Match Day Bournemouth v Liverpool, Sunday 4th December 13:30

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[G-Dragon]

Will be a tough game imo. Going for a draw.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

We're close to being a very handy side. But we usually fall short in the crucial areas. We don't take enough of all the chances we create - we've hit the woodwork more than most of the rest of the division combined and generally seem to bring the best out of goalkeepers. And at the back we always have a couple moments of stupidity every game. If football was only about the space between the two penalty areas - we'd be awesome. But we need to sharpen up at both of the business ends, if we're to do justice to some of the bloody nice football we're playing.

Liverpool obviously having an excellent start to the season, scoring plenty of goals. They beat us three times last season without being any great shakes, so assuming they're better this time around it's going to be very hard. To get anything out of the game, we'll need to do the above and be more clinical / solid. I'm sure, as against Arsenal, we'll give Liverpool some headaches and I'm sure we'll get a few chances along the way. But unless we make good on that general play we'll still come away moaning about ifs and buts and maybes.

I gather Liverpool have a few injuries and uncertainties, Coutinho out and Firmino doubtful. Sturridge to get a start? We've been missing a few regular starters just recently in Surman, Boruc, Ibe, Daniels, obviously Wilshere ineligible last week. But their replacements have done well so I don't think anyone (Wilshere aside) is guaranteed to walk back in. Nathan Ake particularly has stood out recently. There's a chance both Liverpool old boys Smith and Ibe will appear at some point.

December is going to a tough, hectic month with a string of hard games from now until a repeat with Arsenal at New Year. If we can start this run with a point from Liverpool - that'd be fantastic. But as above I suspect we'll come away having given another decent account of ourselves but ultimately fallen short.

 

[smat]

Pagnell praying Wilshere has a bad game

 

[Pagnell]

Nah, Wilshere having or not having a bad game shouldn't make a difference, we should pick up all 3 points regardless. However, as we know, things are never quite that simple and being the better side on paper doesn't means a lot sometimes.

First things first, we need to make sure our attacking play improves from what we have seen in the last few games. We might have beaten both Leeds and Sunderland and scored 4 goals without reply in the process, but both games were laboured and we were a far cry from the attacking force we have been against teams like Watford and Palace. Obviously, injuries to the likes of Lallana, Firmino and Coutinho haven't helped. I'd just like to see a bit more cohesion, even if the players who have been most likely to score this season aren't on the pitch.

Three clean sheets on the bounce now too. If we can make it four with this game, I'm confident we will at least stay in 2nd.

0-2 Origi and Mane.

 

[PDS]

I feel positive we can score; Liverpool's defence is pretty average. It's just a shame we have such a habit of gifting piss-poor goals. Arsenal last week was not an isolated incident and we just love to make life harder for ourselves.

As always, it depends on how we start; score first and the confidence flows, we then always have the ability to keep playing positive football and create more chances. I think we've now hit the woodwork 14 or 15 times this season which is crazy, but it shows we do create the chances.
However, concede first and you see a team shaky and nervous, a lot of huff and puff but often don't get back into the game; so this one really does hinge on the first goal.

Ake has been excellent since coming in and will likely keep his place; tough choice for Eddie on who partners him and what happens to our captain Francis. Hopefully Mane picks up an injury between now and Sunday because he's the one who worries me more than Firmino and Lallana.

 

[Art Morte]

I feel positive we can score; Liverpool's defence is pretty average.

Yeah, whenever we come under pressure we look like conceding. Fortunately for us we've seldom had to soak up pressure this season.

The way I'm looking at this game is that a point is enough in the top-4 race, but not in the title race.

So, we'll probably lose.

 

[The Iron]

Tough game, but Liverpool need to win these sort of games if they're going to challenge for the title this season.

2-0 Liverpool.

 

[Pagnell]

I'm confident we won't lose, but without an improvement in the attack over the last few games I can definitely see Bournemouth getting a point. Don't think so though, I'm sure we'll do what's needed.

 

[SALTIRE]

Hopefully Mane picks up an injury between now and Sunday because he's the one who worries me more than Firmino and Lallana.

Mane is a bit out of form just now, so you might be fine there, though he did turn it up a bit for the last 15 mins versus Sunderland and Leeds through the week resulting in goals so watch out for that.

Have a feeling for 1 - 1.

 

[Gilly?]

Think we'll score a few. I can't see Bournemouth parking the bus so it'll be quite open and I think it'll suit Liverpool better. Lallana should be back and that can only be good news.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

If Lallana is coming down, he can head down his favourite strip bar post match then on home to his parents' place afterwards. Saves a space on the team bus. Sure he'll have a blinder against his home town

 

[mente captus]

1:8

 

[G-Dragon]

 

[Stevencc]

Origi

 

[Pagnell]

Origi should have fucking buried that.

Edit - looking at the replay he was trying some poncey fucking footwork to put it in the net. Idiot.

 

[Pagnell]

What the fuck was that free kick?

 

[G-Dragon]

This game will be another burnley i can feel it.

 

[Stevencc]

This game will be another burnley i can feel it.

Good call, mate.

 

[Pagnell]

Been coming.

Lovely goal by Mane nice touch.

 

[Stevencc]

If all else fails, hoof it up to the fast lad.

 

[G-Dragon]

My bad this is too ez

 

[Pagnell]

Fucking fantastic on the angle from Origi.

0-2

 

[Stevencc]

Excellent finish from Origi, how does one fuck up such an easy chance from three or so yards out and then put that one away with confidence?

 

[KevinMcallister]

Will be a tough game imo. Going for a draw.

haha you had a tougher game with leeds

not very good at this predicting are you g-monkey?

 

[snortingfrogs]

Dat Origi goal.

 

[Pagnell]

Need to be careful we don't give away silly chances now. Another before the break and this game should be over.

 

[Stevencc]

haha you had a tougher game with leeds

not very good at this predicting are you g-monkey?

You don't venture into this part of the forum very often, Kev, so I will fill you in with the details here. He, along with some other Liverpool fans and Dave, always predict a loss or a draw because they, for some reason, are too scared of being "trolled" or laughed at if they predict a win and come up short.

I hope that helped.

 

[KevinMcallister]

You don't venture into this part of the forum very often, Kev, so I will fill you in with the details here. He, along with some other Liverpool fans and Dave, always predict a loss or a draw because they, for some reason, are too scared of being "trolled" or laughed at if they predict a win and come up short.

I hope that helped.

i'll be here a lot more next season steven for the next 10 or so

 

[Pagnell]

0-2 Origi and Mane.

Not going to finish this score though, I'm certain.