Is this our best XI in current circumstances?
News has broken today that Steven Gerrard is expected to miss up to three matches with the hamstring problem that saw him limp off against Spurs.
With Lucas also out for at least a month, Brendan Rodgers has some serious selection headaches to deal with ahead a frenetic run of FA Cup, Premier League and Europa League fixtures…
Here’s a potential strongest XI without the experienced midfield duo.
SEE MORE:
Six Liverpool stars who took time to come good – Following Mario Balotelli’s 1st PL Goal
Steven Gerrard hamstring injury will see him miss cup clashes and crucial Premier League ties
GK) Simon Mignolet
No longer a liability at the back, it seems an awfully long time ago that the Belgian was dropped for Brad Jones!
DRC) Dejan Lovren
We think Steven Gerrard’s injury could see the reintroduction of £20m centre-back Dejan Lovren. Without either Lucas or Gerrard, and Joe Allen so woefully out of form, Emre Can is the natural choice for the centre of the park – as he’s done so well there during recent cameos. This will free up a spot at the back, and Rodgers could use the Croatian in Can’s position on the right of the back-three – with Lovren coming on and doing well there for 25 minutes versus Tottenham.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho
The Frenchman’s actually been a little more nervy in our past two fixtures, but thanks to his overall form since winning a spot in the side – he’s still guaranteed a spot on the left of our defence.
DC) Martin Skrtel
Skrtel leads the defence from the centre, and has been a reliable and crucial aspect of the 3-4-3 formation ever since it was instated in December.
MR) Jordon Ibe/Lazar Markovic
Markovic had seemingly made the right wing-back spot his own, but 19-year-old Jordon Ibe has done so well in his past two matches in the position that both have a right to claim it. The pair provide pace, width and excitement, too.
ML) Alberto Moreno
The perfect option for the left wing-back role, Moreno’s only real competition for the position is Jose Enrique – who’s nowhere near his level.
MC) Jordan Henderson
Henderson will skipper the side in Gerrard’s absence, and will need to play a real leader’s role in the centre because of the very young average age of the side.
MC) Emre Can
Can’s done superbly at the back, but many believe his long-term future lies in midfield, and this could be the perfect chance for him to prove it… The 21-year-old is powerful, dynamic and can run with the ball – but he’ll need to be defensively disciplined.
AMRC) Raheem Sterling
The 20-year-old missed the Spurs clash through injury, but it’s not a serious one – and he should be back in first-team action shortly.
AMLC) Coutinho
Our best player in 2015, Coutinho was quiet last time out versus Tottenham – but has more than enough ability to slice defences open from now until the end of the season in both league and cup.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Fit again, but not yet firing on all cylinders. Once Sturridge’s clinical touch matches his clever runs and movement – he’ll bag for fun.
