Liverpool 2018/19

[Alex99]

I'm not convinced that being able to play Gomez or Matip for a few minutes in an FA Cup tie is going to make a difference to their overall sharpness. They could get the same from a game against Burnley at home which we'd still be expected to win without those two.

Your easy home games are Bournemouth, immediately before you face Bayern midweek then United away the following weekend, Watford midweek after that, immediately before you face Everton away, Burnley immediately before the second leg vs Bayern, and finally Huddersfield in your 36th fixture.

After that you're looking at Cardiff, Southampton, Fulham and Brighton away, which as the season draws on, means relegation contenders can potentially become much tougher prospects, and Palace, Leicester and Wolves at home, none of which are sure things.

Throw in a trip to Shrewsbury/Stoke in the next round of the FA Cup, then a potential 5th round tie against Swansea/Gillingham, Wimbledon/West Ham, Brighton/West Brom, Bristol/Bolton, Accrington/Derby/Southampton, Doncaster/Oldham, Newcastle/Blackburn/Watford, Middlesbrough/Newport, Barnet/Brentford, or Portsmouth/QPR, and you're adding another two, maybe three games in there to allow a returning player to properly build some minutes, rather than giving them 30 minutes at home to Burnley and "oh by the way you're starting mid-week against Bayern".

Everyone rotates, but there's something about Klopp's approach to the FA Cup games that is off, and it's costing you in my opinion.

 

[Alex99]

So here we are with our small club mentality, setting the league as our target, when we should have gone all in on the FA cup.

I'm sure Wenger got a lot of respect here in his latter years with his 3 cups.. And the Arsenal fans must have begged him to stay with that trophy haul.

We might fail to win the league, and then you can celebrate all summer, like if you won it yourselves. But at least we go for it with all we've got, and as evidenced against Wolves, our squad is not of the required quality to compete on all fronts.

To be fair, the poster he's responded to there literally said he'd consider not winning the league a success anyway, which is why he's said you have a small club mentality. It had nothing to do with you targeting the league, but with the idea that not winning it would be considered a success, alongside not winning the Champions League last season.

 

[The_Midfielder]

Even though 4 points is nothing at this stage, i think they will scrape through..City is not the machine like it was last season, and all others are crap..also liverpools forward will make sure that they score goals and their defense is equally good this season..

 

[Halds]

To be fair, the poster he's responded to there literally said he'd consider not winning the league a success anyway, which is why he's said you have a small club mentality. It had nothing to do with you targeting the league, but with the idea that not winning it would be considered a success, alongside not winning the Champions League last season.

Just checked, and to me it looks like his point about small club mentality was, that we didn't give priority to the FA cup.

I'd say a good title challenge or a CL final can be a good season, heck it can even be a great season from a fans point of view. I think our last season was good/great. But if we don't win it in the end, there's no way it can be deemed a success.

And the FA cup won't swing a season from unsuccessful to successful imo. It's a fine consolation prize though.

 

[Random Task]

Competing but falling just short can't be considered a failure just yet if we didn't even compete at all before Klopp arrived.

Of course in a way it's a failure, but it's still very acceptable progress for me.

If you say so.

 

[Alex99]

Just checked, and to me it looks like his point about small club mentality was, that we didn't give priority to the FA cup.

I'd say a good title challenge or a CL final can be a good season, heck it can even be a great season from a fans point of view. I think our last season was good/great. But if we don't win it in the end, there's no way it can be deemed a success.

And the FA cup won't swing a season from unsuccessful to successful imo. It's a fine consolation prize though.

Hence why I said poster, not post.

A title challenge or a CL final can be a good season if you're ordinarily competing for, and winning other honours, otherwise it may as well get put alongside any other one off cup run.

Even though 4 points is nothing at this stage, i think they will scrape through..City is not the machine like it was last season, and all others are crap..also liverpools forward will make sure that they score goals and their defense is equally good this season..

I think it's going to be a matter of who blinks first now.

Both teams will drop points between now and the end of the season, so I think it's going to come down to the psychological edge given to the next one to benefit.

Liverpool drop points and City close the gap to one or two points, and I think City will overhaul them fairly easily. City drop points and Liverpool find their lead extended again, and it's a different matter.

