Klopp certainly did a number on us / Pep last season in 3 games from 4 (partly supported by some very dodgy decisions in 2 of our encounters, along with a less-than-nice welcoming from their supporters in one away fixture); does our Manager now have an answer to their pacey, pressing threat?
v Liverpool.
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| The oh-so-welcoming image of ("Welcome to") Anfield. |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct
from starting line-up in the last game: 9/11
A very fluid 5-4-1 / 3-6-1 / (& strange-sounding 3-7-0 at times I’m
sure):
______________________________________________
____________________Aguero____________________
____________________Stones____________________
Ederson
in net, of course.
As I’ve
alluded to, I would think that Guardiola would think that pace was needed for
this game (I agree) and, therefore, I would think that we’ll see both Oleksandr
& Kyle on the attacking flanks of our defence. There’s no doubting our “lovely” hosts’ attacking ability and, therefore, I
just wonder if we’ll see a ‘back 3’ of Aymeric, John & Nicholas ‘in there’?
That’s what I’m going for.
With
John likely-then-playing a duel defence / defensive midfield role; beyond that
it’s all ‘attack, attack, attack’ in the form of Leroy, David, Bernardo, sure to be still booed Raheem & Sergio (along with
help from our wing-backs too of course).
Aro the
back-up keeper; Danilo the only defensive replacement option from the side.
Fernandinho ‘in there’ in case we need to ‘see out a result’ towards the end, I
would think, but with there being so many “defenders” in the starting 11 of
that prediction; the remaining 7 consists of more attacking Phil, a possible shock-semi-return (going off what
Pep had to say yesterday) of Kevin, Riyad & Gabriel.
Notable
absences:
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
If Sane & Sterling
help both of our Silva’s with, what is
sure to be, a frantic, central midfield with Zinchenko & Walker then
overlapping their wide areas; then I’m well happy with that.
Result?
Two fantastic teams who can destroy the opposition in so many ways; quite
rightly sitting 1st & 2nd in the league on the same points.
Same goals conceded at just 3 from 7 games played in the league, with City on
top of the goalscoring with 21 to a still-impressive
15 for Liverpool.
We, the visitors: Sometimes devastating in
overwhelming their opponents but who have also looked disjointed in other games
where we’ve ‘not quite clicked’; even where we’ve still managed a draw or win.
Our hosts: Started the season on FIRE and
looking awesome going forward but who have hiccupped and stuttered a little of
late; losing 2 and drawing the other in all competitions.
Both of those summaries tell me that both
Liverpool ‘can be got at’ and if we’re ‘on it’, we’re the team that can dish it
out to them. But it also tells me that if we have one of those ‘not quite
clicking’ games and Liverpool are the ones with their tail up then they’re
capable of walloping us too.
It’s so hard to call that I’m heading right down
the middle and calling it a draw. Who would be happier with that? Well most
certainly us away from home against these; it’s keeps us above them going into
the international break and it would mean no wins in 4 for Klopp’s men. Chelsea wouldn’t mind
that result also…
Last season’s,
corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Win
Result: Lost
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