Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool will look to bounce back from the 3-0 drubbing handed to them by Spanish giants Real Madrid in the Champions League mid-week when they take the field against Steve Bruce’s Hull City in the Barclays Premier League. With Sturridge still out injured and the rest of the strikers – Balotelli, Borini and Lambert simply failing to find the net, Rodgers’ will have to depend on the attacking threats of 19 year old Raheem Sterling and Brazilian Coutinho to keep up the pace with the leaders of the pack.
Here is a look at how the Reds may line-up against Hull at the weekend
Formation – 4-2-3-1
Simon Mignolet
Despite being unconvincing lately, the Belgian shot-stopper will retain his place in the Liverpool goal. An excellent shot-stopper, Mignolet’s poor decision-making and command in the box has often been the cause of many of the goals Liverpool concede.
Glen Johnson
The veteran right-back, if one may, will retain his place even after a rather disappointing performance against Real Madrid at the weekend. A pale shadow of the player he once was, Glen Johnson will hope to better his performances lately against a tricky Hull side.
Martin Skrtel
One of the better Liverpool players on the night when Ronaldo and company handed them a royal drubbing. Skrtel has been Liverpool’s best defender for the best part of the last 12 months.
Dejan Lovren
His price tag and reputation brought a lot of hope to the Anfield faithful. However, after a decent start, his Liverpool career has gone downhill. A centre-half of the highest order, Lovren will look to start justifying his enormous price-tag sooner rather than later.
Alberto Moreno
Despite a rather anonymous performance against Real Madrid, the young left-back will retain his place in the starting-11. The feisty full-back will look to hurt Hull down the left with his explosive pace and precision passing.
Emre Can
The big German started the last Premier League game and gave a good account of himself and after a bright little cameo against Madrid the German under-21 international will be expected to start this game. A driving presence from midfield, Can provides the Liverpool midfield with much-needed physicality.
Jordan Henderson
A very uncharacteristic performance from the Liverpool vice-captain mid-week will definitely spark a reply from the hard-working 25 year old midfielder. Against a hard-working Hull side, the former Sunderland man’s work-rate will be put to the test.
Adam Lallana
The two-footed creative midfielder was left on the bench by Brendan Rodgers for the Madrid game but that lasted only 45 minutes. One of the bright Liverpool players in the last few weeks, Lallana provides attacking quality and defensive work-rate.
Steven Gerrard
The skipper was found out yet again in his deeper position against Real Madrid. Playing higher up the pitch, Gerrard will have a greater chance to affect the game. Still able to thread a pass through the eye of a needle, Gerrard in the number 10 might just be something Rodgers ought to try more often.
Phillipe Coutinho
The twinkle-toed Brazilian was bright, inventive and direct in possession against Madrid. His impressive performance deserves a starting place at the weekend. His link up play with Sterling was something worth watching.
Raheem Sterling
The 19 year old has had to shoulder the burden of creating chances and scoring himself in the absence of Danny Sturridge and Luis Suarez. Having fared with great quality so far, Sterling will look to continue to lead the Liverpool line just like the second half against Madrid.