Strongest Liverpool Lineup To Play Against Norwich: Coutinho & Sterling Starts, Dilemma With Lucas & Allen

After an astonishing 3-2 win against Manchester City last weekend at Anfield, Liverpool are now firmly in control of the title race. The Reds seek to win their first Premier League trophy after a space of 24 years and going by Brendan Rodgers’ side’s imperious form, it will be tough to bet against them when they take the pitch against Norwich in the weekend. Norwich are currently 17^th in the standings and after their 1-0 loss to Fulham last weekend, they are in danger of being relegated this season.

Liverpool however will look to stretch their winning run to 11 games and as Steven Gerrard said,

“It’s probably going to be the biggest month of my [Gerrard’s] career coming up now. I’ll give it everything I’ve got,”

“The message is to stay calm – there are still four cup finals left.”

So what will be the Reds’ strongest lineup to steamroll past the relegation threatened Canaries? We here at Soccersouls provide our readers with the hosts’ strongest possible lineup heading up to the crucial encounter for both the sides for obvious but different reasons.

Goalkeeper:

Simon Mignolet will start under the sticks for the travelling Reds who have a brilliant history against Norwich City in recent times. The Belgian could do nothing to prevent both of City’s second half goals at Anfield last weekend but held firm and stood tall whenever called to the task. Mignolet will travel to Carrow Road hoping he can keep a clean sheet in Liverpool’s quest for the title.

Defenders:

Liverpool’s defence should be unchanged for the game. While John Flanagan should start on the left back slot, the young full back should look to put pressure on Norwich’s wingers and try to join attacks with great enthusiasm up front. On the other side, Glen Johnson should be playing in the right back role and will have to ensure he has puts a good shift in against Norwich’s dazzling winger Nathan Redmond.

Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho will be up against Ricky Van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper, both of whom who are world class on their day and can unlock the best of defense with their surging runs up front.

Midfield:

Jordan Henderson is out of the clash following the late red card he received for dangerously going into a tackle on Samir Nasri against City last Sunday. While Liverpool played the 4-3-3 diamond, now with Henderson absent, Rodgers will now have to call whether he plays the fit again Lucas or opts for Joe Allen. If Lucas starts, Liverpool will revert to a 4-2-3-1 formation to accommodate an asymmetrical pattern involving Sterling and Coutinho with Suarez out wide assisting Sturridge up front. While if Allen plays, the Reds will play in the flat 4-3-3 setup with Gerrard taking the quarter back role with Allen out wide and Sterling and Coutinho changing places in the top and corner of the diamond.

Strikeforce:

The front two remains unchanged as Sturridge who had a poor game against Manchester City will partner Norwich’s nemesis Luis Suarez.  The Uruguayan already has three hat tricks against the Canaries and will look to put a further blow in their hearts should he get a record fourth. Make no mistake Norwich will try all their might to stop Suarez from scoring, but the talent the Uruguayan has at his disposal, it would be only a surprise if Suarez is kept quiet throughout the encounter.

Here are two possible setups, Brendan Rodgers might opt for, 

However, if Rodgers decides to use Lucas in a more defensive lineup,