If it was up to me, I’d be tempted to make some pretty significant changes to the Liverpool team for the tie against Spurs.
I’d like to see Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Dominik Szoboszlai all given a rest.
That might sound like a lot of quality to leave out, but Liverpool have a long season ahead and this is exactly where squad depth needs to be used.
Van Dijk, in particular, is someone I wouldn’t be taking unnecessary risks with. At 35, managing his minutes during a busy period makes sense, especially when there are other defenders who need competitive minutes and the season is only getting started.
Wirtz and Szoboszlai are also players I’d be happy to see given a breather. Both are going to be hugely important to what Andoni Iraola wants to achieve this season, and keeping them fresh could be more valuable than simply playing them in every available game.
Then there’s Isak.
Liverpool have made a huge investment in their new striker and, after the excitement surrounding his arrival, I’d rather see him protected where possible. There is absolutely no point risking fatigue or a needless injury this early in the campaign.
The same applies to Barcola. His pace and ability to stretch defences could be a massive weapon for Liverpool this season, but that makes managing his workload even more important.
This isn’t about disrespecting Spurs or throwing the game away.
It’s about trusting the squad.
I’d like to see some of the players who haven’t had as many minutes get their opportunity and show Iraola that they can be relied upon. That is how you build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
There is also something appealing about seeing a slightly different Liverpool side. We’ve already seen Iraola willing to make changes, and this is another opportunity to see which players are ready to step up.
Liverpool should still go to Spurs with the intention of winning. But I don’t think winning every game requires your strongest possible XI every time.
If Van Dijk, Wirtz, Isak, Barcola and Szoboszlai can get a well-earned rest while Liverpool still put out a team capable of beating Spurs, I’d be all for it.
The season is a marathon, not a sprint — and keeping the biggest players fresh could prove crucial when the really important games arrive.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The game is at Anfield
Thank you for pointing out my mistake and reading my article.