Mignolet
Kelly (or Flanagan) -- Toure -- Sakho -- Enrique
Allen -- Henderson
? -- Alberto -- Moses
Suarez
Would be my line up. The CB at FB experiment needs to end (and that includes Wisdom), and if Kelly isn't fit then for the love of God play Flanagan, or McLaughlin or even Sterling. Having CBs play there really restricts our game. I'd maybe be inclined to give Toure a rest since he's coming back from injury, and I'd love to see Ilori get a game alongside Sakho but I don't see it happening. With the injury concerns re Agger I think Sakho is nailed on to start, and the sooner we can get him up to speed the better. I think Skrtel will probably play alongside Sakho, which is fine when defending deep, but I'm not sure they particularly complement each other as a pairing and it would be a concern between Sakho wanting to push high and step out and Skrtel wanting to play a deep defensive line.
I'm desperate to see a midfield three of Allen, Henderson and Alberto as I think it'd be boss with them all interchanging and pressing like mad men. They're all mobile enough to get up and down and to track back and cover when required. In the increasingly likely event Allen isn't fit I'd reluctantly replace him with Lucas, but I really think the lad needs a rest. Gerrard on the bench, though ideally I'd have him nowhere near this one - he can play one of this or Sunderland, not both. Alberto needs to be given a chance, otherwise there was literally no point in spending Coutinho-like money on a player who won't even get cup games while we moan about depth. I think his composure and ability to retain the ball will actually pay dividends for us; he manages to create time and space for himself better than any of our other midfielders.
Ideally Suarez would start on the bench but considering Aspas' form and how patently unfit Sturridge is I think he has to start. Moses is still young/fit enough to start on the flank, and the extra game(s) will help get him up to speed quicker hopefully. The other wide forward is a bit of a question mark because I don't think anyone has really done enough to warrant a guaranteed start. Aspas has been wank when played wide or as an AM and Sterling hasn't been much better this season. I'd actually like to see Ibe maybe get a go - he's much stronger on the ball than the other two and won't be pushed around as easily.
The worst possible outcome would be extra-time as I really don't think we have the players or fitness to cope with it. If we play the same side we played against Southampton we'll get absolutely pasted. If we have the courage to make some changes, I can see us nicking something.
