Fringe players could get the chance to impress in the FA Cup…
We’ve drawn AFC Wimbeldon in the FA Cup, and it could be a chance for Brendan Rodgers to give some players struggling for minutes, and some youngsters some game time…
1) Suso
The Spanish starlet has been struggling for fitness for around two months now, but he’s been training again, and should be available. Suso is very, very talented – but he just can’t seem to catch a break this term. When healthy, his first-team opportunities have been very limited – but he found the net back in September against Middlesbrough in the League Cup after being on the field for just 11 minutes. He had a really good pre-season, too – and we don’t want to write off Suso as a future Liverpool star just yet… He’s 21-years-old though now, so his time as a promising youngster is running out.
2) Mario Balotelli
Surely the misfiring Italian will start up top…? He didn’t even make the bench for the Leicester tie, and if he’s left out of the team to face Wimbledon we’d have to wonder if Balotelli has a Liverpool future at all. We’ve not given up on it yet though, and would like to see him given another chance.
3) Sheyi Ojo
It would be great for the super-talented youngster to make his Reds debut… He’s made the bench a few times in recent weeks, but he’s yet to receive any minutes. Ojo’s been phenomenal for the youth sides, and has been scoring goals at England Under-18 level, too. A twenty minute cameo on the wing once we’ve wrapped up the game will do nicely!
4) Emre Can
The young German should stay in the side, and potentially in a midfield position (where he’ll probably be best in the future), too. Can’s done pretty well playing as a defender in our back-three, but it would be good to see him in the anchorman spot. From here, his physicality is best maximised – and he can provide a platform from which the more creative players can perform.
5) Lazar Markovic
The Serbian did relatively well at wing-back when deployed there in the past few weeks, but it would be nice to see him used in his more natural, attacking midfield position. Markovic showed glimpses of his serious talent against Bournemouth in the League Cup, and the FA Cup tie provides him with another chance to continue his development.
