Is this how the Reds will line up…?
With Lazar Markovic suspended, Raheem Sterling not 100%, and a key Premier League fixture coming up Southampton on Sunday, Brendan Rodgers has some big selection decisions to make ahead of the Europa League tie with Besiktas…
Here’s who we think he’ll select.
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GK) Simon Mignolet
A certainty to start. The Belgian will play every game for us until the summer at least barring an injury.
DRC) Emre Can
Arguably at fault for Crystal Palace’s goal last weekend, Can was still praised for his all-round performance. Likely to stay in defence because Joe Allen played well in midfield versus Crystal Palace.
DLC) Mamadou Sakho
The Frenchman will remember Besiktas’s centre-forward Demba Ba well, having passed the ball to Steven Gerrard before the slip that let the former Chelsea man in on goal last season… He’ll be keen to make sure he isn’t given any freebies this time around.
DC) Martin Skrtel
The defensive leader, and one of the first names on our team-sheet. Skrtel takes no prisoners.
MR) Jordon Ibe
Ibe was cup-tied for the FA Cup clash, but is available for Europe – so with Lazar Markovic suspended, he’s the natural choice to come in at right wing-back.
ML) Alberto Moreno
The feisty Spaniard enjoys his role at left wing-back, but will have to stay defensively disciplined due to Gokhan Tore down Besiktas’s right.
MC) Joe Allen
The Welshman has been criticised all season, but he put in his best performance of 2014/15 against Palace – and he should retain his spot in the side as a result.
MC) Jordan Henderson
In Gerrard’s continued absence, Henderson will skipper the side again – and while Allen should stay deep, Henderson will be allowed more range to roam forward.
AMRC) Adam Lallana
With Sterling not 100% fit, and a crunch tie with Southampton coming on Sunday, we think the 20-year-old will start from the bench. Lallana is a more than capable replacement option.
AMLC) Coutinho
The Brazilian hasn’t been at his mesmeric best for two matches now, but he has more than enough ability to slice the Turkish defence apart if he’s on song.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
There’s a chance Sturridge will be paired up top with Mario Balotelli, but the past two months tells us that the Italian will more likely start from the bench. Expect him to come on and partner Sturridge if we’re losing, though.