 

[B20]

Surely then, if you're relying on a small first-team squad to play the bulk of your Premier League games and get you through the CL, the cups play an important role in providing valuable game-time to the fringe players in your squad that may find themselves in the first-team in the event of injury, or for first team players not quite at full fitness?

United played Sanchez and Lukaku against Reading because they needed the minutes to get back to match-fitness. You're now in a position where Lovren, Matip and Gomez (isn't VVD ill or something too?) are all out injured, and will all need minutes to get back their sharpness, but the only games you've got left to give to them are games in the PL and CL, and that's just your central defenders.

What it means is that in a season where we are competing for the league and cl, the cups are basically a nuisance, because it is more important that those 15 get more break time than the fringe players get a run out.

If we win one of the big two and build from there, I'd expect to be different in a year or two, but this year - I am mostly looking at how this means city have more games than we do.

 

[Treble]

What it means is that in a season where we are competing for the league and cl, the cups are basically a nuisance, because it is more important that those 15 get more break time than the fringe players get a run out.

If we win one of the big two and build from there, I'd expect to be different in a year or two, but this year - I am mostly looking at how this means city have more games than we do.

City will have more games but not necessarily City's first choice players. Alex99 is making a good point. Cup games allow the bench, fringe and recently injured players to get/stay match fit. Which might be important for the run-in. Both scenarios (in and out of the cups) have their advantages and drawbacks, only time can tell which one will turn out to be the better. Surely, Guardilola is happy to secure more games for the likes of Danilo, Delph, Otamendi, Gundogan, Mahrez, Foden, Jesus, etc. and to get up to speed KDB and Mendy who are coming back. He will need most of them in top form when the crunch CL games come. As things stand, the likes of Mignolet, Moreno, Lallana, Origi, Sturridge won't play enough to be ready to step up in crucial moments. Of course, only time can tell.

 

[Alex99]

What it means is that in a season where we are competing for the league and cl, the cups are basically a nuisance, because it is more important that those 15 get more break time than the fringe players get a run out.

If we win one of the big two and build from there, I'd expect to be different in a year or two, but this year - I am mostly looking at how this means city have more games than we do.

City started three players against Rotherham that also started against Liverpool, meaning they rotated eight positions. One of those was Ederson in goal, so that's just two outfield players starting both games. Seven players appeared in both, with Ederson playing 90 minutes in both, Stones playing 90 minutes against Liverpool and 75 against Rotherham, Sterling playing 90 minutes against Liverpool and 57 against Rotherham, Walker playing four against Liverpool and 90 against Rotherham, Otamendi playing two against Liverpool and 90 against Rotherham, Gundogan playing 25 against Liverpool and 90 against Rotherham, and Sane playing 90 minutes against Liverpool and 33 against Rotherham. Excluding Ederson as a goalkeeper, City's six outfield players that appeared in both games averaged 61 minutes each on the pitch, with the max time over the two games being 165 minutes, and the minimum being 92.

Liverpool started two players against Wolves that also started against City, rotating nine positions. Those were Lovren and Milner. Like City, Liverpool also had seven players feature between the two games, except all of Liverpool's were outfield players. Lovren played 90 minutes against City and 6 minutes against Wolves, going off injured, Milner played 57 minutes against City and 90 against Wolves, Fabinho played 33 against City and 90 against Wolves, Shaqiri played 13 against City and 90 against Wolves, Sturridge played four against City and 70 against Wolves, then both Salah and Firmino played 90 against City and 20 against Wolves. Liverpool's seven outfield players that appeared in both games averaged 55 minutes each, just 6 minutes fewer than City's players, with the max time over the two games being 147 minutes, and the minimum being 74. However, Liverpool lost a player through injury, which City did not.

Liverpool had five players play more than 100 minutes across the two games, while City had four. Milner played 147 minutes, Fabinho 123, Salah and Firmino 110 each, and Shaqiri 103. Salah and Firmino are two of your key players, Milner is your 9th highest PL appearance maker so far this season, and Fabinho will likely now have to play in defence against Brighton. Shaqiri is the only one there who looks certain to return to the bench against Brighton. Stones played 165 minutes for City, but has Laporte and Kompany both looking to return to the side with neither featuring against Rotherham, Sterling played 147 minutes, and will probably play in City's next game, but Sane, Mahrez, Jesus and Aguero are other, fresher, attacking options. Sane played 123 minutes, but as with Sterling, could be rotated for the next game, and Gundogan played 115 minutes and is another who may well return to the bench.

