After having conceded 3 goals last weekend away to Manchester United, Liverpool did well to net 3 against Championship leaders Bournemouth in the League Cup. Despite a very competent attacking display against the Red Devils, Liverpool failed to convert a single chance out of the 19 they created on the day. Deploying Sterling as the striker against Bournemouth, Rodgers tested out his new system and the initial signs proved that at least for now, this new system might just work. Here is a look at how they might line-up against Arsenal at the weekend:-
Brad Jones
The Australian keeper will keep his place in the starting 11 despite conceding a rather soft goal away to Bournemouth. A number of sliced clearances and a botched attempt at stopping the goal still hasn’t persuaded Rodgers to go back to Mignolet.
Kolo Toure
Playing as the right centre-back in the new system, Toure offers defensive solidity and leadership from the back. An uncompromising defender all his career, Toure will have a few things to prove when he faces former employers Arsenal.
Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian defender is an old-fashioned no-nonsense kind of defender who occasionally leans in for a rash tackle. The most consistent Liverpool defender for the past couple of seasons, Skrtel will keep his place for the Arsenal test.
Mamadou Sakho
An injury to Dejan Lovren saw Mamadou Sakho return to action in the League Cup. The French international is arguably the best defender at Liverpool and its only a matter of time before the former PSG skipper at the age of 24 becomes a Liverpool regular himself.
Jordan Henderson
Deployed as a right wing-back, Henderson’s versatility gives Rodgers a lot more options in midfield and attack. A tireless worker for the team, Henderson is at ease with the added industrious requirements of the new role.
Lucas Leiva
Returning to the side in the Bournemouth game, Lucas played out another stellar game in defensive midfield. Against a fluent and creative Arsenal attack, Lucas will have to be at his positional best to thwart the Gunners attacks.
Steven Gerrard
Back in the heart of midfield, the skipper will have a key role to play as he launches Liverpool attack time and again. The 34 year-old’s vision and passing range will be a key as Liverpool face up to Arsenal’s high defensive line.
Lazar Marković
The Serbian youngster will be fresh of his impressive display against Bournemouth at left wing-back. His direct and incisive attacking play was complemented with surprising defensive cover that he provided throughout the game. A run of game in the first team looks likely for the 20 year-old.
Phillipe Coutinho
Coutinho was not exactly at his fluent best but a much better performance from the Brazilian international saw Liverpool fans get excited during the week. His link-up play with Lallana and Sterling was particularly delightful.
Adam Lallana
The attacking midfielder was Liverpool’s man of the match against Bournemouth by a distance. The silky two-footed midfielder linked play up with his wing-backs, Coutinho and Sterling to great effect. His influence will be key to Liverpool breaking down Arsenal’s defence.
Raheem Sterling
The youngster played his second whole game as Liverpool’s frontman and he has 2 well taken goals for it. He should’ve netted another, to say the least but the brace against Bournemouth will do him a world of good as Liverpool take on Arsenal at the weekend.
