03 Apr 2018 10:11:17
I think our midfield can out work city and I think our forwards can out play city's defence. The one position I am worried about is young trent at rb. Its been great watching him progress this year. That free kick (against hoffenhiem? ) in the ucl was sheer class but he has been done a lot by the flick on. What do people see as our options at rb or with a different system 343. No gomez so I don't see a right back. Milner is a possible I guess, Can is injured, if he was fit I would play him at rb. Clyne is unfit and average, although I have seen him play brilliantly for us in the past, not anywhere near often enough though. Maybe moreno could come across to rb but in fairness I'd rather have trent than moreno (fair play to moreno, his form was pretty good in the first half of the season) I actually think gini wjilnadum could do a job at right back and I would seriously consider playing him against city. If not in the 1st leg then definitely in the second if we h a very a lead to defend.

1.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 10:54:51
Wjilnadum can't play well in his desired position nevermind RB.

2.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 10:57:22
Neither Can nor Wijnaldum have the speed to counter Leroy Sane. Milner is a possibility, not because he is any faster, but rather his experience and willingness to make hard tackles. I think the best option is still Arnold, while hoping that he's more focused on the defensive side of his play and doesn't make too many errors.

How we do in midfield depends on whether Hendo is playing or not. Despite being average in recent games, I still trust him more than Can or Wijnaldum to put a shift in, given the importance of the game.

3.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 11:16:42
If we lose on wed night it won't be down to TAA it will be down to the team as a whole. Same as if we win it, it would need to be an almighty team effort. For me let's just keep TAA there and let the lad put any doubts to bed. Even if he makes mistakes it's how these young players learn and grow. Dropping him out of the team could have a way bigger effect on him than just letting him prove his doubters wrong.

4.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 11:38:03
As much as I'm an advocate of Clyne the only realistic option is TAA. Have Clyne on the bench so if TAA is having a mare we can change it.

5.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 12:02:56
Arnold can learn in other games imo, not the Champions league quarter final.

6.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 12:58:41
Nostradamus who would be your choice at Rb then?

7.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 13:15:39
Its not looking good to be honest, if TAA struggled so badly against Zaha, he will really struggle against Sane.

Clyne is not an option as he has been out of the first team for months and throwing him back into a Champions League Quater Final against one of the best teams this year is suicide.

With Gomez and Matip injured there is very little option to change the formation to accomodate either.

The only safe option would be to play Milner as people above have mentioned. If not then we better hope TAA steps up his game tomorrow as Sane will punish us down the right if he plays like he has been recently.

8.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 13:23:26
There is no other option BUT to play TAA, I'm sorry. Milner is of no use there and Clyne playing after having not played at all at this level in 9 months vs Sane is pure suicide. TAA is the one who is playing consistently and is match fit to go all 95 minutes regardless of his errors which IMO, he is not helped by those around him esp. with strollers like Matip and VVD. TAA will play and all Klopp has to do is to devise a way to never leave him isolated with Sane 90% of the time. I know, easier said than done BUT we have to try.

9.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 13:37:12
TAA beside Lovren is going to be a lot more supported than TAA beside Matip, in my opinion. He's a young boy, he needs guiding through the game at times, and i think Lovren is better at that than Matip is.

I have no worries about playing TAA against Man City. Gomez would be the only other option if he was fit, and Gomez got caught out against City last time anyway. Players have good games, players have bad games, but you can't just dump players for looking a little shaky in recent weeks, especially for someone who's hardly played that position in their careers.

10.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 14:07:52
Love that post, Rugby. That is exactly what I think as Lovren takes a lot more responsibility than Matip or VVD does and like you, not worried about TAA vs City either cos he has the right temperament and attitude to handle the pressure. If he did not then Klopp would never have played him at all.

11.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 14:45:21
If you think that Zaha and Rashford made mincemeat of TAA then what do you think an actual top class winger like Sane will do to him? Sorry, but this isn’t the game for TAA. He will be easily exploited by City. And to think otherwise is somewhere between stupid and naive.

12.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 14:05:45
I’m not sure city will use the big ball up for a flick on? But maybe the one diagnosis over the top so it’s maybe even harder to defend?

13.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 16:21:49
I wish people would just back the young lad. He's played there all season and we're 3rd in prem and in the quarters of the Champions League. Each of the goals that he has been at fault for, at least one other player has also been and he's getting the flack. It'll be a team win or loss anyway. Remember at Anfield when Sane scored and Gomez got caught under the flight? We still won didn't we? The best players are always the ones you can't use.

14.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 19:09:46
Well said WRKD. The only way TAA is going to become the player we all want him to be and has the potential to be is by playing in games like this, against opponents like Leroy Sane. He will gain valuable experience from playing in the Champions League. He’s a young lad learning his trade. Let him get on and learn it but that also means learning from mistakes he will make along the way.

15.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 19:37:12
Spot on, WKRD. If you blame any player who made the last mistake out of the calamity of mistakes that happened before that then that is a very myopic and shallow way of analysing the game. Agreed that TAA should have at least done his job BUT ignoring the crap show that happened before him with Matip and VVD just ball watching on the first one that Karius saved and how Matip and Hendo just allowed Benteke to beat both of them on the second flick to me, is disingenuous. Back the lad and let him go play and if people think he or our defence will not be caught out once by City in 95 mins then, I propose you don't watch the game cos you'll be crapping your pants all game long with every City incursion.

16.) 03 Apr 2018
03 Apr 2018 20:06:27
TAA is learning every game, and he is due another epic performance. I believe we will see it tomorrow, mark my words.