A Suarez-Less Liverpool

Been a while since I have updated this space, but Luis Suarez missing out today’s game later on due to his 5 yellow cards has given me good reason to just give my pre-game thoughts.

Note: this has been written without knowledge of the team yet, that should be out in half an hour or so at press time.

But realistically, there are two options that Rodgers is apparently deciding between – either Shelvey up front as a kind of number 10-esque kind of position, or bringing Adam Morgan/Samed Yesil (who scored a sublime goal for the U21s earlier on this week). But it is interesting to see one thing: how will Liverpool penetrate without the genius of Suarez.

Suarez has been the focal point of all our attacks in the season thus far, and has not only converted the chances, but has made a handful for his teammates (eg. Sterling’s first goal) and has got his hands dirty with the defensive work as well.

Ideally, I would also like to see Assaidi get a go at West Ham as well. There is, after all, one more spot that is up for grabs on the opposite flank to Sterling. I reckon a dribbler like Assaidi could really do the damage against a team like West Ham. He really hasn’t been given the chance to shine in the Premier League, and if his form in the Europa League is anything to go by, he should definitely be given that oppourtunity to shine this week.

This is my ‘ideal’ first XI for the game:

Reina
Wisdom-Skrtel-Agger-Johnson
Lucas-Allen
Assaidi-Gerrard-Sterling
Morgan

Yes, I think that playing Wisdom and Johnson together is the best combination. Johnson still does well coming in from the left, whilst Wisdom has impressed me ever since breaking into the first team in the Europa League in LIverpool’s 5-3 triumph over Young Boys.

So, who should start up front? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!