Liverpool Klopp Episode 41: You Only Live Twice

Stoke is coming to Anfield. It is sure to be a struggle and likely low scoring. Kind of like a dogfight of helicopters? Okay, a big reach to the scene in the above 007 movie! Nonetheless, I'm enjoying this gimmick of tying the Liverpool story line to movies and Beatles songs.

Klopp and company will need to decide how much to prioritize the Europa Cup versus a final dash to climb up the EPL table. Henderson is out so Allen is in. Can is out due to yellow card accumulation suspension. So Lucas is likely in. But I see that Lucas is still listed on the injury chart. So maybe Milner might be pressed into defensive midfield duties. But Klopp indicated that Lucas and Stewart might get the call.

So possible line up:
Mignolet, goalkeeper
(4) Defense: Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno
(2) DM: Milner, Allen
(3) AM: Firmino, Ibe, Lallana
(1) Forward: Sturridge

I wonder if Flanagan and/or Smith might get to play in this match to give Clyne and Moreno a break. Other possibilities in the midfield are Ojo and Teixeira if Firmino and Lallana are to be rested for Dortmund.

Post-game:

Hah! And I thought it would be a low scoring struggle. But once every few games the LFC offense perks up and they get clinical and actually cash in the opportunities they have! A resounding 4-1 win over Stoke!

Goal #1 (8') was a wonder strike by Moreno from distance.

At 22' LFC surrendered .... you guessed it a goal from a free kick set piece.

Liverpool however was not to be denied, Goal #2 (32') Ojo put his defender in the popcorn machine and lofted a cross that Sturridge headed in for the goal.

Goal #3 at 50' Milner sends in the cross and Origi heads the ball into the goal!

Origi capped off the scoring with a wonder strike at 65' to claim goal #4.

Europa League leg 2 against Dortmund this week. Will we see Origi and Sturridge together at the top? Could this be the new dynamic duo to recall memories of that magic carpet ride in 2013-2014 when Sturridge and Suarez sliced up defenses?