Liverpool predicted XI vs Leicester City: 2016/17 Anfield debut

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Adam Lallana of Liverpool celebrates his goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Villarreal CF at Anfield on May 05, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 05: Adam Lallana of Liverpool celebrates his goal during the UEFA Europa League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Villarreal CF at Anfield on May 05, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Liverpool's Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the pre-season International Champions Cup football match between Spanish champions, Barcelona and Liverpool at Wembley stadium in London on August 6, 2016. / AFP / Glyn KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the pre-season International Champions Cup football match between Spanish champions, Barcelona and Liverpool at Wembley stadium in London on August 6, 2016. / AFP / Glyn KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

RM Sadio Mane

This is the ripple effect for including Lallana next to Henderson rather than Milner or Lucas or Stewart: Mane’s position will technically be right midfield rather than attacking right midfield. There’s nothing wrong with this.

Mane will still be far forward in the attack, he’ll just need to fill the space behind him more than he usually will (or should).

But with Leicester’s affinity for counter attacks, Liverpool will be piling numbers forward anyway so he’ll be up on the left back like usual. If that left back darts forward, it’ll be on Mane to pick him up. No different from any other game.

Mane has shown the ability and work rate to drop and cover his man and help Clyne, so it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

Next: AMC Roberto Firmino