Liverpool 2018/19

[Oscar.Z.Acosta]

I'm calling it 55/45 in their favour, just because they can fully rest players in the league while we have to go all out on both fronts. If it wasn't for that, I'd probably give the edge to us.

That’s a very good point that people tend to underestimate. Mistakes are made more often when players are tired, and I imagine you’ll be playing every game from now at full intensity.

It will be a very exciting denouement to the season and I still don’t see any clear favourites for any of the competitions (apart from the F.A. Cup).

 

[Josh 76]

Barcalona will definently be more fresher.
If Barcalona don't take a lead into the second leg, Liverpool will win. Their record at Anfield is just awesome.
As for the league, the question is can City lift themselves up for the next 2 games. It's probably a good thing they are playing Spurs again. Spurs squad is to it's bare bones and City can make 5 changes to win this game. Then it all comes to the Utd game. Now that City can't win the quadruple, Ole me be even less bothered and play his strongest team in the Everton and Chelsea games.

 

[RobinLFC]

Oh yeah, Huddersfield is a given. No point playing the game. I'm not sure I trust Benitez' integrity to try and get points off Liverpool either. I think relying on leaving it to Wolves would be too late as they'd likely roll over having nothing to play for. City's best hopes are winning every game (which they should) or hoping for Cardiff to nick something.

Agreed. I still think City will win every game left though. Let's see how they respond to this crushing ending to their quadruple hopes on Saturday...

 

[Klopper76]

Now I feel like we’ve got more chance of winning the CL than the PL.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

Agreed. I still think City will win every game left though. Let's see how they respond to this crushing ending to their quadruple hopes on Saturday...

I think if they come out and go up early then it's a clear sign they are going to win every game from there.

 

[RobinLFC]

Now I feel like we’ve got more chance of winning the CL than the PL.

We'll be on for the PL+CL double at the beginning of May and will end up with empty hands a month after, is what I'm fully expecting to happen.

It's still Liverpool after all.

 

[Tommy]

We'll be on for the PL+CL double at the beginning of May and will end up with empty hand a month after, is what I'm fully expecting to happen.

Yup. I win £500 if it happens, so I can't be too mad, but still

 

[RobinLFC]

Yup. I win £500 if it happens, so I can't be too mad, but still

I'll hate you forever for it cos you'll obviously have jinxed it you fecker

Caf legend though probably.

 

[MetoTTT]

We'll be on for the PL+CL double at the beginning of May and will end up with empty hands a month after, is what I'm fully expecting to happen.

It's still Liverpool after all.

Ward off bad luck?

 

[Tommy]

It's weird. I think we've just as much chance in one competition as the other, but the fact we're on for both reduces our chances in both... But also in some ways, it improves our chances because we can't let our level drop.

I can't wait for match days right now. This is the most exciting football has been for me in years.

 

[Cheech Wizard]

Also, does anyone else think the blow of bowing out of the CL in that fashion might rock City's PL form...?

It's hard to say what it's going to do to their morale now. I wanted them to go through tonight so they had the added stretch of games, but I do think they'll concentrate strongly on the league now starting with beating Spurs at the weekend. Spurs didn't even get a result here tonight, just got the away goals and tie overall they needed. The only positive is the way in which they lost as to them winning it in which they nearly did. Who knows it might work as a catalyst anyway for them to put it right.

 

[FootballHQ]

Camp Nou is still way too intimidating for anyone. I agree Barca are beatable in a one off game, but none of the other 3 SFs can beat them over 2 legs in all likelihood. Barca just need to avoid losing by more than 1 goal at Anfield.

But Spurs or Ajax can certainly weigh their chances in a one off final. If Barca play in the final like they did at OT, either of those 2 can beat them.

Think Liverpool will score at Camp Nou. With the high Barca line their front 3 will get a big chance at some stage, just whether they can convert it as Man. United obviously couldn't in first ten minutes.

Really with the match up I do think Liverpool will give Barca a very good tie but just seems to me Messi is a real man on the mission this season and his level will drag Barca through.

 

[DonnieDarko]

In CL we are in the driving seat. In PL we're not.
Barca has a bit more chances to go through because, as people mentioned already, they can rest players. They also have quality backup in attack, so they can reinforce properly when chasing the game. Our attacking subs are Origi and Sturridge...

 

[RobinLFC]

Ward off bad luck?

Espérons

 

[Klopper76]

We'll be on for the PL+CL double at the beginning of May and will end up with empty hands a month after, is what I'm fully expecting to happen.

It's still Liverpool after all.

