The Leicester fixture, the first in front of Anfield’s New Main Stand, isn’t for another week, but we’re so bored of the international break – we’re already thinking about it!
With four points from our first three games, we really need a win to jumpstart our season.
Unfortunately, Sadio Mane was taken off injured for Senegal last night, and while there’s suggestions his substitution was precautionary, fans are worried he won’t be ready for the champion’s visit.
If he isn’t fit, here’s how we think Jurgen Klopp will line Liverpool up:
Between the sticks, Loris Karius is still sidelined meaning Simon Mignolet is a shoe-in. Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner are the starting fullbacks, while Joel Matip has climbed above Ragnar Klavan in the pecking order to play alongside Dejan Lovren in central defence.
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In midfield, it gets interesting…
Emre Can will be back from injury and we’d back him to start in the anchoring midfield spot, meaning Jordan Henderson could move slightly further forward into one of the advanced positions, with Adam Lallana on the other side. This midfield trio has power in Can, energy in Henderson and creativity in Lallana, while all three press excellently.
If we’re correct on midfield, we’d suggest Gini Wijnaldum can move to the right and cover Mane’s potential absence. He’s quick, physical and can stretch the opposition.
Coutinho is returning from Brazil duty, but we’ve organised special flights to help him get here in time to recover for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. For this reason, he should start from the left, but if Klopp thinks it’s too soon – the Brazilian might begin on the bench.
Many fans are crying out for Daniel Sturridge to start as a centre-forward, but with Roberto Firmino around, we can’t see it happening yet. The boss loves deploying our no.11 centrally, and sadly for our most talented forward, we think he might have to make do with a spot on the bench – again. If it were up to us, we’d bench one of Henderson or Wijnaldum, play Firmino wider and Sturridge in the middle – but there we go.
With or without Mane, Reds, what’s your lineup – but more importantly – who do you think Klopp will choose?
