Projected Liverpool XI To Face Exeter
Despite fighting hard Liverpool lost against their old rivals, Manchester United, on Sunday. Klopp and his men get back to action on Wednesday against Exeter City in the replay of the FA Cup fixture that took place two weeks ago. While most of the other premier clubs will be resting, Liverpool will have to play against the league two side. Klopp has already said that he will be playing a similar line-up that he played against Exeter earlier this month. He also said that he will be using fresh legs on Wednesday. Here is Liverpool’s predicted line-up to face Exeter City:
Goalkeeper – Adam Bogdan
The fans would have loved to see Danny Ward, who was recalled from his loan earlier this month, to get the start against Exeter. But Ward was not registered as a Liverpool player for the FA Cup, so he won’t be available for the game. Even though Mignolet signed a new contract with Liverpool this week, he won’t be starting on Wednesday. That brings us to Adam Bogdan. The Hungarian has not been able to take his chance when given. It was his mistake that led to one of the goals scored by Exeter last time when the two sides met. Bogdan will be getting another chance to turn the tables on Wednesday.
Defenders – Connor Randall, Tiago Ilori, Jose Enrique, Brad Smith
Even though this defense conceded two goals against Exeter last time, it is expected that Klopp will be playing the same back four on Wednesday. Connor Randall may not be a very attacking player, but he reliable at the back. Tiago Ilori got his Liverpool debut against Exeter last time. He wasn’t fit enough, but now he will be better. The Portuguese put up a decent performance earlier this month against the League two side and he will be hoping to do better. Like Ward, the fans would have wanted to see Steven Caulker getting a start but again he was not registered as Liverpool player for the FA Cup. Jose Enrique is not a natural centre-back but he is expected to play as the centre back against Exeter again. His Liverpool career is almost over and this will be one of his last matches. Brad Smith was a key player for Liverpool against Exeter last time. It was Smith who scored the equalizer for Liverpool to make the score 2-2. He looked impressive and he will be starting as Liverpool’s left back on Wednesday. And the biggest news for the match is that Jon Flanagan will be making his return to Liverpool’s first team and it is expected that he will be on the bench.
Midfielders – Joe Allen, Cameron Brannagan, Joao Carlos Teixeira
Joe Allen is in a good form now but he hasn’t received much playing time this month. The Welsh midfielder scored the equalizer for Liverpool against Arsenal last week and is high on confidence. Klopp cannot play a team full of youngsters. Allen can provide experience to the team that they cleared lacked in the midfield last time against Exeter. Cameron Brannagan started for Liverpool last time against Exeter and he out up a OK performance. Brannagan is a great central midfielder and games like these will help him gain experience. Teixeira was one of Liverpool’s key players against Exeter last time. The Portuguese turned 23 years old earlier this week. Despite being talented, he has not been able to make his mark at Liverpool. Wednesday’s game will provide him an opportunity to shine and earn playing time.
Attackers – Jordon Ibe, Sheyi Ojo, Christian Benteke
Jordon Ibe’s form has taken a dip recently and Wednesday is the perfect opportunity for him to get it back. Ibe’s pace and dribbling abilities will make things difficult for the Exeter defenders. Sheyi Ojo’s introduction helped Liverpool to equalize against Exeter two weeks before and he looked impressive that night. He is expected to start against the league two side on Wednesday. Like Ibe, Ojo is fast and has the dribbling abilities to make things difficult for the Exeter defenders. Christian Benteke captained the young Liverpool side against Exeter last time and we can expect him to continue in that role on Wednesday. The Belgian has received a lot of stick from the fans. He will have to turn the tables in order to keep his position at Anfield.
