Coutinho will miss the game against Bordeaux tomorrow
Liverpool meet the French side Bordeaux at Anfield knowing that a win will take them closer to the qualification for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
For Klopp’s men, Coutinho is out for the midweek clash and with Lucas suspended for the Sunday clash with Swansea, the Brazilian is expected to start the match.
Klopp went with a 4-3-3 formation against City in the weekend with midfield trio of Lucas, Milner and Can. The front three consisted of Lallana, Firmino and Coutinho. But with the likes of Sturridge and Benteke back for the Reds, Klopp will be keen to get both on the pitch on Thursday; it will up to the German who he wants to start and who to come from the bench.
With injury to Coutinho and Can likely to rest, Klopp may opt for a 4-2-3-1 with Lucas and Allen in that midfield pair.
This should be the expected lineup for the game, Ibe is expected to start in that right hand side and Firmino in the no 10 role. Either of Lallana or Milner will start on the left hand side.
The midfield pair of Allen and Lucas just needs to ensure they cover the fullback positions whenever Bordeaux look to counter.
The backline is expected to be the same as it was against City, with injury to Sakho, Lovren and Skrtel (although he appears a doubt for the game) should continue as the centre back pair. Clyne and Moreno will start and look to continue their good form in terms of their solidity. They need to improve their game when it comes to crossing the ball as Liverpool play a narrow formation, so the fullbacks need to move forward and put in good crosses to get Benteke or Sturridge in the game aerially.
The pressing game is expected to continue, but Bordeaux is a side that will sit back and look to play on the counter, so Liverpool’s guile and imagination to break that wall will come into play. They tore apart a leaky defense so it will be a test for Klopp’s men on how they break a well-drilled defense.
Klopp would want a win tomorrow to ensure that they need nothing extravagant on the last matchday as a hectic schedule will force Klopp to chop and change his side a bit.
Bordeaux are a good side and will be happy to play for a draw as every team does coming to Anfield. All in all it will be a test of patience for Liverpool.
Comment with your lineup and prediction for the game.
Not sure about Allen in the middle. Prefer Milner with Lucas until Henderson fit. I think we should start with Benteke and maybe give Sturridge half an hour at at the end.
skrtl probably wont play if you heard the press conf – has flu. Stick milner and lucas in the middle start benteke studge on bench for run out?
Skrtel has some illness so I expect toure and lovren in defence