Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak can’t start vs City
Liverpool can’t start new defenders Ozan Kabak or Ben Davies against Manchester City.
Sporting director Michael Edwards and manager Jurgen Klopp moved quickly to secure the signing of the duo just hours before the end of the January transfer window, but it might take them some time to get up to speed.
The Reds take on City on Sunday afternoon, and Pep Guardiola might have Jesus on his side, but this game isn’t likely to be a Christian affair.
Klopp and Guardiola will be desperate to assert their superiority and claim three points off the other. After the devastating 1-0 loss against Brighton, Liverpool needs a victory more than ever, while City can draw further ahead at the top of the Premier League.
Despite the lack of centre-backs in the team, Davies and Kabak can’t start against City. Throwing in a pair of young (Davies in terms of top-flight experience, Kabak in age) defenders against one of the best sides in the league would be a baptism of fire that even John the Baptist would seek to avoid.
Ideally, we’d see the pair take to the field in the Premier League, which’ll let Jordan Henderson and Fabinho return to their rightful place in midfield. Right now, Liverpool might have to be content with just one.
Klopp said that the Brazilian might be able to play on Sunday, which would let Hendo return to the engine room on the right-hand side. This will bring further balance to the side, and will allow Trent Alexander-Arnold to roam down his flank with greater freedom.
"Talking about Fabinho, Klopp said: “Minor issues nowadays are at least three games. Depending on the week, it could be four games. I think the game when Fab could be back is [Man] City.”"
Fabinho has been outstanding all season, and should be joined by one of Nat Phillips or Rhys Williams. Based on previous team selections, we can assume it’ll be Phillips that plays his seventh top-flight game.
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Kabak and Davies will be forced to wait. They need to get up to speed with the demands Klopp places on the squad, while asking them to keep out City after being at the club for less than a week would be too much for a seasoned pro, never mind two young men trying to make the most of an unexpected chance.