Crystal Palace (H)

[LeTallecWiz]

Injury update:

[article]Liverpool face a possible defensive crisis for this weekend with Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Lucas Leiva all struggling with injuries ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp revealed that none of the three has trained and while it is not 100% they will miss Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield, he may have to find another solution for this weekend.
The Reds boss mentioned Joe Gomez as a possible option to partner Dejan Lovren in defence after making strides in the last few weeks with the U23s.

Klopp said: "We have a few little things from the last game which don't make it much easier.
"Bit of a muscle problem with Joel Matip and Lucas Leiva, still a problem (knee) with Ragnar Klavan, it was really small problem with a ligament but still may not be enough time before Crystal Palace so it will be interesting. But it looks good at the moment."[/article]

If those 3 cannot play, how would you line up?

Lovren-Gomez is the only way right?

Who would partner Can & Gini?

 

[Hansern]

I'd bet that both Matip and Lucas will be fit. We dont play until Sunday.

 

[dantes]

I'd bet that both Matip and Lucas will be fit. We dont play until Sunday.

Let us pray that their bodies are being left to recover naturally, and are not undergoing any treatment from the medical team.

 

[Buddha]

I think Lovren would be the biggest CB miss vs Palace. He seems to excel in meeting a physical challenge and should relish managing Benteke on Sunday.

 

[mom]

I'm assuming they can't play Sakho, and he's pretty much the heart of their defence, so I can see us scoring more than them, however many we concede.

 

[Hansern]

We need Matip and Lovren to both start. Our two best CBs and they've played quite well together these last few games.

 

[dmishra]

I think Lovren would be the biggest CB miss vs Palace. He seems to excel in meeting a physical challenge and should relish managing Benteke on Sunday.

But he's fit, isn't he?

 

[Jack D Rips]

But he's fit, isn't he?

At the moment he is. But there's three days to go.

 

[Insignificance]

Fuck. Getting nervous about this one..

 

[Fallon]

If they aren't fit, then you'd assume some sort of 4-4-2/1-1 possibly with TAA on right and Mane on the left. You could play a 3, but I'd despair at the state of the midfield in that scenario.

 

[dantes]

If they aren't fit, then you'd assume some sort of 4-4-2/1-1 possibly with TAA on right and Mane on the left. You could play a 3, but I'd despair at the state of the midfield in that scenario.

It will pain you to learn that Mane will be undergoing medical treatment for several months.

 

[choperman.v01]

Injury update:

[article]Liverpool face a possible defensive crisis for this weekend with Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Lucas Leiva all struggling with injuries ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp revealed that none of the three has trained and while it is not 100% they will miss Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield, he may have to find another solution for this weekend.
The Reds boss mentioned Joe Gomez as a possible option to partner Dejan Lovren in defence after making strides in the last few weeks with the U23s.

Klopp said: "We have a few little things from the last game which don't make it much easier.
"Bit of a muscle problem with Joel Matip and Lucas Leiva, still a problem (knee) with Ragnar Klavan, it was really small problem with a ligament but still may not be enough time before Crystal Palace so it will be interesting. But it looks good at the moment."[/article]

If those 3 cannot play, how would you line up?

Lovren-Gomez is the only way right?

Who would partner Can & Gini?

Not many options at CB unless we want to go back to three at the back. Assuming we go with two and keep Can at CM, then the other CM spot can probably be solved by rotating Grujic/Trent and Sturridge (assuming he's still only able to play 45 minutes). For example, perhaps Trent (played CM at U23 level) or Grujic play 45 minutes behind Firmino - Origi - Coutinho. Then depending on how things go, we have the option to bring Sturridge in and the youngster goes off, so Coutinho or Firmino goes into the advanced CM position (where Lallana plays) behind the other Brazilian - Sturridge - Origi. Could flip the situation around and start Sturridge and then bring him off instead for the youngster.

The other option is Moreno at LB and Milner at CM. Not very comforting thought that. I can see how Moreno's pace can be useful against Zaha, but the brain though...

 

[keniget]

We can always try Can at CB. Not ideal but he's played there before.

 

[KopRed]

Klopp will play Gomez if all 3 are indeed out. It would not be the first time he plays a youngster in a big game.

 

[StevieM]

No Matip & Lovren against a Sam Allerdyce team with Benteke in it.

I think we know how this plays out.

 

[Jack D Rips]

Matip hasn't ruled himself out yet.

 

[HC]

As if anyone gives a shit about Klavan being injured

Going off recent injury records , im thinking lucas pulls through and starts with lovren. Although id rather we started gomez and got lucas on benteke duty to hopefully shield the back two as expertly as he did against Everton and most recently west brom

 

[Frogfish]

No Matip & Lovren against a Sam Allerdyce team with Benteke in it.

I think we know how this plays out.

Lovren isn't injured FFS !

 

[Fallon]

It will pain you to learn that Mane will be undergoing medical treatment for several months.

Lets just forget that little blonde moment, and pretend I meant Bobby all along.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Lucas at CB and Stewart holding maybe

 

[StevieM]

Lovren isn't injured FFS !

I didn't say he was.

I meant that the Lovren/Matip partnership not playing would cause us problems.

 

[Squiggles]

I'd trust Emre to do it. The poor little petal is sad he's not playing deeper so this is ideal for him.

 

[Frogfish]

I didn't say he was.

I meant that the Lovren/Matip partnership not playing would cause us problems.

I'll add a smilie next time

 

[StevieM]

I'll add a smilie next time

I'm not at my sharpest first thing in the morning.

 

[Buddha]

But he's fit, isn't he?

Yes he is, I meant hypothetically (ie. as much as I rate Matip more overall, I'd prefer a fit Lovren to Matip for this game).

 

[hmmmmm1]

Hopefully its all mind games.

 

[Silver Sean]

Anyone who doesn't put some money on that shit lump Benteke scoring is mad.

 

[Hansern]

Matip and Lucas were back in training today

 

[Mystic]

I'm reading it was Lucas and Klavan, not Matip.

 

[Judge Jules]

I'm assuming they can't play Sakho, and he's pretty much the heart of their defence, so I can see us scoring more than them, however many we concede.

I'm afraid they may well play Sakho. The interview quoted by King Binny in another thread certainly suggests he'll be turning out for them.