AMRLC) Coutinho
Coutinho is thriving in the 3-4-3, perhaps more than any other player. It enables him to find pockets of space in which he can tear sides apart. His final ball is occasionally misjudged, but if he’s on-song, Sunderland will be doubling up on him. His attacking relationship with Raheem Sterling is something to particularly watch out for.
AMRLC) Lazar Markovic
In a hopefully dynamic and exciting front-three, Markovic could replace the injured Adam Lallana, and dovetail a central Raheem Sterling with Coutinho. Hopefully he’ll relish the opportunity to play in a more natural, attacking midfield role – having been deployed at left wing-back often recently.
FC) Raheem Sterling
Rested against AFC Wimbledon, Sterling will be fresh and ready to go – and hopefully – firing on all cylinders. He definitely should start, as Rickie Lambert’s attributes don’t suit our style, and Mario Balotelli’s largely don’t either. Although if we’re struggling to break them down – it’s the Italian who should be used from the bench.
