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If last weekend of Premier League football has taught us anything, aside from our mutual dislike for VAR, it’s that the start of European competitions is already beginning to affect teams. Liverpool and the rest of England’s top clubs have only played one game in Europe, but there are signs that the intense workload is taking its toll.
A home game against Sheffield United, all signs pointed to a pleasant night for Liverpool. It was the complete opposite, and what it showed, a result can never be guaranteed, even at Anfield, where Jürgen Klopp’s men have a 62-game unbeaten streak in the league. And teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all lost points after expeditions across the continent.
More matches will be expected and fast between now and the New Year, with the exception of the international break next month. Liverpool will have to use the full depth of their squad to maintain the fitness level of their players, and this can be evident when they face FC Midtjylland.
Once again, as against Sheffield United, everything points to Liverpool going with the game and securing all three points. That may be the case, especially if Klopp is going with a starting lineup in full force. The Danish club is expected to finish last in the group, but the Champions League is capable of bringing surprises, so who knows what will happen.
Given that Liverpool’s fringe players need to be fit, Klopp could well make several changes to his squad for the Midtjylland visit. Without the League Cup to compete, there is a chance that a second team will appear. Would that be the best idea? We are going to explore…
As for the goalkeeping situation, everyone connected with Liverpool was delighted when it was confirmed that Alisson Becker was fit to start, especially considering it was so unexpected. However, will he take a chance on another close match after his return from injury? It’s a question Klopp will have to ponder, especially with another Premier League game to prepare for this weekend. It could mean Adrian being included in the starting lineup, but that would certainly draw attention now that his star goalkeeper is fit to play.
The defense, for the most part, has been quite resolute in recent seasons, but Virgil van Dijk’s injury means he will be a talking point in the preparation of every game during his absence. Both Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have played every league so far and will need a break at some point. This could mean Kostas Tsimikas and Neco Williams have rare outings, with the former restricted to a single appearance due to injury.
In central defense, there will be a debate about when to give Joe Gomez a break. He is the club’s starting defender with Van Dijk injured, and now has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Rhys Williams has impressed when asked, and he would certainly be an eye-catching pick if he lined up against Midtjylland.
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Then there is the question about Joël Matip. His injury history is sure to be a concern for Liverpool’s backroom team, especially with the dearth of options for the first team as a central defender. There’s no question that Klopp will need him on hand for much of the season, with such a hectic schedule ahead.
And to the midfield we go. The area of the field that often causes the most debate about the formula Klopp goes with, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. You face the prospect of returning to the 4-3-3 formation that has served Liverpool so well in recent years, or sticking with the 4-2-3-1 that worked over the weekend.
You’d think Jordan Henderson will rest after recently returning from injury and a Premier League game on the horizon. Gini Wijnaldum is a vital component in the middle of the park, but he has played a lot of football lately and may need to rest. Then there is the James Milner experience that is crucial, as well as the youth of Curtis Jones that deserves another start sooner rather than later.
Thiago Alcântara and Naby Keïta’s injuries will be cause for concern if they continue to emerge. And we have yet to see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this season due to injury. That’s three players who would provide a major boost to Klopp’s team picks if they stay in shape.
And now the exciting part: the first line. Everyone in world football knows the skill that Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah possess, but even they will tire at some point. In order for them to maintain the very high standards they have set, they must be kept in top condition and not overwork.
This season is different from the previous ones because, unlike those other seasons, there is a genuine force in depth. Diogo Jota and Takumi Minamino have a genuine quality behind the main trio, and could easily fit into the starting lineup when needed. However, there are question marks about players like Xherdan Shaqiri and Divock Origi, who have not appeared much in recent matches.
While we don’t expect Klopp to completely change his entire starting lineup against Midtjylland, far from it, but you wouldn’t be surprised to see the strange alteration. Players will need to rest at some point, especially after three games in less than a week, and this midweek match should provide the perfect opportunity to give some of those at the top of the first team a chance to show off their skills.
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