Liverpool host Basel at Anfield, in what is their biggest game of the season thus far. Only a win will do for the reds as they look to qualify beyond the group stages in the world’s hardest club competition. Real Madrid are already through, as expected. If Liverpool fail to win, Basel will be going through to the last 16.
The last time these sides met was at the start of October in Switzerland. Basel came out victors in that encounter, with a narrow 1-0 win. Both sides were poor that night and Basel won the game with a really scrappy goal from a corner. However, that could be the difference in qualifying or not.
Basel don’t need to win, so logic suggests that they’ll be sitting back and inviting the pressure, before hitting Liverpool on the counter-attack and hoping to grab themselves a goal.
The last time these sides met
(LiverpoolFC.com)
Steven Gerrard didn’t start in Liverpool’s disappointing stalemate with Sunderland. Brendan Rodgers revealed after the match that Gerrard was being rested for Tuesday’s crunch match. I’d imagine and hope that the skipper will be in an attacking position, so his enormous influence can benefit the team going forward, like it did against Leicester.
Lucas Leiva should retain his place in the side as our deepest midfielder. Lucas has been very good since he’s managed to wriggle his way back into Brendan Rodgers’ plans. Despite Lucas’ good run of form, I’m still desperate for an upgrade in the January transfer window. William Carvalho, preferably.
Raheem Sterling should play just behind Rickie Lambert, acting as a ‘second striker’. Sterling has the blistering pace which will cause Basel many problems on the night. I have been very impressed by Lambert’s hold-up play, too. Those two attributes together should make for interesting viewing and hopefully enjoyable viewing!
Philippe Coutinho, for me, should play deeper in the midfield. Like he did towards the end of last season and was hugely influential. I think it suits Coutinho more. When Coutinho picks the ball up deep and looks up and takes players on, he’s virtually unstoppable. I think playing him further forward, he can sometimes be marked out of the game and therefore, lose his influence.
Alberto Moreno was solid defensively against Sunderland. Nothing got past him on his side. I think in a game which will most likely be tight against Basel, it will be good to have our full-backs helping the side out going forward, too. Moreno’s pace on the overlap and his crosses should be enough to worry the Swiss outfit.
Kolo Toure put in yet another good performance against Sunderland, with yet another clean-sheet. Toure should partner Skrtel. Again, I hope we upgrade on Skrtel, preferably in January, more than likely in the summer, though.
Javi Manquillo for Glen Johnson. Manquillo will be more suited to this game, in my opinion. I think Basel will try and hit us on the break a lot, and I think Manquillo is a lot more positionally aware than Johnson. He isn’t as lazy, too. The amount of times I see Johnson go up pitch and give the ball away and then barely jog back is frightening. We cannot be carrying any passengers in this huge game.
I’m not too bothered about the formation Rodgers opts with, would like to see the diamond, though. This is the line-up I’d start with:
What would your team be? Make one here: Liverpool squad selector
Bobby Vincent
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