Liverpool: This is the alternative back four we want against Porto
By David Gate
Center Back: Virgil van Dijk
Surely we can’t concede 5 goals at home to Porto? I don’t want to find out. My memory is long enough to remember throwing away big leads against Sevilla (twice) and Arsenal. I still can’t fathom how we conceded three goals and went out of the FA Cup at home to West Brom.
The Reds have been much improved at the back since the record signing of van Dijk. While the Dutchman played in that collapse to West Brom that is the only time they have looked shaky since his arrival.
The trouble with resting van Dijk for this game is that we revert to a Matip/Lovren partnership that will trigger Liverpool fans into PTSD symptoms. That is not the partnership you want on the pitch if Porto score a goal in the first five minutes.
We have seen over and over how the temperament of that pairing can be perilously fragile. The Kop would be on edge; the players would feel it and it would make for a heart stopping match when really this should be a matter of course for a professional side.
Play Big Virg. If we have a clean sheet at half time then bring him off after an hour. He hasn’t played many games this season and two in a week should not be too much for him.