25 Feb 2015

Massive Blow: £20m star injured. 7 players missing for Besiktas game including Coutinho

Despite the poor start the season, Liverpool still have a great chance of ending the season with two more cups in the trophy cabinet, and although the FA Cup remains Liverpool's best chance of a trophy this season, the Reds are also capable of winning the Europa League. LFC face Besiktas tomorrow in a bid to advance in the competition, but new injury worries mean that it's going to be more difficult than expected for the Reds to progress.

Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson are playing a vital role in Liverpool's current resurgence, but according to reports today:

* Hendo (ankle injury) and Coutinho have have not travelled to Turkey, and will not take part in tomorrow's game.

* Johnson (illness), Sakho (Hip injury), Gerrard, Lucas, and Markovic (suspended) will also miss the game.

The loss of £20m Hendo and Coutinho is a massive blow to Liverpool's chances, and it leaves the Reds with very few options in central midfield.

* To compensate, it seems inevitable that Emre Can will be forced to move into midfield alongside Joe Allen. There doesn't appear to be any other option

* This means that the solid defensive unit of Can/Skrtel/Sakho will suffer it's second enforced change in the space of two games (Lovren in for Sakho vs. Southampton; Toure in for Can vs. Besiktas)

* The other issue to consider is who will captain the team in Hendo's absence? Martin Skrtel is the obvious choice. If Emre Can gets the armband, it will be a massive snub for Skrtel, and given his imperious form (and seniority), he deserves the chance to captain the club.

With Sterling, Ibe, and Lallana in the squad, Liverpool have the players to cover Coutinho, though the Brazilian is in excellent form right now, and it's a shame that his momentum is being disrupted.

That said, after starting 19 games in a row, Coutinho's enforced absence could be a blessing in disguise. He'll get a much-needed rest, and will hopefully return fully-refreshed for Man City this Sunday.

Author:


30 comments:

  1. This is the team I can See Rodgers going with


    Mignolet
    Toure Skrtel Lovren
    Ibe Can Allen Moreno
    Sterling Sturridge Lallana

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  2. Let's see. who starts

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  3. 1. Play Kolo, Skrtel and Lovren in defense, Can in midfield
    2. Select some youngsters for the bench
    3. Make Can the captain

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  4. That seems to be the only option and in truth that team is more than capable of getting a result there. What concerns me more is the bench: Balo, Lambert & Manquillo will be the only senior players on it, by the looks of things.

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  5. I really don't see why Can should be made captain. Why would Can, barely 21 and in his first season at the club, be captain in a team containing the likes of Skrtel and Kolo ?

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  6. lineup good. but captain Skrtle

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  7. Agreed I'll be very surprised if Can gets the armband

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  8. A whole lot of U18's have travelled with the squad.

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  9. Defensive change more of a worry than Couts but one goal should see us go through.

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  10. This may be the time to give Balo a start. Might help holding the ball up and see how it works for an option on Sunday.

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  11. What difference does a captain really make in a football game it's not like cricket .?

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  12. To be honest I think its good for Coutinho not to travel, he's got to be needing a rest. Hendo being out is a bit of a worry but I think we have the players to cope. Anyway apparently Besiktas two best players are carrying injuries too.
    I fancy us to score tomorrow, they're going to have to attack and I suspect we'll hit them on the counter to good effect at least once. If we score, all we have to do is not concede 3 goals without scoring another and on current form I think we'll manage that, Besiktas are a bang average team.

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  13. it happened quite a few time that some youngsters travelled with the squad for a cup game (europe or national cup) and didn't get any minute on the pitch, probably to just give them a bit of experience of being around a squad getting ready for an europe game (i don't really know

    what's the difference with being in the squad for a league game but i've never played at that level...)

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  14. We're fine, even with injuries we have a better team than Besiktas.. But don't forget that they have numerous players suspended for picking up yellows in the first leg.. We're good.

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  15. Lets just make Mingolet Captain... give the bloke another reason to scream and shout, and hopefully organise.

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  16. I thing the are well organised and will not make it easy at all. I would consider Balo as he is a good out ball. They will try and pressure our back three and that won't be too hard to do. An easy direct ball can make life difficult for them.

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  17. Jordan Williams seems like a utility player and he has heart .
    He can play alongside Lovren and Skrtel or in midfield with Allen.
    //////////////////Mignolet
    //////Lovern/////Skrtel////Williams
    Ibe/////Allen//////////Can////Moreno
    ///////////////////Lallana
    ////////////Sterling/////Sturridge

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  18. I would try Manquillo at RB simply because he is much more defensive than Ibe. I hate to drop him though, so maybe give Sterling a rest on the bench, coming in around the 60 to give us a spark.

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  19. Are anybody aware if we go through our next round will be against Zenit? While the CL teams have 1 round, EL teams have 2. So travel to Turkey then St. Petersbutg. They beat us with Suarez. Maybe Brendan recognised it's easier to reach top four then win this trophy.

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  20. Agreed. Remind me how confident I was when they're 2-0 up after 20 mins...

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  21. This team is far superior to the team Suarez was part of that lost to Zenit. Also, in that game Zenit were rubbish, we should've beaten them, our defending was just pretty tragic as I recall. The worst thing about that tie is the distance the team will have to travel midweek.

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  22. If Balotelli plays he will just take the armband anyway - problem solved

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  23. Well he does put the organ into organise

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  24. Dont know why you think Liverpool will meet Zenit if they go through to the next round as the draw has not been done or have i missed it ?.

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  25. If Besiktas play the same way they did then they're doomed too.

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  26. Can the captain? Well no he cant.

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  27. I checked a weeks ago on UEFA website. I think for a reasons above, 2 rounds in EL in time 1 round 1 CL, they are no separate row for the last 16 in EL.
    I was amazed that a winner in our match will meet Zenit. They are a lot od easier draw.

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  28. In Russia we lost 2:0 and Suarez missed a lot of chances on the very bad pitch. On Anfield Suarez was amazing, but Hulk stealed the ball from Cara and we won just 3:1, in one of our best games that season. Coutinho and Sturridge was cup tied, becasue Chelsea relegated to EL that year (and won it). But i don't know how do you think we are better now without Suarez?. Did you watch him against City and he does not have enough balls from Messi and others. They played slow football in the second half. Suarez would destroy City with Liverpool style of play from last year, with lead and extra man on the pitch.

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  29. Zenit last season was a bad day plus bad weather plus some bad luck. we can beat them. So draw is already completed, didn't know that...

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  30. You shouldn't use a name so similar to one of the best posters around here...

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