Liverpool vs. Hull City: How Reds Should Line Up in Premier League Game
Liverpool will be looking to overcome a meek 3-0 home defeat at the hands of European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday with a good performance and three points from a tricky Premier League clash against Hull City this Saturday.
Their last Premier League fixture was a thrilling 3-2 win over Queens Park Rangers last Sunday, when a series of late goals threw up one of the most dramatic finishes in the English top flight this season, but Brendan Rodgers will be asking for more this weekend.
Hull City’s last game was a credible 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, and Steve Bruce’s side are currently 10th in the Premier League with 10 points from eight games, just three behind their hosts.
Here’s how Liverpool should line up on Saturday, in a 4-4-2 diamond formation—and we’ve rung the changes.
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
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Simon Mignolet followed up a man of the match performance at QPR with a decent display against Real Madrid, pulling off a string of instinctive saves to stop Cristiano Ronaldo and company and keep the score at a respectable level.
He will be looking to extend his recent upturn in form against Hull.
Right-Back: Javi Manquillo
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With Glen Johnson not inching any closer to a new contract or rediscovering any semblance of his top form, Javi Manquillo should return to the starting lineup.
He has shown in his brief time at Liverpool that he is ready to make the step up as the Reds’ first-choice right-back.
Left-Back: Alberto Moreno
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As if Brendan Rodgers needed further reason to make Alberto Moreno his undisputed first-choice at left-back, Jose Enrique’s unconvincing display at QPR last weekend should have sounded the death knell for his immediate first-team chances.
Center-Back: Martin Skrtel
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As much as we’d like to ring the changes in central defence, Mamadou Sakho’s continued injury troubles and Kolo Toure’s erratic displays means that we have to keep Martin Skrtel in the lineup for the time being.
He should not underestimate Hull’s underrated forward line.
Center-Back: Dejan Lovren
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For Dejan Lovren, see Martin Skrtel.
Lovren did enjoy a better second half against Real Madrid when a higher defensive line saw him make a few key interceptions. Alas, the damage had already been done in the first 45 minutes.
His abject performance against Bobby Zamora last Sunday doesn’t bode well for the challenge of Abel Hernandez this weekend.
Holding Midfielder: Emre Can
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Our biggest change to the starting XI is to replace Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard with Emre Can, who impressed in his second-half cameo against Real Madrid on the back of a decent starting display at QPR.
With a full set of midfield options now available to him, Rodgers must surely begin to implement a rotation system to keep his charges fresh, especially where an ageing Gerrard is concerned.
Now comes the time to start phasing out a legend and usher in a new era.
Central Midfielder: Jordan Henderson
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With respect to Liverpool’s opponents, their next two Premier League fixtures against Hull and Newcastle United before a titanic clash with Chelsea at Anfield represent good opportunities to get their season back on track.
The key now is to get back into their groove and on the front foot in games. Joe Allen goes to the bench for Saturday, and Henderson leads the Reds out for the first time.
Central Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho
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In Allen’s stead, Philippe Coutinho takes up a deeper central midfield role.
The attacking trio in front of him should provide him with the space that he so relishes to exploit with defence-splitting passes or direct running with the ball.
Coutinho’s last few appearances suggest that he is coming back to his best form.
For Rodgers and Liverpool fans, this is a most welcome development.
Central Attacking Midfielder: Adam Lallana
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Adam Lallana’s second-half display against Real Madrid showed what the ex-Southampton captain brings to the side: movement, pressing and an attacking thrust.
Starting him in the No. 10 position would ensure the Reds have a constant creative and goal-scoring presence in the final third.
Striker: Mario Balotelli
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A public overreaction to Mario Balotelli’s alleged half-time shirt swap with Pepe on Wednesday masks the fact that Brendan Rodgers himself confirmed that his half-time substitution for Lallana was for tactical reasons.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia (h/t the Daily Express), Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has defended Balotelli’s performance in the aftermath of their dominant win at Anfield.
He deserves time to rebuild his confidence and finally break his duck in the Premier League for Liverpool.
Striker: Raheem Sterling
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The extent to which Liverpool now rely on Raheem Sterling is alarming, both in terms of squad balance and Sterling’s own fitness levels.
However, until Daniel Sturridge recovers from his injury troubles, Sterling is Rodgers’ best choice as a striker alongside Balotelli.
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