After a narrow defeat to the fellow English side Chelsea, the Merseyside club Liverpool will now be tackling the Italian giants AC Milan. Milan, on the other hand, ended their latest game as a 3-3 draw against the German Champions Bayern Munich and went on to win the game by 5-3 on penalties as their 17-year-old Italian shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the penalties.
Yes, Liverpool had a narrow defeat, but that is surely a lesson for the team; they need to improve their defence a bit. Even after signing a towering centre back, the side failed to defend set-pieces, something which they were heavily criticized last season, and that might prove costly in the upcoming season.
With the league starting soon, the Anfield side needs to train hard to sort out the defensive errors and be ready for the new capaign. Until then, we give you Liverpool’s predicted lineup that could face the Italian club AC Milan this Sunday:
Goalkeeper: Loris Karius-
Many thought that Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp might use the new signing Alex Manninger against Chelsea, but it was the German, who was lined up and it turns out that he needs to work more to gain the top spot. Couldn’t do much the stop the goal from Cahill last time out, but now with Milan waiting, he needs to grip his gloves tighter.
Defence: Randall; Lovren; Klavan; Moreno-
Klopp used the young and energetic Connor Randall against the Chelsea, and the youngster gave a fine display. Randall, a second choice left back behind Nathaniel Clyne was rock solid against Chelsea’s Victor Moses and never gave him a chance to run over him.
With Mamadou Sakho sent back home, Liverpool now have Dejan Lovren and the new signings Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip for the centre back spot. Klavan gave an impressive performance in his debut game for the club and is likely to start again as there Joel Matip might get a rest due to his injury, and the Estonian will be lining up with the Croatian international Dejan Lovren.
With no real option available for the left spot, the manager might use Alberto Moreno yet again.
Midfield Trio: Stewart; Henderson; Ejaria-
Liverpool’s skipper, Jordan Henderson, was introduced in the second half against Chelsea but didn’t have a great impact on the game. Well, it was good to see him returning to the pitch, and the manager might look forward to using him as a central midfielder against Milan. As a defensive midfielder, Klopp might again go with the 22-year-old Kevin Stewart, as Grujic will longer be playing against Milan.
On the other hand, as an attacking midfielder, the manager might use the 18-year-old Ovie Ejaria. Liverpool’s u21 member, Ejaria, gave a solid display against Chelsea last time out and was full of energy.
Attacking Trio: Mane; Firmino; Coutinho-
Mane was unarguably the fastest player on the pitch against Chelsea and was very threatening on the right spot. He surely did a great job, but he really needs to work on his end product. On the parallel flank, the manager will surely use the Brazilian sensation Philippe Coutinho, who had a disappointing outing against Chelsea but the Reds need him to pick up his form before the season begins. As a striker, Liverpool will line Firmino up, who sometimes looked dizzy when working alone in the box against the London club.
