30 Dec 2015

Confirmed Liverpool-XI: Last-minute squad change; 'Unplayable' attacker returns; 'New Deco' on the bench

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has made one change for tonight's Premier League clash with Sunderland, with the allegedly 'unplayable' Christian Benteke coming into the starting lineup in place of the injured Divock Origi.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho, Benteke

SUBS: Bogdan, Toure, Lucas, Ibe, Randall, Smith, Teixeira

SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Jones, Coates, Brown, PVA, Cattermole (C), M'Vila, Rodwell, Johnson, Borini, Defoe.

* Based on the personnel, it looks like Liverpool will stick with the 442 formation, with Firmino up alongside Benteke.

* Allen doesn't make the match-day squad, but according to the Liverpool Echo:

"Joe Allen travelled to the North East but was sent home due to a virus. Hence the midfielder's absence from the quad tonight".

* It's good to see the likes of Teixeira (the 'New Deco', apparently), and Smith on the bench; hopefully, they'll get some pitch time at some point.

* Lucas is benched again, so it looks like Can is Klopp's preferred choice for the DM role. In my view, that's a mistake, but Klopp will find that out on his own, I'm sure.

* Sunderland are lost the last four games, and conceded 11 goals along the way, but their team is filled with seasoned performers (Defoe, M'Vila, Rodwell, Johnson, Cattermole etc), who are - on their day - capable of making a difference.

* After his negative experience at Anfield, Fabio Borini will be desperate to score against Liverpool (!)

Probable formation:

---------------- Mignolet
Clyne -----Lovren ---- Sakho ----- Moreno
Lallana ---- Can --- Henderson ---- Coutinho
--------- Benteke -- Firmino

Author: Jaimie K


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