It was a big moment in the match, Rodi got a yellow for the same sort of foul just minutes before and then he did it again against Jota, Hooper did not have the balls to send him off, since Cheaty were at home.
One great thing about having the best collection of 5 attackers is in world football and having 5 subs now instead of 3, is that all our attackers will be playing every game in which they are fit. So don’t really care who starts or who comes off the bench.
I think Elliot has been excellent in all 3 of his appearances this season and has helped us control games in which he’s come on. Endo just got here and didn’t have a full preseason with the squad, but has looked good. I’d maybe start with Elliot for this one to see if he kicks on from his good start.
Alisson
Trent, Matip, Konate/Gomez, Robbo
Szoboszlai, MacAllister, Elliot
Salah, ?, ?
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I would rotate out Mac or Dom for this. Long term the danger is both their over use and reliance on them. I would look to develop options and variations in midfield as soon as possible…
They’re only playing one game a week at the moment. Three points now is worth the same as three points in April.
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A truth that so many fail to understand.
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I’d stick with a preferred starting XI at the moment. There are 3 new faces in midfield and they (and the rest of the team) need to learn how to play together.
With 5 subs there is still plenty of scope for time management.
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Whilst I agree in putting our best foot forward, the danger is that there will be a big drop off when one or both are unavailable through either injury or suspension. I’d rather discover how to play in their absence during a game at home against Villa rather than an away game with United/City/Arsenal. Developing options from a position of advantage de-risks injuries linked to (their) overuse and develops other players and how we can play effectively in the absence of Dom and Mac.
Ultimately, as you say, we are early into the season and maybe it is important to capitalise on the good start. However some part of me also thinks that as Dom and Mac have settled so well (and are key to any challenge we make for the league this year) that it affords us a bit of room to develop the other players and systems, which concomitantly has the advantage of ensuring that too many games are not in their legs by April.
I anticipate our strategy to be go 1-0 down, get a red card, win 4-1.
Smash them. They are shit.
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Start how we left off against Newcastle (Ish)?
-----------------------Allison----------------
TAA-----Gomez-----Matip-------Robbo
--------------Szobo-----Mac---------------
-------Elliot------Salah-----Jota-----------
------------------Nunez------------------------
Except that Nunez should start up top. You’re right in saying that the midfield needs to play together to gel, though.
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That would mean starting with 10 players 
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Whatever works!
If we do that it saves the ref having to send someone off and that player getting a ban.
It’s a decent thought, to learn to play in their absence (Mac and Dom).
To my mind, first we need to learn to play with them! We haven’t yet found our best team, much less have it play together, even once.
Still early days yet, but for me, Mac and Dom have to play if they are both fit. There will be lots of time, later on, to rotate and get rest into tired legs, but right now we are trying to find the best blend, and it includes both of them.
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As I said, Dom and Mac have settled so well it seems they are a lock in for any best 11 combination - with the current squad. Timing is everything and time is of course also relative and fleeting (yeah I know, too cliche). Basically, do we change up when we are forced to or do we do so when we can? Waiting for Europa and other cups is a bit of a poor way to prepare alternatives for me as it (usually) feels like a 2 IX being put out in a not too serious game…
Can easily see this one going awry with the current state of the defence and subsequently wasting all the momentum gained after Newcastle.
Too much to ask for a clean sheet and 3 points?
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Also, with 5 subs, anything is possible.
(Obviously, it really is 4 to cope with the inevitable red card they’ll contrive to give us…)
The international break is possibly coming at the right time for us. Even if there are players going off for international duty , There’s still time for Klopp and Co to devise some tactics and work through what went wrong.
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I’ll go for an early Hall of Fame/Shame contender, depending on which way it pans out.
Quansah to take his chance and retire Virgil early, after non-stop clean sheets in the latter’s absence.