It's finally time for the big kick off, and there are a couple of surprises in Jurgen Klopp's first starting XI of the season.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
SUBS: Manninger, Can, Origi, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Stewart, Grujic
ARSENAL: Cech, Holding, Bellerin, Monreal, Chambers, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Ramsay, Iwobi, Sanchez
* It's a surprise to see Emre Can on the bench, especially since he played against Barcelona and Mainz. He's had seven days recovery time since the last pre-season game but is seemingly not match-fit. Or, Klopp simply prefers Wijnaldum in midfield.
* Predictably, Benteke, and Markovic are not in the squad, and that will probably be the case for much of the season.
* Sturridge is also out, which obviously means he's not match-fit enough to play.
* Many fans expected Klopp to go with Divock Origi, but Firmino gets the nod, as does perennial Klopp favourite Adam Lallana.
Arsenal's team is significantly weakened, but the Gunners still have quality players in the lineup.
Probable formation:
------------ Mignolet
Clyne -- Lovren - Klavan --- Moreno
--- Lallana -- Hendo -- Wijnaldum
------ Mane --------- Coutinho
------------- Firmino
For me, the disappointing this is that one of either Hendo or Wijnaldum will have to assume the role of defensive-midfielder, which means Liverpool's attacking threat from midfield may be somewhat diminished.
This is what happens, though, when the manager point blank refuses to give the club options in that position. Of course, Kevin Stewart could've played there, but instead of putting aces in their places, Klopp clearly prefers to play Hendo and/or Wijnaldum out of position.
FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno, Henderson, Lallana, Wijnaldum, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino
SUBS: Manninger, Can, Origi, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Stewart, Grujic
ARSENAL: Cech, Holding, Bellerin, Monreal, Chambers, Elneny, Coquelin, Walcott, Ramsay, Iwobi, Sanchez
* It's a surprise to see Emre Can on the bench, especially since he played against Barcelona and Mainz. He's had seven days recovery time since the last pre-season game but is seemingly not match-fit. Or, Klopp simply prefers Wijnaldum in midfield.
* Predictably, Benteke, and Markovic are not in the squad, and that will probably be the case for much of the season.
* Sturridge is also out, which obviously means he's not match-fit enough to play.
* Many fans expected Klopp to go with Divock Origi, but Firmino gets the nod, as does perennial Klopp favourite Adam Lallana.
Arsenal's team is significantly weakened, but the Gunners still have quality players in the lineup.
Probable formation:
------------ Mignolet
Clyne -- Lovren - Klavan --- Moreno
--- Lallana -- Hendo -- Wijnaldum
------ Mane --------- Coutinho
------------- Firmino
For me, the disappointing this is that one of either Hendo or Wijnaldum will have to assume the role of defensive-midfielder, which means Liverpool's attacking threat from midfield may be somewhat diminished.
This is what happens, though, when the manager point blank refuses to give the club options in that position. Of course, Kevin Stewart could've played there, but instead of putting aces in their places, Klopp clearly prefers to play Hendo and/or Wijnaldum out of position.
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