Liverpool host Rubin Kazan Thursday in the Europa League, as new boss Jurgen Klopp takes charge of Liverpool at Anfield for the very first time.
This euphoric honeymoon phase of fan approval is a great time for Liverpool fans feeling a foreign, inorganic feeling: hope.
Klopp walks into a side that’s in a precarious European position. On top of that, it’s a thin squad due to injuries.
Former boss Brendan Rodgers left Liverpool tied for second in Group B on just two points, behind FC Sion who have four points after two match days.
The only big decisions Klopp will be forced to make is whether or not to play those that returned to full training this week, including Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge. Behind that, the squad is pretty straightforward, the back line especially, and many will be forced into double duty for the league and Europe.
Injuries are never a good thing yet this may be a blessing in disguise for Liverpool. If Klopp had a full arsenal of legs to choose from and decided to rotate and dropped points, Liverpool would be in a dodgy position at the midway point of the group stages, still having to travel to Switzerland and Russia.
But if Klopp has no choice but to pick a strong side (relatively speaking, of course) and they take care of business at Anfield, they’ll be set up nicely for the rest of the group stage. They’d be in control of their destiny of topping the group, something Klopp will no doubt be striving for. Also, once some bodies return in the coming weeks, he’ll be able to rotate from a greater position in the group.
So here’s the predicted XI for Liverpool v Ruben Kazan, in Liverpool’s standard gegenpressing 4-2-3-1*.
*How fun is it to say “Liverpool’s standard gegenpressing 4-2-3-1”? I love it. Super underrated high-brow phrases, thank you, Mr. Klopp. <3
