Liverpool enter match-day 5 standing at the top of the table despite their 2-2 draw against Swansea last time which halted their 100% record to the Premier League campaign. The reds host Southampton on Saturday and will look to continue their winning streak in front of their home crowd.
It has been a positive start to Brendan Rodgers’ second season at Anfield and some heavy spending during the summer window have also helped the manager’s cause. The inform Sturridge and Co have managed to get on the score sheets regularly helping the Reds cope up without Luis Suarez, who will be returning to the squad in the near future.
Although, Liverpool stand at the top of the table, Rodgers has played down their chances of winning the title. Quoted by Skysports, the manager said:
“We’ll assess it after 10 games, see where we sit then, and then again at the halfway point when we’ll probably have a more realistic idea of where we can be. At this moment, we’ve played four – won three and drawn one – and we’re in a good moment.
“There’s a lot more to come. We’ve made a good start. People will talk that it is early stages, as will I, but these are hurdles you have to get over.
As far as the team news in concerned, Liverpool are dealt with one major blow. Their young playmaker Philippe Coutinho has been hit with a shoulder injury and will be out of the action until the end of October. Even with a strong bench, the Brazilian’s injury will be a blow for them. New recruits Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Victor Moses (who made his Liverpool debut last week) can use this time to convince Rodgers for a regular first team berth.
As far as the back line is concerned, Daniel Agger will be in contention after missing out Swansea’s game with a side strain this past Monday. It will be interesting to see the back line this week as new recruit Sakho who had a average debut might be replaced and Agger alongside Toure looks more than a possibility this week.
Here is the primary projected lineup for the Reds. We have also included another formation that Rodgers might think about deploying.
Here is another possible line-up:
