ECHO Comment: "Fears of Witch-hunt Against Liverpool FC" part 3

[Brisan123]

I said earlier, I dont think even Benitez did this. Cant recall anything Dalglish said either.

I know there was the small team comment. It was a bit dumb but I dont think he actually meant any offence by it (he was just referring to tactics in a 2nd language). Its not even derby game next and they are winding themselves into a fury. Hopefully Ancelotti is sensible enough to throw something out about player safety before the match.

In honesty if they want to spend the game trying to kick us, great. Their improved record stems back to Houllier telling them not to do that. The game being broken up, lots of green kicks, yellow cards and maybe a sending off will suit us.

Dont expect James to play though! I'd have a midfield 3 of Allan, Doucoure and Davies with the 4 CBs.

I would do that with Digne and James wide and Ricarlson up top
Flood the midfield ,stop the long balls and the idea balls and hit them on the break
This is not a game for Siggy or Gomes

 

[the sniderman]

hello buddies we should all be fearful for what wrath they will have in storm for our beloved everton this saturday. it seems speculation of their demise was v premature and now u must pay.

 

[catcherintherye]

They really will be (possibly evens your pick V psg) but everyone else they will be strong favourites against

I repeat - Im not suggesting they should be; but the odds will have them as favourites

Well if you use betting odds to detirmine favourites then yes, probably. I mean the fact that betting companies go with where the money goes, and we will presumably using ones in England, where Liverpool are probably the most financially backed club on the market then yes it will likely distort the market in their favour.

In the real world, as to who is or who isn't favourites, they start as underdogs.

More people in a county road ladbrokes will back Everton to beat City tonight, that won't make us favourites.

 

[catcherintherye]

I would do that with Digne and James wide and Ricarlson up top
Flood the midfield ,stop the long balls and the idea balls and hit them on the break
This is not a game for Siggy or Gomes

I wouldn't start James. He will be kicked left right and centre. Maybe bring him on when the game slows. I'd have either Iwobi wide right, ir Richarlison is Calvert Lewin is fit off the right.

 

[catcherintherye]

I cant believe that's true. IIRC United in 2009 weren't that far off from being the bookies choice against a Barcelona team in their pomp. There must be a lot of examples like that.

If the betting shops are based in the UK, then they will reflect that market. And yes, United were heavy favourites against Barcelona, almost to the degree it was treated as a formality.

 

[catcherintherye]

Pretty much bang on as a prediction. You can never rule them out in Europe, but they are so far off the class of the majority left in the competition it's almost a done deal...especially with no fans (even the best opposition believe the Anfield BS sometimes and fold).

I think they'll get top 4 and wont trouble the SF stages of the CL if drawn against a top team.

The worst case for them, is they get to like the semi's, where it's almost inevitable they get one of City, PSG, Bayern, Madrid x 2 and get bounced out, but Klopp has stuck all his eggs in that basket. At that point, it will probably be too late to turn around.

They are dangerous as underdogs though. I mean on paper this lot are better than the 2005 lot, and there is always a game where a Milan, or a Barca throw a game they had on the bag down the river or they get given crap like Spurs to defeat in the final. I mean I always thought they were the worst finalists ever in 2007, but honestly I think Spurs have taken that title from them, a truly pathetic final that for the alleged biggest game in football. It would have been underwhelming as a league cup final.

But I digress, there is always a big bottle job that can happen, and then all the best teams knocking each other out to give a side like Spurs in the final. In that world they are a threat.

As a final aside, while I think there "no fans has killed us" (it hasn't, in honesty given how they've bottled the league, facing opposing fans goading them more in away games woud have seen even more defeats away from home) I do think in European games it may make some difference. In the league, with the epetation of winning it, Anfield would be a toxic place now and would compound the problems. However in Europe it would probably make some difference.

They seem to get away with a lot more in terms of hooliganism as well. I know for a layer of their fans, the opportunity to act like Millwall again, away from the thankfully sanitised Premier League is an opportunity they rarely pass up. So they can create something of an advantage. Without their fans (or more appropriately NF style hooligans whipping up a xenophobic cauldron against "forins") that is a big disadvantage.

 

[davek]

The worst case for them, is they get to like the semi's, where it's almost inevitable they get one of City, PSG, Bayern, Madrid x 2 and get bounced out, but Klopp has stuck all his eggs in that basket. At that point, it will probably be too late to turn around.

They are dangerous as underdogs though. I mean on paper this lot are better than the 2005 lot, and there is always a game where a Milan, or a Barca throw a game they had on the bag down the river or they get given crap like Spurs to defeat in the final. I mean I always thought they were the worst finalists ever in 2007, but honestly I think Spurs have taken that title from them, a truly pathetic final that for the alleged biggest game in football. It would have been underwhelming as a league cup final.

But I digress, there is always a big bottle job that can happen, and then all the best teams knocking each other out to give a side like Spurs in the final. In that world they are a threat.

As a final aside, while I think there "no fans has killed us" (it hasn't, in honesty given how they've bottled the league, facing opposing fans goading them more in away games woud have seen even more defeats away from home) I do think in European games it may make some difference. In the league, with the epetation of winning it, Anfield would be a toxic place now and would compound the problems. However in Europe it would probably make some difference.

