With Liverpool taking on Manchester United after the international break, the Reds are sweating on the availability of a number of players. While the international break did come at a good time, players such as Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne are still major doubts for the big clash.
Lallana and Lovren both picked up groin injuries in the hard-fought 2-1 win over Swansea. That news was later compounded when Clyne had to be withdrawn from the England squad during the international break.
There is now more bad news for Liverpool as Georginio Wijnaldum picked up an injury during Holland’s game in the international break. This latest injury is a huge problem for the Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The German had created a great trio in the heart of the Liverpool midfield. Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson played as the midfielders for the side. Lallana and Wijnaldum were the runners who joined in attack while Henderson played in a deep role and all had thrived this season in their roles.
With two of the players set to miss the game, there is a lot of pressure on Henderson to deliver against the Red Devils. Even the England and Liverpool captain (England captain since Wayne Rooney will be dropped to the bench against Slovenia) would have wanted the duo to play alongside him. But it seems he will have to deal with new players starting beside him.
New heads or a change in roles for Liverpool and Henderson?
The easiest thing would be to bring in two players who can do the job in midfield. Emre Can should be an automatic choice to play alongside Henderson in case one of the two players misses out. The German is also a better defensive midfielder and will add a lot of bite in the heart of the team.
The other player that could be brought into midfield is James Milner but that would lead to a lot of reshuffling at the back and Klopp would want to avoid that.
The ideal move would be to bring Philippe Coutinho further back from his attacking role. The Brazilian has played in midfield before and his intricate play could be key to Liverpool defeating Manchester United.
A lot of creativity would be lost with the duo of Lallana and Wijnaldum missing out. But with Coutinho playing deeper it could mean another chance for a stuttering striker.
Time for Sturridge to shine
The English striker has not been a regular for the Reds and with so many injuries piling up; it could be him that starts as part of the front three. A trio of Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is not the worst in the world. And Liverpool will hope that they click as well as the rest of the team has so far this season.
Liverpool might be the joint top-scorers in the league but playing Manchester United is never easy. Hopefully, the Reds can perform even without two key men in their midfield.
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