Interesting match this one. Comes within a run of 7 matches in 23 days. Our last two matches were our worst result in decades and and Champions League return that saw us draw when we should have won. The issues with defending are undeniable, but our attack has been electrifying (yet not clinical).
Burnley are off to a good start and equal with us on points. It was Sean Dyche's team last season who first illustrated our issues of scoring against teams that sit deep, establishing a blue print for a number of others who managed to frustrate us, especially after Sadio Mane left for AFCON.
This time Mane is out with suspension. That and fixture congestion would seem to invite some freshening of the starting XI, and yet this is an opponent to be respected. We want to believe we are deeper as a squad now, so this may be the first real test of that.
(I should add here that the next match, Tuesday the 19th, is a League Cup trip to Leicester City - a competition we've done well in the past two season but I think most would agree is our lowest priority of the four - not that I wouldn't like to win it - so Jürgen may wait for that match before he does any freshening, I don't know).
So for Saturday, rather than predict a lineup, let me list a few players who I think based on preseason and their role within the squad, SHOULD be considered for a starting berth.
1. Andy Robertson - thought he was very good in this only match - fully expect him to start.
2. Daniel Sturridge - Klopp raved about him in preseason and he scored a nice goal vs. Arsenal, but he has to get minutes if he's to help - plus Bobby is going to get worn down.
3. Phil Coutinho - he's back and all that.
4. Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain - also needs minutes - won two corners in five minutes last night.
5. Ben Woodburn -the least likely I know, but he keeps showing tremendous quality. Klopp may wait until the Tuesday match to rotate him in.
6. James Milner - not that I'm so excited about him in the first XI, but Klopp will have to rotate that midfield 3.
« Last Edit: Sep 14, 2017 05:38:55 pm by JD »
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