10 Dec 2015

Confirmed Liverpool Team: £62m-duo benched; 'world-class' playmaker finally starts; surprise debut for 'exciting' Brad Smith

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has named a very strong team for tonight's Europa League clash with FC Sion, and the big news is that Jordan Henderson returns to the starting line-up after over three months out through injury.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Smith, Henderson, Milner, Can, Lallana, Firmino, Origi.

SUBS: Bogdan, Randall, Skrtel, Rossiter, Brannagan, Coutinho, Benteke.

* Benteke and Skrtel are rested after Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.

* Alberto Moreno didn't travel to Switzerland, so 'exciting' left-back Brad Smith makes his full debut for Liverpool.

* With Hendo - dubiously described as 'world-class' by Michael Owen - Milner, and Can in the team, it looks like Klopp will stick with 4321.

* It seems logical to play Origi up-front, but it's also possible that Firmino may take the striker role, with Origi and Lallana behind him.

* Allen and Lucas also didn't travel, so it seems likely that Emre Can will play the holding role.

* Lallana gets yet another chance to extend his goals/assists drought. That said, Lallana has actually scored in the Europa League this season, so perhaps he'll continue his trend of scoring against comparatively poor teams tonight.

Probable formation:

--------------- Mignolet
Clyne --- Toure ---- Lovren --- Smith
------- Hendo -- Can -- Milner
-------- Lallana -- Origi
-------------- Firmino

OR:

--------------- Mignolet
Clyne --- Toure ---- Lovren --- Smith
------- Hendo -- Can -- Milner
-------- Lallana -- Firmino
-------------- Origi

With a 4231, Origi or Firmino will probably be isolated up-front, especially if the central midfielders are pegged back. I'd prefer to see the following formation:

--------------- Mignolet
Clyne --- Toure ---- Lovren --- Smith
---------- Milner -- Can
----- Lallana - Hendo -- Origi
-------------- Firmino

PREDICTION LEAGUE

Please make your predictions in the pre-match thread HERE.

* Coutinho: £30m-rated. Benteke: Cost £32m. Combined = £62m.

Author: Jaimie K


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