Liverpool ended up no better off in terms of resting players than City, arguably worse, and aren't even in the competition anymore. City are likely to field an even weaker side against Burton, and a similar side in the next round of the FA Cup, so the extra games aren't really taking the toll on the squad you're expecting it to.

 

[ShadesOfTomato]

We have 5 games now in the next 33 days, and a 10 day rest before the Bayern first leg. Could turn out to be pivotal.

 

[VorZakone]

Does anyone genuinely care that Wenger/Arsenal won 3 FA cups in 4 years? He was still heavily criticized, called 'outdated', and plenty of Arsenal fans were happy that he finally left them.

 

[Fridge chutney]

Or when they gave up on Top 4 and went for the Europa League and that's the reason they ended up 6th, well that was their excuse anyway.

What the feck? That's not remotely comparable. "Top 4" is not a trophy. Its only value is to achieve qualification for the Champions League, which we did by winning an actual trophy.

 

[Kapardin]

Does anyone genuinely care that Wenger/Arsenal won 3 FA cups in 4 years? He was still heavily criticized, called 'outdated', and plenty of Arsenal fans were happy that he finally left them.

That was because of his league and CL performances though. Nobody grudged the cups and in fact, even now Arsenal proudly carry the label of a record 13 times FA Cup Winners -- does have some recognition there.

The case is different here if you are talking about a dominant team contending for the title (Liverpool) that has thrown away the FA Cup. There is no doubt that the cup carries value, but if a manager (Wenger or Conte) is underperforming in the league due to more serious problems, that cannot be overlooked for the cup in their appraisal.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

Even though 4 points is nothing at this stage, i think they will scrape through..City is not the machine like it was last season, and all others are crap..also liverpools forward will make sure that they score goals and their defense is equally good this season..

KDB coming back and squad depth will factor in though. The second half of the season in a close title race is why City have such a big squad just in case. Liverpool are annoying consistent and solid at the back which is frustrating so it will come down to the wire. I view it as almost 50/50 currently perhaps a slight edge to Liverpool. I think Liverpool are slightly more likely to drop points in the next 5 games since City have Chelsea at home and Arsenal are Arsenal then we play Liverpool. I really hope that coming into that game the league is down to 2 points (or less) then it will be really interesting.

 

[JB08]

Liverpool, the most succesful English club ever, sits happy tonight at the top of the Premiership. Whilst everyones attention turns slowly to Liverpoool, they've known all along their day will come. 8 reasons why Liverpool will be Premiership Champions this season (In no particular order):-

1 Mohammed Salah
There's no denying it, Mohammed Salah is a goalscorer. He can score at the most crucial times when things arent going to plan. An incredible asset to the team, and will no doubt finish the top Premiership goalscorer this season. Mohammed Salah has his socring boots on again, and this will help Liverpool fire their way to a firdt Premiership Championship win.

2 The defence
Their defence is the key to our recent successes of late. Van Dijk, Hoever and a whole collection of other solid, reliable, and dependable defenders that we have, have kept out some of the toughtest teams in Europe. A Championship winning side is a side who has a solid defence. They have that in abundance. They have been the best by far in the Premiership of the last couple or seasons or so, and their defence will keep out the toughtest of sides.

3 Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has brought in his own tactical now-how. He's bought in quality players, and he has let some of the other players go. He's outted the moaners, and whingers at the club, and now has assembled a tight bunch of passionate players that are so glad that they have th privelage of wearing the red jersey. He's there for the long run. He said it would take time. And it has. But he's building a formidabble team, and no doubt his man manegement skills eminate through to the players. Controlled, focussed and never afraid to air his honest views, Klopp has finally brought back the spirit of the Liverpool of old.

4 United's days are over
All things must come to an end. And it looks as though Manchester United's mini 'dominace' of English football is in a rapid decline. Inability to score, and the inability to win are not good signs for United. Liverpool have crept behind them over the years, coming close on many occasions, but the Reds have been ready to take over the hotseat and now that United have faltered the Reds of Merseyside are the only Reds in town. Claiming the 6 points against United this year will help snatch back the trophy.

