It's crunch time (again) for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, and whatever happens today, one thing is clear: the Reds need to win, and anything but a victory will leave the club languishing dangerously close to the relegation zone. The injuries to Henderson, Lovren, Firmino, and Benteke missing though injury, Rodgers' team selection is relatively straightforward, and according to Anfield legend Jan Molby, there are four players who should be the first names on the team sheet.
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Molby urged Rodgers to go with a back three. He noted:
"Emre Can, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho** [should start]. It's only fair on the players to choose a three or four and stay with it for a while".
Molby also praised Danny ings for making an 'impression with the fans', and offered three reasons why he's an important player for the Reds:
* He 'runs in behind and is always on the shoulder of the defender'.
* He's 'just as happy to come deep' as he is to get in 'behind the backline', and 'wants the ball in front of him'.
* Ings also 'closes down the opposition' and that pressing is ''something that will have been drummed into him at Burnley'.
Ings has two goals in two games, so it'll be a major surprise if he doesn't start today. The question is, will he be out on his own, or part of a front two?
Rodgers confirmed yesterday that Daniel Sturridge will 'definitely' feature against Villa, and a Sturridge-Ings partnership at home is an enticing prospect.
3412 seems to be the best fit for the player's available, but the right right wing-back position is still an issue. Clyne is good defensively, but he adds little going forward, which is why (IMO) Milner is the best option for the role:
* He's good defensively (defending/hassling etc is basically all he does for the team), so that can be be utilised on the right.
* At Man City, he spent much of his time on the right of midfield, and proved that he's capable of making an impact in the final third.
* Milner has the stamina and work rate to get up and down the right flank.
In my view, it's a no-brainer, and if any player is going to be sacrificed for that role, it should be Milner (and not, say, Ibe, or Lallana).
** Combined cost/worth: £38m
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Liverpool Echo this week, Molby urged Rodgers to go with a back three. He noted:
"Emre Can, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho** [should start]. It's only fair on the players to choose a three or four and stay with it for a while".
Molby also praised Danny ings for making an 'impression with the fans', and offered three reasons why he's an important player for the Reds:
* He 'runs in behind and is always on the shoulder of the defender'.
* He's 'just as happy to come deep' as he is to get in 'behind the backline', and 'wants the ball in front of him'.
* Ings also 'closes down the opposition' and that pressing is ''something that will have been drummed into him at Burnley'.
Ings has two goals in two games, so it'll be a major surprise if he doesn't start today. The question is, will he be out on his own, or part of a front two?
Rodgers confirmed yesterday that Daniel Sturridge will 'definitely' feature against Villa, and a Sturridge-Ings partnership at home is an enticing prospect.
3412 seems to be the best fit for the player's available, but the right right wing-back position is still an issue. Clyne is good defensively, but he adds little going forward, which is why (IMO) Milner is the best option for the role:
* He's good defensively (defending/hassling etc is basically all he does for the team), so that can be be utilised on the right.
* At Man City, he spent much of his time on the right of midfield, and proved that he's capable of making an impact in the final third.
* Milner has the stamina and work rate to get up and down the right flank.
In my view, it's a no-brainer, and if any player is going to be sacrificed for that role, it should be Milner (and not, say, Ibe, or Lallana).
** Combined cost/worth: £38m
Author: Jaimie K
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