Liverpool look to continue their holiday revival as they visit Burnley on Boxing Day…
There were plenty of positive for Liverpool and manager Brendan Rodgers to take from their draw with Arsenal last weekend, but after all was said and done it was another two points dropped.
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The Reds will be desperate to take three points from their trip to Turf Moor, where they face relegation battlers Burnley. In team news, Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli returns from suspension to take a place on the bench. Fellow forward Fabio Borini is suspended and Joe Allen will miss out with a knee injury.
Here is how we think Liverpool will line-up:
GK) Brad Jones
The Australian has struggled since rival Simon Mignolet was dropped, and needs a big performance here.
RCB) Kolo Toure
The Ivorian deserves to be starting every game right now, as he hasn’t put a foot wrong all season when called upon.
CB) Martin Skrtel
Skrtel’s head injury is not enough to keep him out of the starting lineup, as proven by his last minute equaliser versus Arsenal.
LCB) Mamadou Sakho
Sakho’s fit at last, and should deserve a run of games in the first-team now. Like Toure to the right of Skrtel, the left centre-back role suits the powerful Frenchman perfectly.
DM) Lucas
Lucas’s impressive defensive contribution makes him a must-pick for the Reds right now.
RM) Jordan Henderson
With the 3-4-3, Henderson is used as a willing right wing-back. While it’s clearly not his best position, he does have the energy to provide endless work-rate up and down the flank.
LM) Lazar Markovic
Has arguably been Liverpool’s best player in December, and should be given the chance to continue impressing as part of the first-team.
CM) Steven Gerrard
Gerrard’s not been at his best recently, and Emre Can is waiting eagerly for a chance in the centre of the park. But he might have to wait a bit longer.
AM) Adam Lallana
The front-three has to stay the same. With Lallana and Coutinho dovetailing Sterling in the ‘false-9’ role, it’s the most dangerous the Reds have looked all season.
AM) Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian playmaker deserves to be one the first names on the team-sheet right now. He was probably our best player against Arsenal, and in the 3-4-3 formation, he can drift into pockets of pace more freely.
ST) Raheem Sterling
Sterling isn’t a centre-forward long-term, but due to his mobility and movement, he’s the best option Liverpool have right now, despite the return of Balotelli.
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