Liverpool face a real tough task as they travel down to high-flying Bournemouth. Both sides will be looking to progress into the Capital One Cup semi-final. Bournemouth couldn’t face Liverpool at a better time, in all honesty. Liverpool’s side are extremely low on confidence and aren’t even recognisable to the side that did so well last season, and consequently, Brendan Rodgers has come under the spotlight and is the second favourite to be the next managerial casualty in the Premier League.
The last time these sides met, Liverpool managed a comfortable 2-0 away win at Bournemouth. Victor Moses and Daniel Sturridge managed to get their names on the scoresheet on that occasion. Moses, obviously not playing for the Reds anymore and Sturridge is still sidelined with an injury. This game will not be as comfortable as last time, that’s a given. Bournemouth are on great form, in contrast to Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Sturridge wraps up the game last time these sides met
(LiverpoolFC.TV)
This might well be Liverpool’s only realistic chance of winning a cup this season. So I hope Rodgers goes into this game with a strong team selection. I’d like to see Balotelli start. Despite not scoring after a few chances on Sunday, the Italian looked a lot more lively than he did in previously in recent games. I’d play Fabio Borini with Balotelli, too. Borini has been a nothing figure so far this season, though. I doubt Rodgers will play him, to my annoyance.
Raheem Sterling needs a rest. Liverpool have plenty of options to replace Sterling. Adam Lallana could face his former club, Lazar Markovic should definitely start after impressing in the last two games and Philippe Coutinho is another option.
Steven Gerrard should too be rested after playing two games in a short period of time. This will mean Gerrard’s legs will be fresh for the big game on Sunday, against Arsenal. Lucas Leiva is my choice to come in.
One of Allen or Henderson should come make way for Emre Can. Can’s recent absence from the side has been startling. The German powerhouse scored his first goal and managed his best performance against Chelsea, and since, has only featured for 15 minutes against Crystal Palace. Can has to start and I will be very disappointed if he doesn’t, because I really like the look of him. In my opinion, he could get into our starting eleven.
Glen Johnson came off early with an injury on Sunday and will most likely not be ready for this. Javi Manquillo should come back into the starting line-up for the injured right-back. Johnson’s injury may prove to be a blessing in disguise as I really like Manquillo and think he has serious potential.
Alberto Moreno to keep his place, for me. I do like him, granted he’s not playing with too much confidence at the moment, but who is? Like Manquillo, I think he could grow into a tremendous full-back. The more Moreno plays, hopefully the more his confidence will grow. However, there is an argument for Enrique, too. Enrique didn’t take part in Sunday’s loss and will have fresh legs, opposed to Moreno.
Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho at the back. Is there even a serious argument against that? I don’t think there would be. These are our best centre backs, I believe.
Brad Jones or Simon Mignolet? Jones, for me. Then Mignolet for Sunday. Jones normally plays the cup games anyway and I doubt Sunday’s performance would change anything about that. I wouldn’t mind Mignolet playing, though.
The side I’d go with in Bournemouth would be a 4-4-2 diamond. Hopefully something along the lines of this:
(FansCorners.com/Liverpool/Squad-Selector)
Bobby Vincent
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