John Aldridge, the former Liverpool striker who scored 50 league goals in just 83 appearances, has backed Danny Ings to take advantage of Coutinho’s suspension and start against Man United.
We play our bitter rivals at Old Trafford following the international break, and will be desperate for a better result than we managed this weekend just gone – when we fell to a 0-3 loss at home to West Ham – much to the dismay of fans everywhere.
Our best player, Brazilian midfielder Coutinho cannot play against United due to his red card against the Irons, meaning there’ll be an available spot for an attacker or attacking midfielder.
Ings came on after the hour mark on Saturday, and was one of the few positives to emerge from the shocking result.
“The one bright spot was Danny Ings when he came on,” he wrote in the Liverpool Echo, cited by the official website. “I thought he did really well.
“He looked very lively, like he could make things happen, and I think the lad can do well for us.
“He’s definitely given the manager something to think about. [Brendan] Rodgers could sometimes put him up top along with Benteke, or even in behind. We could be better off doing that.
“In fact, he might be the perfect man to play alongside Benteke against United. With Coutinho suspended, there’s a space that needs filling.”
It seems unlikely that Ings will start though, because that means we’ll have to switch formation and deploy two forwards – with the young Englishman partnering Christian Benteke.
So far we’ve used the Belgian up top on his own, so we can’t imagine Rodgers will use another striker away at a top side.
In all likelihood, Jordon Ibe will start as a like for like replacement, alongside Roberto Firmino in the two attacking midfield spots.
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