Brendan Rodgers’ struggling Liverpool make the short journey along the M62 on Sunday to Old Trafford, where the Reds come head to head for the first time this season against arch rivals Manchester United.
After four days of reflection following the disappointing exit from the Champions League on Tuesday, Liverpool have to pick themselves up and dust themselves down quickly for the huge clash against Louis van Gaal’s side – who, after a similarly poor start, have gone on to win their last five league fixtures in a row and occupy third place in the Premier League table.
It’s a turnaround of form that Rodgers’ men desperately need to replicate if they want to drag themselves back into contention for a top four finish, with the chances of securing Champions League qualification for successive seasons looking increasingly slim on current showing.
Rodgers: "For us it's about looking to improve our performance level. My teams have always shown we get better over course of the season."
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) December 12, 2014
Liverpool are priced up at 15/4 and we fancy them to win (good list of bookmakers reviews here) so hopefully it’ll be a much needed three points and a move in the right direction.
The challenging fixture schedule for the remainder of 2014 – which will see Liverpool play their ninth game in three weeks on Sunday and four more to come before the turn of the year – poses another tricky juggling act for the Liverpool manager, who will have to make a number of changes and introduce fresh legs to his side for the crunch clash and there’s a number of changes Rodgers could make.
The Team
Injury news ahead of the clash is that Mario Balotelli could return to the squad having recommenced training, and Kolo Toure – who missed Tuesday night’s match through a groin injury – also trained and could make a comeback to the squad.
Rodgers confirms Balotelli back in training, could play vs United on Sunday. Lallana fit also.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) December 12, 2014
It had been revealed that Adam Lallana has been suffering with two cracked ribs which the club chose to keep quiet, but the England international “looks much better” according to Rodgers and is set to be involved on Sunday with shirts up for grabs.
Rodgers: "Lallana looks much better now and he should be fine."
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) December 12, 2014
Jose Enrique’s horror 45 minutes on Tuesday that saw him replaced by the infinitely more impressive Alberto Moreno must see the Spanish under-21 international come in to the starting team and at centre back, Mamadou Sakho should be in contention for a starting berth.
Rodgers has rotated Steven Gerrard sensibly over recent weeks, but the Liverpool boss could be tempted to play the inspirational captain for the second match running after he proved to be the man for the big occasion once more, though Lucas Leiva is one player who needs a rest from the Reds midfield.
5 – Steven Gerrard has scored more goals as an away player at Old Trafford than any other player in Premier League history (5). Visitor.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 12, 2014
Despite the harsh red card, Lazar Markovic’s impressive 15 minute cameo provided a rare ray of light on a miserable night, and his promising display could see him brought into the side for his pace and directness in the final third.
Javier Manquillo, Emre Can, Philippe Coutinho, Lallana and Fabio Borini are all available to provide fresh legs to the Liverpool team, having seen their action restricted in the eliminatory draw against Basel and they will be hoping to be given the opportunity to play from the start in Manchester.
The Line Up
A number of selections hang on fitness recovery ahead of the game, but Rodgers must make a number of changes to his side, firstly with the formation, and then with the back four where Moreno and the fit again Sakho should come into the side with Toure touch-and-go – but Javier Manquillo’s recent exclusion makes it unlikely he will replace Glen Johnson.
Kolo Toure is back training and could return v United. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) December 12, 2014
In a diamond shaped midfield, Lucas’ tiring legs might be afforded a rest and replaced by the powerful Emre Can, and Coutinho and Henderson should make up an energetic but creative midfield behind Gerrard at the tip of the diamond.
Rickie Lambert is in desperate need of rest after six consecutive starts, and he should make way for Raheem Sterling to partner Mario Balotelli, unless the returnee isn’t fit enough to play.
Those changes to the Liverpool side would see the Reds line up like this:
Rodgers continues to prefer 4-2-3-1 however, and in that line up he has a variety of options, including a mobile and pacey XI like this:
However, in that shape, I’d expect Rodgers to stick to a similar look and therefore with Liverpool’s starting XI looking like this come kick-off on Sunday afternoon:
A trip to Old Trafford to take on your arch rivals isn’t the greatest fixture to have when coming off the back of a deflating night like Tuesday, but Rodgers and his side must bounce back positively and at least produce an improved performance.
Another potential defeat and lacklustre display could have serious consequences for Rodgers but there arguably isn’t a better place to bounce back to winning ways and return to Merseyside with what would be a hugely morale boosting result.
What would your LFC XI be? Let us know in the comments below.
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