Lots of people mention depth when looking at squads. But sometimes you can have cover for players, but if you get too many injuries in the same position - that's the problem.
Last season if we lost Mane, 4-3-3 didn't work. Our attack missed his pace, directness and general threat. Now we have Salah to provide that. So really when we have one of Mane or Salah, I'd still fancy our attacking trio to work, should we play 4-3-3.
This is what leads me to my concern for this game. We have two players not available in CM, who are the creativity in Coutinho and Lallana. When we have not had either of these two in CM, our midfield generally hasn't worked in terms of balance. I think it's a real problem for this match. We could, and probably will, select Henderson, Can and Wijnaldum together in CM, but it is a trio which has time and time again proven to not work together. Wijnaldum has not taken over the creative role in the absence of Lallana & Coutinho - when I think he should be doing so. He's not been getting on the ball and dictating play. If anything he has been playing even more within himself, as I read Robertson had more touches in the last match than Wijnaldum has had in the previous three we have played. Wijanldum frustrates me because of this as I feel he has the talent to really step into that role. But actually Milner, Can & Henderson (who at DM should not be the main creator in CM) have all been trying to make us tick and be the creative ones feeding the front three.
Can I don't feel has the skillset for that role. I prefer him as the DM, with two players ahead of him who are better on the ball. That way he can do what he's good at. Being a physical presence in front of the back four, winning headers, winning 50/50s, a ball winner and the ugly stuff. That's not to say he can create or press or get forward - but I don't think his strengths are doing that and I prefer him deeper.
Henderson is the man being asked to play deeper. But that is actually not playing to some of his strengths. At his best he is brilliant at pressing, using his excellent fitness, forcing errors, making runs to support the attack. He is a player who can score & create. But since Klopp has come we've not seen Henderson play that type of role. I keep wanting to see Can and Henderson swap roles when played together. Maybe Henderson isn't able to play such a role given his injury history?! It would be nice to actually know if that's the case, but Klopp never gets asks such questions. But if he can, then I think he needs to be playing that role, as it is what he does best.
Is Ejaria in the squad? I'd really be tempted to play him in CM without Coutinho and Lallana. For me he looks the best option we have to link midfield and attack. He's very comfortable on the ball, has an eye for a pass, will drive forward playing one / twos. I think he'd take more responsibility that what Wijnaldum has been doing for example. Or maybe Woodburn. But I think I prefer Ejaria over Woodburn at this moment in time in that role, as he has more experience in playing it.
We could play 4-2-3-1 formation, with two of Henderson, Can, Milner (no thanks) or Wijanldum as the two in CM. But I'm reluctant to see us play with a CM two, given the first match we struggled against them at times defending with three in CM. I feel we'd need that extra protection.
I'd go:
Mignolet
TAA Matip Klavan Robertson
Can
Henderson Ejaria
Salah Firmino Mane
I'm not confident. I think they're a good little side and without Lallana or Coutinho, I do think we will struggle to control the game, which is what is needed. Someone in CM needs to step up and take that creative responsibility. Wijnaldum hasn't done it since he joined the club in their absence - I'm probably in the minority but I feel Ejaria might be the best man for that crucial job.
