Liverpool have undergone some serious reconstruction and are looking to end up in Champions League places once again, but see a tough task ahead. All of the top teams have strengthened further and are approaching what looks like the most competitive season in years. The Merseyside club have been no slouch in the transfer market however, having made eight purchases in total, and are somewhat infamously renowned for acquiring the services of three key cogs of the last year’s Southampton setup. In a harshly ironic fashion, Liverpool face Southampton first. In this piece let us analyze which Liverpool players will be the most important and deciding in this fixture.
Key Players, Positions And Breakdown; Liverpool vs Southampton
Tactics
Liverpool’s exceptional tactical and formational versatility have been a very important factor for their close title race last season. Rodgers has brought in exactly the kind of players he want; pacey, creative, fluid, interchangeable, and hungry to prove a point. However, the lack of another genuinely dependable striker means Rodgers will have to abandon a 4-1-2-1-2 diamond for a while. Expect the Liverpool boss to play a flexible 4-3-3.
Glen Johnson
Johnson has been extremely off form ever since the injury last year in a home game against Manchester United, to the level that the Liverpool supporters craved for his departure from the club. However, against Borrusia Dortmund and playing out of position in a leftback role, he was unexpectedly outstanding, playing intelligent passes and brilliantly linking up with Raheem Sterling. Liverpool will require similar performances if they are to win, especially with Southampton having a potent flank threat with the likes of Rodriguez, Pelle and Tadic, all who are very adaptable as well.
Emre Can
Last season, Gerrard was partnered with Henderson, and since Henderson had to do all the running for him he was often quiet. When Gerrard got injured, Henderson showed what he was really capable of. With the addition of Emre Can who has already shown immense strength and quality in the preseason, Henderson will be given a free role to enter into vacant space and cause trouble. Thus the onus falls of Emre Can to cover the defence, break up play and give the ball to Steven Gerrard for distribution. Rodgers knows very well that, especially after he drew against Villa at Anfield, when the defence doesn’t get proper shielding, the space behind can be exploited easily. Can will be a crucial player in deciding the fate of the game.
Raheem Sterling And Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho was extremely impressive in the preseason, playing with ethereal flair. In the 4-0 rout of Borrusia Dortmund he not only wowed the spectators with a sudden turn of his boot that lobbed the ball up and forwards to Daniel Sturridge who finished it clinically, he managed to squeeze into an available space in the box, got the ball and scored from a tight angle. Equally phenomenal was Raheem Sterling who made the assist for the goal. The 19 year old had a breakout second half of the season and continued his fine form by scoring against Brondby and Manchester City. The interchange play between these two players will decide how many goals the side will score in the game.
Dejan Lovren And Whomever Partners Him
Liverpool’s centre back options are a far cry from the ones that were available at the start of last season. Even with stalwart Daniel Agger’s departure apparently imminent, Rodgers still has to decide between Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel to partner Dejan Lovren, who was arguably Liverpool’s most important signing. Lovren was marvelous and commanding in the win over Dortmund while also managing to score a goal in a dream debut for Liverpool. Credit to his versatility to play both LCB and RCB, he’s able to partner either of the other centre halves. Rodgers has to make a decision on whether to experiment with him and Sakho or don’t change the Lovren-Skrtel partnership that’s working harmoniously. Expect the latter mentioned partnership to play in the opening game, however. Something that’s not broken does not need fixing.
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