I'd like to see this team: Allisson TAA ... Lovren ... VvD ... Robertson Henderson/Wijnaldum ... Keita Salah ... Shaqiri ... Mane Firmino Bench: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Fabinho, Henderson/Wijnaldum, Sturridge
Nice team, but why Lovren? I’m sticking with Gomez. We could also go with Sturridge instead of Shaquir and play with four forwards.
Lovren only because he did OK in the last game and Gomez has played a lot so could be rested. I would also be OK if VvD was rested and we played Lovren+Gomez (but I feel so much better with VvD out there!). For the big games I agree Gomez > Lovren. Sturridge instead of Shaqiri works too. But I see more of a "full season formation option" with Shaqiri as we can't rely on Sturridge to stay fit? I prefer to think of Sturridge as a great "super-sub" option.
Internationals finish up Tuesday. The England boys, Shaq, Salah, Keita, and Mane all have 2 competitive games while the rest have a mix of 1 competitive games followed by a friendly or 2 friendlies. It possible we'll see a change in formation. I'd expect Fabinho to get a run. Lovren is a good shout especially if Gomez has played both the England games. Gini is a machine so could see him partner Fab in a 2 if we change formation. Would like to see some rotation up top. With at 1 of Mane or Salah starting on the bench.
I would agree except I think it would be good for them to bag a goal or two against weaker opposition?
Plenty of opportunity for that in the next few games and perhaps a change up front is what we need to kick start things. Mane is the one most in need of a rest. He's played every game so far and will have 2 more internationals. We shouldn't need him to beat Huddersfield. No reason to burn the guys out in October. Our squad is good and we shouldn't be afraid to use it.
Salah injury likely changes things... I too would have liked to see Mane get a rest but doesn't seem likely now. I wonder if Klopp would ever start a match with Naby in that LW/Coutinho role, the way they closed the game a few weeks ago... unlikely, but during this easier run I wouldn't necessarily be against it. Naby cutting in/dropping deep from LW, Bobby or Danny up top, Shaqiri at RW. Hm, maybe they'd all be stepping on each others' toes.
I'd give Lovgren the edge over Gomez, myself. Also -only Dejan, VVD or Sturridge will ever score for us off a corner kick....
Mane broke his thumb, so he's likely to miss Huddersfield. Salah with a light strain so it would be wise not to risk him. Front 3 of Bobby, Studge and Shaq?
I was worried, when we crashed out of the League Cup, that we wouldn't have a chance to give our bench players enough opportunities. Silly me.
I’m not sure how well Firmino and Sturridge fit in the same team. Firmino isn’t as good when he plays in one of the wide roles. That front 3 also lacks the threat of getting in behind because of the lack of pace. I hope at least one of Salah and Mane is available.
don't forget that early in his career Studge often played on the wing. I don't think he wanted to do that mind you ....
Sturridge is the target man up top and Firmino plays off him. It's not an insane stretch at all. Certainly not ideal, but Bobby can do a job wide and can drop deep to combine with midfielders. No big deal. I mean listen, I'd rather the whole squad be healthy. Just saying, considering what the options USED to be when LFC's top 2 wingers were injured... this ain't so bad.
If neither of Mane and Salah are available, I would play a 4-4-2 with a diamond in the middle. Something like this: Alisson Gomez Lovren VVD Robbo Hendo TAA Wijnaldum Shaqiri Bobby Studge
Given injuries to VvD, Keita, Mane and Salah, if using a diamond I would go for: Alisson TAA ... Gomez ... Lovren ... Robertson Fabinho Henderson ............... Wijnaldum Shaqiri Firmino ... Sturridge