Yeah that’s definitely going to happen. We never come through the other side of these situations positively any more.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

Oh yeah, Huddersfield is a given. No point playing the game. I'm not sure I trust Benitez' integrity to try and get points off Liverpool either. I think relying on leaving it to Wolves would be too late as they'd likely roll over having nothing to play for. City's best hopes are winning every game (which they should) or hoping for Cardiff to nick something.

Benitez always gives them the 3 points, without fail.

Newcastle are safe in the PL, have nothing to play for at all.

Literally all of Liverpool's PL games are guaranteed 3 pointers apart from maybe Wolves, but even then, Wolves will have nothing to play for.

 

[Tommy]

Benitez always gives them the 3 points, without fail.

Newcastle are safe in the PL, have nothing to play for at all.

Literally all of Liverpool's PL games are guaranteed 3 pointers apart from maybe Wolves, but even then, Wolves will have nothing to play for.

I'm worried about Cardiff. They've had some cracking games against the top 6 this season, and are still in with a chance of PL survival. Plus it's a home game for them, so I can't rule them out.

 

[Cheech Wizard]

We'll be on for the PL+CL double at the beginning of May and will end up with empty hands a month after, is what I'm fully expecting to happen.

It's still Liverpool after all.

Yeah this is what I'm worried will happen. This club builds us up on journey like the 2016 and 2018 ones and suddenly you're left wanting to swap seasons with United's poor one because you know you'll be the one laughing at the end.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

I'm worried about Cardiff. They've had some cracking games against the top 6 this season, and are still in with a chance of PL survival. Plus it's a home game for them, so I can't rule them out.

They're nothing. We thrashed them.

You're playing for a title and will brush them aside with ease.

 

[RobinLFC]

Yeah this is what I'm worried will happen. This club builds us up on journey like the 2016 and 2018 ones and suddenly you're left wanting to swap seasons with United's poor one because you know you'll be the one laughing at the end.

Feck no. The run-ins are what make it all thick for me, just like Tommy this is the most excited I've been about our games since the 13/14 title run. We're still in with a shout for our two main goals at the beginning of the last month of the season, that's been a brilliant season regardless but I fear we might indeed miss out on the cerry on the cake.

 

[Tommy]

They're nothing. We thrashed them.

You're playing for a title and will brush them aside with ease.

Chelsea were expected to thrash them yet had to be bailed out by officials on multiple occasions.

Can't take anything for granted when a team still has a fighting chance. Huddersfield I'll accept, and quite possibly Newcastle as well, but we'd be fools to underestimate Cardiff.

Feck no. The run-ins are what make it all thick for me, just like Tommy this is the most excited I've been about our games since the 13/14 title run. We're still in with a shout for our two main goals at the beginning of the last month of the season, that's been a brilliant season regardless but I fear we might indeed miss out on the cerry on the cake.

Agreed. I'd take a season of good times & moments with a disappointing end than a season of dreary shite followed by a bit of schadenfreude.

I doubt a single United fan here would disagree with that.

 

[Cheech Wizard]

They're nothing. We thrashed them.

You're playing for a title and will brush them aside with ease.

Ahh but this is Warnock we're talking about, old senile fool won't let that Benitez/Fulham result drop all them years ago that helped relegate his beloved Sheffield United.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

Chelsea were expected to thrash them yet had to be bailed out by officials on multiple occasions.

Can't take anything for granted when a team still has a fighting chance. Huddersfield I'll accept, and quite possibly Newcastle as well, but we'd be fools to underestimate Cardiff.



Agreed. I'd take a season of good times & moments with a disappointing end than a season of dreary shite followed by a bit of schadenfreude.

I doubt a single United fan here would disagree with that.

Depends how dramatic the schadenfreude is...

Last season for example, as sad and bitter as it sounds / is, was such a high watching the CL final.

It felt better for me than winning, say a League Cup... if I'm brutally honest, maybe even an F.A Cup.

Or watching Suarez crying... man, that was so, so sweet, honestly.

 

[Tommy]

Depends how dramatic the schadenfreude is...

Last season for example, as sad and bitter as it sounds / is, was such a high watching the CL final.

It felt better for me than winning, say a League Cup... if I'm brutally honest, maybe even an F.A Cup.

Or watching Suarez crying... man, that was so, so sweet, honestly.

VVD own goal that Allison spills between his legs from a questionable handball movement from De Ligt in our box?

Even I laughed at Karius last year. I was in the match day thread taking the piss out of him.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

VVD own goal that Allison spills between his legs from a questionable handball movement from De Ligt in our box?

