23 Jan 2016

Confirmed Liverpool Team: Klopp drops £52m duo; Forgotten man finally returns; Surprise as Smith ignored

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has left £32m summer signing Christian Benteke on the bench once again for this afternoon's Premier League clash with Norwich City.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Lucas, Henderson, Can, Milner, Ibe, Firmino.

SUBS: Ward, Caulker, Flanagan, Allen, Teixeira, Lallana, Benteke.

NORWICH: Rudd, Pinto, Martin, Bassong, Brady, Redmond, Dorrans, Howson, Hoolahan, Naismith, Mbokani

* Joe Allen is dropped again after scoring a goal. What does he have to do to get a Premier League start under Klopp? In my view, this is poor man-management, and simply underlines that £20m-rated Allen - hailed as 'magnificent' by Wales boss Chris Coleman - is not in Klopp's long-term plans. Clearly, the merit system doesn't apply under Klopp.

* On Friday, Klopp confirmed that Lallana is an injury 'doubt', so why not just give someone else his place in the squad?

* Ojo (who scored a great goal on Wednesday), or Brad Smith could've been given his place on the bench, but no - Klopp has to have his beloved, useless Lallana in the squad, even when he's not 100% fit.

* On the subject of Smith - it's a surprise to see the Australian left out of the match-day squad, especially after putting another good performance against Exeter (capped off with another assist). Again, suspect man-management (IMO).

* Good to see Teixeira on the bench. He deserves his place after an impressive showing against Exeter.

Probable formation:

-------------- Mignolet
Clyne ---- Sakho -- Toure ---- Moreno
--- Hendo ---- Lucas --- Can
--------- Ibe ----- Milner
------------- Firmino

Irrespective of team selection, this team is more than capable of beating Norwich, and given the disparity in player quality, Liverpool have to be favourites to win this game...right?

PL

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Author: Jaimie K


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