The big question for me, and all of us, is what our midfield will be. I think this is always important with our apparent lack of a defensive midfielder, but moreso this weekend as it is where Man City generally dominate.
I think Alexis Mac Allister is a real dilemma. He’s a class player as seen week in, week out at Brighton and on a bigger stage for Argentina at the World Cup. I’ve not found him at all convincing at ‘No 6’, however. He seems off the pace and loose with the ball at times. In fact I wouldn’t play him there this weekend. I want him to flourish and gain confidence in his natural position.
I actually like Wataru Endo, he’s competitive and is tight with the ball. He’s obviously not the complete player Mac Allister is, but I think we need someone experienced in the position against the best attacking midfield in the country. Hopefully he can nullify the likes of Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, who do their best work in those areas.
In the middle of the park I’d put Mac Allister as discussed, alongside the amazing Dominik Szoboszlai.
I’d also like Cody Gakpo in the old Bobby position, just behind the front two. He can drop in to help the midfield when needed, but is also excellent in transition on the break. He looks after the ball so well.
He’d play just behind Mo Salah, obviously, and I’d play Diogo Jota on the left. It’s a marginal choice between him and Luis Diaz, but I feel Jota has looked that bit better recently.
So what about the defence? Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back and Virgil van Dijk of course. I’d probably chose Joel Matip, presuming Ibrahima Konate is unfit.
At left-back I’ll probably chuck Kostas Tsimikas in, hoping he’ll have one of his better games. I really miss Robbo and him not being around just reminds us how good he still is. Joe Gomez can play left-back, but he has too many mistakes in him and is likely to panic.
With Mac and Szoboszlai in the midfield, I’d hope our midfield will provide plenty going forward when necessary. Trent moving across was developed when we had a static midfield with little to offer offensively. I’d like him to sit tighter as right-back, going forward when needed. I think Trent has a lot to offer midfield, but I do miss him marauding down the wing. I also think he needs to concentrate on closing down Doku who’s looked very good recently.
So here we have it…
It’s going to be tough but I think this team, especially with high levels of concentration defensively, can get a result and hopefully a win!
Come on you mighty Reds!
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