Burnley vs. Liverpool: Decisions That Will Shape Premier League Game for Reds
Burnley welcome Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool to Turf Moor on Boxing Day, with the Reds' manager set to make some key decisions as his side look to gain some crucial festive points.
Liverpool currently sit in 10th place in the Premier League table, with Friday's opponents occupying the relegation zone in 18th.
Burnley, however, have improved in form of late, with an important victory over Southampton this month underlining their upturn in fortunes under manager Sean Dyche.
Last time the two sides faced off, goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Ryan Babel and a brace from Steven Gerrard gave then-manager Rafa Benitez a 4-0 victory, but Liverpool's 2014 visit looks set to be a much different challenge.
This represents another must-win tie for Rodgers and could kick off a run of good form in a relatively easy series of festive fixtures.
But which key issues and decisions will Rodgers have to face in preparation for this trip to Burnley?
Reinstate Simon Mignolet?
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During his pre-Burnley press conference, per the Liverpool Echo's rolling news feed, Rodgers spoke of the irregular goalkeeping situation he is currently presiding over at the club.
With previous first choice Simon Mignolet under-performing this season, Rodgers opted to drop the Belgian for an "indefinite period" before the 3-0 loss away to Manchester United, per BBC Sport.
However his replacement, Brad Jones, has so far conceded five goals from eight shots on target in two Premier League games, according to Squawka, and has failed to instil a much-needed confidence in goal.
Rodgers claimed "Mignolet's response [to being dropped] has been fantastic. He's been outstanding, his training has been good."
The manager continued that Mignolet had been given "the chance to reflect and refocus on his game."
Perhaps the lesser of two evils, Rodgers could make the decision to reinstate Mignolet at Burnley.
Dejan Lovren or Mamadou Sakho?
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With Dejan Lovren injured for Liverpool's 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Arsenal, French centre-back Mamadou Sakho was gifted a rare start in a Reds shirt, and he impressed despite the scoreline.
Sakho won three tackles and three aerial duels, as well as seeing more possession than any other defender on the pitch—the centre-back offers a poise and composure that none of his defensive colleagues can.
However, with Lovren making 15 league appearances this season to Sakho's four, and often at his expense, it is likely that if fit he will return to Rodgers' starting line-up.
Having spent £20 million on the No. 6 in the summer, Rodgers will likely continue to plump with Lovren as Liverpool's left-sided centre-back.
Sakho should start; Lovren probably will.
Drop Steven Gerrard?
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One outstanding feature of Liverpool's inability to defeat Arsenal was their waning hold in the midfield battle.
Gerrard in particular displayed a vulnerable fatigue.
This is no surprise, given the 34-year-old has played 1389 minutes in the Premier League so far this season, second only to Raheem Sterling.
In his press conference, Rodgers spoke of the festive schedule being "a period where you have to manage players, if you want fresh performances."
Gerrard showed the benefits of rest with a barnstorming performance, capped with a goal from open play, in the side's 3-1 victory away to Leicester City, after being benched for the previous win over Stoke City.
Burnley may be the perfect time for Rodgers to drop Gerrard and give the captain a deserved rest.
A Cameo Role for Mario Balotelli?
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After serving a one-match ban in the draw against Arsenal, striker Mario Balotelli is available for selection again at Burnley.
However, with Rodgers enjoying relative success with a modified, lone-striker formation, the manager faces a big decision whether to start the mercurial Italian, who has suffered when isolated in attack this season.
In his 3-4-3 formation, Rodgers has seen Raheem Sterling mesmerise defences, with his movement supported by attacking midfielders Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho.
Pre-Burnley, Rodgers lauded his side's "rediscovering [the] tempo and intensity [of last season]" with this system in Balotelli's absence, and therefore it is more likely that the striker will be gifted a cameo role.
As evidenced by an impressive showing in Liverpool's 3-0 victory away to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season, Balotelli thrives alongside the movement of a pacy strike partner and can be hugely effective.
Partnering Sterling with Balotelli late on is an option, perhaps prompting a change in his tactical layout.
In-Game Formation Change?
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Facilitating Balotelli would likely mean Rodgers altering his formation once more, and the substitutes' role of the Italian could herald a switch back to last season's successful 4-4-2, with a midfield diamond.
Burnley regularly line up in a compact 4-4-1-1 formation, and Dyche has put together a diligent defensive line, but there remain pockets of space ahead of the defence and between the Clarets' central and wide defensive areas.
This could suit the high-intensity, condensed creativity of the 4-4-2.
It is unlikely Rodgers will abandon from kick-off the 3-4-3 he himself described as a "wonderful tactical idea," geared to get the best out of his many prodigious attacking midfielders, per Andy Hunter of The Guardian.
However, late on, Rodgers could rely on Balotelli's quality "in and around the box," as referenced in his press conference, if his initial set-up struggles to break down a solid Burnley defence.
Balotelli gives Rodgers another option, and a vital tactical back-up plan to outfox a well-prepared Dyche.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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