5 The fans
Liverpool has questionably the most passionate support for any football club in the world. Knowledgable, humourous, and patient. Passionate, vocal, and honest. These are some fo the attributes a typical Liverpool fan has. Talk to any Liverpool fan anywhere in the world and you'll immediately realise that supporting Liverpool is a religion. Whether it's at Anfield, away from home in the UK or far afield in Europe the fans always do their best to get the best out of the team. Constant support and acknowledgment that things are going well will filter through to the players, and their confidence will no doubt be bolstered with he support of the fans. Liverpool fans give the team an extra 10% over the opponents and will surely be singing "Champions" in May 2003.

6 Anfield
Anfield used to be known as Fortress Anfield. No opossing team ever escaped with all three points over the 70's and 80's. The reputation of the place gave Liverpool an almost 1 - 0 lead as opposing players, and travelling away fans dreaded playing at Anfield - they loved the occasion, but dreaded the footballing lesson they would be an unwanted student in. That was then. This is now. And slowly and surely Anfield is becoming a tough place to play now. And it's that invincibility that used to surrond the place that could help put the fear back into opposing teams. If they can go unbeaten at home all season, this will clearly put Anfield back on the footballing world map as the most feared stadium to play in.

7 Flexible, resilient tactics
Liverpool have changed the tactics to suit their preferred style of play this season. Jurgen Klopp has said that he feels the team can defend properly now, and he has given them a license to attack as much as possible. However, Klopp uses his tactics cleverly in certain situations in games, and will no doubt tinker with them to get the desired result. This ability to have a team that can slot into different formations, roles and positions on the pitch are crucial for Liverpool to win games when things arent going right and a change is needed. Championship winning teams are flexible, and this Liverpool side clearly shows players are willing to forfeit their preferred position for the benefit of the team.

8 It's where it belongs
Liverpool last won their title over two decades ago. With a worldwide support with 10's of millions of fans a club this size needs the title. In the 60's, 70's and 80's Liverpool coolected title after title. Anfield has seen the title more times than any other club, and its about time to bring it back home. It may have a new name, and may look slightly differenet, but everyone knows deep down that the true home of football in the UK is that of Liverpool. Is where dreams have been made. It's where dreams are still being made. And it's where the Premiership Championship dream will be made. Come May 2019 we're convinced the Premiership trophy will be sat glittering in arguably the most packed trophy rooms in the world.

redcafe(dot)net/threads/why-liverpool-will-be-champions.30454/

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

KDB coming back and squad depth will factor in though. The second half of the season in a close title race is why City have such a big squad just in case. Liverpool are annoying consistent and solid at the back which is frustrating so it will come down to the wire. I view it as almost 50/50 currently perhaps a slight edge to Liverpool. I think Liverpool are slightly more likely to drop points in the next 5 games since City have Chelsea at home and Arsenal are Arsenal then we play Liverpool. I really hope that coming into that game the league is down to 2 points (or less) then it will be really interesting.

Beating Liverpool at Old Trafford to dethrone them from top spot and keeping them from winning their first ever PL... It couldn't be written any better!

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

Beating Liverpool at Old Trafford to dethrone them from top spot and keeping them from winning their first ever PL... It couldn't be written any better!

I just hope I am not in public if (hopefully when) it happens because I'll get locked up for public wanking!

 

[Cassidy]

Beating Liverpool at Old Trafford to dethrone them from top spot and keeping them from winning their first ever PL... It couldn't be written any better!

 

[The holy trinity 68]

1. They do. But United, Liverpool and Chelsea have accumulated a large number of trophies over the last decade or so and can afford to play weakened teams when the situation dictates. Liverpool hasn't won anything for a very long time.

2. What do you mean if? You've already won both the league and CL titles so why not go all out for the treble? Lovren was clearly up for it.

Made a mistake here mate. Did you mean City or Arsenal?

Liverpool have won 1 League Cup in 10 years. Nothing else.

 

[Buchan]

15 (fif-fecking-teen!) goals for City now in less than two full games. All of their big guns are back and momentum is building.

Arses twitching all over Merseyside, la.

 

[Klopper76]

15 (fif-fecking-teen!) goals for City now in less than two full games. All of their big guns are back and momentum is building.

Arses twitching all over Merseyside, la.

They played Rochdale and Burton. If they do this to Wolves on Sunday I'll be worried.

 

[Random Task]

Made a mistake here mate. Did you mean City or Arsenal?

