Manchester United travel to Anfield tonight to try and stall the momentum that Liverpool has at the moment. Rousing the Kop looks at how Liverpool will lineup.
Michael Baddeley’s prediction:
XI: Karius, Clyne, Lovren, Matip, Milner, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Mané, Firmino, Sturridge. (4-3-2-1)
Karius was confirmed to be playing last night by the Echo, so that choice was obvious. Then there’s the back four. Let’s be honest, there was never any doubting who would play. Lovren and Clyne were a doubt for the game after Swansea, however, the two have made a full recovery and will feature with Matip and Milner filling the other two spaces.
Injuries to Wijnaldum and Lallana will see change to the midfield three that have started every Premier League game so far. Luckily for Klopp he has strength in depth. Can will undoubtedly replace Wijnaldum in that box-to-box role, but Lallana’s injury will more than likely see a little adjustment in the forward three, starting with Coutinho dropping into that attacking-midfielder role.
As a result of Coutinho coming into the center, we will see the same forward three that demolished Leicester. Firmino will move out to the left, Mané will stay on the right with Sturridge coming in and being the main man up-top.
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Prediction: I HATE guessing Liverpool vs United games. Mourinho will set up to park the bus and hit us on the break, no doubt at that. However, we have the quality to break that down. It’s how we start that will be the major factor. If we come out of the blocks all guns blazing then I see nothing other than a Liverpool win. If not, a draw or a United win with a smash and grab. Due to superstition, I won’t be putting a score. But one thing I will say – C’MON YOU REDMEN!
Michael Mongie has his say:
XI: Karius, Milner, Lovren, Matip, Clyne, Lucas Leiva, Henderson, Coutinho, Sturridge, Firmino, Mane.
Starting from, the back, Karius gets the nod after impressing in his first few games for Liverpool. Clyne and Lovren are both set to return to action and will go a long way to steadying an inexperienced defence.
In the midfield, some Brazilian influence should be enough to overcome Manchester United. Lucas Leiva, with all his experience, should be a great addition and will be crucial to stifling Paul Pogba’s wizardry on the ball and Coutinho has proven his worth in a midfield three.
Up top, with Coutinho dropping deeper, Sturridge will be introduced and his natural instinct for goal will do wonders to infiltrate what will be a tight defence.
Prediction: As with any Liverpool vs. Manchester United game, the form guide is in the trash but the form of Coutinho, Firmino and Mane should be enough to see Liverpool win and go joint top of the league.
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