There’s another match upcoming for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool (I still haven’t cured the inevitable giddy smile accompanying that phrase) and another chance for the Reds to earn their first win under the German. Klopp has some interesting team sheet options for his currently injury ravaged and average side: Does he throw out his strongest XI and go for it? Does he fully rotate the team with a trip to Stamford Bridge looming on the weekend? Does he manufacture a hybrid of the two?
Liverpool host Bournemouth in the round of 16 for the Capital One Cup (or, the Mickey Mouse Cup) Wednesday night at Anfield hoping to avoid the same insipid and uninspiring performance that proved detrimental to both Arsenal and Chelsea as they won’t be involved in this competition until next season, while Everton squeaked through after penalties.
Klopp has a real chance at silverware in this competition after seeing those big boys falter yesterday while his side received a relatively kind draw with the Cherries coming to Merseyside.
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As for his team sheet, well, it’s far from Dortmund. With a roster that was already “meh” as is, he’ll be without Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke, while Roberto Firmino is just coming off injury and is still lacking fitness. Klopp is bereft of senior options in attacking spots as Divock Origi is the lone standing striker.
The German would be wise to play a competitive team whilst resting some key first teamers, such as Nathaniel Clyne.
Quick sidebar: I don’t think enough fans nor pundits realize how the Reds are one Clyne injury away from defensive catastrophe with Jon Flanagan still out.
The backline was already thin since Joe Gomez went down, especially at fullback. In retrospect, that sentence is incredibly disappointing. They should never have been relying on an 18-year-old purchase from Charlton to provide cover across every position in defense.
If I were Jurgen Klopp, ahead is the team I’d assemble for Liverpool’s round of 16 Capital One Cup match against Bournemouth, arranged in his typical 4-2-3-1 formation.
GK: Adam Bogdan
If Liverpool’s backup doesn’t play in the Capital One Cup, when will he ever play? Why would he be on the roster?
RB: Connor Randall
As previously mentioned, Liverpool cannot have Clyne get hurt nor burnt out, so Randall is in line for his senior debut.
CB: Kolo Toure
Captain Kolo Toure for the day to get a run out and provide experience to the youth in the side. If his form matches his infectious smile we’re in for a clean sheet. If his form is akin to his high rate of involuntary comedy, then we’re in for a long night. At least there’s potential for some smiles through the pain with Kolo on the pitch.
Speaking of involuntary comedy….
CB: Dejan Lovren
… unfortunately Lovren’s brand of involuntary comedy is not endearing such as Toure’s, nor is it very funny. So maybe it’s not involuntary comedy. It’s frustrating lapses of concentration.
If Lovren is fit enough to start, he should play to rest the legs of Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel as well as a bid to revamp his Anfield career in front of a new manager.
LB: Alberto Moreno
Moreno to play Wednesday as he’s been playing very well of late and seeming fresh. Plus there’s no real options behind him. Yeah, the latter is the supreme reason. You reading this, transfer committee?!?!
DM: Joe Allen
Lumberjack Joe Allen drags his axe into battle against Bournemouth needing a vast improvement in an attempt to force Klopp to play him. His days at Anfield appear to be numbered.
DM: Pedro Chirivella
Chirivella looked bright in his prior Europa League appearances this term and both Emre Can and Lucas Leiva shouldn’t play in this match with the likes of Chirivella and Allen on the roster.
AMR: Jordon Ibe
Ibe needs game time to develop, simple as. He should be playing in every Capital One Cup and Europa League match. He’s still packed with bags of potential even if he’s been out of form to start his season.
AMC: Joao Teixeira
The oft-injured Portuguese creative attacking midfielder was looking bright for Brighton last season before a broken leg ended his season. It’s unlikely that he’ll find a career at Liverpool, but I suppose it’s now or never.
AML: Roberto Firmino
Firmino has struggled for fitness and match sharpness since his arrival on Merseyside, though he’s looked like he’s started to settle in since Klopp arrived. Firmino shouldn’t play the full 90, but he should get an hour or so to build his legs and confidence.
ST: Divock Origi
The promising striker has filled in adequately and even though Klopp doesn’t have any other senior options to put here, Jerome Sinclair comes within a shout. Origi deserves to have his work rewarded with a goal, hopefully he gets it here.
Full XI (4-2-3-1): Bogdan; Randall, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Allen, Chirivella; Ibe, Teixeira, Firmino; Origi
As for subs off the bench, it may look a little like this. Fresh off a new contract, youngster Cameron Branagan should play a part Wednesday and Philippe Coutinho should get a half hour to begin to get him back on form. Sinclair to come on so Origi won’t need to play 90.