How the Reds could look in the coming weeks with Lallana but without Sturridge.
There was good and bad news for Liverpool this week in terms of injuries, with Adam Lallana in line to make his debut for the club against Aston Villa on Saturday, but Daniel Sturridge likely to be out for three weeks after picking up a thigh problem whilst away on international duty with England.
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It means manager Brendan Rodgers is going to have to shuffle his tactics around a bit and with that in mind, here is how CaughtOffside thinks the Reds could be lining up for their coming matches.
GK – Simon Mignolet
There is talk of Victor Valdes being signed by the Merseysiders having left FC Barcelona this summer, but until then there is no decent competition for Mignolet who will keep his place between the sticks.
RB – Javier Manquillo
Signed on-loan from Atletico Madrid for two years this summer and despite his young age has already impressed at Anfield and looks a better option than the increasingly unreliable Glen Johnson.
CB – Martin Skrtel
It looks to be a battle between this Slovakian and Mamadou Sakho for a place in central defence this season, with Skrtel’s superior experience seemingly giving him the edge currently.
CB – Dejan Lovren
The reason the two are having to battle it out is because of the £20m purchase of this centre-back from Southampton, who Rodgers is hoping can shore up a back line that was often shaky last term.
LB – Alberto Moreno
Scored his first goal for the club in their last outing against Tottenham Hotspur following his £12m switch from Sevilla and at 22-years-old could well be the long-term future of the left-back slot for the team.
DM – Steven Gerrard
Now aged 34-years-old the captain has settled into this new deeplying role from which he can dictate play and having also retired from international football can give more to his domestic game.
CM – Jordan Henderson
Over the past 12 months this England international has improved greatly and looks to be the natural successor to Gerrard when the veteran hangs up his boots in what isn’t expected to be the distant future.
CM – Philippe Coutinho
One of Rodgers’ greatest talents as a coach is getting the best out of young players who clearly just need some faith putting in them and Coutinho looks set to be one of the finest playmakers in the division.
RW – Raheem Sterling
It has been a similar and more successful story with Sterling, with the 19-year-old going from talented but erratic winger to established attacking midfielder with bags of goals and assists in his repertoire.
ST – Mario Balotelli
With Sturridge sidelined for the foreseeable future it is a chance for new £16m signing Balotelli to prove he has the class and talent to be a real success in English football.
LW – Adam Lallana
Completing a front three is another new face who as previously mentioned has failed to make his debut for the Merseyside outfit due to a knee injury and will be looking to establish himself quickly.