Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could be set to shock the fans in the Champions League against Genk by selecting Adam Lallana over Fabinho once more.
Liverpool will host Genk tonight in the second of their Champions League group E encounters. The Reds took the first game easily with a 4-1 victory and Jurgen Klopp may begin tonight’s game with a bold selection choice by picking Adam Lallana over Fabinho for the third game in a row.
Lallana started last Wednesday in the Carabao Cup and scored a penalty in the shootout as he took the role as the deepest midfielder in the 5-5 thriller against Arsenal.
It was no surprise to see the Englishman line up in that competition but eyebrow were raised on Saturday as he started in place of Fabinho in the Premier League win over Aston Villa.
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He started alongside Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum in the midfield trio in the deeper role but struggled to impact the game. The whole unit struggled with both Wijnaldum and Lallana being replaced by Divock Origi and Naby Keita respectively. While he didn’t impress, he did rate above his midfield colleagues (not that says much).
Both Henderson and Wijnaldum are predicted to be rested ahead of the huge clash against Man City coming up on Sunday. If Klopp decides to put all his priority on that fixture he could rest Fabinho for one more game also.
That would give the Brazilian a two-week mid-season break. He is such a crucial part of the team and is the one midfielder I don’t want to see risked tonight.
Genk are not fearsome opponents. Even with a shuffled midfield the Reds should be able to see them off and the win in Belgium gives Klopp some space to rotate for this matchup.
I can see the boss going with the same midfield of Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita that played against Arsenal. Fabinho could make a second half cameo if things aren’t working. That keeps his favored midfield fresh for the biggest game of the season so far on Sunday.