27 Aug 2016

Confirmed Teams: Klopp drops 'amazing' £30m attacker; surprise on the bench; reckless decision to start Coutinho?

Despite scoring two goals against Burton Albion on Tuesday, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has dropped Daniel Sturridge for today's crunch clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

FULL TEAM: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Mane, Coutinho, Firmino

SUBS: Manninger, Grujic, Moreno, Lucas, Sturridge, Origi, Stewart

SPURS: Vorm, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dier, Wanyama, Eriksen, Alli, Lamela; Kane (c)

* It looks like Sturridge has paid the price for daring to publicly question Klopp over his starting position this week. It could just be a tactical move, but Sturridge is the club's most effective goalscorer, and dropping him after scoring two goals is poor man-management (IMO).

* Klopp is taking a massive gamble by starting Coutinho, who suffered a hamstring injury just a week ago. In my view, it's a reckless decision, and it'll come as no surprise if the Brazilian gets injured again today.

* Klavan is dumped from the matchday squad, which seems harsh. It looks like Klopp prefers Lucas as central defensive backup (he's the only player on the bench capable of playing at centre-half), but again, that seems a tad reckless given the fact he's just returned from injury.

* It looks like Klopp is going to persist with playing Wijnaldum in central midfield. The manager's stubbornness knows no bounds. Probable formation:

----------- Mignolet
Clyne -- Lovren - Matip ---- Milner
--- Lallana - Hendo -- Wijnaldum
Mane ------ Firmino ---- Coutinho

Liverpool have a great recent away record at Spurs, and given the fact the team only bothers to turn up in big games, the Reds will probably win today's game.

^ Sturridge: £30m-rated. Described as 'amazing' by Lucas Leiva.


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