Even I laughed at Karius last year. I was in the match day thread taking the piss out of him.

Nah, these are quality players now, brought in by a proper, top level manager.

If you make the final this year, you'll win it.

 

[Oga on top.]

VVD will get it but Mane is surely a candidate for player of the year for us. What a tremendous improvement on end product from last season, he was far from crap last season either.

 

[Robaldo]

Them winning the CL would bother me more than the league, I think.

We'd still be ahead on titles and it might kick us up the ass; win the Champions League though and they're 6-3 up on that front...

 

[Rhyme Animal]

Them winning the CL would bother me more than the league, I think.

We'd still be ahead on titles and it might kick us up the ass; win the Champions League though and they're 6-3 up on that front...

Nah, they want the PL more, and will be more of a nightmare if they get it.

CL is obviously a bigger achievement, in a way, but I'd be less bothered if they just won that.

 

[Armchair Manager]

Real Madrid's starting line-up:
Diego Lopez, Varane, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso, Ozil, Ronaldo, Modric, Higuain
Kaka, Benzema, Di Maria came as subs.

So fundamentally, it's the same quality. Yes, you can't have the exact same players playing 5 years on, but there aren't 7 changes you claim to be. The key players: Ronaldo, Ramos, Modric, Varane, Casillas, Benzema, Di Maria, Alonso, Marcelo were all there (including Marcelo and Varane which you've conveniently removed). Ozil, Khedira, Higuain were top class at that time. Khedira/Casemiro, Alonso/Kross are interchangeable. Isco, Carvajal and Bale are good, but not good enough to earn 4 CL on their own.

I know the media loves to overhype City with quadruple and all that jazz, but they've had such an easy ride so far:

FA Cup, they've met no strong teams. Compare to United's route for example.
League cup, no strong teams until Chelsea in the final - scrapped by on penalties.
CL, easiest group and still lost 2 matches already. Come back after they make it past a CL semifinal.

First of all, you do understand that Varane was 19 in 2013 and CB played in RB position. Thats the usual route young Indxperienced have to take before they prove their worth. Then Marcela didnt start in first leg.

Second if Ozil, Khedira and Di Maria were top class why did, Real Madrid needed to replace them. The only trophies this bunch won was Copa del rey and league title in 3 or so years.

Camp Nou is still way too intimidating for anyone. I agree Barca are beatable in a one off game, but none of the other 3 SFs can beat them over 2 legs in all likelihood. Barca just need to avoid losing by more than 1 goal at Anfield.

But Spurs or Ajax can certainly weigh their chances in a one off final. If Barca play in the final like they did at OT, either of those 2 can beat them.

But Klopp hasnt lost a two-legged european tie in last 3 years. While Barca is kinda unbeaten at camp nou. This tie will be more exciting and unpredictable, more then any of us think. I think Messi's magic is going to decide the tie.

I see your point but have seen a fair bit of Barcelona this season and if they play as passively as they did at Old Trafford I’d be shocked. It’s how they retain the ball that will hurt Liverpool, I feel.

Well the way Barca retain the possesion can also hurt them. As Barca havent faced a team like Liverpool which is so good at pressing. This might force Barca to attack quick as their will space behind liverpool's defense. If Barca can get the ball to messi as quickly as possible while liverpool is pressing high. It can guve messi lot of time and space to work his magic. But if Barca tries to keep the ball too much, they end up giving away the ball and liverpool is really good in those situations. Though liverpool will play this style only at anfield if they are level or behind Barca by that stage.

I think liverpool will play it safe at camp nou. Unless Barca scores first and also at anfield if they have advantage from first leg.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

They're dangerously close to winning the CL and the PL, and I actually feel they're favourites for both purely because of the easier fixtures in the PL and them being suited to hurting Barcelona.

We need Messi to do us a big favour. But his team mates will have ensure they're not overrun.

 

[ErranMorad]

I cannot see any of the remaining three teams beating them in the CL and I cannot see City winning it all their games in the league.

Number 6 and number 19 is an almost certainty now.

feck this season! Worst season since I started following United. feck Jose & feck Eddie.

 

[Giggs86]

I cannot see any of the remaining three teams beating them in the CL and I cannot see City winning it all their games in the league.

Number 6 and number 19 is an almost certainty now.

feck this season! Worst season since I started following United. feck Jose & feck Eddie.

Relax. Messi will tear them a new one. He has that 'man on a mission' vibe lately, and when he's in that zone he never ends up on the losing side. With his arch rival getting knocked out and him getting closer to his final years, he will do anything to get that CL trophy (maybe even his last considering Barca are getting closer to the expiration date of their greatest iteration).

