After the huge announcement from our captain today it's easy to forget we have our fourth match in 11 days. But it is essential for the club and for Gerrard to make sure the headlines are for all the right reasons on Tuesday morning and go out and show the professionalism to get the job done.
On paper AFC Wimbledon should be straight forward to overcome. But as we have found out far too many times in the past (most notably against Wimbledon in the FA Cup!) things don't always work like that. Oldham, Bournemouth and Mansfield in recent times have all come out fighting for there lives and made it very tough for us and you know AFC Wimbledon will be looking to do the same!
In League Two they are 11th coming off an impressive 4-1 win over Exeter. From the bit of research I done, I see AFC Wimbledon line up in a 4-4-2.
That was the starting XI against Exeter but with the infamous Akinfenwa returning from injury in that game as a sub and scoring off the bench I expect to see him introduced. Akinfenwa and Tubbs together have scored 24 goals this season with Azeez contributing another 5 mainly as a sub. They know where the back of the net is, we can't take anything for granted in our current state.
From midfield they don't seem to have as deadly a threat. Francomb and Rigg seem to be the creative and more attacking players from each flank with 11 assists and 7 goals between them. I think Rigg on the left is the more clinical of the two with 5 assists and 5 goals to his name. In the center Bulman appears to be the more defensive of the two and is there to break up play, although his 5 league yellow cards suggest he may know what he's doing there!
At the back is where we can win this. AFC Wimbledon have shipped 33 goals this season. Jake Goodman is relatively new to the starting line up this season with just 5 starts but he seems to have pushed Alan Bennett to the bench. It will be interesting to see wether they will go for Bennetts experience or Goodmans form? And with their keeper James Shea a young 23 years old, you would like to think the chances will be there for us... if we put the right men in to take them.
Which brings me on to us. As I say this will be our fourth game in 11 days so I would imagine a bit of rotation is on the way. Upon saying that it has to be Mignolet in goal. Work hard and get him a clean sheet. I think he has actually improved in recent performances and in the last two games he has been left out to dry by the defence in the goals we have conceded. In defence I would imagine Rodgers will want to keep the same style, philosophy and formation. So I expect 3 at the back and that Lovren will be reintroduced to the side alongside Can and Toure there for experience. The front two of AFC Wimbledon are the biggest threat I can see from them, so we need to cut it out. Akinfenwa will look to get physical, it will be important not to get drawn into a battle with him. If he leave one of our three on their arse Tubbs and himself will punish us for it. Play it smart and make them go deeper and deeper for the ball.
To do that, our midfield will need to keep the ball and put pressure on the opposition when they have it. Another Swansea performance and we're laughing here! With all the media attention now, I would be very surprised if Gerrard doesn't start here. And although I suggested some rotation I would have to put Henderson in there with him. Rest Lucas, but play Henderson centrally, let him do Gerrards leg work and show off his own abilities like he did against Swansea. He can press at such a high rate and as I said above I genuinely think that is where we will win this. But keeping the ball for as long as we can, and getting it back instantly when we lose it.
That leaves space on the right hand side for Manquillo to return. I think the lad has ability but has yet to show it. Give him games, give him confidence and he will return it! On the left for me it is a toss up between Markovic and Ojo? I think the smarter option would be to start Markovic and introduce Ojo if/when we are in a controlling position. Take the pressure off him and let him show what has earned him the call up to the senior squad in recent weeks. Markovic then can do what he has been doing, and impressing at recently. Use that great engine he has, with pace to run at defenders, pressure them and beat them. If he turns up there will be goals for him here.
The front 3 is a different issue. Firstly I think Sterling needs a break. Not so much physically but mentally. He has been getting increasingly frustrated in recent weeks and he needs a break from being the frontman. If we want we can bring him on as a sub at wing back or in a deeper attacking role. But I personally think he needs a break from it until he finds his best form again.
In saying that the man I would put down the center is the enigma himself; Balotelli. It's simple, you want it, there you go. Just go out and smash these! If you don't, sub him and tell him where the bus stop is! He has the talent and I think with Gerrard, Henderson and Markovic playing he will not be lost for options, if he does his share.
Just behind him I would play Borini and Suso. Coutinho has been one of our best players recently. It might just be worth looking after him and making sure we have him available. A rest will do him no harm. Borini showed the desire and aggression against Arsenal. Unfortunately it didn't quite work. If he can use that determination in the right way he can find his feet again. He can be the engine alongside Balotelli that pulls players with him to create the space for Mario. And he can give that pressing up high that we like (apparently). Suso on the other hand I just feel needs to get himself back on track. It is clear he has potential but he's only played 23 mins this season. Something must be going on? However I think if he is in the right frame of mind then it may be worth letting him play and fight for a spot in this team. He has that trick up his sleeve and the ability to beat a man. Against this defence I would like to try him and see what he can do. He offers something different to Balotelli and Borini and he may have that one turn or flick that gets us in behind the defence.
I understand that with that team the front 3 are a gamble. But if they can do what they were bought to do, what we all know they can do then they will get on the scoresheet here. It's up to them and no one else to get back into this Liverpool team. They have a chance now they need to take it.
Aside from that I think the rest of the team is pretty solid. I think Henderson will be the key in attack and defence. He can create the space for Gerrard to work his passing. The back 3 all know their jobs at this stage. If they can work as a unit and Markovic and Manquillo can support we should snuff out the threat from Tubbs and Akinfenwa as well as Rigg and Francombe from out wide. Push them back when they have the ball and make the move when we have it. Keep it smart and this is there for us.
All going to plan I would like to think we can put these to the sword. But for now, a professional performance and 3-0 is my call. (Markovic, Balotelli, Can)
