As hard as it may be for you and I, we need to come down from the elation of Saturdays emphatic win against City and set our sights on the next target, Bordeaux at home in the Europa League. A win here secures qualification and can save some key players a trip to Sion in two weeks time. So as tough as it may be for us mere mortals to regain our focus, you can be sure Jürgen and the Mighty Reds (Not that F***ing bird!) have their sights firmly set on this.
Bordeaux, not all to dissimilar to ourselves, are languishing in mid table, 13th, in their league, far from where they want to be. However, where we look to be improving leaps and bounds, Bordeaux have been struggling, they've won just three matches in all competitions since we played the last on the 17th of September. That run includes four losses, one of which was a 6-1 hammering from Nice! In that time they have shipped 19 goals (in 13 games) to our 12 goals (in 14), keeping just three clean sheets in the same time frame (the same as us).
Above is how they lined up against Sion last time out, a 1-1 draw with Bordeaux conceding an injury time own goal. Against us at home they set up with a 4-4-2 diamond, and in their last match on Sunday they played a 4-3-3. They still have a chance of qualifying from the group with two games to go, so it really depends on how seriously they are taking this. They just played at 4 o'clock on Sunday, if they want to focus on the domestic league they could use this a break and rest players and go with a similar formation as above. Or they might just go all out and play the same as they did on Sunday:
Personally I hope they come to attack. While we've seen fantastic progress under Klopp, our best games have been away at teams that have come at us looking to attack and leaving space. We still struggle to break down teams that park the bus.
A quick overview of their squad shows a few insights. Khazri is their main attacking threat with 4 goals and 5 assists. Their discipline is poor, 34 yellows and 4 reds so far this season, and Poko in particular is a serial offender. A bit of pace and trickery can exploit that. Just as much of their shots come from outside the box as come from the 18 yard box (46%), and 6 of their 19 goals have come from the dreaded set piece! Also there has been very little consistency to their line ups (as you can see) so this isn't a settled team, their is misunderstanding and mistakes everywhere here.
Everything Klopp has shown so far suggests that this will be taken seriously. And his team will reflect that. Especially with the chance to rest key players away at Sion heading into a busy Christmas period. Personally I would like to see Bogdan start and challenge Mignolet more, but I don't think he will, he'll get his game next week in the League Cup but I expect Mignolet in for this. I think the back four picks itself, same as Saturday, put the game to bed and there's the chance to rest players. I know Flanagan is only back in training so I don't expect him to be involved, however the UEFA website has Randall listed as injured? Seeing as he was a sub on Saturday and I haven't heard anything since I am going to expect him on the bench to give Clyne a break if the opportunity arises. Seeing as Klopp mentioned Enrique is back training with the team this would have been a good game to use him, Moreno has played a lot of Football, at a high intensity too. But since Enrique isn't eligible Moreno is going to have to keep it up until Flanagan back to fitness.
In midfield Lucas is out of the Swansea game on Sunday after getting his fifth yellow against City, so I expect him to start this one. Milner just came back from break so I expect him to be fresh enough to play his part and Klopp has been persistent with Can, he is developing and improving and I see him getting in here again. As with the back four the bench should be utilised to rest those that need it. Allen and Chirivella ready made recruits, with particular interest in seeing more from the youngster.
Out wide and in attack I see the big changes from Saturday, Coutinho hobbled off on Saturday and I see no reason to risk him further in our current injury situation. Firmino was excellent on Saturday but is still adapting and I thought he looked quite tired when he came off. The break will do him no harm, I would start him on the bench from here. Two players who have benefited greatly from Klopps arrival have been Ibe and Lallana, you can see the man management being done there. I would think these two would suit perfectly as the speed and trickery to draw the fouls and create the space in that Bordeux back line. Along with them I see Benteke starting. Origi didn't make the bench on Saturday, I think he has been taken back a step to refine his game, he was thrown in at the deep end due to injuries, there's no need to over expose him any more now that we have Benteke back and Sturridge ready for some minutes. Speaking of Sturridge I think he was only on the bench on Saturday in case we were very desperate in the last 10 minutes, I don't think Klopp wanted to play him at all, and therefore didn't! A few minutes at the end here should suffice, let's not rush things. Benteke is more than just a big lad up top, he's shown his vision and movement are fantastic and he will be a real handful for their defenders. I thought he looked indecisive in his one-on-one with Hart on Saturday, get a few goals here and put those thoughts out of your head lad.
The bench is where Klopp will have most license to tinker. I imagine it will be a good mix of experience and youth;
Bogdan, Toure, Randall, Allen, Chirivella, Firmino, Sturridge
Like I say, this all depends on if they come to play or not. If they do come at us I can see a 3-1 (Benteke, Lallana, Sturridge). If not I see a frustrating night ahead but enough quality there to get the job done, 1-0 (Benteke).