Regarding the league I think City will bounce and wipe the floor with every team they play until the end of the season (us included). It's all in their hands and Liverpool can't do anything about it.

 

[ErranMorad]

Relax. Messi will tear them a new one. He has that 'man on a mission' vibe lately, and when he's in that zone he never ends up on the losing side. With his arch rival getting knocked out and him getting closer to his final years, he will do anything to get that CL trophy (maybe even his last considering Barca are getting closer to the expiration date of their greatest iteration).

Regarding the league I think City will bounce and wipe the floor with every team they play until the end of the season (us included). It's all in their hands and Liverpool can't do anything about it.

I am not sure, bud. Barcelona didn't look very good in either legs. Messi also was kept quiet by us in the first leg pretty easily. Barca and Messi came into the game only after we started shooting ourselves in the foot. I think Liverpool's style of football is exactly what they'll hate. Liverpool are going to blitz them and their slow midfield and defense won't be able to deal with it. I just cannot see Barca come of that tie a winner.

City have a chance in the league. Hopefully, they'll be able to focus and win out from here. But cannot see them winning against both Spurs and us after the catastrophe last night.

I hope you are right, though.

 

[SER19]

Think Liverpool will win it now. Easier games and last night will take a toll on city. Expect they will drop points v us or spurs.

 

[RobinLFC]

Classic Caf that just has to be black or white, nothing else. Either we'll trash them or Messi will tear us apart, there is no middle ground

I think it's fairly evenly matched. I'm not taking anything away from both ties against United, since (i) they looked poor at Old Trafford but were in front for almost the entire game, (ii) you basically gifted them their ticket to the semis after 20' in the return leg and they didn't even bother after that. If anything I'd take more comfort from the fact that they even struggled against Lyon. Especially away from home, they are nothing special.

Anfield in the return leg gives us a big advantage, but them having Messi makes it even again. On the one hand, it comes in handy having this GOAT level of Messi once again but on the other hand, it's not like he regularly puts in GOAT performances in the latter stages of the CL either - he might score 3 or he might do close to nothing all game. I also think our left wing, Robertson and Mane, will get loads of space against Semedo or Sergi Roberto if he doesn't track back enough.

Taking away the Messi factor, our teams match up well - they have a slight advantage at GK, we definitely have a better defense, they definitely have a better midfield and our offenses are worth each other as well. They will no question win the midfield battle and have most of the possession, we'll have to see how we cope with that. On the other hand, I could see them struggling with our pressing and pace in transition.

Fatigue won't be a factor and shouldn't be one either, great teams have to be able to fight on both fronts at this stage of the season and we're capable of that. No signs that we're running out of steam whatsoever contrary to popular belief. We didn't get out of first gear yesterday. Barcelona play 3 games before our first leg, we only play 2. Yes they can rest players if they want to, but resting a player for ten days isn't always beneficial either, and I think they will at least field quite some first teamers away at Alaves during midweek. I also expect us to rotate 3-4 players against Huddersfield at home on Friday night, which means that almost half our team that will play in Nou Camp would've had ten days rest between games. Might be trickier in the return leg after we've played Newcastle and they've rested players, but feck any player who feels fatigue in the return leg of the CL semis at Anfield. They'll run like madmen to reach another final, I have no doubt about that.

 

[Tommy]

Classic Caf that just has to be black or white, nothing else. Either we'll trash them or Messi will tear us apart, there is no middle ground

True If VAR doesn't overrule that third Sterling goal, the Pochettino thread is no doubt bumped for entirely different reasons - mostly by the same people

 

[RobinLFC]

True If VAR doesn't overrule that third Sterling goal, the Pochettino thread is no doubt bumped for entirely different reasons - mostly by the same people

Small margins and all that, but it's true yeah. I wasn't quite sure if I wanted City to progress or not, but I think I like it this way. No quadruple at least, and hopefully it'll dent their confidence and boost Spurs' belief that they can get something at the Etihad on Saturday (and if not, United to the rescue during midweek action).

Yesterday also showed why VAR is an absolutely amazing addition to the game. Instead of an offside goal as the talking point in the aftermath, everyone just talks about how great the game was.

 

[montpelier]

True If VAR doesn't overrule that third Sterling goal, the Pochettino thread is no doubt bumped for entirely different reasons - mostly by the same people

Spot on about Redcafe Forums, this.

 

[FootyGirl88]

 

[Raw]

That's a nice kit. Love the goalkeeper one.

Hope to feck there won't be a gold badge on the sleeve.