Liverpool host European champions, Real Madrid at Anfield. This is both team’s third game in this year’s group stage. Liverpool have won one and lost one of their opening two fixtures. Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Ludogorets, 2-1 and lost 1-0 away to Basel.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have won both of their games thus far. 5-1 at home to Basel and a narrow 2-1 win away to Ludogorets. Real Madrid will be looking to make it nine from nine as they travel to England to play Liverpool. It’s the five time champions of Europe taking on the nine times champions of Europe.
The opponents, Real Madrid. (RealMadrid.com)
Liverpool were lucky to win their last game; 3-2 to QPR. But in that game, a couple of players said to me that they needed to start in this game. Philippe Coutinho and Joe Allen. Coutinho noticeably changed the course of the game when he came on, with a goal and a fantastic pass to Raheem Sterling for the winner. Allen, not so noticeably, but he changed the game too. He gave our midfield a lot more shape and fluidity. So I’d like to see them two come into the start line-up.
Mario Balotelli was again, not on great form. The Italian striker is yet to score in the league since joining Liverpool in August. Balotelli has scored in the Champions League, though. I wonder if that will influence Brendan Rodgers’ decision whether to play him or not.
There have been shouts, most noticeably by former Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher, to start Raheem Sterling up front on his own. A false 9 and leave Balotelli out of the side. Sterling would offer you runs in behind, something Balotelli does not. I can see the logic in that decision, however, I don’t think Rodgers would start a 19 year old up top on his own against arguably, the best team in the world right now.
Adam Lallana wasn’t great against QPR, but neither were most of the team, really. I think I’d still play him, as he is hugely influential in the way we play, in my opinion. I don’t think Real Madrid will know what to expect from Lallana, too. I’d imagine they have analysed Gerrard, Sterling and Balotelli more than anyone else. So Lallana may come as a surprise package to Madrid, same could be said with Coutinho.
Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard should always start, when fit, in my opinion. They are both massively influential to Liverpool and are vice-captain and captain, respectively. Gerrard played behind Balotelli in the first-half on Sunday. It wasn’t too bad, he just couldn’t really get in the game. I imagine Rodgers will move Gerrard back to the anchor man of the midfield, as he has become accustomed to, over the last year or so.
Alberto Moreno has to come back in, for me. Enrique didn’t have the greatest of games on Sunday. He looked a little bit out of his depth. Moreno has been one of our standout performers this season so far. I think he’ll definitely come back into the starting eleven, as Rodgers rested him from the squad on Sunday.
Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel will keep their places, I’d imagine. Rodgers doesn’t really have much else to pick from. I’m not sure about the fitness of Mamadou Sakho.
Glen Johnson or Javier Manquillo? Glen Johnson, for me. I think he was our best defender against QPR (then again, it wasn’t hard). I think his experience will be crucial. I think he has done really well since returning from injury. I hope he plays and carries on his form. I do really like Manquillo, too. So I won’t be too bothered about who starts out of those two.
Simon Mignolet will obviously start in goal. The recently criticised ‘keeper did well against QPR and performed some heroic and match-winning saves.
I hope we play Sterling in the false 9, like many. I think we need everyone to be moving around loads in this game, if we’re to stand any chance of winning against an on-form Real Madrid side. That will mean a 4-3-3.
I think we could get something from this game if we’re up to scratch. This will mean improving loads from Sunday’s performance. The fans will be unbelievably loud and that could be hard for Real Madrid to handle. Stranger things have happened.
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Bobby Vincent
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