Liverpool must take the Community Shield seriously

Liverpool must take their Community Shield game seriously.

Liverpool travel to London on Saturday to face an Arsenal side that defeated the Reds 2-1 at Emirates Stadium on July 15.

An error riddled defense led to the loss, as very rare lapses by Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson gave the Gunners the match.

It was Arsenal’s first victory against the Reds since 2015, as per ESPN.com and they will want to start their new campaign off on a positive note.

So expect the Gunners to come ready to play with silverware on the line. Jurgen Klopp has had other trophies on his mind for the last three seasons, and these cup ties were not a real priority.

To attempt to go into this tie as if it were a friendly training summer match would not be a good move here. The Reds need to take this tie seriously. They need to play to win. Not like last year’s tie with Manchester City, which saw them lose 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Make no mistake, this is the beginning of a new championship run, and Liverpool need to approach this with mental focus and toughness just like a league tie.

They need to win this match.

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Jurgen Klopp will not want to hit September and the tough month of scheduled fixtures on a loss to Arsenal here.

This would be a very poor and shabby way to kick off the long slog they face. A win here is a confidence builder. They have Leeds at home a fortnight later and then they’re back to London to face Chelsea in their next Premier League games.

Understandably, Klopp has made clear he will be heavily rotating players to keep them match fit and with fresh legs. With an international break confirmed in September and the probability of a Champions league group stage match, and at least another league cup tie, the lads will be busy all through the fall.

Indeed the fixtures will be popping up like the bright bonny bloomin buds o’ May, clear through to Boxing Day. So Jurgen and the Liverpool lads will want surely to get off on the strong foot of seeing a victory here Sunday.

Expect Liverpool to start the lethal triumvirate of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mo Salah up front as a matter of course. Alisson in goal, and Andrew Robertson, Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk in defense. The probability of seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold remains unknown as we saw very little of him in Austria, if he is still unavailable expect Neco Williams to get the nod.

The real dilemma for the gaffer comes in the midfield, where we should likely see Fabinho in the 6, Gini Wijnaldum, and either Naby Keita or Jordan Henderson if he is fit? He did not see a single minute in the two friendlies played in Austria. I expect him on the bench for this tie.

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The Reds looked less than sharp on defense against RB Salzburg, Tuesday last, as they dug themselves a hole shipping two early goals before the half. They would make a nice comeback second period off the foot of a Rhian Brewster brace.

But the defensive lapses through the restart and up to now must be a bit of a worry for the gaffer. They seem to have dipped precipitously of late on defense.

This is another reason they will need to be focused to win the tie. Their confidence needs the lift. Most assuredly, they need a good solid defensive performance at Wembley come Saturday.

I expect to see Takumi Minamino in for Firmino if Bobby isn’t on his game. As well as Curtis Jones for Kieta and Henderson if necessary for Wijnaldum. This rounds out the subs as there are no longer water breaks or the five subs seen over the summer.

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Without TAA, James Milner becomes the choice to sub Williams if necessary. He had his worst outing of the summer against Salzburg. He will most assuredly want to get back in the grove of playing good solid football.

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