Toulouse (H) - EL Grp E, Thurs 26th Oct 2023 (8:00pm)

[Trumo]

Work-rate. Incisiveness. Nous.

 

I don't ask for much.

 

This is how it's gonna be. Build from the ground up.

 

The Europa League show continues with a chance to cement top spot in the group with a win over the French side in the first of a double-header. Bit of a curious game this, as RedBird own 85% of the French club as well as having a significant stake in FSG. With the likes of City and Chelsea's owners buying up other European clubs and being more directly linked, UEFA have their hands full in preventing such an obvious conflict of interest. Looking at the Toulouse squad and coach, I haven't heard of a single one of them. The only familiar name in their set-up is a certain Damian Comolli, who is their president. Amazing what a mediocre career as a director of football gets you.

 

We met Toulouse in a Champions League qualifier in 2007. The away leg finished 1-0 so it was a case of seeing out the job back at Anfield as professionally as possible to qualify for the group stage. Rafa had started growing a goatee, we had new American owners, plan for a new stadium on Stanley Park had been unveiled, and we'd spent money on the likes of Torres, Babel and Benayoun. We eased to a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Crouchie, Big Sami and 2 from Dirk as Stevie sat this one out. The night is best remembered for the Z-Cars theme being played before kick-off as the family of Rhys Jones were invited onto the pitch. The shooting of the young Bloo days earlier had united a city in grief as colours were put aside.

 

I'd expect Jurgen to put out similar sides to the first 2 group games. We are still without the likes of Baj, Thiago and Robbo. Cody might be available for the bench, Queef might be available to start, and I'd expect Curtis to start. Keep it professional, and do all the right things. Concentration, attitude and application as always, from the get-go to the end. 3 points please. Get it done!

[Creator Supreme]

0-3.

[Pete]

A game for us to win and not Toulouse. 

[bossy]

I hope it’s not boring (been a bit of that recently) but I really just want a win. Has to be 2-0 Reds.

[tokyojoe]

10 hours ago, Pete said:

A game for us to win and not Toulouse. 

Don't ring us, we'll ring you.

[an tha]

Tricky selection here - we don't really have much cover in either full back position - Bradley still missing, Tsimikas needing to be protected with Robertson fucked.

 

Gomez could play either side really I suppose and maybe that is answer - Gomez on left and Endo could maybe drop in on right.

 

Bit short of rotation up front if Gakpo is not fit and if Doak is still out

 

And Bajcetic and Iron Man Thiago probably missing too...

 

That is a big chunk of what would be our back up/2nd XI which we'd use in this missing or needed to be protected ala Tsimikas and TAA.

 

Maybe something like....

 

Kelleher (if fit)

 

Endo

Matip

Quansah

Gomez

 

Jones

Elliott

Gravenberch

 

Nunez

Jota

Doak/Diaz

 

Be interesting to see what solutions Klopp goes with.

[niallers]

This crowd draw a lot of games. Drew with psg and Marseille so far this season. Played 9 won 2 drew 5 lost 2 in the league and even drew to usg in the first group game.

A win and a draw in the next 2 against these should see us top the group with 2 to spare. Then we can properly rest the squad.

 

[VERBAL DIARRHEA]

Kelleher

Gomez

Matip

Quansah

Chambers

Endo

Elliot

Jones

Doak?

Nunes 

Jota

[redinblack]

Goodbye Toulouse as The Stranglers would have said 

[AngryOfTuebrook]

I just don't want to lose.

 

This is probably the toughest match in the group, but it's still winnable.  A draw wouldn't be terrible, but three points here would really set us on our way to winning the group with no sweat.

 

Simplement fais-les battre, Rouges.

[NoelM]

Curtis was great on the press conference, spoke very well.

[LFC 6 Times]

Kelleher, Trent, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas, Jones, Elliot, Gravenberch, Jota, Darwin, Gakpo

[aws]

Chambers and Quansah will definitely play as they only played 45 minutes against Benfica. 

[Lee909]

-----------------Kelleher 

Gomez-Matip-Quansah-Chambers

 

----------------Endo

--------Elliot---------Jones

 

Jota-------Nunez------Gakpo

 

 

Kill the game bring Doak,Gordon,Clark etc

 

[3 Stacks]

Chambers should definitely play. Need an idea what kind of level he is at. If he looks good on top of the fact that he was supposed to Leverkusen on loan, which is high level, we might be looking at a top young player.

[Scott_M]

I don’t think we’ll start Chambers and Quansah, IMO, that’s too risky. I think Chambers is only just coming back from an injury as well.

 

It wouldn’t surprise me if Scanlon is higher up the pecking order than Chambers.

 

Tsmiskas form is a worry, I think we need to give him a run of games to find some form. I’d start him again tomorrow, Chambers can get some minutes if we’re winning comfortably.

 

I’d give Gomez the full 90 at right back, we might need him to be sharp at left back if Tsmiskas doesn’t rediscover  any form. 
 

I think Matip and Quansah in the middle. 

Elliott, Endo and Jones in midfield. 
 

Jota, Gakpo and Salah up front. 

If, like the Union SG game, if we wanted to go stronger and make subs at 45 or 60 minutes (ie Trent, Szoboszlai & Nunez start) then I’m happy for us to do that as well.

 

I don’t care if it’s another snooze fest, just win the game, which would effectively win us the group (we’d need 1 win from the remaining 3…).

[Bjornebye]

On 23/10/2023 at 10:06, AngryOfTuebrook said:

I just don't want to lose.

 

This is probably the toughest match in the group, but it's still winnable.  A draw wouldn't be terrible, but three points here would really set us on our way to winning the group with no sweat.

 

Simplement fais-les battre, Rouges.

 

Glory hunting cunt 

[Bjornebye]

Kelleher

 

Gomez

Matip

Quansah

Tsimikas

 

Elliot

Gravenberch

Jones

 

Doak

Nunez

Jota 

 

 

Just win. 

 

 

[Scott_M]

[aws]

Couldn’t see Doak in the training pics. 

[Razoray]

4 hours ago, Lee909 said:

-----------------Kelleher 

Gomez-Matip-Quansah-Chambers

 

----------------Endo

--------Elliot---------Jones

 

Jota-------Nunez------Gakpo

 

 

Kill the game bring Doak,Gordon,Clark etc

 

Could Gravenberch start in midfield with Jones playing inverted right-back like he did in the Leicester game and Gomez playing left-back? 

[Lee909]

3 minutes ago, Razoray said:

Could Gravenberch start in midfield with Jones playing inverted right-back like he did in the Leicester game and Gomez playing left-back? 

 

Yeah he could. But he should play Sunday with Jones still suspended. Elliot,Endo need minutes so I guess he could. Could also put Chambers on the bench and start Gomez at LB

[Razoray]

I don't think Klopp starts Chambers in this. He can bring him on when/if the game is comfortable and rest Tsimikas, or whoever starts LB on Sunday). 

 

I think a couple of other players, a midfielder and one or two forwards, depending on Gakpo's fitness, will start this and Sunday but may be replaced by other starters at half time. 

[dylstar]

On 23/10/2023 at 10:06, AngryOfTuebrook said:

I just don't want to lose.

To lose or not to lose. That is the question. 

[Kevin D]

Commolli paid £35m for Carroll, was rightly sacked for it, then had the nerve to sue for unfair dismissal and somehow won.

 

I’ll never get my head around that.