This is the kind of match that I would like to see more of a return to the possession based, high pressing game that I hope we're still working towards. Ideally, two experienced full-backs capable of providing width in the attacking third in the respective roles. Two central defenders capable - and suited - to playing a high defensive line. Some energy in the centre of the midfield, particularly post sixty-minutes, and overall a much more cohesive, compact unit overall, which I think a high defensive line is absolutely key to. A few specific points:
1) Martin Kelly; has had several outings in the Under 21's, along with half an hour in the first team now, so he must be close to being available, even if it's only for the first hour or so.
2) Joe Allen; is conspicuous in his absence. I've heard next to nothing about why he's missing, which is odd seeing as the club are generally forthcoming with injury updates. Is he injured? You've got to assume that he is.
3) Daniel Sturridge; is a concern for me. We've clearly played him through injury this season, through necessity. That necessity is dilluted somewhat now thanks to the return of Suarez, so with that in mind i'd give him a rest for this one, with a view to bringing him on for the final 20, perhaps. I'd hate to see us play him into a recurrance of the initial injury, although to be brutally honest, he doesn't look as though he ever fully recovered anyway.
4) Steven Gerrard; Rodgers talked about Gerrard as a member of his attacking trio when he first arrived, yet he's resisted actually deploying him there for the most part. I'd like to see him given the opportunity. Whatever issues he may have, he still has the ability to produce the spectacular and where better to see him do that than in the opposition third? With Henderson alongside Lucas as well, you improve the energy and dynamism in that area, which has been lacking at times and this change may help all three of Henderson, Lucas and Gerrard, as well as the balance of the team in general.
With all of that in mind, this would be the lineup that i'd like to see start, ideally:
Mignolet
Kelly Toure Sakho Enrique
Lucas Henderson
Sterling Gerrard Moses
Suarez
With post-sixty looking something like this, following adjustments and changes:
Mignolet
Wisdom Toure Sakho Enrique
Henderson Gerrard
Suarez Alberto Moses
Sturridge
Depending on how Gerrard is looking, fitness-wise, you could potentially look to drop Alberto into midfield alongside Henderson, move Suarez central and retain Sterling on the right hand side. The two of those, along with Moses have the attributes and versatility to interchange nicely in behind Sturridge, who, being allowed to concentrate on a shorter burst on the field, might help him to focus his energy. Aspas is another option, should Moses or Sterling be struggling at all.
Overall, it goes without saying that this is a big game for us, given the previous trio of results. Momentum is a big thing in football and we need to start rebuilding ours sooner rather than later.
