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: (3-4-1-2) Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Clyne, Milner, Coutinho, Moreno; Lallana; Ings, Sturridge
I don’t prefer the 3-4-1-2 in general. I’ve said it since last year, even when it was winning points, I just felt it was a stop gap until a more sustainable formation for our personnel emerged. But, Brendan Rodgers has his back against the wall. If I was the Brodg, nothing else would matter but three points.
So what’s the best way to get a win? This formation has shown flashes of attacking play, definitely more so than any other system this year. Saturday isn’t a day to get players like Gomez and Ibe more playing time: it’s just about three points for the manager.
Grooming Can as the centre-mid of the future won’t mean squat for Rodgers if he’s not going to be here to reap those rewards, so he returns to the right side of a back three where he’s impressed. Lallana will be on a tight string with Joe Allen waiting to enter and push Coutinho forward. Danny Ings is the only personal even in the same area code as a form player for Liverpool, so could it be that Rodgers’ Liverpool future in his hands?
Sam Davies: (3-5-2) Mignolet; Gomez, Skrtel, Sakho; Clyne, Milner, Allen, Coutinho, Moreno; Ings, Sturridge
After needing penalties to beat Carlisle, a defeat against Aston Villa could be the end of the road for Rodgers. We need to stick to the same formation as last week against Norwich despite drawing we created opportunities. Lovren being injured leaves us short especially if we play three at the back.
Ibe needs another loan in my opinion, hence why Clyne goes down the right. Allen needs minutes under his belt and a fresh face in midfield wouldn’t be a bad thing, after all he is the Welsh Xavi!
Ings has scored in his last two games and when a striker is scoring goals you have to pick and with Sturridge back from injury they could strike up a decent partnership.
Ste Hoare: (3-4-1-2) Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho; Moreno, Clyne, Lucas, Milner; Coutinho; Ings, Sturridge
Well, I think that’s the team Brendan will pick and I’m fairly happy with it. In truth, I don’t think we need Lucas at home and I’d play Allen, but I don’t think either he or Dan Sturridge can play 90 minutes and you can’t start a game with two players you know you’ll have to sub off.
Ings deserves his chance. He’s been one of few bright sparks in recent weeks, and offers a goal threat that we need.
I’m not a huge Skrtel fan, but middle of a three does suit him, and I’m not sure you can throw Joe Gomez in there against a physical Villa side.
Milner needs to step up, he’s been pretty poor and needs to do better, as does Coutinho in truth.
Moreno has been impressive in a wing back role, as has Clyne. Both need to provide the width in the side, but also an end product rather than just whipping crosses in.
Jack Bird: (3-4-1-2) Mignolet; Gomez, Skrtel, Sakho; Moreno, Milner, Coutinho, Clyne; Lallana; Ings, Sturridge
Sticking with the formation even though it hasn’t proved too fruitful regarding points, but anything’s better than the dreaded 4-3-3. Gomez back in the squad to Skrtel’s left with Sakho to his right.
Coutinho alongside Milner because I’ve always loved him in a more central midfield role, taking advantage of his pressing and creativity – something we’ve been starved of lately. Lallana has impressed recently and seeing him in his ideal position would mean a lot or coverage and pressing through the middle with Phil and Milner behind and also the running of Moreno and Clyne to the sides.
With the right defence-splitting passes these players are capable of, Sturridge and Ings will have a lot to run on to. In terms of defence and offence, I think this is ideal and might buck our toxic form against the Villans.
Your Liverpool XI, Dan Norton: (3-4-1-2) Mignolet; Gomez, Skrtel, Sakho; Clyne, Can, Coutinho, Moreno; Lallana; Sturridge, Ings
I think Liverpool should stick with the same formation as against Norwich. Ings starts alongside Sturridge offering pace and pressing from the front. Lallana scored against Bordeaux and assisted Ings in midweek meaning he gets the position just off the strikers for me.
This allows Coutinho to drop deeper and dictate the play alongside Emre Can in midfield. Clyne and Moreno provide the width with Joe Gomez coming back into the back three. This is a must-win game for Liverpool and this selection allows for more bodies in the box and greater creativity in the final third.
