Don’t look now however Liverpool have slowly crept again into the race for a Champions League place after a dismal begin to the season. With losses by Newcastle United and Tottenham on Saturday, the Reds can climb inside two factors of fourth place. But with a crucial match in opposition to Manchester United on the Sunday, how can Jurgen Klopp be sure that his facet avoids one other collapse like permitting 5 unanswered objectives to Real Madrid in Champions League to lose their first leg within the spherical of 16 5-2 (you’ll be able to catch all of the Champions League motion solely on Paramount+).
Official lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Andrew Robertson; Virgil van Dijk; Ibrahima Konate; Trent Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho; Jordan Henderson; Harvey Elliott; Mohamed Salah; Cody Gakpo; Darwin Nunez
Manchester United: David De Gea; Luke Shaw; Lisandro Martinez; Raphael Varane; Diogo Dalot; Fred; Casemiro; Marcus Rashford; Bruno Fernandes; Antony; Wout Weghorst
The protection has been barely higher as of late retaining 4 consecutive clear sheets within the Premier League however when three had been in opposition to sides within the relegation battle and the opposite was in opposition to a ten man Newcastle United facet, these ought to be taken as a blip somewhat than a return to peak defensive type. Despite accidents, Liverpool’s assault has been wonderful scoring the sixth most objectives within the league, however the protection has been regarding when up in opposition to high attackers like they’re going to face in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United.
It’s a twofold challenge as Liverpool have allowed groups to play by way of the middle of the pitch, which is one thing that their press has prevented in previous seasons however once they combine it up and attempt to sit deep additionally they lose what they’re good at, nonetheless permitting objectives. The keys begin on the tip of the assault the place the lack of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich final summer season has modified their setup, as Darwin Nunez is not as aggressive a presser as Mane was.
That’s compounded by the fullbacks not having the identical stage of assist they used to when Thiago is not enjoying, which has been loads. He’s solely been accessible for twenty-four of the membership’s 37 matches to date this season. And he will not be match to face Manchester United on account of now lacking time on account of a hip flexor damage. Young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has stepped up as of late to regular the ship, however lining up in opposition to Manchester United, it would take extra than simply him to maintain issues going.
The excellent news is that Diogo Jota will assist each with the press and having a extra fluid from three, possible on the expense of Cody Gakpo. Gakpo has scored two objectives within the Premier League since becoming a member of Liverpool, however not being a real 9, he can get caught in related areas advert Darwin Nunez.
Jota, has performed all around the entrance three and realized to accommodate Mane floating inside, so his presence permits a freer utilization of house for Nunez whereas additionally including one other inventive attacker to assist feed Mohamed Salah. Alone it will not be sufficient to defeat Manchester United, but when Liverpool can catch United on an off day whereas additionally ending their probabilities, a Nunez, Jota, and Salah entrance three could be the important thing to success.
It will not cease Marcus Rashford from chopping inside in opposition to Trent Alexander-Arnold or Wout Weghorst from occupying the middle backs however at this stage of the season, protection ought to be an afterthought for the Reds. With United’s self-belief to get again into any match, Jurgen Klopp might want to flip up the assault and put as many objectives previous David De Gea as doable. It would not be a serious shift for the squad from a press joyful strategy however to topple high sides, Liverpool wants to acknowledge their deficiencies and canopy for them.
