…before a near-two-week break. It would be nice to go into that domestic gap with our 5th league win of the season ‘in the bag’.
 |
| Anfield |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11).
Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:
______________________________________________
Grealish__________________________________Jesus
____________________Foden_____________________
________De Bruyne_____________Silva____________
_____________________Rodri____________________
Cancelo_________________________________Walker
___________Laporte____________Dias_____________
____________________Ederson___________________
Subs: Steffen, Ake, Mbete, Stones, Fernandinho, Palmer, Mahrez, Sterling, Torres.
Ed in net.
A back 4 of Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & Kyle is arguably our best back line we can muster; John Stones’ form last season taken into consideration also.
In form Rodders is the deeper of our midfielders; Jack, Kevin, Phil Bernardo & Gabriel are the fluid, interchangeable midfielders / wingers / attackers ahead of him.
Zack is the reserve stopper; Nathen, Luke & John are the defensive replacement options in ‘the 9’. Fernandinho, Cole, Riyad, Raheem & Ferran are the midfield / wing / attacking back-ups from the side.
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko – Still injured, with an expected / hopeful return of-after the international break.
- Ilkay Gundogan – For Ilkay, read Oleksandr.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Result? Before a ball is kicked in the Premier League this weekend, our hosts stand top of the table; the only side undefeated, are the highest scorers and have the 3rd-best defensive record. Here’s a word I’ve used recently to describe our last 2 fixtures – toughie.
I’m not saying that all 4 players will start on Sunday but it goes without saying that Salah, Mane, Jota & Firmino are a highly talented, dangerous quartet to have to deal with. Their manager, Klopp, is also someone who can both highly motivate and set his side out to give any side a migraine – just ask Porto.
However, although I’ve also mentioned the fact that up to Friday, at least, they also have the 3rd-best defensive record in the league; they are a side who can be a little fragile at times at the back. In a fantastic game last weekend, Brentford breached their defences 3 times; had 1 disallowed for off-side, 1 just about cleared off the line and other chances to score too in a 3-3 thriller. AC Milan hit 2 passed ‘em at Anfield just 10 days before that and earlier on in the season, Chelsea’s single goal earned them a point…once again at Anfield.
We got beat in France on Wednesday night and although our final ball and finishing wasn’t the greatest and proved to be our undoing, really; I think the performance in general shows that we’ve still got ‘that swagger’ about us; we’re still in good form. Pick the right side, ride their inevitable ‘storm period’; fight for everything and play to OUR strengths and we too can come out of this with something.
Bring our absolute ‘A’ game’ and we can come back with all-3 points, as we did last season. I hope we do, of course, but I’m going for a ‘points shared’ tomorrow. It’s a draw from me.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game: It’s a good job that both sides like to play it on the floor, as there’s gonna be a steady & strong, westerly wind trying to find its way into the high-sided stadium. Other than that, it’s gonna be a fine & sunny day with a temperature of around 14/15C…although it might not feel like that in the stands with ‘it blowing in’ off the Irish Sea.
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