Every week before a Liverpool match, a panel of Read Liverpool writers will come together and choose who they would throw out on the pitch and how they’d arrange the team.
Think yours is better than any of ours? Tweet me (@tombogert) your XI in the days leading up to the next game and you might be picked to have your say in this article as the “Your Liverpool XI” writer for that match.
Tom Bogert: (4-3-3) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Lucas, Henderson, Milner; Coutinho,
Benteke, Ibe
I really hope Jordan Henderson is fit for this match. I’d hate to have him miss out; he’ll be integral to collecting points from the Emirates if it’s to happen. Lucas returns to the team because Arsenal’s attacking players scare the hell out of me if I’m honest. The front part of the team will press high, and Lucas will allow Henderson and Milner to get higher both in possession and whilst defending. If Hendo can’t go then Emre Can slides in like for like.
Jordon Ibe hasn’t flashed the form Liverpool fans had irrationally hoped, but this game shapes up to be wide open and Ibe thrives in those situations which is why he keeps his place for me. I’m one of the majority of fans that rates Mama Sakho over Dejan Lovren, but I wouldn’t hand Sakho his first match in an away trip to Arsenal.
Sam Davies: (4-3-3) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Lucas, Can, Milner; Firmino, Benteke, Coutinho
The back four again remains the same because we need that consistency and understanding between our defenders. Lucas would be holding midfielder as he’s the most defensively-minded central midfielder we have, although I’ll be very surprised if Rodgers starts him.
Emre Can would replace Jordan Henderson if he is deemed unfit. Both are similar players and against Arsenal I don’t think we should change our team or formation too much.
I think now is the time we should see new boy Firmino. He might not play the whole game, but him and Coutinho down both wings could give us that attacking edge. Plus, the prospect of Jordon Ibe coming off
the bench could be crucial towards the end of the game.
Your Liverpool XI, Dan Witton: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez; Henderson, Milner; Ibe, Coutinho, Firmino; Benteke
Firstly, Mignolet picks himself, which isn’t a good thing as I was disappointed we didn’t sign a keeper that would rival him for the no 1 position. I feel Adam Bogdan is a sideways step from Brad and I believe Begovic would have been a good signing and would have been happy to sign for us.
Clyne and Gomez have been great so far. Both have given solid 8/10 shifts in the first two games of the campaign. I feel Skrtel is the best centre-half we have and I pick Sakho over Lovren simply because I think he makes a better partnership with Skrtel. I feel Lovren needs to earn his place after last season.
Benteke, Milner and Henderson pick themselves as well and what can I say about Coutinho that we don’t already know? I feel if Firmino is going to click with Coutinho and Benteke, he needs minutes and based on his cameo appearances and after Lallana’s below par performances, he gets the nod over Adam on Monday.
Luke Chandley: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Milner, Can; Lallana, Coutinho,
Firmino; Benteke
I think Lallana’s cameo in the centre of midfield on Monday could be a clue as to Rodgers’ thinking right now, and in fairness all of Lallana’s best play came when he was more central, so I put him there for this
game.
Milner playing deeper than Can, who will be needed to be power in midfield as well as an out-ball when he starts on his almost trademark runs. I don’t see Liverpool having the greatest of position tomorrow, but the trouble Benteke can offer Arsenal’s defence, coupled with work-rate and tenacity of Coutinho and Firmino could mean Liverpool playing wiser and tougher than we are used to seeing under Brendan Rodgers.
James Smith: (4-3-3) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Gomez; Can, Milner, Coutinho; Ibe, Benteke, Firmino
Henderson seems to be missing for the trip to the Emirates, and this is a massive blow in my opinion. Against Arsenal you really do need discipline and a player who will simply sit in front of the back four. Whilst I don’t firmly believe Can can do this as effectively, I don’t feel that there is another option. Still, his drive and power in the middle could come in handy.
You can’t touch the back four after opening with two clean sheets, as much as I want Sakho back in the side. Gomez will have a tough night ahead of him but I feel that he has already demonstrated that he’s capable of putting in big performances when they are most needed.
Milner’s energy will be key and Coutinho I feel would prevail in this more central role. Ibe on the right, and I’d draft Firmino in for his first start too. I think it’s his type of game, where we will look to combat them with quick build up play. Lallana could also do with a break from the limelight, though I don’t think he’s done too much wrong at all. Benteke’s firepower could be decisive and if he turns up, the Arsenal back four could have problems.
