Alisson
Trent Matip Gomez Robertson
Thiago Henderson Wijnaldum
Salah Firmino/Jota Mane
Hopefully it's a minor tweak and Trent's back, but Jurgen won't take any unnecessary risks which is exactly as it should be, in which case Millie at RB all day long
Torn on Jota and Bobby, I thought in our 433 with Jota operating as the more attacking mid from RCM in our game v UAE FC Bobby linked play very well, held the ball up and released players for transitions through attempted tight presses, which is what we face a lot more of v other good sides, against sides that simply play 4 or 5 at the back and 5 or 4 in midfield and congest those areas Bobby has been largely ineffectual this season, he hasn't however had the opportunity of playing in such games with Hendo, Gini and Thiago in midfield in such games.
For the games in which teams look to flood midfield and Bobby is crowded out and rendered ineffectual I think that might very well change with Thiago in the team, Firstly, Bobby's runs deeper than Mo and Mane will almost certainly open up the kind of gaps that Thiago has made a career of threading balls through taking 4 or 5 opposition players out of the game, Jota's excellent movement is a little different to Bobby's because of how we've used Bobby in our 433 for so long and could have the same effect.
I do feel Bobby is more of a forward who will drop off and make a movement to be available for a short ball from Thiago, moving one or two opposition midfielders, giving it straight back to Thiago to instantly play another pass releasing either other forward or either full back.
We need Thiago to have a run of games with Hendo and Gini to see how it all works out in my opinion
Given Jota's incredible start and Bobby's longevity of incredible selfless contribution, I think maybe Bobby should start and be given the opportunity with Thiago, Hendo and Gini in our midfield 3, given Jota's excellent start, I think having such a player to bring from the bench who has already scored huge goals from the bench and scored heavily in his first few appearances will have a positive affect for us on teams trying to cling on for dear life in unsettling and unnerving them
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