Brendan Rodgers will have plenty to think about ahead of this weekend’s game. Although the goalless draw against Arsenal was a very valuable and respectable results, the boss will want to see more attacking flair on Saturday.
The 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations that have been employed thus far have left central striker Christian Benteke a little isolated at times and with West Ham struggling for form this feels like the prime opportunity to play a second out-and-out attacking player.
Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana both missed our last game through injury and it will be interesting to see whether or not they return for this one. Whether they do or not will likely have a big say on our team at Anfield.
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With all this in mind, here are five personnel battles that Rodgers will be overseeing in training this weekend:
5) Dejan Lovren vs Mamadou Sakho
There has been more speculation about the Frenchman this week after he missed out on the national team squad for their upcoming friendly games. Without a minute of Premier League football under his belt this season, he’ll no doubt be desperate to start. However, with the Croatian having been in fine form alongside Martin Skrtel so far – with three consecutive clean sheets – he may have to wait just a little bit longer for his chance to shine.
4) Danny Ings vs Divock Origi
The two strikers have been on the bench for each of our three games but are both yet to get on the field of play. With Daniel Sturridge closing in on a return from injury they are both running out of time to prove that they deserve to keep their places on the periphery of Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice XI. If Rodgers does choose to play with a 4-4-2 diamond or something similar in this match, then it’ll be between these two for a place up front.
3) Emre Can vs Jordan Henderson
The young German has been excellent so far this season and fully deserved his first start of the season against Arsenal on Monday as he stood in for an injured Jordan Henderson. If the captain does not make it back in time for this one then he’ll understandably keep his place. But if he does, it’ll be interesting to see who Rodgers goes with. Perhaps he could even be tempted to play both of them in a 4-3-3 formation, with Lucas dropping out.
2) Roberto Firmino vs Adam Lallana
Firmino got that long-awaited first start on Monday in place of the injured Adam Lallana. Unfortunately for the former Southampton man, the injury could not have come at a worse time, with Firmino now closing in on full fitness and ready to make the spot his own. If Lallana is fit enough to play some part against the Hammers then he will likely have to make do with a spot on the bench as the Brazilian gets another 60-70 minutes under his belt.
1) Lucas Leiva vs Jordon Ibe
Lucas appears to be back in Rodgers’ good books after his fine showing against Arsenal on Monday. However, one would like to think that there is less of a need for a defensive midfielder in this one, where the Reds should be the dominant side – meaning Rodgers may restore the 4-2-3-1 formation that started the first two games. If this is the case, then Lucas will likely miss out, with the pace and skill of Jordon Ibe a valuable attacking asset for us.
