18 May 2016

Carra insists: This 'will be' Liverpool's starting lineup for tonight's Europa League final

Liverpool face Sevilla in the Europa League final tonight, and according to Anfield legend Jamie Carragher, Jurgen Klopp's team is already foregone conclusion.

When asked on Tuesday evening about Klopp's probable line-up, Carra told Sky Sports:

"It will be the team from the semi-final. You could see that on Sunday from the team against West Brom - 11 changes - so the team picks itself."

If Carra is correct, the team will be: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Toure, Moreno, Milner, Can, Lallana, Firmino, Coutinho, Sturridge

Given the choice, I'd rather see Hendo start the game ahead of Adam Lallana. He is, after all, Liverpool's captain, and if the captain is fit, then he should play (IMO). On Sunday, Hendo confirmed that he's ready for the game:

"I feel good. I played at the weekend and I'm ready to play as long as the boss wants me to."

The biggest benefit of playing Henderson is that James Milner can play out wide, which is where he's been most productive this season (12 G/A in 17 apps. One every 124 mins). With Lallana in the team, Milner will be in central midfield, a role in which he is significantly less effective. My preferred lineup:

------------- Mignolet
Clyne --- Lovren - Toure --- Moreno
---------- Hendo - Can
--- Milner -- Firmino --- Coutino
------------- Sturridge

There's also another added bonus to starting Henderson: Klopp will have the flexibility to switch to a 4321 early in the game if necessary (if, for example, Liverpool are struggling in midfield). With Lallana in the team, that change can only happen if one of the attackers (Coutinho or Lallana), plays out of position, which is surely ill-advised in such an important game.

Author: Jaimie K


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