{"id":1077,"date":"2016-09-29T14:11:23","date_gmt":"2016-09-29T18:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=1077"},"modified":"2016-09-29T14:22:06","modified_gmt":"2016-09-29T18:22:06","slug":"liverpools-squad-players-await-their-chance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2016\/09\/29\/liverpools-squad-players-await-their-chance\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool’s Squad Players Await Their Chance"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liverpool\u2019s<\/b> squad players will await their chance to cement a starting role this season. Speculation usually surrounds Daniel Sturridge<\/strong> and rumours of possible transfer interest from other clubs are gathering pace. Both<\/span> Sturridge and <\/span>Divock Origi<\/b> haven\u2019t been automatic starters so far this season, with the former failing to recapture his very best form after a long spate of injury lay-offs. Origi looked to have emerged as a real asset until he too fell to injury late last season. <\/span><\/p>\n

Competition<\/span><\/h3>\n

J\u00fcrgen<\/b> Klopp<\/b> has fashioned a squad which now includes squad players capable of playing in multiple\u00a0attacking roles. <\/span>Sadio <\/b>Man\u00e9<\/b> can be used as an out-and-out striker in certain games;\u00a0<\/span>Roberto Firmino<\/b> seems comfortable anywhere along the attacking positions, including the false nine role he plays as well as anyone in the <\/span>Premier League<\/b>. This places further pressure on Sturridge and Origi, as Klopp usually doesn\u2019t play a traditional striking pair.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other players in the squad are also awaiting chances to gain a starting place, of note Emre Can, last year’s Liverpool Young Player<\/strong> of the Season<\/a><\/span>. The fit-again <\/span>German<\/b> midfielder has yet to feature prominently in this season\u2019s Premier League campaign because he has been eclipsed by the impressive form of new signing <\/span>Georginio Wijnaldum<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Reds are also without European football this season. Consequently, there are fewer games and fewer opportunities to play. Competition for places in the starting eleven is as fierce as it has been at <\/span>Anfield<\/b> for many years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Attacking Fluidity<\/span><\/h2>\n

The fluidity of Liverpool\u2019s attack shows in the scoring spread so far in this campaign. Firmino and <\/span>Man\u00e9, along with <\/span>Adam Lallana,\u00a0<\/b>are on three goals so far<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Philippe Coutinho <\/b><\/a>tops the scorers chart currently with four goals. Sturridge and Origi both have two League Cup goals, but are firing blanks so far in Premier League action. They’ll need to perform in all competitions if they don’t want to be left behind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Big Games<\/span><\/h2>\n

In Liverpool\u2019s big games away in <\/span>London<\/b> so far this season, only Sturridge has started. The England striker started against his old club <\/span>Chelsea,\u00a0<\/b>but\u00a0exited early in the second half at Stamford Bridge<\/strong> to make way for Origi. In the other big games against <\/span>Arsenal<\/b> and <\/span>Tottenham Hotspur<\/b>, Klopp decided not to start with either striker. The Reds emerged from these fixtures with seven points, a fantastic return away from home. Liverpool\u2019s past reliance on Sturridge\u2019s goals and fitness has ended. <\/span><\/p>\n

Swansea Next<\/span><\/h2>\n

Klopp may be tempted to rotate his team against Swansea City<\/strong><\/span>. Following the away game in Wales, <\/strong>the\u00a0international break pre-dates a massive home game against arch rivals <\/span>Manchester United. <\/b>Players like <\/span>Jordan Henderson,<\/b> Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino<\/span>, Wijnaldum and <\/span>Man\u00e9 should all feature for their national teams. The game at the <\/span>Liberty Stadium <\/b>provides an ideal opportunity to rest key players and also give valuable game time to players like Can, Origi and Sturridge. <\/span><\/p>\n

Possible Formations<\/span><\/h2>\n

Klopp usually does not play a traditional front pairing. The former <\/span>Dortmund<\/b>\u00a0coach prefers an interchangeable front three and in this type of set up only one of Origi and Sturridge will start. <\/span><\/p>\n

If Origi starts at Swansea could see the young Belgian<\/strong> striker at the tip of a three-pronged attack, in a 4-1-2-3 style. <\/span>Emre Can could also come in at the defensive pivot point in midfield. <\/span>If Sturridge starts, expect to see the work rate of Firmino alongside him with the speedy\u00a0<\/span>Man\u00e9 making intelligent runs up top also in a 4-2-3-1 style. <\/span><\/p>\n

Klopp has stated that he doesn’t see the need for as much rotation this year because of the lack of European football. Liverpool are currently in devastating form\u00a0and the\u00a0squad players must seize any opportunities they get. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n