LFC predicted XI vs. Arsenal: Huge problem for BR? Midfielder to be dropped?

Liverpool face a top-of-the table clash with Arsenal today at the Emirates. Let's just savour that sentence for a moment: Liverpool are battling it out at the top of the Premier League! - how often have fans been able to say that over the last twenty three years? Arsenal represent formidable opposition, and it will undoubtedly be a tough game, but with Suarez and Sturridge on fire, and Coutinho possibly making a comeback from injury, the Reds have a real chance of going back to the top of the table.

Brendan Rodgers has a very strong squad from which to choose his starting XI:

* Coutinho is definitely back in the fold.

* Recently injured players like Glen Johnson, Joe Allen and Aly Cissokho have retained their fitness.

* Jose Enrique is the only senior player likely to miss out through injury.

The burning question today is obvious: Should Rodgers bring Coutinho straight back into the starting line-up, and if so, who should make way?

* Gerrard and Lucas will not be dropped. They are automatic starters under Rodgers, and neither play in Coutinho's role.

* Suarez and Sturridge will also not be dropped, for obvious reasons.

* That leaves Jordan Henderson. In the 352 formation, for Coutinho to come back into the team, the only way it works is if Hendo drops to the bench.

That would be tough on Hendo, but it's the only option; and as much as Rodgers rates the midfielder, we'll have no choice if he wants to accommodate Liverpool's Brazilian magician. The other option, of course, is to revert to 433 (or variations thereof), which would allow Hendo and Coutinho to operate in the same team, though it would mean a central defender being sacrificed:

---------------------- Mignolet

Johnson ------ Skrtel ------ Toure ----------- Cissokho

----------------- Lucas --- Gerrard

--------------------- Hendo

------ Coutinho -------------------- Suarez

--------------------- Sturridge

I can't see this happening, though. Rodgers will probably keep the 352 formation, and start Coutinho on the bench, which (IMO) would be the correct decision. It should be remembered that prior to his injury, Coutinho had failed to score/create a single league goal, so there's no burning need to get him straight back in the team.

Having said that, Henderson is also not scoring or creating goals at the moment, so if Rodgers does decide to drop him for Coutinho, he can't really have any complaints. With all this in mind, I fully expect to see the following team line-up against Arsenal this evening:

---------------------- Mignolet

------------- Toure --- Skrtel --- Sakho

Johnson ---------------------------------- Cissokho

------------ Gerrard --------- Lucas

---------------------- Hendo

----------- Suarez ------------ Sturridge

Hopefully, Henderson will respond to the pressure of having Coutinho in the background and produce at least a goal or an assist during the game. He'll know deep down that his place is under threat, so it should motivate him to do his best to stay in the team.

Predicting a 1-1 draw, Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson told the BBC:

"The Gunners' best hopes of winning this game lie in forcing Liverpool to play in their own half, but I am not sure that will be possible with the Reds in such confident form. I am going for a 1-1 draw because I think both teams would probably take that result now if it was offered to them".

Reds hero Dietmar Hamann expressed a more optimistic view:

"I Fancy LFC to get a result today. Not sure whether Arsenal [have[] the defensive weapons to stop Suarez and Sturridge"

Author: Jaimie K