By popular demand…
We get the chance to beat Arsenal again this week.
Plenty of options in attack. Not sure how to put out a lineup with Jota, Origi, Minamino, Shaqiri, (Elliott) and Jones.
Not looking so good at the back and defensive midfield with yesterdays absentees Matip, Tsimikas, Henderson and Thiago.
Adrian
Williams Gomez VvD Milner
Keita Grujic Jones
Minamino Origi Jota
We can easily rest the Front3 but its difficult to leave out all of Gomez, VvD, Fabinho, Keita and Wijnaldum - maybe Klopp finds a way to play each of them 45 minutes.
I’m assuming that Arsenal will not be playing their full first XI either but they will likely be stronger than the team Lincoln put out.
I’d like to see us use a similar tactic in that we use a first choice CB each half to give the defence structure. Start with VVD and then go with Gomez for the second half.
There should be places for a couple of the younger lads but I don’t see this as an outing for journeymen at all.
The 1 change I’d make to the propposed starting XI is having Tsimikas at LB instead of Milner.
Maybe only play 1 of VVD and Gomez with the other on the bench to give each 45 mintues but I’m generally not a fan of having preplanned substitutions as you never know what will pan out during the game
Koumetio might start? Then possibly Gomez alongside him. Maybe Joe 45 minutes and then Fabinho comes on at CB in the second half. Henderson back in midfield. Probably Jones and Millie alongside him. Shaqiri, Jota and Minamino up top.
I’d pick the same team as you, and agree that VvD shouldn’t be in the squad. He should be at home putting his feet up. He’s made of granite, but has played with no rest mentally.
With Matip being Matip, and Joe being unlucky with injuries, can’t see the utility in playing VvD. The rest of the fringe first team squad are of sufficient quality to cause the Arse problems.
Plus give the young kids a centre back test, maybe alongside Gomex ion the first half. Otherwise, we’re only an injury away from having to play Fab and Gini as a central defence pairing.
