14 Apr 2021 10:38:21
Hi Ed01. Totally agree on the team for tonight. My preference would be Jones (with Fab and Thiago) or Millie if Jones is not quite fit. Fear it will be Gini though! Then Jota instead of Mane and hope he has his passing boots on! We really need a good press and stop their classy midfielders having loads of time to pick the runners with balls over the top. I'm sure we will create chances, it just depends whether our finishing is more clinical than it has been. I know we could win with 2 goals, but I fear we will need 4! YNWA.

{Ed001's Note - fingers crossed mate!}

1.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 11:33:56
Can we not leave so much space in behind, as to let their midfielders have an easy chance. Over the top of our defence.
Surely Klopp learnt that from last weeks match?

2.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 11:49:14
Niceaction, you can’t have it both ways. You either play the high defensive line, squeeze up the pitch and press effectively OR you drop into a deep defensive line, don’t press at all, allow them to come on to you and counter them. Now if you want us to play the latter system then, you are asking the team to play against its nature which is a huge mistake even tho I agree, there can be tweaks made to the system.

What we did in the first leg was fail to press them effectively, stand off them and STILL play the high defensive line and that will get you punished all the time.

What we need to do is press them effectively and hopefully everything will start from there.

3.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 11:52:02
I really think Milner needs to start and set the tempo for us in midfield. We can’t allow them time on the ball to pick out passes. 60 minutes of hard work from Milner and then bring on fresh legs in Jones if fit or If we still need a goal a fourth attacker. It’s games like these where we really miss Hendo.

4.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 12:26:13
I agree on Milner, especially in the first half we need to protect the right side. 0-0 at HT is not a disaster. Klopp wanted 3 midfielders full of energy but he got anything but in the first leg. So tonight he has no choice but to start Thiago and hope he imposes his game on Madrid.

5.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 14:38:30
If anything, we need Milner in the side to be captain. The further Wijnaldum is from the armband (and the team! ) the better.

6.) 14 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 16:21:03
OliRed. Not looking for it both ways, unless it's with the missus!
But not dropping off too deep. A happy medium, maybe? Just not too let it be so obvious for them. As it was last week and the season as a whole.
Our two boys at the back aren't the quickest and most comfortable on the ball. We all know.

7.) 15 Apr 2021
14 Apr 2021 17:44:59
Nicereaction I think that is something that the CB need to do mid game. If the player on the ball has time they need to see it early a drop with the runners to give themselves a couple of yards.
In general play though we need to press high and press with aggression.
Milly has to play as he’s the only player we have that will leave one on someone and that’s what we need. Let them know early on they will get no time on the ball and that then sets the tone for the match. They will all of a sudden not stand on the ball and get their head up as they will be expecting a challenge.
Madrid are good enough to play quick one touch passes though to beat the press but we just need to be so aggressive that we knock them out of their rhythm like we did Barcelona a couple of years ago.
It’ll be an interesting game but our start is so important. We need to go for the throat from the off.