International breaks are always stressful for managers in club football, given the numerous concerns regarding the outgoing players’ fitness levels and potential injury scares.
A similar case appears to have manifested in Merseyside for Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp as Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was forced off with a hamstring problem during Holland’s 1-0 defeat to France. The former Newcastle United man had established himself as an integral member of Klopp’s squad and played coherently alongside English colleagues Jordan Henderson and Adam Lallana. With the latter also doubtful for Monday night’s colossal home clash against Manchester United, Klopp may be required to rejig not just his midfield, but his formation to make up for the potential absence of the duo.
Wijnaldum was deployed on the right-hand side of a midfield trio in Liverpool’s league games, directly supporting either Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino ahead of him. While he may have registered just two assists to his name so far, his presence in the middle of the park was considered reassuring for the Reds as he would help regulate the game and control it’s tempo. An increased number of forward passes from his days in Tyneside stood testament to the idea Klopp intended to share with the Anfield faithful and better awareness off the ball showcased the transformation in importance and application by the Dutchman for his new employers.
Sweating over his current predicament, though, Wijnaldum may be ruled out of arguably the most important game for his side this season. In the event, it does occur and if Lallana fails to return to full fitness too, here is how Klopp may restructure his midfield and attack against the visiting Mancunians:
RM: Emre Can
The 22-year-old had fitness issues post the Euros and picked up an injury, ruling him out of Liverpool’s first seven league games. He has returned to training though and will be keen to impress the manager with a strong display against his side’s arch-rivals. Can possess plenty of technical ability on the ball and is regarded as a combative midfielder, the sort that may unsettle Jose Mourinho’s side this Monday.
CM: Jordan Henderson
The England International is the only member of Liverpool’s midfield triumvirate left with a certain clean bill of health ahead of the eighth Premier League game week. Henderson will be eager to build on his strong start to the season by anchoring his side in the centre of the park. His less-than-influential display at Slovenia for the national team may have raised a few doubts but on the club front, he looks fit and energetic and will relish the opportunity of battling Paul Pogba in midfield. Henderson has earned the honour of completing more passes than any Premier League player thus far and that will prove key come Monday.
LM: Phillipe Coutinho
Now this is where Klopp may be forced to make a change. On another day, Coutinho would have been instated in Liverpool’s front three, notably alongside Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. The potential absence of Wijnaldum and Lallana may see the Brazilian playmaker drop a tad deeper than expected, though. All that said, Coutinho is no stranger to playing in a deeper role and some might view this as an excellent move by Klopp as this will give the 24-year-old more time on the ball, an occurrence the Anfield faithful will definitely want to see with increasing regularity.
RW: Sadio Mane
Already touted to be Klopp’s best signing of the season, Mane will be viewed as Liverpool’s biggest weapon against United. Gifted with pace and power, he will seek to exploit the lack of mobility down the visitors’ left-hand side and may cause a world of damage to Mourinho if Daley Blind is deployed at left-back. Luke Shaw is available for selection though and should he earn a starting berth on Monday, the contest will be staggering.
LW: Roberto Firmino
Firmino famously scored Liverpool’s second goal in their deserved 2-0 win against the old enemy in the first leg of the Europa League at Anfield last season. His strong start to the season will most certainly be channelized on Monday night as he is likely to battle Antonio Valencia on his flank.
ST: Daniel Sturridge
Another enforced change for Klopp may see striker Sturridge make a rare start for Liverpool. This will render the False 9 system moot and quite possibly change Klopp’s tactics for the game. Sturridge has struggled to cement his place in the starting eleven given Liverpool’s success with the trio of Mane, Coutinho and Firmino and will probably view this as the ultimate test to give Klopp a selection headache. He is likely to face in-form centre-half Eric Bailly and his partner Chris Smalling, a duel that is expected to see fireworks at some stage of the match.