I’ve been having a look at how Liverpool could line up against Manchester City tomorrow, and I think Andoni Iraola has a few interesting decisions to make.
The biggest problem is obvious. Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are both unavailable after picking up injuries on international duty, while Hugo Ekitike is also out. That leaves Iraola having to get creative with his attacking options.
But rather than simply worrying about who Liverpool are missing, I’m looking at the players who could come in and make a difference.
Here’s the XI I’d go with.
My predicted Liverpool XI
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Defence: Ronald Araújo, Jérémy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez
Midfield: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai
Attack: Victor Muñoz, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha
Striker: Bradley Barcola
I wouldn’t change the defence
For me, the back four pretty much picks itself.
Alisson starts in goal, with Araújo at right-back, Jacquet alongside Van Dijk and Kerkez on the left.
Jacquet’s fitness was a concern after he felt a strain in his left hamstring while away with France, but Liverpool have indicated that he should be available for the City game. That is a massive boost because I really like what he has brought to this defence.
Araújo has also given Liverpool greater defensive security at right-back, while van Dijk brings the experience and leadership this sort of fixture demands.
I’d stick with them and give the back line another chance to show how solid it can be.
Against a City side that has started the season so strongly, Liverpool cannot afford to be careless defensively.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai need to get this right
I’d keep Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai together in midfield.
I know there are questions about the balance of that partnership, and I still think Liverpool need to find the right combination for certain games. But against City, both players will have important jobs.
Mac Allister needs to help Liverpool retain possession and get through City’s press, while Szoboszlai has the energy to press aggressively and carry the ball forward.
The key is making sure they don’t get dragged too far apart.
City are very good at finding space between the lines, and Liverpool cannot allow their midfield to become stretched. If Mac Allister and Szoboszlai can compete physically while getting the ball forward quickly, Liverpool have a chance of making this difficult for them.
Give Wirtz the freedom to create
This is where I’m particularly interested.
I’d play Florian Wirtz behind the striker, with Muñoz on one side and Ngumoha on the other.
Wirtz needs to be involved in the dangerous areas rather than spending too much time doing work that takes him away from goal.
He has already shown for Germany what he can produce when he finds his rhythm. Liverpool need to help him bring more of that into his performances at Anfield.
Muñoz offers another attacking option, while Ngumoha could give Liverpool something different with his direct running and willingness to take defenders on.
I wouldn’t expect a young player like Rio to solve all Liverpool’s problems. But sometimes you need to give talented youngsters the opportunity to show what they can do.
And against City, his pace and fearlessness could be useful.
Barcola up front is the big call
With Isak and Gakpo ruled out, this is the decision that interests me most.
I’d start Bradley Barcola as the centre-forward, even though he is more comfortable operating from wide positions.
Iraola has already spoken about Barcola’s versatility, explaining that he can play across all three attacking positions. The Liverpool manager also made the point that a forward can still play well without scoring, provided he keeps getting into the right positions.
That is important here.
Barcola has pace, movement and the ability to run behind a defence. Against City, Liverpool need somebody who can stretch the centre-backs and give Wirtz an option when he receives the ball between the lines.
It won’t be a straightforward job, especially against City’s defenders, but I would rather use Barcola’s pace centrally than lose that threat altogether.
Liverpool need to be brave going forward. They cannot spend the whole afternoon defending and hoping for a mistake.
This is a huge opportunity for Liverpool
Let’s be honest: losing Isak and Gakpo before a game of this magnitude is a serious blow.
But Liverpool still have attacking quality, and this is an opportunity for some of the other players to step up.
Wirtz needs a performance that gets people talking for the right reasons. Muñoz can offer width and energy. Ngumoha has the ability to cause problems if he gets the chance, and Barcola has the pace to trouble City if Liverpool can get him running at their defence.
I’m not saying this XI guarantees a result. City are an excellent side, and Liverpool will need to get plenty right to win.
But I want to see Iraola trust the players who can make something happen.
My predicted XI is Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Muñoz, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Barcola.
I’d keep the defence together, ask the midfield to compete, give Wirtz freedom and let the young attackers play without fear.
It’s a big game at Anfield, and Liverpool need to make it count.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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