Alisson
Trent Matip Konate Tsimikas Milner Ox Keita
Salah Jota Mane
VVD is clearly short of match fitness and it’s also clear that Klopp will not risk him. Matip is not only ahead in terms of fitness, he has done well during preseason too. Fabinho only joined the preseason in its later stages. Also, due to the absence of Henderson it’s natural that Milner will lead the lads. While Elliott has done well during preseason, it’s natural that Klopp will rely on experienced Ox who also had a good preseason. Firmino, like Fabinho, joined preseason only in the later stages so Jota, who had a bit more time, is likely to be preferred.
I think Fabinho will start to be honest he is key in that midfield and you can to be honest rotate around him. I do agree with you on Matip mind, he was talked about being ahead and has started quite a bit now.
Fabinho has to start. Any other midfield combination doesn’t offer enough protection to the back line. Matip also needs to play. We need to make the most of him while he’s available.
Question mark at CB, although I think we might go with the experienced Matip & Virgil for this “mini league season” before the first international break. Probably Konate (showed he can play both RCB and LCB) next in line if we need a quick change.
We’ll see in midfield, probably one of Milner/Elliott/Ox starts there. Then it also depends who is RCM and who is LCM. Even more so now with Tsimi in at LB instead of Robbo. I prefer Keita at LCM, but we rarely saw Milner at RCM. Maybe we go Keita a little bit deeper and more reserved and give more freedom to Elliott at high RCM.
Up top, yeah, I think Jota just about starts ahead of Bobby.
Question; how many subs are available for this season? 12 again, or?
I’m not 100% sure on the Champions League bench numbers,i think it’s still 12 but i know they are still allowing 5 player changes in the competition this season then UEFA will be looking at it again in 2022.
I’m pretty sure the rest of the European leagues will still take up this option again and yeah the Premiership has gone from 7 to 9 on the bench but will stupidly stick to 3 subs instead of 5 like the rest of Europe.
The team that will gain most from increasing the subs to 5 will be City … therefore I am all for keeping it to 3. It also punishes clubs that don’t have that quality to rotate. In fact any side playing against City will be at a disadvantage when you look at their bench.
We don’t need to hand them any additional advantage.
Fucking hell, that’s a strong twenty. And it doesn’t include Origi, Phillips, Davies, Either Williams, Shaqiri, Minamino or Adrian, and obviously Robbo is out.
