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Rodgers’ selection dilemma: Who should get the nod?

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Liverpool FC NewcastleTHE supporters of Liverpool Football Club have been greeted with the news that the current quartet of injured first-team players could all potentially return for the trip up north to face Newcastle in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.

Glen Johnson, Joe Allen and Aly Cissokho are all pencilled in for a return to the squad and there has been whispers that Liverpool’s little Brazilian Philippe Coutinho could even be available for selection too in what would be a massive boost for Brendan Rodgers.

That said, the manager will have on his hands a selection problem of great magnitude come Saturday morning. So, when all fit, who gets the nod in a Brendan Rodgers starting XI?

First thing is first, Simon Mignolet picks himself. No disrespect to Brad Jones but the Belgian has made a fine start to his Liverpool career and it would take a catalogue of errors from the former Sunderland stopper for Rodgers to even consider dropping him to the bench.

A fresh season has seen Liverpool implement a fresh formation, with Rodgers favouring the 3-5-2 set-up. Although there was suggestions that the new tactics were introduced because of the injuries to key players, the success on the field indicates that there are no legitimate reasons as to why the manager would want to change a winning formula.

With that in mind, there are four first-team central defenders vying for just three spots. Now that Daniel Agger has returned to full fitness the vice-captain is in direct competition with Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and the in-form Martin Skrtel. That is without mentioning Martin Kelly, Andre Wisdom and Tiago Ilori, who are looking to be given a chance to shine.

For me, both Skrtel and Toure should be in the team on merit alone. Both have been instrumental in Liverpool’s great defensive start to the season and do not deserve to lose their place. That leaves Sakho or Agger for just one remaining spot. The Frenchman has looked better and better with each game since arriving in the summer and will only improve through playing matches, however, Agger offers us the Premier League experience and knowledge and, at this moment in time, would start the majority of games in my opinion. Games against so called ‘lesser’ opponents are ideal opportunities for Sakho to get a strong foothold in English football and give himself the best chance of cementing a first-team place regularly.
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The two wing-back positions have so far been occupied by a number of players – Jose Enrique, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Cissokho himself have all been deployed there. Although there are still question marks about his defensive ability, you would expect Enrique to continue in his role as left wing-back until Cissokho proves his worth in the Premier League. As for the right side, a fully fit Glen Johnson is likely to excel in a wing-back position and would be expected to be given the chance to win his place back in the team permanently. Shall Rodgers decide not to risk Johnson just yet, Jordan Henderson could continue to deputise effectively.

For our central midfield pair, Steven Gerrard, our captain and talisman, is immovable. The same could be said for Lucas as he provides the Reds with the bite and defensive nature that not many other Liverpool midfielders can boast. They will be provided with competition from Henderson, who has earned himself a place on the teamsheet every week this season, and his Welsh team-mate Joe Allen for the right to slot in alongside the skipper and ahead of Lucas. As for now, Henderson gets the nod over Allen but with the right application and some positive form, there is no question the ex-Swansea man could get his chance and earn his stripes in a Liverpool shirt.

In the absence of, initially, Luis Suarez and then Philippe Coutinho, on-loan winger Victor Moses has slotted in nonchalantly to the first-team fold and has put in some exciting performances to boot. However, with the Brazilian potentially returning for the game against Newcastle questions marks may be raised about the Nigerians inclusion. How can any team not afford to play a front two of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge with Coutinho just in behind? Having said that, the likes of Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Moses himself will potentially have something to say about that theory, however, there is a lot of hard work ahead for that particular trio if they are to displace our fantastic attacking threat.

If you are to take anything from this piece of writing, please let it be the confidence that Liverpool now have themselves a squad that can be placed in the category of ‘strength in depth’. Although Rodgers often remarks that he would still like to add more dimensions to his squad, the team he has at his disposal is one that can comfortably challenge for top four; if not beyond that. We keep ourselves grounded, however, and take each game as it comes. Starting with a difficult trip to St James’ Park on Saturday, where three points would be welcomed with open arms.

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9 comments

  • Denis D says:

    The strongest starting 11 with what we have in 3 5 2 should be:

    Mignolet

    RCB Skrtel CB Agger LCB Sakho

    RWB Johnson DM Lucas CM Gerrard Enrique LWB

    Henderson AM
    Sturridge FD Suarez FD

    But if B Rodgers decides to revert to a 4 3 3 and surprise Everyone then this should be starting side:

    Mignolet
    Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique

    Lucas Gerrard

    Henderson

    Moses Sturridge Suarez

  • Findru Ratib says:

    3 5 2 with Johnson does the magic.

  • Findru Ratib says:

    Coutinho will slot in and the opposition will not like it, they are warned.

  • roythered says:

    Johnson and Lucas should be on the bench and wait their chance, like the other players have. Lucas has only himself to blame for missing last game, let’s face it he was’nt missed. Toure has done nothing wrong at right back so why should he miss out?

  • fashua olamide says:

    I’ll pick sakho over agger on current form.the guy is a monster

  • pino pino says:

    U guys should leave Br alone maybe Denis D u want skrtel and Agger so that there will be no confidence or do u think Br just signed Toure on 70k a wk to come and warm our bench.Clearly Toure brings winning mentality to our back 4,Br pls cont with the last lineup with exception of Sterling so the boys will believe in their abilities.Y.N.W.A

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