17 Sept 2015

LFC-XI vs. Bordeaux: Seven changes? Surprise start for 'outstanding' teen? Big problems with midfield? (Prediction League)

According to Anfield legend Steve McManaman, Liverpool should 'embrace' the Europa League, and insisted that the Reds should pull out all the stops to 'try and win' the trophy this year.

With a place in the Champions League at stake, Macca is arguably right, but Brendan Rodgers doesn't appear to share his enthusiasm for the competition.

As he did with the Champions League last season, Rodgers is resting (what he perceives to be) key players for tonight's game, which shows that he's prioritising the league over Europe.

TEAM NEWS

* Benteke, Skrtel, Lovren, Lucas, Milner, and Clyne are not in the match-day squad.

* Coutinho returns from suspension, and will almost certainly feature.

* Adam Lallana confirmed yesterday that he is 'fully fit', and hoping to play tonight.

* On Wednesday, Rodgers confirmed that Sakho and Origi will start the game.

After a series of turgid performances, the team arguably needs freshening up, and with any luck, the performance tonight will exceed the dross served up by Milner et al so far (that shouldn't be hard).

Midfield will be interesting. Emre Can aside, Rodgers has no senior central midfielders in his squad, so Jordan Rossiter - described by Alex Inglethorpe as 'outstanding -  seems a certainty to start.

Based on the available personnel, I'd expect to see the following team:

--------------- Mignolet
Gomez ------ Sakho - Toure --- Moreno
---------- Can ------- Rossiter
-------------- Lallana
---- Coutinho --------- Firmino
--------------- Origi

There's also a possibility that Rodgers may revert to 343/351:

----------------- Mignolet
--------- Gomez -- Toure - Sakho
Can ------ Lallana ---- Rossiter ---- Moreno
--------- Coutinho ----- Firmino
------------------ Origi

I have no doubt that Rodgers will spring a couple of positional surprises tonight, so don't be surprise to see Gomez in midfield, Moreno at left-back, or Lallana as a holding midfielder (!)

My prediction: 2-1 to Bordeaux

PREDICTION LEAGUE

You have until 5.55pm (GMT) to get your predictions in. Good luck!

Author: Jaimie K


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