They seem to get away with a lot more in terms of hooliganism as well. I know for a layer of their fans, the opportunity to act like Millwall again, away from the thankfully sanitised Premier League is an opportunity they rarely pass up. So they can create something of an advantage. Without their fans (or more appropriately NF style hooligans whipping up a xenophobic cauldron against "forins") that is a big disadvantage.

Tbf, this lot are dependent on the front three getting them anywhere. The rest of the team are bang average (despite all the 'world best in their position' BS).

Missing VVD's stature in European games will be decisive alone.

They go out next round in the CL - failing that, defo the SF - and they are one game away from being out of the title race (tonight's game with us and City).

 

[catcherintherye]

Tbf, this lot are dependent on the front three getting them anywhere. The rest of the team are bang average (despite all the 'world best in their position' BS).

Missing VVD's stature in European games will be decisive alone.

They go out next round in the CL - failing that, defo the SF - and they are one game away from being out of the title race (tonight's game with us and City).

Forget the title mate. Thats done. They tamely surrendered that weeks ago.

 

[mahermi1]

I wouldn't start James. He will be kicked left right and centre. Maybe bring him on when the game slows. I'd have either Iwobi wide right, ir Richarlison is Calvert Lewin is fit off the right.

I definitely would, we need someone to create or score a goal, absolutely pointless going for a 0-0 with Man City.
Alan, Doucoure and Davies can make up for his shortcomings defensively. Besides, he was putting tackles in and won a fair few balls against Fulham.

 

[catcherintherye]

I definitely would, we need someone to create or score a goal, absolutely pointless going for a 0-0 with Man City.
Alan, Doucoure and Davies can make up for his shortcomings defensively. Besides, he was putting tackles in and won a fair few balls against Fulham.

It's fair enough mate. 0-0 could be our best chance, and then a goal from a set peice as they are quite a big team.

 

[Seathestars]

My God, pass me the sick bag, these people forget what a terrible stain on English football these really are.
From Heysel to being declared the worst behaved fans in Europe, Fanta scruff, wank Buddha, ticket robbing, Michael Shields and so on and so on

The Guardian, Jonathan Liew

As Liverpool skipped and manoeuvred their way past a beautiful but brittle Leipzig in a thrilling, highly-strung last-16 first leg, it was possible to glimpse a vision of the game’s near future, or very possibly its present.

Daringly high full-backs, breathtaking switches in play, goalkeepers venturing halfway to the centre circle, a gripping 90-minute struggle for territory and momentum: perhaps this is just what football looks like now, at least at its elite end.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Tbf, this lot are dependent on the front three getting them anywhere. The rest of the team are bang average (despite all the 'world best in their position' BS).

Missing VVD's stature in European games will be decisive alone.

They go out next round in the CL - failing that, defo the SF - and they are one game away from being out of the title race (tonight's game with us and City).

Never ever write them off in this competition. The normal rules don’t apply. In the space of a few weeks we’ve seen top defenders like Dias and Upemacano mess up routine clearances against them that they’ve probably never messed up in their career before and won’t again. Liverpool could play a long ball from their goalkeeper that would’ve swept up by a Sunday league defence yet find that its bizarrely bamboozled some of the best defences in Europe when it comes to CL knockout. Until they’re out they are always a massive threat in this. Hopefully they draw PSG or Bayern in the next round and I’d be a bit more confident they’ve got too much for Liverpool over two legs without crowds. I don’t want another all English affair where Liverpool take advantage of UEfA’s hatred of City or Chelsea whilst the real top sides are slugging it out against each other.

 

[Brisan123]

They really will be (possibly evens your pick V psg) but everyone else they will be strong favourites against

I repeat - Im not suggesting they should be; but the odds will have them as favourites

Thats because the British media will hype them up and all the gobshites will back them
Bookies do not care who the best team is ,just who the money is going on
Bookies made a fortune when Leicester won the league at 1000-1 (even thought they paid out a fair few bets )because all the money was on the sky 6

 

[number4.]

I cant believe that's true. IIRC United in 2009 weren't that far off from being the bookies choice against a Barcelona team in their pomp. There must be a lot of examples like that.

endless examples of the non favourite winning games, but my point here is in big ties, the money down the local bookies is irrelevant- the odds are not influenced by that kind of small volume.
Re 2009, an interesting argument- bear in mind the semis - Barca fluked their way past Chelsea that year, to the best of my memory, which would have had huge influence on odds

many back on topic, enjoy your day lads

 

[degsy]

It'll be the owners priority. The manager and players I doubt very much. They look like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders in the PL and cast that off in the CL there tonight.

Should have said 'protect' rather than 'rested': Klopp will defo protect his front 3 at least until the first QF leg is done early April (get Jota back and play one of Salah, Firmino, Mane - keep them on the bench if needed).

They can do that and keep in touch at the very least with the top 4/5.

CL will get their utmost attention.

Maybe not.
They should see off Leipzig, so a good portion of the CL earnings are in the bank.
Come 5th or lower and there's NO money next season to help with 2 seasons expected massive losses.