After last week's battling draw with League Two side Exeter City, Liverpool now face a touch Premier League game against Arsenal, and according to Anfield legend John Aldridge, the Reds are capable of getting a positive result out of the game, but if one of the club's key players returns from injury.
In his column for the Liverpool Echo today, Aldo mused:
"So much hinges on the centre-back situation. Sakho should be fit and if he lines up alongside Kolo Toure then we have a chance. If Toure is our only fit senior centre-back then I'd be concerned".
Well, the signing of Steven Caulker means this is no longer an issue.
If Sakho - recently hailed as 'spectacular' by Jurgen Klopp - isn't fit, Caulker is well equipped to take his place, but even if Sakho recovers in time, he won't be 100% match-fit, and against Arsenal, it's vital to have fully-fit central defenders.
As such, irrespective of Sakho's fitness levels, it's arguably prudent to leave him on the bench, and go with Caulker. If not, what's the point in even signing the ex-Spurs man?
Caulker is in the squad to ease the pressure on the club's central defenders, so there's no real need to rush Sakho back. Have him on the bench, and then bring him on for some minutes in second half (to build match-fitness).
That said, if all three of the aforementioned defenders are fit, then I fully expect Klopp to go with Sakho and Caulker. That'll be harsh on Toure, who delivered a superb performance against Stoke, but Caulker is younger and fitter (he's never been injured), so his inclusion makes sense.
Ultimately, I personally don't think it makes any difference who plays in defence; Arsenal have superb attacking players, and if given time and space, they're capable of doing some serious damage.
Author: Jaimie K
In his column for the Liverpool Echo today, Aldo mused:
"So much hinges on the centre-back situation. Sakho should be fit and if he lines up alongside Kolo Toure then we have a chance. If Toure is our only fit senior centre-back then I'd be concerned".
Well, the signing of Steven Caulker means this is no longer an issue.
If Sakho - recently hailed as 'spectacular' by Jurgen Klopp - isn't fit, Caulker is well equipped to take his place, but even if Sakho recovers in time, he won't be 100% match-fit, and against Arsenal, it's vital to have fully-fit central defenders.
As such, irrespective of Sakho's fitness levels, it's arguably prudent to leave him on the bench, and go with Caulker. If not, what's the point in even signing the ex-Spurs man?
Caulker is in the squad to ease the pressure on the club's central defenders, so there's no real need to rush Sakho back. Have him on the bench, and then bring him on for some minutes in second half (to build match-fitness).
That said, if all three of the aforementioned defenders are fit, then I fully expect Klopp to go with Sakho and Caulker. That'll be harsh on Toure, who delivered a superb performance against Stoke, but Caulker is younger and fitter (he's never been injured), so his inclusion makes sense.
Ultimately, I personally don't think it makes any difference who plays in defence; Arsenal have superb attacking players, and if given time and space, they're capable of doing some serious damage.
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Author: Jaimie K
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