Lucas and Henderson to play centrally in captain’s absence…
Here’s the side we expect Liverpool to start with against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday…
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GK) Simon Mignolet
The Belgian keeper will definitely start unless he picks up a late injury, with Brad Jones already on the sidelines unfit.
DRC) Emre Can
Dejan Lovren is back in contention for a starting spot, but Brendan Rodgers is unlikely to switch the back-line which kept a clean-sheet last time out.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho
Sakho provides superb aerial defence, and has probably been our best defender since he earned a spot back in the starting XI following his lengthy injury.
DC) Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian, who’s rumoured to be close to signing a contract extension, will play the pivotal central role in defence. He’ll likely see a lot of the ball at the back, and can expect a tough physical battle with Villa forward Christian Benteke.
MR) Lazar Markovic
Markovic shone in the wing-back role last time out, despite the fact he’d probably be more comfortable in an all out attacking role. His pace and dribbling skills though give us width and a constant overlapping option on the right, and he’s a certainty to start after his performance last time out.
ML) Alberto Moreno
The young Spaniard is perfect for the left wing-back role in the 3-4-3 formation. Moreno will look to trouble Villa right-back Alan Hutton, while monitoring Andreas Weimann, too.
MC) Lucas
Lucas walks into the starting XI right now, as he provides the team with the stability and defensive cover in the middle that we clearly lacked earlier in the campaign. He’ll be charged with dominating rumoured transfer target Fabian Delph in the centre.
MC) Jordan Henderson
With Steven Gerrard injured, Henderson will surely line up in central midfield alongside the Brazilian anchorman. Due to Lucas’s relative immobility, Henderson’s legs and pressing are key to our dynamic.
AMRC) Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s back from his prolonged break, and hopefully the superb 20-year-old will be able to hit the ground running.
AMLC) Coutinho
Our best player of the past two months, Coutinho has the creative ability to slice Villa’s defence apart if he can find space in the final third.
FC) Fabio Borini
It doesn’t look like Rodgers will give Mario Balotelli a start at the moment, and with Daniel Sturridge not yet available, Borini will probably be selected over Rickie Lambert. Expect Balotelli to be introduced from the bench whether we’re winning or losing, however.