Liverpool have won 1 League Cup in 10 years. Nothing else.

I must have. It almost escaped unnoticed.

Then Redcafe happened.

They played Rochdale and Burton. If they do this to Wolves on Sunday I'll be worried.

Speaking of which.

 

[Klopper76]

Speaking of which.

They're a good side against the better sides this season.

 

[Random Task]

Beating Liverpool at Old Trafford to dethrone them from top spot and keeping them from winning their first ever PL... It couldn't be written any better!

Put your house on this happening.

Seriously.

 

[Ramshock]

uh oh dippers, City are back firing

 

[Finn MacCool]

Put your house on this happening.

Seriously.

Whilst a win at OT is great at any time, as it's such a rare occurrence, it would be really helpful if we produced one this season. I'm hoping that Ole's more open style will make it a better game and give us more chance. I would have given us less hope against Jose Routemaster Mourinho.

However in our most recent title challenge's in 08/09 and 13/14 we did the double over Utd and still fell short of winning the league both times.

 

[adexkola]

Put your house on this happening.

Seriously.

It would be a massive upset based on what we know now. We would have to give Spurs a game at Wembley to be considered favorites against Liverpool at home.

 

[Mastadon]

That was because of his league and CL performances though. Nobody grudged the cups and in fact, even now Arsenal proudly carry the label of a record 13 times FA Cup Winners -- does have some recognition there.

The case is different here if you are talking about a dominant team contending for the title (Liverpool) that has thrown away the FA Cup. There is no doubt that the cup carries value, but if a manager (Wenger or Conte) is underperforming in the league due to more serious problems, that cannot be overlooked for the cup in their appraisal.

Exactly that. Wenger was sacked after 3 in 5 FA Cups yet 9-10 trophyless seasons while playing in the CL was fine.

Would I swap Arsenal’s squad for Liverpool’s and league position as well in exchange for the 3 FA Cups? In a heartbeat. A league challenge alone is worth more than an FA Cup because a league title is worth more than 10 FA Cups.

 

[RobinLFC]

Exactly that. Wenger was sacked after 3 in 5 FA Cups yet 9-10 trophyless seasons while playing in the CL was fine.

Would I swap Arsenal’s squad for Liverpool’s and league position as well in exchange for the 3 FA Cups? In a heartbeat. A league challenge alone is worth more than an FA Cup because a league title is worth more than 10 FA Cups.

You won 3 in 4 FA Cups but realistically, I feel you never had the squad quality nor depth to properly challenge for the league in any of those years from what I remember. If anything, it disguised a lot of things that were wrong in the latter stages of Wenger's reign and I feel he would've been gone a bit sooner if you hadn't won those trophies.

This reinforces my belief that if you're good enough to win the league, you're good enough and it doesn't matter a zilch how many cup competitions you've won in the previous years. Liverpool's squad, or at least definitely the starting XI, is currently good enough to win the league, but of course winning it is a different matter altogether.

 

[charlenefan]

Exactly that. Wenger was sacked after 3 in 5 FA Cups yet 9-10 trophyless seasons while playing in the CL was fine.

Would I swap Arsenal’s squad for Liverpool’s and league position as well in exchange for the 3 FA Cups? In a heartbeat. A league challenge alone is worth more than an FA Cup because a league title is worth more than 10 FA Cups.

A league title may be worth more than 10 FA Cups in your opinion but just a challenge? Seriously? A challenge suggests not actually winning it so it's like the other fool the other day you'd seriously take not winning something (but giving it a good go) over actually winning something? Even if that something is only an FA Cup?

Madness

 

[RobinLFC]

A league title may be worth more than 10 FA Cups in your opinion but just a challenge? Seriously? A challenge suggests not actually winning it so it's like the other fool the other day you'd seriously take not winning something (but giving it a good go) over actually winning something? Even if that something is only an FA Cup?

Madness

It's always easy to say who's right or wrong in hindsight. I'd give up the FA Cup in the 3th Round if it means increasing our chances to win the league by 10% or so, definitely - chances to win the FA Cup this early on for Liverpool are probably below 10% anyway.

 

[charlenefan]

It's always easy to say who's right or wrong in hindsight. I'd give up the FA Cup in the 3th Round if it means increasing our chances to win the league by 10% or so, definitely - chances to win the FA Cup this early on for Liverpool are probably below 10% anyway.

