Liverpool predicted XI vs Manchester City
By Tom Bogert
The last time Liverpool played Manchester City at The Etihad, Mario Balotelli had just been signed from AC Milan. Liverpool’s season had yet to capitulate as it was still August and fans were still on the high of 2013-14.
The only thing that upset me prior to kickoff was that Balotelli’s paperwork wasn’t done in time to play. I was experiencing dismay because I was absolutely certain he would have scored a brace and Liverpool would’ve won, catapulting their title charge.
Now a days, there are a lot of things that upset me about those previous premonitions. I’ve created a neat little math equation detailing those egregious mistakes.
(Balotelli + scored a brace) + (Liverpool + title charge) = painful disappointment
This year as Liverpool travel to The Etihad there is no more Balotelli (WOOOOOHOOOOO) and a new manager. Jurgen Klopp marches Liverpool into Manchester with a confident bravado. He doesn’t care how great City are and how likely it is that the trip will end in painful disappointment. He just cares about his boys. That goes far with Liverpool supporters.
Something that doesn’t go far with supporters, Raheem Sterling. After lining up in red the past few years when City played Liverpool, he’ll now be in powder blue. Fans will be hoping, no, begging for Martin Skrtel or Dejan Lovren to hand Sterling a rude “hello” by way of an elbow or a few studs.
Meanwhile, City come into the game atop the league after putting five past Bournemouth and Liverpool enter in 10th place: exactly mid table. Liverpool’s outlook would be a lot brighter had they beaten Crystal Palace in the last game before this international break and if Mamadou Sakho wasn’t on crutches.
Liverpool had won two successive games, including a 3-1 dismantling of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and had yet to lose since Klopp took over. Sakho must’ve been playing with a cheat code until it expired. He got hurt, and Liverpool lost. Klopp will hope that’s not a correlation that’ll be prevalent until Sakho ditches his crutches and returns to the pitch.
Captain Jordan Henderson is still out but is getting closer to returning. There are also unconfirmed reports that Daniel Sturridge does, in fact, still exist as a human being in the world.
Sturridge has assured journalists that he’s “fit and ready” to face City, then Klopp said he’s only as “fit and ready” as he could be, which really isn’t that “fit and ready.” So maybe he makes the bench or maybe he re-injures himself in training.
So if I was Jurgen Klopp, this is how I’d assemble the team to try and earn some points at The Etihad against big bad Manchester City.
Liverpool predicted XI. Klopp’s standard 4-2-3-1 is the shape.
GK: Simon Mignolet
I’m running out of things to write here. No brainer, Mignolet plays, simple as.
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
Clyne got a well deserved rest during the break for undeserved reasons. For some insane rationale, Roy Hodgson “isn’t sure” about the Liverpool right back. Sound.
CB: Martin Skrtel
With Sakho hurt, Skrtel must elevate his play to make things easier for Lovren. Unfortunately for the pair, City literally cannot stop scoring.
CB: Dejan Lovren
Lovren returning to the side couldn’t come at a more difficult time: away to City. To boot, Sergio Aguero may return from injury in time to feature. Fantastic.
LB: Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard struggled mightily in his trip to The Etihad last season and will look to reconcile that performance on Saturday.
DM: Lucas Leiva
It cannot be understated how important Lucas will be against City. With the embarrassing abundance in talent across the attacking midfield slots including Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Sterling, Lucas will need to play at his best.
DM: Emre Can
Can, too, will be incredibly important. A game such as this is a great opportunity for the young German to grow up and accelerate his development. He’ll sit slightly ahead of Lucas but expect him to be pinned back regularly thanks to City’s potent attack.
AMR: Jordon Ibe
Adam Lallana is a tough luck loser in this situation. Based on abilities and overall season form, he absolutely deserves to start. But, as previously mentioned, Liverpool will be on the back foot most of the game. That game suits Ibe better. He’s a more diligent defender and his pace will be invaluable on the break.
AMC: Roberto Firmino
Fans keep waiting for the Brazilian to really kick on and show why Liverpool spunked £29million on him. Saturday would be a great time to show that.
AML: Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho will hope to provide the same beauty and magic that he has against City in the past. The Brazilian may be frustrated with the rate of defending his side will likely have to do.
ST: Christian Benteke
The Belgian is an x-factor against Manchester City. The attack doesn’t need to be that good or pretty. This may be reminiscent of his time at Aston Villa where he’ll be looked at to score on a hopeless cross or a random set piece. On top of that, he’ll be asked to hold the ball and combine with his attacking mids as he’s so capable of.
Next: How many Liverpool players fit into a combined XI with City?
Team in full: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Ibe, Firmino, Coutinho; Benteke