My team to start against Hull if all fit:
Mignolet
Manqillo Skrtel Lovren Moreno
Henderson (c) Lucas Allen
Sterling
Lambert Balotelli
Obviously we want the three points. But I fully agree with what Carra said after the Madrid game: We've got to start keeping some clean sheets to get some confidence, even it if means going more defensive and changing the system considerably. At the moment, the team feels to me like it did in the late days of Roy Evans reign. It looks like we are going to concede from every set piece. We also look disjointed in open play and ineffective up front.
I'd set up with Henderson Lucas and Allen in the middle to add a bit more solidity in front of the back four. I'd also play Lambert together with Balotelli in this one. For me, Balotelli up front alone isn't working. He needs someone up with him, particularly in this game as Hull set up with three central defenders, so someone else must occupy defenders to give more support. I also think Lambert and Balotelli offer more presence in terms of defending set pieces in our own box than Lallana and Coutinho.
Sterling works the channels and Manquillo and Moreno provide the attacking width. Also having two front men offers the wing backs more to hit with their crosses. Midfield subs include Stevie, Coutinho and Lallana in case we want fresh legs and want to play more short midfield passing in the second half.
That's what I'd like to see: A horses for courses team. But realistically I don't expect it to happen.
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