Indeed hindsight is key, so in highsight what would you rather have - your title challenge under Rodgers or an FA Cup trophy that season instead?

 

[RobinLFC]

Indeed hindsight is key, so in highsight what would you rather have - your title challenge under Rodgers or an FA Cup trophy that season instead?

Well, I'll be called mad and you'll probably say that it's the typical answer of someone whose club hasn't won a trophy in a long time, but I'd definitely not switch in a heartbeat or anything like that.

Winning the FA Cup would be great but in the grand scheme of things, it would just have been one trophy, and we'd still get slagged of for not having won the league for so long, etc etc. It would also only have me on a high on the day of the QF, SF, Final and then maybe a few days after, whilst our title challenge under Rodgers had me absolutely buzzing from February right up until the infamous loss against Chelsea.

So yeah, if you're of the opinion that trophies are the end all be all of football (unsurprisingly, most United fans are), then I'd have to say the FA Cup - but it would have been a one-off, something nice but not a major changing point in our history. However winning the league after nearly 30 years this season, that would be a major fecking statement and no one would care about that potentially lost FA Cup. I still think City will end up winning it though, but in that case I won't think about a thrown away opportunity in the FA Cup or anything like that.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

The next 'swing' is crucial. If it's towards Liverpool then City's chances are very slim. If it's the other way, then we have a real title race in.

Liverpool are still solid favourites for me. And I've reconciled with them winning the league. If they feck it up then great.

 

[B20]

The next 'swing' is crucial. If it's towards Liverpool then City's chances are very slim. If it's the other way, then we have a real title race in.

Think so too. This is a proper "who blinks first" phase.

If we can keep our form going from the 1st half of the season, I think we'll lose at Old Trafford and drop points two other places somewhere away from home. That'll give us 95-97 points. Really ought to do it.

This seems like a critical period for determining if we can keep it up though. Once city dropped points, they dropped several. We need to bounce back sharply.

 

[Mastadon]

A league title may be worth more than 10 FA Cups in your opinion but just a challenge? Seriously? A challenge suggests not actually winning it so it's like the other fool the other day you'd seriously take not winning something (but giving it a good go) over actually winning something? Even if that something is only an FA Cup?

Madness

How the hell are you supposed to win if you don’t challenge? Challenge means you have a real chance of winning as opposed to what Arsenal do every season.

As I said I would rather be in Liverpool’s position right now then be in Arsenal’s position and win the FA Cup because Arsenal have 0 chance of winning the league. Not sure anyone would disagree. What has winning the Coca Cola cup and uefa cup and fa cup done for United post Fergie? All it did is confirm that you are no longer title challengers. No amount of Coca Cola Cups is going to make you feel better until you reclaim the league title. Same for us.

 

[Rob]

Every game is now a final for us. I just hope the players have the stomach for it and don't crumble under the pressure which will only increase the longer we stay on top.

As for the discussion above, I'd definitely rather be in with a shout of the league than win an FA Cup. In an ideal world, though, we'd do both.

 

[Thisistheone]

Its very interesting. Still think injuries is where it will be decided. City haven't looked as strong as last season - are yet to play Fernandinho, D.Silva, KDB together in the league. If they get those 3 fit for the run in, or if pool lose Van Dijk or Salah, that could be the difference.

 

[SirAF]

How the hell are you supposed to win if you don’t challenge? Challenge means you have a real chance of winning as opposed to what Arsenal do every season.

As I said I would rather be in Liverpool’s position right now then be in Arsenal’s position and win the FA Cup because Arsenal have 0 chance of winning the league. Not sure anyone would disagree. What has winning the Coca Cola cup and uefa cup and fa cup done for United post Fergie? All it did is confirm that you are no longer title challengers. No amount of Coca Cola Cups is going to make you feel better until you reclaim the league title. Same for us.

Coca Cola Cups

 

[ArjenIsM3]

Its very interesting. Still think injuries is where it will be decided. City haven't looked as strong as last season - are yet to play Fernandinho, D.Silva, KDB together in the league. If they get those 3 fit for the run in, or if pool lose Van Dijk or Salah, that could be the difference.

Well we play pool in a month or so, so if we just play Fellaini, Jones and Bailly that game that would be the end of their title challenge. I mean, we'd lose the game of course but their injuries would lose them the title - worth it?