Sunderland v Liverpool

One of the worst teams on paper and in reality. Their defence is so bad that Raheem Sterling scored a header. Yet it wouldn't surprise me if we struggled to create chances even here...

But hopefully we'll get the win and climb up to 7th.


That'd be my line-up. Sturridge could be back in this game, but I don't think he'll start.

It will be smart to bring in subs early for this one since we have a game against West Ham on Saturday. Even if they're in shit form, especially since they only seem to win when they're underdogs.

I don't know why you'd insist on playing Firmino instead of Benteke.

Minutes per Premier League goal this season: Firmino 732, Benteke 192.

Because I prefer to have a fluid front line with lots of movement to create chances while Benteke can come in as an alternative option if we can't find the net and change up our approach. It can work both ways (I would play Benteke and Firmino instead of Lallana and Firmino though).

Art Morte wrote:One of the worst teams on paper and in reality. Their defence is so bad that Raheem Sterling scored a header. Yet it wouldn't surprise me if we struggled to create chances even here...

But hopefully we'll get the win and climb up to 7th.

Mignolet
Clyne - Lovren - Sakho - Moreno
Henderson - Can
Ibe - Lallana - Coutinho
Benteke

That'd be my line-up. Sturridge could be back in this game, but I don't think he'll start.

May be Lucas for Lallana.

That Sunderland line-up is awful, we really should get the job done here...

Would like to see Ibe more, but I guess this is ok. Ibe over Lallana or Benteke would have been my only preference for this one.

Either way no excuse not to beat Sunderland.

A pretty frustrating first half.

Firmino did well to work that shooting opportunity, but should have done better with his header.

Our attacking play is as clueless as ever, mostly Coutinho dribbling about and a few crosses into the box. All of the forward line playing with their backs to goal again.

Lallana

Not exactly a joy to watch, but the job just about done.

That Ibe miss, that Benteke miss... and then they get a corner a minute after the added time is up... Can't believe they didn't score from it.

It wasn't exactly the greatest performance, but it was a win.

Positives:
- I like the set-up. Coutinho, Firmino, and Lallana as a line of CAMs behind the striker looks to be getting them all in their best positions. (Whether, they're capable of finishing those chances at the moment... well that's another question.)
- Benteke scored.
- Sakho and Lovren (with a few very nice saves from Mignolet) managed to keep another clean sheet.

Negatives:
- Missed chances.
- Benteke's movement (still plodding and still making link-up with the CAM line more difficult)
- Disjointed approach... possibly attributable to the above point re: Benteke

Overall, it wasn't a bad match (we won after all). However, it was far from an instant classic. Here's hoping for individual improvements in the upcoming matches, as I believe several individuals improving would drastically improve the team's performances.