So with the international break over (great break it was too 6 points for ROI ) time to consider who starts v united.
Injury concerns for Wij and Lallana could really disrupt our central trio. Say these two are out how do we line up? Still concerns over the keeper maybe?
I'd go with
------Karius----
Clyne--Matip--Lov--Milner
-------Lucas/Can----
--Hendo-------Cout
Mane----Studge---Firm
Hard to pick between Lucas or Can but would probably lean towards Lucas as he's had more first team football this season than Can albeit not that many more minutes. Also Lucas could be handy for the physical battle if Fellaini starts, he will be handy in the box too defending set pieces as he's very good aerially defensively.
Cout was brilliant second half v Swansea playing deeper, he carried the ball really well and broke their lines multiple times, plus the 3 in front of him all have excellent movement so he should have plenty of options in front of him when he breaks the line.
The front 3 have goals goals goals in them and will cause United’s back 4 plenty of problems, no point trying to play any sort of high ball as Bailley will eat them up all day, he's decent on the ground too as is Smalling so our front 3 will really need to move to try stretch them as much as possible.
Interesting to see if Jose plays Blind at left back, I thought Blind was excellent when I saw him playing there recently for them, allot of United’s good play started with him.
They'll try to hurt us going wide and playing crosses into Ibra, Milner and Clyne will have to be on it defensively to stop the ball getting there or to stop the cross, Ibra is brilliant in the air so we need to stop the ball before it comes in, Matip should be able to challenge Ibra in the air but he's still a real danger.
I know Rooney has been poor but this is the perfect game for him to get a bit of confidence back, doubt he will start but sure Jose will give him 20 mins if the game is tight, be a nightmare if he scored a winner
Monday night under the lights should get the crowd going, an early goal would be brilliant. United have had the beating of us pretty easily in the last 4 games bar one at Anfield that we were a bit unlucky to lose, Jose knows how to get a result when required and united need a point at least to keep in touch.
Should be good, will be nervous of course and such a long build up to it doesn’t help!
Team for united
posted on 13/10/16
Kash - #hjave to disagree with you on Studge, his movement has been a big part of several goals, look at Firm's first goal, the first one ve Leicester, if Studge doesn't move into our left channel dragging the centre back with him the space for Firm to run into from Milner's ball is never created, goal doesn't happen without Studge.
He was in tap in positions 3 times at least v Swansea but didn't get the pass, he's improving every game in this role and he's by far our most natural goal scorer, 100% starts for me as Cout goes deeper, don't see Frim dropping deep, Cout is better and has more experience in that role.
posted on 13/10/16
OnLucas v Can, fully fit and in last seasons form Can plays the deep lying role for sure, but he's barley kicked a ball and has looked exactly like a player returning from injury would so far, for me it's too important a position and too big a game to throw him back in.
Lucas has bags of experience playing there, will be able for any physical battle he's presented withm his short passing is underrated and he's one of the best defensive headers of a ball in our squad, that;s why I go for Lucas for Monday but would long term like to see Can fit and available for that position.
posted on 13/10/16
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 49 minutes ago
Kash - #hjave to disagree with you on Studge, his movement has been a big part of several goals, look at Firm's first goal, the first one ve Leicester, if Studge doesn't move into our left channel dragging the centre back with him the space for Firm to run into from Milner's ball is never created, goal doesn't happen without Studge.
He was in tap in positions 3 times at least v Swansea but didn't get the pass, he's improving every game in this role and he's by far our most natural goal scorer, 100% starts for me as Cout goes deeper, don't see Frim dropping deep, Cout is better and has more experience in that role.
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I have already acknowledged that he played well against Leicester. We do have two other strikers who also move about and make runs which creates space for our AM's and false 9's.
That game he was up for it, looked class but in other games he's been lethargic, poor decision making and not putting a shift in. There is a reason why Klopp keeps him on the bench and it's not down to him training or not.
posted on 13/10/16
Danny Ings must be match fit by now. Origi is also fully fit, I think. Yet he's still picking Sturridge before them. Seems Klopp rates him more than you think.
posted on 13/10/16
IMO this all goes down to lallana fitness.
If he is fit IMO he and henderson start and then the choice for klopp is coutinho or can at CM and that may be influences more by coutinho or sturridge up top.
If lallana is also out i would expect a change in formation to 4231.
posted on 13/10/16
Coutinho won't play in the midfield three if Lallana plays.
posted on 13/10/16
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 5 minutes ago
Coutinho won't play in the midfield three if Lallana plays.
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Yeah probably not but the if Wij is injured and Lallana starts who is the third? Lucas or can deep with Lallana Hendo in front of one of them?
posted on 13/10/16
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
comment by There'sOnlyOneReds (U1721)
posted 5 minutes ago
Coutinho won't play in the midfield three if Lallana plays.
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Yeah probably not but the if Wij is injured and Lallana starts who is the third? Lucas or can deep with Lallana Hendo in front of one of them?
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Instead of
Henderson, Wijnaldum
Lallana
It will be
Henderson, Can
Lallana
If Lallana doesn't play
Henderson, Can
Firmino/Coutinho
posted on 13/10/16
I wouldn't rule out Grujic or Origi playing.
I think Klopp trusts his squad now.
Ings may even come into contention after a hatrick and a double in his last two appearances for the U23's and behind closed door game.
posted on 13/10/16
Sturridge to start for sure. He is our most lethal player. We'll create chances so need our best striker on the pitch.