can start the FA cup game. Some people on here are not giving Newcastle enough respect. I expect Shaqiri, Keita and Fabinho all to start.

[New York Red]

Allison

 

Clyne VVD Lovren Moreno

 

Lallana Hendo Gini

 

Shaq Sturridge Mane

 

 

I thought you were losing your mind when I saw that line up, but then I remembered Arsenal.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Just a quick look at what we might expect from Newcastle;

 

• Away from home only Cardiff (36%) have less of the ball than Newcastle (40%)
• Away from home, no other team plays less through the middle
• With players like Atsu, Kenedy, Perez, Richie - Newcastle can play Rondon upfront and hope to get pace around him from out wide
• Graphics show that Newcastle have the 4th best defensive record away from home, their tactics give them good protection
• However, they have the 3rd worst record away from home in terms of goals scored with just 7
• Heatmaps show how much of the ball Utd and Everton had when they played at home to Newcastle and also the paucity of possession Newcastle had in the middle of the pitch
• This will be one that Rafa will be doing his homework on, how to close the gaps for us to play
• Full backs: It could be a frustrating game with them sitting deep. Not that we should be concerned greatly by them but if we are to lose the ball, be careful in the wide areas i.e. Moreno and Shaqiri for example not getting on their heels to get back. They'll both need to attack and they will leave space but the likes of Ritchie will be around them at that point. However, you'd imagine the likes of their wingers will be doing their hardest sprints when our play breaks down and they opportunistically try catch us quickly. I'm guessing our full backs wont be sprinting going forward as there will not be the space but they'll have to do it going backwards at times. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2018 by Rory Fitzgerald

[Dan]

How are you doing that?

I've not worked it out yet.

[honourablegeorge]

Worries me a bit, this. That manager of theirs knows how to gameplan.

[Sion]

Worries me a bit, this. That manager of theirs knows how to gameplan.

His gameplans can't be that effective as they've only won 4 out of 18 games. Although to be fair he is working with absolute dross.

[Hightown Phil]

Also harder to make and carry out a game plan off a 3 day break.

[muleskinner]

We're miles better than them. We'll win it comfortably.