Liverpool have so far been unable to be convincing in their games and now they face another test against FC Basel in the second fixture of the Champions League. This will be yet another test for Brendan Rodgers’ men as they try to overcome the difficult times and to turn around their fortunes tonight. In the last game against Everton the team showed promise, but ultimately could not grab all three points due an excellent strike from Phil Jagielka in the dying moments of the game. Mario Balotelli missed a couple of chances and if they had been scored, Liverpool could have won the match. Albeit, now they must look forward and with the best of hopes to advance into the next stage of the Champions League.
We take a look at the probable team lineup of Liverpool for their game against Basel in the Champions League clash.
Defence:
Simon Mignolet has not been the best under the goal and his errors have cost Liverpool points. But he is the only option for Liverpool at the moment or till Victor Valdes or someone likely is being signed as a free agent. The Belgian shotstopper will again be under the bar for Liverpool.
Javier Manquillo has been one of the best performers for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers has his complete trust on the youngster. Expect him to be at the right side of the defence against Basel. On the left side Alberto Moreno is going be the man for the Merseyside club and his attacking instincts will prove to be vital for Liverpool in beating Basel at their own backyard to grab all those three points.
The centre back pairing has been an area of problem for Liverpool so far and even in this match the Liverpool defenders need to be at the top of their game to restrict the Basel strikers. We expect Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel to turn up for the first team as Kolo Toure should be in the squad ahead of Sakho who has had a poor run of form till now and who has not been on the manager’s good book.
Midfield:
While Steven Gerrard should be at the centre of things for Reds, there have been many questions posed for the veteran midfielder in his defensive midfield role. But Gerrard has done well in the last match and scored a brilliant free kick. Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho should be the other midfielders for Liverpool as they try and dominate the game from the midfield. While Coutinho has been on and off from the team, Henderson has not been able to replicate his form of last year so far.
Attack:
In Daniel Sturridge’s absence, Mario Balotelli is set to be the lone striker for Liverpool. The Italian has missed a couple of chance in the last match against Everton and he needs to make amends for that today. Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana should play behind Balotelli and Liverpool will have to depend on these two to be the creative force inside the Basel half.
