Liverpool will shed their sea legs against Midtjylland
Liverpool will host Danish league champions FC Midtjylland on Tuesday.
This game comes sandwiched between a home win against Sheffield United and the Ajax victory. Both matches were hard fought, courageous, affairs for these Reds as they showed their is life after Virgil van Dijk.
Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have played well and are in fine form going into this tie. Gomez had an outstanding match against the Blades and a very competent showing in Amsterdam.
For the most part it has been the defensive nous, skill, and poise of Fabinho that has captured the imaginations of pundits, the media and fans alike.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, this is a situation that will dog them into the autumn and early winter until they can seek to buy adequate cover when the January transfer market opens.
Every opponent will be seeking to exploit this apparent weakness in defensive form shape and consistency.
We saw Sheffield United attempt deep long aerial balls over the top time and again that under normal circumstances for the Reds, van Dijk would simply hoover up or head away.
Look for Midtjylland to attempt this same weakness as they’ll try to counter into the attacking third to swiftly take advantage of fullbacks pushing forward out of defensive position.
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Liverpool have only allowed a single goal since the Everton draw and have shown some strong character and plenty of focus and mental fortitude to adapt to the stressful and adverse circumstance thrust upon them.
This speaks directly to the heart of this group of lads playing for Klopp and Liverpool.
The fixtures coming every three or four days now will see the gaffer needing to rotate players to keep them from getting niggling injuries and burnt out legs going forward.
Look for the Jurgen to throw a unique look for the Reds at Midtjylland come Tuesday. Allison is fit and will be called upon to take some pressure off the defensive front by his return.
Kostas Tsimikas is nursing a reported thigh injury and is not a likely participant. Thiago should be ready, as well as Joel Matip. Which means Andrew Robertson will be called upon to put in another brilliant performance. Having just hit his 100th match in a Reds jersey.
Matip will pair with Gomez at center back and TAA finishing out the backline. Thiago, Henderson, and a returning Naby Keita should see the start in midfield. The front three look solid with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah rounding out the side.
James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum, Takumi Minamino and Diogo Jota are likely subs and perhaps even a Xherdan Shaqiri or Curtis Jones could make this sheet.
In defense, Rhys Williams, Fabinho, Neco Williams are likely candidates.
If things go sideways, Fabinho can be called upon to play either defensive holding midfielder or at CB for either Gomez or Matip.
Next. Joe Gomez must decide whether he’s elite. dark
This is the shape of the tie the Reds will bring to Midtjylland at Anfield on Tuesday, they will be looking to improve their overall forward attack and finishing; and building on the shaky and sometimes wobbly defense that is just seeking time to get its sea legs for the slog that this fall promises to be for this Liverpool.