The Merseyside Derby Build Up Thread

[efcfanwirral]

At least on paper it's two evenly matched teams going at it and we have home advantage so there's no excuse for not giving them a game.

I despair at the thought of Gareth Barry plodding around on Saturday night though, chasing shadows and giving away stupid free kicks all over the place. Despise the way he's first name on that team sheet.

I doubt you'll need to worry about seeing him for long...unfortunately there will be but a shadow in his place once he's sent off.

 

[tommye]

I have all week and can't eat.

same



4kin hate them

 

[davidloach]

Please don't let stevie me score. Don't think I will be able to stomach it. Who am I kidding, it's nailed on anyway

 

[The Equaliser]

I hope Martinez decides to give them a physical game because otherwise we could be battered.

With Coutinho in his present form any faffing around in our own half could be severely punished as they will cut through us.

The performance can go out the window for this one as long as we fluke the result, get the 3 points, and build confidence for the upcoming games.

It's Gerrard's last game at GP so first use of the soap in the visitor's bath would be an ideal leaving present.

 

[mkrudden]

Just had a quick chat with one of my mates who's a red.

Discussing Lennon, he then quickly reverts back to "we will still definitely beat you".

It's THAT which makes them favourites in every derby, and I'm not talking about kopite fans being kopites, it's that you know the Liverpool players feel that confidence too. That psychological advantage.

It means we enjoy a victory far more than they will, but I'm not sure it's a good thing.

Don't get me wrong, I'm hoping we win on Saturday first and foremost, but I'd love us to do it in a day which lays down a marker. Last season at GP was great because whatever they threw at us we matched and should have won, but that was followed up by a drubbing and return to type at their place.

Big opportunity to show we are back on track in the league, but also to show Liverpool that the days of them having it all their own way are gone.

Oh Jesus, I feel sick.

 

[EireBlue]

Go through every emotion possible on Derby week, 1 day it's "we'll smash these" and the next "we'll bottle it again" while also thinking about every situation and every type of goal we could score and going into a daydream of us scoring an injury time winner. No matter what the result though after every Derby I'm left with a feeling of immense pride that I'm not one of them.

 

[bluemangroup]

I would happily sacrifice principled passing football for high intensity pressing football.

 

[mrb85]

Anyone else watching the RS tonight? Liking watching a physical team beat them off the ball.

Looking forward to Saturday. As usual, my optimism has returned just in time. It'll be enhanced by many pints in the Winslow before the game, and then it'll be up to the Blues from there

Police permitting.

 

[kithnou]

Please don't let stevie me score. Don't think I will be able to stomach it. Who am I kidding, it's nailed on anyway

put your money on it...

 

[Kendall's Dream]

McCarthy out it seems. Would have been surprised to see him start if I'm honest. Might not be ready match fit also but I would have liked to see Besic, Barry, McCarthy as a 3. Did liverpool get any injuries tonight? Saw Markovic go off but I don't think thats a huge miss myself.

 

[mrb85]

At least on paper it's two evenly matched teams going at it and we have home advantage so there's no excuse for not giving them a game.

I despair at the thought of Gareth Barry plodding around on Saturday night though, chasing shadows and giving away stupid free kicks all over the place. Despise the way he's first name on that team sheet.

Play a 3 man defensive MF (Barry, McCarthy and Besic) then Barry wouldn't be getting turned inside out and end up giving away endless free kicks. Them three together would block all the quick one touch stuff down the middle from Sturridge , Coutinho and Sterling in a way that just two of them couldn't. We'd then rely on our own attacking 2 MFs of Mirallas and Barkley to worry their defence and supply Lukaku. Game won.

 

[mkrudden]

Play a 3 man defensive MF (Barry, McCarthy and Besic) then Barry wouldn't be getting turned inside out and end up giving away endless free kicks. Them three together would block all the quick one touch stuff down the middle from Sturridge , Coutinho and Sterling in a way that just two of them couldn't. We'd then rely on our own attacking 2 MFs of Mirallas and Barkley to worry their defence and supply Lukaku. Game won.

Agrees but I'd start with either Naismith ahead of Barkley to really kill Liverpools game or Lennon to run at that joke of a defender Sakho.

Bring Barkley on as they tire

 

[bilyaletdinov_]

i'd start:

Robles
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
Besic Barkley McCarthy
Lennon Lukaku Mirallas
​

Barkley would have to be disciplined but playing 3 DM's would just be too negative, at least he can join the attacks

 

[Mrtallywacker]

Ephesians 6:16
In all circumstances take up the blue shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil kopites.

 

[dannyboy]

Play a 3 man defensive MF (Barry, McCarthy and Besic) then Barry wouldn't be getting turned inside out and end up giving away endless free kicks. Them three together would block all the quick one touch stuff down the middle from Sturridge , Coutinho and Sterling in a way that just two of them couldn't. We'd then rely on our own attacking 2 MFs of Mirallas and Barkley to worry their defence and supply Lukaku. Game won.

I think the tactics of suffocating their attack are spot on. Sitting back and defending as a solid unit is exactly how to beat Liverpool.

Definitely wouldn't be playing Barkley in that system though, he gets isolated and easily marked out the game. Naismith won't let us down, type of player that comes up with a goal in this game.