The international break is coming to an end and Anfield is waiting for Manchester United. He is, for many, the greatest poster boy in English football. Liverpool must bounce back after the disappointments of the pre-break, in a game with a very high visibility, against a rival who has his own problems while Liverpool is only one point from the top of the Premier League. A victory would raise the mood and ideally kick off a crucial period.
Allison Becker is still out with a muscle injury. New opportunity for Georgie Madashville, author of a good performance at Chelsea: two goals conceded without a direct foul, an excellent ball hold and above all very clean hand raises. He already inspires confidence and can shine in this appointment.
On the right, choice between Connor Bradley and Frimong. I’m leaning towards Connor Bradley. Suspended for the second Northern Ireland game, so he got some rest. His performance against Slovakia was enormous (31 duels played), omnipresent in one-on-ones and engine of transitions. He already knows Salah: in a team where other relationships are still looking for each other, keeping this duo on the right side can help. Frim Pong will have his chances this season, but for this match I’m taking Bradley.
Virgil van Djk is inescapable on the left. By his side, possible debate, but I’m going with Kenate. A lot of noise around his start of the season, yet the explanation also lies in the still disjointed collective relations. Against a United that should play again direct and long, like last season (where a 2-2 was a very good result for them), Kenate was the best of the two central in this context: 7 aerial duels won out of 8. Gomez is an option, but less dominant in the air and his exit to Southampton did not reassure. If Kenate is not fit, then Gomez, otherwise Kenate remains the safest choice.
Between Robertson and Kirk, I continue with Kirz. Offensively, he brings little and sometimes closes his body too much to the restart, but defensively he concedes very little and locks his corridor well. Above all, I want continuity: Bradley – Kenate – Van Djk – Kirz for a few matches to weave automatisms. It is, in my eyes, the strongest back four of the moment, with the ambition of keeping the cage inviolate
Ryan Gravenber in 6. The exit at the break with the Netherlands worried, but the fears were removed: he was mostly preserved at 3-0. He is, for me, irreplaceable in this role. His management of spaces, his ability to cover and come out cleanly make him a first name on the sheet when he is fit.
Dominic so light is indroppable: volume, quality on both sides of the ball, set-pieces, everything is there and he has even raised his level this season. I put it in the forward position. At his side, in the double-pivot with Gravenber, I put Curtis Jones. He is playing well at the moment, taking the ball under pressure, helping the progression where Liverpool have struggled at times. Mallister is not in his best shape, Endo is not my choice to start here. The Gravenber – so lion – Jones trio seems to me coherent and déjà vu.
Big subject: Gakpo, Amoo… or Florian vitz. I choose furry and vitz on the left. Objective: to install it quickly. In 10, he gets pushed around in the density; on the left, he has space to accelerate, drive and create. We saw it with Germany against Northern Ireland: start on the right then drifts to the left, where he was able to ramp up. In addition, lining up an eccentric “midfielder” can strengthen internal control against United’s double-pivot: we almost create a square in the middle to better dominate the ball.
Mo Salah. His form is not optimal, but he helped Egypt during the break and, against Chelsea, he especially narrowly missed more than balls. Historically, he often scores against Manchester United. He has to start. If it doesn’t take after the hour mark, we can think about Federico Kza.
Isac Eat or Isac? I’m going with Alexander Isac. Arnoslot has hinted that he is fully fit after the break: minutes with Sweden, internal “mini-pre-season”. Anfield is the right setting to launch his series: a goal here can trigger everything. He must be a major scorer and creator in the coming weeks.
my XI for Anfield
Madashville – Bradley, Kenate, Van Djk, Kirz – Gravenber – Jones, sofi – vitz – Salah — Isac
Key replacements according to the scenario: Gomez (if Kenate is not fit), Gakpo / Amoo for the wing, Federico Kza if need impact on the right, Decatique to vary the offensive profile.
Liverpool have a real opportunity: to bounce back in the biggest domestic appointment, consolidate a more stable defense, accelerate the integration of vitz and relaunch Isac. With Madashville serene, Bradley for the energy, a solid hinge, Gravenberth, so light and Jones for the mastery, plus Salah who likes this poster, this XI can offer the victory and the sought-after change of atmosphere.
