Scoring 30 goals in 11 games in the Premier League early this season, Liverpool are one of the most exciting teams in the top flight of English football at the moment. They are fresh from a thumping victory over Watford at Anfield on the last match-day moving to the top of the table for the first time in 2 years and will hope to consolidate their place at the top when they travel to the St Marys today. Southampton have been in decent form this season, picking up some important points but they are fresh from a loss to Hull City and will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
Jurgen Klopp has settled into a starting XI at the club with Roberto Firmino doing an exceptional job as a false-9 so far this season. Playing away from home, this would have been the preferred formation for Klopp going into this game against Southampton. However, the fans and the manager received some disastrous news after it was revealed that in-form attacker Philippe Coutinho is doubtful for this game against Southampton, picking up a slight hamstring niggle coming back from international duty. Having scored 5 goals and assisted another 5 in the league so far, Coutinho is an impact player for Liverpool and his loss will surely be felt. But chances of Klopp risking him for this game, after his stint with the national side leaves Klopp with one position to fill even if Coutinho’s is declared fit to take the bench.
So the natural option for Klopp is to start Daniel Sturridge up top with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane behind him. Georginio Wijnaldum will replace the injured Adam Lallana while Jordan Henderson and Emre Can will keep their places in the midfield. The English striker has been in decent form and was unlucky to have not picked up a goal in the mauling at Watford. He is currently the best finisher in the squad and should walk into the squad straight away. But we have see Klopp use Divock Origi over Sturridge in games this season so it has not presented a dilemma as to who should start this game against Southampton.
The young Belgian is full of pace and energy and will surely put in an energetic performance on the night. He is still learning the game but will be effective with his strength, height and ability with the ball giving Liverpool another dimension in attack but here is why Sturridge should start for the Reds.
As already mentioned, Sturridge is currently the best finisher in the squad as he showed in the outings he got this season. He is yet to score a league goal this season but with Liverpool’s Brazilian talisman absent for this game, Sturridge might be the major creator in this game. The 27-year old is not a typical striker who will wait on the shoulder of the defense but will drop back and run the lines to free up space for his teammates. He fits well into Klopp’s interchanging system at the club and though he cannot provide the defensive cover the Firmino does in a similar position, he adds that bit of attacking threat that can change the game on its head. He is also in great form, scoring on international duty and will be a major threat for Southampton in this game.
He will act as a target-man in the final third but his clever movements will make him hard to catch. He is linked with a move away from the club and will have a point to prove and if Klopp decides to favour Origi over him in this game, it might be the beginning of the end of his career at Liverpool. But at the moment, he is the first choice for Klopp for this game and should start dropping Coutinho to the bench even if he is fit to give him some much-deserved rest.
Who do you think should start for Liverpool on their trip to the St Marys?