This is the Liverpool side we think Jurgen Klopp would be sensible to select against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
GK) Simon Mignolet
Some have called for Adam Bogdan to start, but in reality Mignolet’s an automatic selection.
DR) Nathaniel Clyne
Very good for England versus France, Clyne will begin at right-back and be crucial for us as he’ll be directly up against Raheem Sterling – who will receive a slaughtering from the travelling fans.
DL) Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard will be fresh as you like considering he didn’t play for Spain during the international break, but he’ll need to be careful to restrict his attacking instincts as City will exploit space down his flank.
DC) Martin Skrtel
We’ll need Skrtel to lead the defence. Hopefully Sergio Aguero won’t be fit to start as we’d back Skrtel to win the physical battle with Wilfried Bony.
DC) Dejan Lovren
Lovren will replace the injured Mamadou Sakho at the heart of defence. It’s now or never for the Croatian…
MC) Lucas
The Brazilian will be a key player at the Etihad. He’ll need to track Yaya Toure’s marauding runs in the middle and try to intercept at the base of midfield.
MC) James Milner
Emre Can’s been poor recently, and while Milner’s not been much better – he’ll be desperate to play against his former side. His attitude is first class and he can provide the legs in the middle alongside Lucas’s anchor. We’d drop Can and go with Milner in the middle, allowing Ibe a start
AMR) Jordon Ibe
Ibe will stretch the game and provide the offensive Aleksandr Kolarov problems at left-back. His pace will make us a far better option as a counter-attcking force, and he deserves his spot after being probably our best player of the two fixtures before the break.
AMLC) Coutinho
Coutinho will likely get the role slightly to the left of Firmino, but close enough to his counterpart that they can link up and create. He’s scored three goals versus Manchester City – seemingly his favourite opposition – and it’d be superb to see him add to the tally having bagged three in his past two Liverpool games under Klopp.
AMC) Roberto Firmino
We missed Firmino’s spark and flair against Palace, and he needs to be starting ahead of Adam Lallana. Having had two weeks working at Melwood (he wasn’t called up by Brazil), Firmino should get the nod. He’ll be most effective in a free, central role.
FC) Christian Benteke
Benteke’s attributes make him ideal for an away trip to a big side. He’s powerful, and has enough pace to trouble Kompany and Otamendi as well. Sturridge is training again, but the City clash will likely come too soon. Perhaps he should provide an option from the bench, although it’d be better to wait and give him a run out against Bordeaux instead.
