02 Dec 2016 02:48:04
Banter.
Some managers, klopp included choose to field 'a youthful'or second string side' in the league cup games and I personally love it. That said, how does the group feel when you reach the semis or final and have a chance to win it? Stick with the kids as they got you there and deserve the respect OR play your first team understanding it may give you a better chance at a trophy?
Is there a 'code of honor' between managers to stick with the kids?
Happy to hear what the group thinks.

I just find it almost rude when Jose plays a full strength squad against say a second string Chelsea squad as what happened earlier this year. But then again, rarely does a manager take heat for winning some silverware.

BTW as a yank this is rarely an issue as our Traditional sports don't have cups Julie st regular season games.

1.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 06:24:33
Difficult 1 to call, but I my money is that the "kids" might be happy with the idea knowing the team stands abetter chance of winning with a "stronger side" which they will also benefit from with winners medals and all. On the other hand I could be wrong and they might feel as if they not good enuf. Down to how Klopp handles the subjective situation.

2.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 06:50:06
Now that we are in the semis I would go full strength. We are the strongest team left in the cup and it is a chance for klopp to get his first trophy.

3.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 07:01:57
There´s nothing rude about being serious about a competition?

4.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 07:23:55
We exist to win trophies. It has been way too long since that feeling. Win the trophy then discuss the options later. The kids will get their chances in time.

5.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 07:28:54
I think a mix of both. TAA for instance has done extremely well so should keep his place. First teamers who are on bpl periphery like Can, Moreno, klavan etc could/ should be replaced by matip, hendo and Milner.

6.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 07:52:15
I would go with a full strength squad, even though a mix of the first and second teams would also be fair enough. It's a team sport. If one player scores the winning goal, the whole team wins (on and off the pitch) . If a goalie let's in the losing goal, the whole team loses. So individual glories and defeats should be secondary. People remember only the titles and the years in which they were won. The players in the team get pushed into the fine print.

7.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 09:08:38
I think I'd go half and half in the first leg and then see what needs to be done in the second leg. If we're losing then go strong.

8.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 10:01:07
Id say go full strength, Southamptons not a bad team and could upset us. I want to win the cup and believe we can, we're better then all 3 teams in it so to be we have to win it. Of course it all goes on the day.

I would include Woodburn and Trent, even if it's just for one half or something they need to be part of it in my opinion. I wouldn't play Moreno or Klaven at this stage, Moreno for me hasn't changed much and Klaven worry's me at times, I really don't know why we got him in, he's backup at best, I want to see Gomez back. Migs is debatable, but personally i'd prefer Karius. Hendo has to be on, as does Milner, Matip, and the rest of the starters should they be fit.

9.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 10:45:49
Klopp will put out a team that he thinks will beat the team we are playing. Simple as that really.

10.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 11:25:52
Arsenal fielded the kids the other day and got a decent hammering from a full strength Southampton. Klopp would field a full a strength team which will include some youngsters as we will have UTD away immediately after the league cup tie.

11.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 12:40:40


arsenal team - martinez, jenkinson, gabriel paulista, holding, gibbs, coquelin, elneny, ramsey, reine adelaide, iwobi, perez. imo only martinez, holding and reine adelaide could be considered "kids" - if you want to argue iwobi then i won't fight too hard but my point being that there 3/ 4 "kids" max in that team.

southamton team included the likes of martina, yoshida, reed and mcqueen - these are certainly not full strength players mate.

it's clear both teams mixed experience with youth and southampton came out on top.

12.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 13:07:27
The rule in any game is to send out a squad that you believe is capable of winning it no matter who the opposition decide to field from their squad. If that means kids then great, so much the better and so much the better for the future. If you do not believe that you can play them and win then you can't play them.

13.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 16:15:39
The Saints made 6/ 7 changes in the team that beat Arsenal so neither team were at full strength. As for us, the young players know what time it is and know they probably won`t play in the semis nor the final. They are definitely already happy for the chance given to them to perform and know they did well enough to get more chances going forward, which they more than deserve after their brilliant performances. As a young player, you just wanna play and it doesn`t matter what competition you`re in.

14.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 16:25:41
Early stages play the youngsters but by the semis we should be playing full strength apart from perhaps a couple of slots for players that have been on fire in earlier legs. I'd play Origi and perhaps TAA.

15.) 02 Dec 2016
02 Dec 2016 17:14:11
I think if young players contribute to the team getting to a semi-final then they deserve the chance to play in the semi-final. I'm not saying field a completely inexperienced team but that the youth players deserve a chance - how are they supposed to get used to pressure and expectation if you withdraw them at the first sight of it. I'd be bold and put a few youngsters in the team - you can always use substitutions if it doesn't work out.

{Ed025's Note - im with you seano..