Liverpool predicted XI vs Chelsea: Friday Night Football

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool gives a drink to Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the International Champions Cup match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool gives a drink to Roberto Firmino of Liverpool during the International Champions Cup match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on August 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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Liverpool’s English striker Daniel Sturridge gestures while warming up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 10, 2016. / AFP / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool’s English striker Daniel Sturridge gestures while warming up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 10, 2016. / AFP / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

ST Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge played fresh and in tune against Leicester. While he didn’t get on the scoresheet, his impact didn’t go unnoticed.

The striker provided a highlight reel, unselfish backheel assist to Mane for Liverpool’s second goal but his intelligent run opened the space for Firmino to run into behind him for the opening goal.

The more Sturridge gets to play with Firmino rather than it being one-or-the-other the better for Klopp and Liverpool. The two compliment each other well.

When it’s just Firmino, then the Brazilian has to play like a more traditional number nine and be the highest up the pitch. He needs to do some traditional work, like be inside the box or splitting the center backs more often than not.

When it’s just Sturridge, then the Englishman doesn’t have Firmino who links the midfield to striker exceptionally well. Not to say that Coutinho, Mane and Lallana are incapable of doing so, Firmino just completes the puzzle.

Sturridge AND Firmino, not Sturridge OR Firmino, please.