Reds could make slight changes for crunch top flight clash…
Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan remain long-term injury victims, while Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana and Kolo Toure are rated as doubtful.
Here’s the side we think Brendan Rodgers will select to start against Manchester United on Sunday lunchtime.
GK) Simon Mignolet
The Belgian is our only option between the sticks with Brad Jones not Premier League quality, meaning Mignolet’s a certainty to retain his spot between the sticks.
DR) Glen Johnson
Johnson should be up against Ashley Young, who will either play as wing-back or a conventional left-back for the home team. Young is weak defensively, and Johnson could use his offensive skills in tandem with Raheem Sterling down the right to cause him trouble.
DL) Alberto Moreno
Jose Enrique was dreadful against FC Basel, and he’ll surely drop to the bench as a result. Moreno could be brought in (as most fans would like) , but Javier Manquillo is also an option – meaning he’ll be on the right if selected, and Johnson on the left.
DC) Martin Skrtel
Skrtel was unbelievable during both fixtures against United last season, and he’ll be hoping to put in a similarly colossus display this time around.
DC) Dejan Lovren
Mamadou Sakho is back fit, and Kolo Toure is available again after recovering from a knock – but having done relatively well against Basel, Lovren could keep his spot in central defence.
DMC) Lucas
The Brazilian’s defensive skills and ability to tackle and intercept will make him crucial to our chances of success, and in a big fixture like this away from home, he’s basically an automatic starter.
MC) Jordan Henderson
Henderson’s been used in various positions recently, which has affected his form. Due to his tenacity and work-rate, he’ll be one of the first names on the team-sheet against the Red Devils, however.
MC) Steven Gerrard
By deploying Lucas in the anchorman role, Gerrard will have more freedom to get froward and create. He’s scored some memorable goals against United over the years, bagging nine in total – and we’d love him to reach double figures on Sunday.
AMR) Raheem Sterling
Sterling is currently involved in an alleged contract dispute with the Anfield hierarchy, and he’ll be desperate to prove he’s worth the mammoth figures his agent is apparently demanding. He could start on either wing, and rotate with whoever else is selected.
AML) Adam Lallana
We reckon Joe Allen, poor in recent weeks, could drop to the bench in favour of either Coutinho or Adam Lallana. Lallana has broken two of his ribs, but reports claim he’ll play through the pain barrier. We could badly do with his goal threat.
FC) Rickie Lambert
Mario Balotelli is training again, but Rodgers is surely more likely to use our maverick Italian from the bench. Lambert only played 45 midweek, so should be fresh enough to start… Even though he’s yet to score in the top flight, we’ll still be pretty excited if Balotelli gets the nod, for some reason.
