Your team v Sparta Praha (Europa League Last 16, 1st leg)
Well, a win in the FA Cup had the knock-on effect of a rescheduled tie against Everton. As a direct result of this, only 2 of our remaining matches before the international break would be League games.
One away tie at Nottingham Forest and the small matter of hosting Man City at Anfield.
Courtesy of a 99th-minute winner by Darwin Núñez, we have extended our lead at the top of the League table.
We also, rather mercifully, are beginning to get players back - and have about as long a rest as we will get for a while (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) before our Europa clash to get some rehabilitation in for those lads who need it.
The Europa is a welcome distraction for some and a waste of energy for others. Whatever you make of it, it is a trophy that we haven't won under Klopp and as Smeagol/Gollum might say, "we wants it" - but we know there is risk with a Quad attempt.
Some will advocate starting a weakened side and bringing on subs, whilst others will suggest going in strong and bringing lads - either strategy is there with a view to getting as much of the job done as possible ahead of the return leg at Anfield.
As ever, in this thread at least, it's your call - you're the Manager.
..........................Kelleher
Bradley.......Quansah....Van Dijk....Tsimikas
...........................Endo
.........Szoboszlai............Mac Allister
.........Diaz........Núñez........Gakpo
My side probably looks very strong on paper, especially ahead of the Man City game - but I'll say 2 things on it. Firstly, I would absolutely want to see us make use of all our subs - as many of these lads as possible should be seeing 45-60 minutes (and not more) as we can realistically afford - our midfield especially must be handled with care and lads brought off where possible. Secondly, a good performance here might be just the feel-good factor we want to ride into the Man City match.
Suspect Klopp will go with a "weaker" team than this and that's absolutely fine - so curious to see what he picks. As long as some of Endo, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai get brought off as we go (Gakpo and Gomez into midfield if we must for the last 30 - whatever works) and players like Núñez don't get 90 minutes (maybe Van Dijk only playing one half too) I'm content as we really ought to be dominating possession and controlling this one after we weather the initial hostile atmosphere. We should be "resting on the ball" where humanly possible.
Looking forward to it. Every match in the League is "must-win" right now and this format represents a comparative breather - we could lose 2-0 here and I'd back us to get a 3-0 at Anfield and the relative lack of pressure should produce a good game.
Your hobbies are rollerblading and you're also a bit of a rat-hound? Steel Wool
Sid knows he's crazy and he likes it. Balinkay
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Originally Posted by miller0863
