Liverpool are back in the Champions League after a hard-fought victory against Sheffield United, in the Premier League last weekend. But later tonight, the Reds face Midtjylland in another Champions League night at Anfield, without the common Anfield crowd and support. Jurgen Klopp will look to chop and change his side as the opposition will be rather weak as it might be a good time to rest the big guns.
Liverpool have a lot of injuries and doubts already and can not afford even one more. Having a game against minnows Midtjylland might just be the need of the hour at Liverpool as Klopp might also give the fringe players a chance to experience Champions League football. The likes of Curtis Jones and Shaqiri are likely to start in such a game.
Let us now have a look at how Liverpool might lineup against Midtjylland, in the Champions League group stage game, later tonight.
THE 4-3-3
Looking at the injuries to Van Dijk and Matip, Joe Gomez and Fabinho is the best possible centre-back partnership Liverpool have. These two will have to play every possible minute probably till one of Van Dijk or Matip recovers, as the other centre-backs aren’t up to the required level. Alexander-Arnold might be rested for the game and Neco Williams might get a chance, as the former has played almost every minute since the start of the season.
With the injury to Thiago and Fabinho playing as a centre-back, Henderson might have to play the defensive midfielder role. The other two midfielders on the starting XI might be Curtis Jones and Naby Keita. Gini Wijnaldum has also played a lot of football lately and would surely like to have a rest to come back on top, in such a critical time for the Reds.
The front-three might also need a revamp for the game as all the three were taken off in the hour mark against Ajax. Diogo Jota, Takumi Minamino and Shaqiri might all start tonight as the likes of Salah, Mane and Firmino do need some rest. The superstars might be used later in the game if the fringe players don’t show up against Midtjylland.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is one more system where the gegenpressing can be done with the same effectiveness and ease. In such a formation, Mohamed Salah has always played as the central striker and the Egyptian has thrived in the role, as he lives for goals and has great goalscoring prowess. Minamino might finally get a chance to play in his favoured No.10 position, as the playmaker hasn’t had his fair share of chances at Liverpool.
The midfield pivot is likely to be made up two of Milner, Henderson and Wijnaldum, as all these three can play well in a defensive role. The wingers are very likely to be Jota and Shaqiri in such a system as Salah might play as the central striker. Klopp might rest Mane and Firmino in this game as both of them have had minor knocks earlier.
Taking all the factors into consideration, Liverpool should win this game with ease.
