Liverpool Lineup vs Ludogorets Razgrad
Its been far too long that Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s have been celebrated like weekends in Merseyside. Liverpool make their comeback in Europe’s elite competition the Champions League after a 5 year long exile.
Their opening fixture might just be a very trick affair as they face Belarusian champions Ludogorets Razgrad at home. Ludogorets Razgradare making their debut in the Champions League since being formed back in 2001. A relatively unknown entity, Rodgers will be hoping his team put behind the disappointment of Tuesday as quick as possible as fixtures come thick and fast for the Reds in the coming weeks.
Here’s a look at how Liverpool may line-up:-
Formation – 4-4-2 (Diamond)
Simon Mignolet
Undisputed and unchallenged, the Belgian shot-stopper is an automatic choice for Rodgers. Still not the most vocal of goal-keepers, Mignolet is an excellent shot-stopper and one that Liverpool can count on.
Javi Manquillo
With Glen Johnson still out injured, young 20 year old Javier Manquillo will hold onto the right-back spot after an indifferent outing against Villa on Saturday. Defensively solid, Manquillo will be urged by his gaffer to push on and support the attacks as and when he can.
Dejan Lovren
Disappointing against Villa, Lovren will be hoping to set the record straight against new boys Ludogorets. At fault for the only goal of the game, Lovren performed admirably for the rest of the 80 minutes only being left to rue that one mistake.
Mamadou Sakho
The French centre-back still looks slightly shaky in possession but he more than makes up for it with his sheer defensive ability. A beast of a defender, Sakho rarely gets out-muscled and often times comes off best in tackles he makes. Good in the air, Sakho will look to keep the Belarusians under check.
Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard has truly had an absolute roller-coaster start to his Liverpool career. An underwhelming game against City was followed with an excellent outing away at Spurs only to be followed by a virtually invisible performance against Villa at home. Lightning quick and sometimes, overexcited in a tackle – Moreno looks like one for the future but he ought to step it up right away.
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool skipper hasn’t been at his best since the season started. However, at home against Villa the 34 year old midfield schemer got his passing bang on after it deserted him for the game against Spurs a couple of weeks on. This being the captains competition, Stevie G will be as excited as the most excited Liverpool fan about the reds being back in the Champions League.
Jordan Henderson
One of the first names on the team-sheet, Henderson was one of the brightest players on the pitch against Villa. Having added the vision required for the Hollywood pass to his game, Henderson at 24 is gradually becoming the midfielder every team wishes they had. The tireless former Sunderland midfielder will be key to Liverpool’s chances in each and every competition the Reds are part of.
Phillipe Coutinho
After a rather underwhelming start to the season after a brilliant preseason, Saturday against Villa young Coutinho did show signs of getting back to his best. Despite the young Brazilian performing far below his ability, his upturn in form is perfectly timed as Liverpool head into the most congested part of their season.
Raheem Sterling
The 19 year old has become such an integral part of the Liverpool squad that when the Reds seemed to have no answer to Villa’s bus this weekend, manager Rodgers turned to the teenager to try and turn things around for him. The space and open-natured of the Champions League might just suit young Raheem Sterling to take his game to another level.
Mario Balotelli
Still searching for his first Liverpool goal, Mario Balotelli has put in 2 very healthy shifts as the Liverpool front-man. A seemingly more disciplined Mario Balotelli will be the striker to whom Liverpool fans will look to for goals with Daniel Sturridge being out injured for more than a couple of weeks.
Rickie Lambert
Awaiting his first start, Lambert has visibly had an effect on games after having come off the bench. The burly Scouser might just be the answer to Liverpool’s goal-getting problem with Sturridge out injured. Lambert’s inclusion would also mean that Liverpool revert back to their favoured diamond formation in midfield.