Andoni Iraola has made major changes to his Liverpool starting XI for tonight’s clash with Spurs — and I have to say, I really like what he has done.
Liverpool will line up with Giorgi Mamardashvili in goal, with Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araújo, Joe Gomez and Milos Kerkez making up the defence.
In midfield, Trey Nyoni, Alexis Mac Allister and James McConnell get the nod, while Cody Gakpo, Lewis Koumas and Rio Ngumoha form the attacking options.
Liverpool XI
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Araújo, Gomez, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister, McConnell; Gakpo, Koumas, Ngumoha.
Substitutes
Alisson, Endo, Jacquet, Szoboszlai, Isak, Munoz, Barcola, Gravenberch, Chambers.
And this is exactly the sort of opportunity I wanted to see.
I said before the game that I would have no problem with Van Dijk, Wirtz, Isak, Barcola and Szoboszlai being rested, and Iraola has gone even further by giving several players who haven’t had as many minutes a chance to impress.
There is a really exciting element to this team.
Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas and Ngumoha all have an opportunity to show the manager what they can do on a big night.
For Ngumoha in particular, this is another chance to demonstrate why Liverpool are so determined to keep him at the club despite interest from elsewhere.
Koumas also gets a huge opportunity in attack, while Nyoni and McConnell will be hoping to make their mark in midfield alongside the experienced Mac Allister.
I also like the fact that Mac Allister has been retained.
Liverpool need some experience in the side, and his presence could be particularly important in helping the younger players around him.
At the back, Araújo gets another opportunity alongside Gomez, while Frimpong and Kerkez should provide plenty of energy from the full-back positions.
And then look at that bench.
Szoboszlai, Isak, Barcola and Gravenberch are all available if Liverpool need them.
That gives Iraola some serious firepower to call upon later in the game.
This isn’t Liverpool taking Spurs lightly.
It’s Liverpool trusting the squad.
And that’s something I really wanted to see.
There are so many games to come this season that Liverpool simply cannot expect the same 11 players to play every minute. This is how you develop a squad and find out who can be trusted when the pressure is on.
Now it’s up to the players who have been given their opportunity.
Go out there, impress Iraola and give him a selection headache.
That’s exactly what I want to see tonight.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply