Liverpool’s top four hopes took a massive blow last time out, as the Reds lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield. It was very deflating. It hurt. The top four isn’t quite out of sight, but it almost feels as if it’s drifting away. The loss has put even more pressure on Liverpool this weekend as they travel down to the Emirates. One of the hardest places to play. It’s sort of turned into a must-win game; and that isn’t a good thing.
Despite the potential top four implications this game has; the build-up to it has been dominated by the Raheem Sterling contract saga. Arsenal have shown an interest in the 20 year-old according to several media outlets and Sterling described Arsenal’s, and other club’s interest, as ‘flattering’. In the week before the game, good thing to do? Don’t think so, Raheem.
The last time these sides met, back in December, ended up with both sides sharing the points. Liverpool had initially took the lead through a Philippe Coutinho strike. Liverpool couldn’t turn their domination and control of the game into goals, though – and Arsenal equalized shortly after, through a Mathieu Debuchy header. Olivier Giroud, who is on red-hot form right now, scored Arsenal’s second and it looked like Arsenal were on their way to maximum points on Merseyside, until an injury-time equalizer from Martin Skrtel squared the game.
(liverpoolfc.com)
There was an injury scare for Liverpool fans in the week, as numerous papers reported that Daniel Sturridge had suffered yet another injury setback – this time his hip. However, it seems as if Sturridge is fine as there were pictures of him taking part in training on Thursday. For me, Sturridge starts this game despite the criticism he has been getting since his return from injury. The criticism is fair, too; he doesn’t look himself – but the main thing is that he will score you goals despite not playing well.
I’d change the formation completely. I love the 3-4-2-1 we’ve been playing and I think it definitely has a future with the personnel we currently have, but I believe we should go back to an old favourite of mine; the 4-4-2 diamond. I want a Tottenham-esque performance from earlier in the season.
This change of formation means bringing Balotelli in, for me. Mario alongside Sturridge, Raheem behind those two. For the rest of the midfield I’d go Coutinho and Henderson in front of Lucas, who plays as the anchor. It may seem unfair on Allen, who has done well since returning to the side, but I’ve simply put our best players in there – in my opinion, anyway.
The back four would be Emre Can at right-back. I believe Can could play this role relatively comfortably. He plays in a role at the moment (right centre-back) which isn’t too dissimilar to this position in the sense that it is a wide part of the defence. With Skrtel suspended, Kolo Toure would come in and partner Mamadou Sakho. Alberto Moreno as the left-back; I think he will have to be very disciplined (in terms of not getting forward as much as he would perhaps like).
The side I’m going for:
(fanscorners.com/Liverpool/squad-selector/)
Bobby Vincent
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