Chelsea (A): Build Up

[The Birdman]

Mingolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner Lucas Can
Lallana Firmino
Origi

[Myo]

Eva

[RedReet]

Mingolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner Lucas Can
Lallana Firmino
Origi

I'll be 'staggered' if Coutinho doesn't start.

[BigChief]

I'll be 'staggered' if Coutinho doesn't start.

Staggered? He's been the worst of the three number tens we have this season. By a long way. And the other two have hardly shone like beacons themselves.

I'd prefer it if Coutinho is rested for this one personally. Wouldn't mind seeing Lallana subbed for Tex around 60 mins. Just to see the Tex-Firm partnership a little more.

[RedReet]

Staggered? He's been the worst of the three number tens we have this season. By a long way. And the other two have hardly shone like beacons themselves.

I'd prefer it if Coutinho is rested for this one personally. Wouldn't mind seeing Lallana subbed for Tex around 60 mins. Just to see the Tex-Firm partnership a little more.

'Staggered' was a bit of a joke as that's what Birdman said about Lucas' chances of starting under Klopp.

But despite his poor recent form, I'm certain Coutinho will start on Sunday.

[The Birdman]

'Staggered' was a bit of a joke as that's what Birdman said about Lucas' chances of starting under Klopp.

But despite his poor recent form, I'm certain Coutinho will start on Sunday.

I'll be even more staggered/surprised/amazed/astonished/bewildered/flabbergasted/dumbfounded if Lucas is still in the team when the injuries clear up and Klopp has the January transfer window.
He just isn't suited for the high pressing game, Hendo, Milner, Can, Allen are all more suited to it imo.
Hendo is injured, Allen wasn't match fit when Klopp joined and he plays 3 in there at the minute, with Rossiter also injured who else could he play?
He's the one rested or rotated, Lucas just can't play 3 games a week in a high pressing system.
Consequently it takes longer to get cohesion if any player is missing every other game or every game in 3.

Horses for course pick, squad player or someone to sit in front of the CB's Lucas is excellent at it.
Long-term starter every week in the PL playing this way? I just don't see it, he's an injury waiting to happen and all the other midfielders are more dynamic, mobile with better fitness/injury records.

[Bender]

Benteke fit for the Chelsea game

[Rich]

That's great news.

[S-RED]

Sturridge not...........

[Bender]

.....

[Exiled_red]

Mingolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Milner Lucas Can
Lallana Firmino
Origi

I would go with that side but Coutinho and Firmino behind Origi

[ashey]

I'd like to see:
Mingolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Can Lucas Coutinho
Ibe Firmino
Benteke

[BigChief]

I'd like to see:
Mingolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Can Lucas Coutinho
Ibe Firmino
Benteke

Replace Ibe with Lallana and that could very well be the team.

Sadly Firmino, Coutinho and Lallana will all get in each other's way and give Ivanovic the easiest game he will have had this season.

[RedReet]

I'll be even more staggered/surprised/amazed/astonished/bewildered/flabbergasted/dumbfounded if Lucas is still in the team when the injuries clear up and Klopp has the January transfer window.
He just isn't suited for the high pressing game, Hendo, Milner, Can, Allen are all more suited to it imo.
Hendo is injured, Allen wasn't match fit when Klopp joined and he plays 3 in there at the minute, with Rossiter also injured who else could he play?
He's the one rested or rotated, Lucas just can't play 3 games a week in a high pressing system.
Consequently it takes longer to get cohesion if any player is missing every other game or every game in 3.

Horses for course pick, squad player or someone to sit in front of the CB's Lucas is excellent at it.
Long-term starter every week in the PL playing this way? I just don't see it, he's an injury waiting to happen and all the other midfielders are more dynamic, mobile with better fitness/injury records.

I agree that he is likely to break down in any game unfortunately, but if he can stay fit I think he'll be one of th elast players Klopp would look to replace.

I also take your point about playing 3 games in 1 week, but with more games than he's used to and no winter break, I think Kloop is going to have to rest more players than he normally does and Lucas won't be the only one 'managed'.

[kingfunk]

Hopefully John Terry plays.