Will Rodgers stick with the adapted formation?
Liverpool beat Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup last night, but French centre-back Mamadou Sakho limped off with a potential hamstring injury, which has not yet been assessed.
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For the first time mid-December, we switched from the 3-4-3 to a more conventional 4-3-3, and after the win, we’ll probably stick with it.
If Sakho is unavailable for the clash, Brendan Rodgers has some decisions to make regarding the starting XI, with Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard still suspended.
Here’s how we think he might line up.
GK) Simon Mignolet
Another clean-sheet for Mignolet. The Belgian made some superb saves against the Championship outfit, and is doing his chances of starting in goal for us next term no harm whatsoever.
DR) Glen Johnson
Arguably our best player in the FA Cup clash, Johnson has been heavily criticised this term, but if he keeps up the level he showed versus Blackburn, he could earn himself a new deal yet.
DL) Alberto Moreno
The only real option at left-back, with Jose Enrique woefully short of match practice.
DC) Kolo Toure
With Skrtel banned and Sakho probably out, Rodgers is likely to deploy Toure alongside the recalled Croat Dejan Lovren, who did well in the FA Cup, despite prematch fears…
DC) Dejan Lovren
We all know that Lovren’s debut season has been nothing short of disastrous, but we shouldn’t give up on him yet. This is his chance to cement himself a spot in the team until the end of the campaign – and we’re all hoping he takes it with both hands.
DMC) Lucas
The natural choice for the anchorman spot, Lucas breaks up opposition play, plays simple passes, and enables our more creative stars a platform from which to perform.
MC) Emre Can
Can was banned for the Blackburn game because of his red card against Arsenal, but he’s available again for the Newcastle clash. He’ll provide far more thrust, energy and dynamism than Joe Allen, and would like to see him given a chance in a box-to-box midfield role – which seemingly suits his natural attributes.
MC) Jordan Henderson
With Gerrard banned, Henderson is guaranteed to skipper the side. He did well in the 4-3-3 against Blackburn, assisting Coutinho’s winner with a clever flick. With Lucas holding, he’ll be given the licence to get forward.
AMR) Coutinho
When he’s good, his mindbogglingly brilliant. When he’s not, he’s often quite frustrating. This season, we’ve seen far more of the former thankfully, as his goal versus Rovers proved. More of the same, please.
AML) Raheem Sterling
Rodgers has previously stated that the left inside forward role is Sterling’s best, and he’s probably right. From here, the wonderkid can cut in and shoot, beat his fullback down the line, and link up with both midfielders and strikers. Adam Lallana didn’t make the FA Cup trip because of a groin problem, so we don’t think he’ll be thrust back in unless Daniel Sturridge isn’t fit enough to start.
FC) Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge was quiet against Blackburn, and hasn’t been at his best since his return from the thigh injury which has decimated his season. At home to a John Carver managed Newcastle side, would be a great chance to start firing on all cylinders.
