Pranks is slacking so I'm doing the Match Thread for the first and last time
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Tuesday, January 31, 2017 – 8pm (GMT)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Preview
It would be an overstatement to say that Liverpool’s season is over if they lose to Chelsea, but it will certainly feel like it.
A truly disastrous January has seen Jurgen Klopp‘s side win just once in eight matches, losing ground at the top of the table and being knocked out of both domestic cup competitions.
It is a run of form that nobody saw coming before Christmas, and they must get back on track before the swell of negativity becomes unbearable.
Tuesday’s visit of Chelsea provides Liverpool with the perfect chance to respond in style, and move into February with some momentum.
A win would be such a huge result, and while their title chances would still remain slim, it would definitely be a big statement of intent.
Antonio Conte’s men have won 18 of their 22 league games this season, and three more points at Anfield would surely suggest that they are all but champions.
Liverpool will have to be at their very best to get the better of the west Londoners – a level they haven’t reached since November.
Showdowns with Chelsea are always spicy affairs, but this one feels particularly big. The Reds have to win, in what is their biggest game of 2016/17 to date.
Key players have to perform, Klopp must nail his team selection and the Anfield crowd needs to produce the kind of atmosphere it is famed for.
Last Meeting: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool.
Team News :
The big news for Liverpool is that Sadio Mane has returned, after his penalty miss saw Senegal knocked out of the Africa Cup on Nations on Saturday.
Whether the speedy forward is both mentally and physically ready remains to be seen, but just having him back in the squad is a huge boost.
Both Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are still not really doing enough to warrant starting in big matches, but one may be given a chance.
Robert Firmino is fine to play, with his court case for drink driving pushed back a day, and Adam Lallana is fit.
Nathaniel Clyne could well miss out, with Trent Alexander-Arnold filling in again at right-back, while Ovie Ejaria is an long-term absentee after suffering an ankle injury against Wolves.
Chelsea have been very fortunate with injuries all season, and Conte has all of his key names available. In fact, not a single squad member is on the treatment table.
The Blues’ team virtually picks itself, with their 3-5-2 formation seeing Marcus Alonso and former Liverpool man Victor Moses thriving as wing-backs, N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic in midfield and Eden Hazard and Pedro playing off Diego Costa.
Line ups:
Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino
Subs: Karius, Klavan, Moreno, Lucas, Mane, Origi, Sturridge
Chelsea: Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso; Willian, Diego Costa, Hazard
Subs: Begovic, Terry, Zouma, Chalobah, Fabregas, Pedro, Batshuayi
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1
posted on 31/1/17
Seen him plenty of times for Holland, impressive player.
posted on 31/1/17
I thought it was a good game.
We had a bit more control of the ball but Chelsea always looked threatening, especially when Pedro and Fabregas were on.
We caused them problems with direct balls rather than our usual fast incisive play.
Still unbeaten in games against the other 'big 6' which is a great effort.
Our best team performance for a while and now we need to get back to bread and butter and win at Hull at the weekend to show the corner has been turned.
posted on 31/1/17
comment by Georgi Neo Wijnaldum (U9135)
posted less than a minute ago
Seen him plenty of times for Holland, impressive player.
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I've literally never seen the guy live. And I suspect there are a few others saying we should buy him in the same position.
posted on 31/1/17
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 3 hours, 8 minutes ago
comment by Goofy One (U16087)
posted about a minute ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 3 minutes ago
Hi guys, beat them please
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Lol why u not winning the league
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Need a helping hand (or feet)
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I thought I will dig this up again
posted on 31/1/17
posted less than a minute ago
Seen him plenty of times for Holland, impressive player.
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I've literally never seen the guy live. And I suspect there are a few others saying we should buy him in the same position.
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Only for Holland but when I watched him he has like most Dutch players good techncial abilty and some pace, not as much as Mane but enough to unsettle the opposition, also has a good goal ratio for a winger.......
posted on 31/1/17
comment by Aggers Right Elbow (U3402)
posted 5 minutes ago
posted less than a minute ago
Seen him plenty of times for Holland, impressive player.
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I've literally never seen the guy live. And I suspect there are a few others saying we should buy him in the same position.
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Only for Holland but when I watched him he has like most Dutch players good techncial abilty and some pace, not as much as Mane but enough to unsettle the opposition, also has a good goal ratio for a winger.......
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Great generic description. Or is that the scouting report you put into the club, and are mad at them because they don't buy the players you ask for?
posted on 1/2/17
comment by Igor Biscan's Missing Goal Celebration (U15416)
posted about 2 hours ago
comment by Georgi Neo Wijnaldum (U9135)
posted less than a minute ago
Seen him plenty of times for Holland, impressive player.
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I've literally never seen the guy live. And I suspect there are a few others saying we should buy him in the same position.
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Of course most haven't. Look at the stats. He's played about 220mins of competitive football for holland and a handful of friendly games.
Most people will throw his name out there coz he was linked by some red top.
posted on 1/2/17
comment by Pâî§Lë¥'š _P䆆ê®ÑëÐ_ÐrÊåm§ (U1541)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
Liverpool over the 90 mins.were the better team.
Twattenberg gave the free kick that never was and Firmino missued two sitters.
I did feel the game changed a bit after Cesc came on, but overall I thought we played quite well.
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It was a blatant free kick. You guys were definitely the better team on the night. There were long periods in the game where we struggled to put 2 passes together. Frustrating game.
posted on 1/2/17
Am Dutch and not at all impressed by Promes. He has played 15 games for te Dutch national team and only scored twice, both goals in his last international game against the mighty Belarus. All the Dutch football pundits were wondering why he was being selected every time by the coach ofe national team as his footy was quite poor (this is me being English so very understated). Apparently he's doing well in the Russian league but no idea what that is worth in the PL. Think this would just be another team player bought, who will not help winter league, and would rather save the pennies for one player who would really improve us
posted on 1/2/17
comment by Goofy One (U16087)
posted 10 hours, 43 minutes ago
comment by 1maneontherun (U4291)
posted 45 seconds ago
Did I do ok today Pranks?
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are u talking about ur two bedroom activities
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Don't judge us until you've met us and joined in