Merry Liverpool fans stayed until last orders at the Transfer Tavern on New Year’s eve, but their result at Sunderland means many are now hoping for a different sort of silverware come May.
Mocked on social media for their tame performances against the small teams, with no disrespect to the Black Cats, Bournemouth and Burnley, Liverpool failed to follow up their impressive victory over Manchester City with another 3 points against a battling home side.
While credit must go to the Black Cats, the Reds will be disappointed with their performance as much as the result. Their energy came in fits and starts. It was as if they believed the media hype about their fatigue and then realised they were actually fit, Premier League athletes and absolutely capable of busting a gut for a second game in three days.
Klopp makes few mistakes, but failing to inject his side with youthful energy cost the Reds. Even the normally effervescent Roberto Firmino strolled about the pitch at times.
Liverpool’s FA Cup tie with Plymouth Argyle is the perfect chance for Klopp to rectify his mistakes and let some of the young guns get more experience under their belt. Indeed, the qualities of Ben Woodburn, Ovie Ejaria and Trent Alexander-Arnold are sufficient enough to help their side progress.
Plymouth know this is another classic David vs Goliath Cup showdown and will throw the kitchen sink at Liverpool. At the very least, it will be a physical test for the Reds, so they best be prepared to roll up their sleeves.
However, Liverpool’s superior firepower and fitness should prove too much for Plymouth.
For once, the Landlord at the Transfer Tavern thinks we’ve got this XI right. Do you agree?
GK: Loris Karius
This might seem harsh on Simon Mignolet, because apart from his weak attempt from Jonathan Walters’ near post header, the Belgian has performed well since coming back into the side.
However, Loris Karius was the man Klopp wanted, and the manager is experienced enough to avoid judging his decision after merely ten competitive games. A cup game is the perfect excuse to bring in the young German and help restore some confidence.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Kopites in the Transfer Tavern love a local lad, and there have been few and far between who have made the grade at Liverpool in recent years. Alexander-Arnold could soon buck the trend if continues to perform as he has done this season.
A solid defender first and foremost, the Reds will hope he can grow into their first-choice right-back before too long. Blessed with great athleticism, a good cross and a desire to get stuck in, the young Scouser will relish his battle against Plymouth.
CB: Lucas Leiva
With rumours persisting about a transfer out of Anfield, plenty of Reds fans in the Transfer Tavern will be sorry to see him go. A real servant to the club, Lucas has won many fans over since joining the Anfield club in 2007.
The Reds missed him against Sunderland, where Emre Can struggled to fill Jordan Henderson’s boots and the Black Cats targeted the slow and often cumbersome Ragnar Klavan. Lucas has shown in the past he can be relied on to perform well at centre-back.
The Brazilian must stand up to the physical test provided by the League Two side, but also retain his composure on the ball and ability to pass out from the back.
CB: Dejan Lovren
Having partnered Lucas only a handful of times in his career, Klopp has to hope that the centre-back pairing can operate on the same wavelength on Sunday. With Joel Matip out injured, it is important that Liverpool retain some consistency at the back.
Lovren will always be fondly remembered by Reds’ fans for his last-minute header against Borussia Dortmund, but he must strive to build more memories with Liverpool. An FA Cup is not a bad way to start.
LB: Alberto Moreno
The Spaniard may finally get a run in the team depending on the length of James Milner’s absence. Klopp will hope that he can exact the same sturdy defensive discipline as his injured teammate.
Fortunately for the Spanish left-back, Plymouth should not be the hardest test of his career. That said, the south coast club are likely to target Liverpool’s vulnerabilities so Moreno must be on red-alert for ninety minutes.
CDM: Kevin Stewart
While at 23, Stewart can hardly be called a youngster in the footballing world, he is relatively unexperienced at the highest level of the game. That is not to diminish his talents, however. The Reds fans in the Transfer Tavern all speak highly of Stewart.
Bossing a game like this will do his first-team chances the world of good, especially as Can failed to impress in the absence of their captain and fulcrum, Henderson.
Capable of breaking up play and possessing a good touch, the ex-Spurs midfielder should help Liverpool control the game on Sunday.
CM: Marko Grujic
The 20-year-old Serb has found appearances hard to come by at Anfield this season, although he has not been helped by injury.
He may be unlikely to finish the game, but his physical presence in the middle will act as a good buffer for Liverpool’s defence and his lungs will ensure he gets up and down the pitch.
These minutes on the pitch will be crucial in helping Grujic play a gradually more prominent role in the Reds’ season.
CM: Ovie Ejaria
While he may have stood out to Liverpool’s Academy coaches for a few years, the Kopites in the Transfer Tavern only really began to take notice of Ejaria when he played an excellent half against Manchester City in pre-season.
Owing to his gangly frame and great presence, comparisons have already been drawn with Yaya Toure. The young centre-midfielder would love a career as trophy-laden as the Ivory Coast star.
Big things are expected of the ex-Arsenal youngster, and with hard work and Klopp as his manager, he will get chances to progress.
RW: Adam Lallana
Lallana will add some crucial experience to Liverpool’s attack, helping link the play between the budding youngsters and the electric Divock Origi. An engine like no other, he will have no problem putting in another indefatigable shift.
Currently having the season of his life, the England forward would love to continue his goal-scoring exploits against Plymouth. No doubt with the youngsters beside him, he will be a focal point of the Reds’ attack.
LW: Ben Woodburn
Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer has been kept out of the limelight since making history back in November against Leeds United. However, a cup game against lower league opposition is the perfect opportunity for him to show that he can handle the physicality and the occasion.
His fantastic ability to strike a ball — as evidenced by his first goal for the Reds — coupled with his great movement should see him replicate Firmino’s role on the flank. The young Welshman will be chomping at the bit to make another impact for the Reds this season.
CF: Divock Origi
The 21-year-old Belgian continues to impress this season. Something of a rough diamond under former manager Brendan Rodgers, Klopp has channelled his physical traits to great effect while also honing his positional play.
This has helped him score seven goals so far, and with fellow teammate Daniel Sturridge out injured again, Origi knows he has the chance to make himself indispensable to Liverpool.
His combination of pace and power will present him with chances to score at Anfield, and he must be clinical.
