22 Aug 2021 23:34:02
Have to say I would drop Virgil next weekend. I am worried about him facing Lukaku after coming back from such a long injury and so early into the season. Don’t get me wrong I have no doubts a fully fit van Dijk would Marshall him out the game but this game has come around too early for my liking.

I’d probably play Konate and see if he can match up physicality wise. Last thing we want is Virgil going to war with Lukaku, probably toughest CF he will face all season and coming away with an injury.

What are other people’s thoughts?

{Ed0666's Note - great point. But to thrust Konate into a game of that magnitude on his debut will take some Cajunas. Virgil will get another week of training under his belt also. Interesting discussion tho.

1.) 23 Aug 2021
22 Aug 2021 23:56:43
Van Dijk needs these sort of games so he knows mentally he is back, Lukaku is no more physical than Ashley Barnes.

2.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 00:07:42
Isn't it usually Matip who does more of the man marking?

3.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 00:14:44
If anything I would rather see Konate come in for Matip if one of the CBs is being swapped.
Virgil was up against Wood and Barnes at the weekend and you won't find many more robust and physical players in the league.
Whilst Matip had a good game, you could see him losing out more often, physically, than Virgil.
Again, big call to make and, personally, I wouldn't change the CBs but if I had to, I would want to see Konate alongside Virgil.

4.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 00:52:08
VVD needs to face the lump to know he's back, instead of benching him and causing all types of doubts in he's head. Lukaku didn't do much after getting freebie by Arsenal. I doubt he'll even stand a chance against VVD, Hendo, Fab they will relish physical battle with the lump.

5.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 01:02:05
Two clean sheets in the first two games so keep going with the partnership until someone is injured. If klopp pulled VVD out to look after him then he shouldn’t have started the first game. It would send a no confidence signal to VVD and we don’t won’t that. Can you imagine how good VVD would feel if we got another clean sheet. It would be a massive confidence boost for him. Bring on Chelsea is say!

6.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 01:02:06
Lukaku was probably up against two of the weakest centre backs in the league today, and he’s have scored more if Ben white was playing. VVD and Matip are both experienced physically strong players, I think they can handle lukaku.

{Ed0666's Note - I think klopp will go with his tried and trusted 11, Ali, robbo, Matip, Virgil, Trent, hendo, Thiago, fab, Bobby, Mo and Sadio

7.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 01:51:30
Under the lights at Anfield Rom will remember he was once a Toffee and melt in front of the kop he will be exposed as a flake, big Virg will have his number don't worry we're destined for greatness again.

8.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 02:09:42
I tnk we won't rush Robbo and play tsimi.

{Ed0666's Note - to be honest mate I think robbo will play simply because if he’s fit he’s the boss man at left wing back.

9.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 03:18:08
Vvd would be dying to face someone like lukaku. If he gets a good game and pockets him the confidence will be great and the best defender in the world will be back.

10.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 08:21:15
OP, so you would drop VVD and put in Konate who will be a rookie to go against a very experienced Lukaku? How do you work that out exactly? You will literally make us weaker right at the off and then literally show Chelsea we are scared of them and give the psychological advantage to them right before kickoff.

Also, could it be that Klopp has been playing VVD all this time to get him fit cos he actually knows that he will need him ready to face Lukaku in this game? Surely, that thought must have crossed your mind or did it not? No need to be scared, mate cos I know VVD is relishing such a challenge and so am I. If anything, you should be excited to see VVD go against Lukaku, a guy gehad shut down several times before, to see where he’s at.

11.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 08:23:41
Agree with that read Ed066 - that’s Klopps top team against the strong opposition.

12.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 08:56:14
People seem to be forgetting Konate has played in the champions league and we spent big money on his arrival. Yes he is not as good as Virgil but he should be more than equipped to play in this game. He has the physicality and speed to cope with Lukaku.

Re Virgil agree with everyone’s posts re confidence etc but for me and I’m sure him there is no doubt he can deal with Lukaku. Just saying it’s a long season and if he’s not 100% no need to risk him. He has strolled through the last few games. Yes he won headers vs Burnley but I’ve yet to see him sprint full throttle etc. Will be interesting. If he comes through unscathed of course it’s a great decision but not worth the risk for me when we’ve just signed a 30 mil plus CB.

13.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 10:17:15
Tried and tested XI with the first choice midfield we haven’t seen play, providing Fabinho is of sound mind and gives his consent to play. All those boys will be right up for it and will handle the occasion. All of them appear to be playing their way into form and it’s too big a game to be throwing in the likes of Tsimikas, Elliott, Keita, Jota or Konate. Firmino and Thiago will keep the ball moving nicely and we can always bring Jota off the bench to get us a goal if things get sticky.

14.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 12:34:26
Nah. It's the beginning of the season and it's time to start placing markers down. You win games as much with psychology as you do with the feet. Our best against their best. Let the best win. Go with our best 11, (the lineup the Ed suggested above) and give it our best shot. Aside from winning UCL with Pep's help and cooperation, they haven't got much else. 😂 A new lump is still a lump.

{Ed025's Note - so you drop jota for bobby ArAy? and tsimikas for robbo?, what does that say to the rest of the squad mate...even if you play and do really well you will be dropped for one of klopps favourites in the big games?..

15.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 12:45:54
Joshkel91, we know it is a long season and Klopp has said he will be resting VVD a lot more than pre injury BUT this is the start of the season where VVD needs to be playing so why test him in a big game cos you are scared? If you don’t want him to struggle at all then the solution is simple: Don’t play him at all and all your fears can be laid to rest.

IMO, Konate could struggle even more cos that would be his first game in the PL and why would you want to kill his confidence should he have a poor game cos you’re scared that VVD will struggle. I don’t get it.

This is football and VVD needs to be playing to get fit and he won’t dichtst by NOT playing or not playing in big games cos “big, bad Lukaku” will be playing. Not sure what that has got to do with anything this early in the season.

16.) 23 Aug 2021
23 Aug 2021 12:49:20
If he's fit he's fit. He's played 2 games now and coasted through them, he's had a long recovery process and wasn't rushed. I'm sure virj will be fine.