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: (4-2-3-1) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Milner, Henderson; Coutinho, Firmino, Ibe; Benteke
Liverpool’s main issue will be shape. The pieces are there, but how well do they fit together? In Jordon Ibe, they’ve got an out and out winger who’ll stay wide, pull the pants off the hapless fullback tasked with nullifying him whilst leaving space for Firmino or Coutinho to operate in down the centre. On the opposite wing, though, they’ve got either of the Brazilians wanting to cut in and play in the middle as well. This is why I’ve opted for Moreno over Joe Gomez. Moreno will maraud up and down the wing providing natural width, though he’ll be exposed a bit defensively. Henderson and Milner are obvious inclusions and I can’t wait to watch Coutinho and Firmino link in Liverpool shirts. Attack, attack, attack!
Luke Chandley: (4-3-3) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez; Henderson, Milner, Coutinho; Lallana, Benteke, Ibe
It was a toss-up between Benteke and Ings for me, but the Belgian got the nod. Ibe and Lallana have impressed most in pre-season, along with Gomez, so you can’t really leave any of them out in my opinion. Heard Neil Atkinson (name drop) of the Anfield Wrap suggest we see Coutinho further back the pitch to allow him to have more of the ball and utilize his great ability to pass by having more of the lads in front of him. I like this idea and think it gives him more chance to dribble past players, too.
Like everyone else, I want to see Sakho in the back four, and Clyne has a spot nailed on until Flanno comes back, and even beyond. Strong squad to beat away the Stoke City blues.
Nathan Steenson: (4-1-2-1-2)
Mignolet; Clyne, Gomez, Sakho, Moreno; Lucas; Milner, Henderson; Coutinho; Firmino, Benteke.
I’m a firm believer that our pre-season taught us very little. As a result, I don’t think any of the defensive combinations were really tested, and to be honest, I would just love to see a team with no Lovren in it. So far, Sakho and Skrtel has never really clicked, and so I would love to see Sakho and Gomez. The young defender looks like a real prospect, and he looks like he can genuinely defend, which is a plus. So I’d stick him in with our best defender, Sakho, and I believe it could be a brilliant partnership.
The rest picks itself really. With Milner and Henderson I think we need a genuine holding midfielder – someone with defensive intelligence and tendencies, and Lucas is the best we have in that department. Coutinho, Firmino and Benteke are my ‘havoc causers’ ahead. Let them at it.
Chris Flavell: (4-2-3-1) – Mignolet; Clyne, Sakho, Skrtel, Gomez; Milner, Henderson; Coutinho, Firmino, Lallana; Benteke
Given how close he ran Joe Hart for the golden glove last term, Simon Mignolet should keep his place in the starting line-up at the ground he conceded six at in May. New arrivals Clyne and Gomez should start in the full-back areas, especially given the latter’s pre-season excellence and I hope to see Sakho and Skrtel at the heart of the back four. New captain Henderson should start alongside James Milner in central midfield which will allow the attacking players a free role. The link up of the two Brazilians has the potential to be electric and throw into the mix Adam Lallana, someone who has been unlucky with injuries in his time on Merseyside, and we have an ominous trio. I hope to see Christian Benteke start up top and, if he can continue to score goals like that he scored against Swindon, we could be in for an interesting afternoon.
Sam Davies: (4-3-3) Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Gomez; Milner, Can, Henderson; Coutinho, Benteke, Ibe
Mignolet will always be first choice in between the sticks. Although Bogdan is an upgrade on Jones, personally I don’t think he’s Premier League quality. The back four speaks for itself, Gomez has had a good pre-season, deserves his spot a left-back as Moreno hasn’t really made it his own. I’d like to see Lovren find
his form but judging by his pre-season form he’s still nervy. To fulfil our potential going forward we need to play 4-3-3 and a midfield three of Can, Milner, Henderson is strong. I think Can should be the one sitting in front of the back four to allow Milner and Henderson to be amongst the goals. The forward three was an easy pick, some may ask ‘where’s Firmino?’ but I don’t think he’s 100% fit and playing your first competitive game against Stoke isn’t easy in any case. Although he could be a useful substitution to bring on off the bench. Ibe will offer some pace alongside Benteke and Coutinho some Brazilian flair and hopefully a goal or two for the big Belgian.
Your Liverpool XI: check next week in this slot for our inaugural fan’s pick, will it
be yours?
