Even if Jurgen Klopp and the Reds haven’t won the last two matches, they should be feeling pretty good about getting draws against the second place team in the Premier League and the second place team in the Bundesliga.
The team is fighting for the entire 90 minutes and they have taken the lead in the past two matches. Up next they face Stoke City in Anfield. This is a winnable match for the Reds and they should use the momentum from the past week to propel them to three points.
Goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet is looking somewhat more confident these days and that can only be a positive for the rest of year. The Belgian has all the tools to be a good ‘keeper, he just has to avoid making mistakes that puts the team in a compromised position.
Right-Back
Nathaniel Clyne should have an easier time since Marko Arnautovic is a major doubt to make the match. Coming off dealing with the fearsome Dortmund wingers, Clyne should be confident that he can handle any player The Potters can throw at him.
Center-Backs
Dejan Lovren and Mamadou Sakho finally put in a performance where both players shined. Both should be confident enough to stifle the a Stoke attack that will probably be missing their top goal-scorer.
If Klopp wants to rest one of the two, Kolo Toure can deputize for one match, unless of course the manager wants to risk playing Martin Skrtel.
Left-Back
Alberto Moreno will face one of Xherdan Shaqiri or Ibrahim Affelay on Sunday and both are more than capable of producing magic on their day. The Spaniard will need to build on his decent performance in the last match and continue to focus on defense first before bursting up the pitch.
Defensive Midfield
With Emre Can suspended for this match and Jordan Henderson out for the season, Joe Allen and James Milner are the most likely candidates to fill the holes. While they don’t possess the physicality of the first choice duo, both Allen and Milner have the engine to harass the Stoke midfield.
Attacking Midfield
Klopp could have his first choice attacking trio of Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho available this weekend. Firmino came off the bench in Germany so he seems fit enough to start against Stoke. All three should ease on their pressing in preparation for the second leg just a couple of days later.
Still, they should have a lot of chances to either score or create a goal. If Klopp wants to rest any of the three, he could turn to Jordon Ibe or maybe even Sheyi Ojo to fill-in for one match.
Forward
Daniel Sturridge should be extremely motivated to get a goal this Sunday. He hasn’t found the back of the net consistently since returning from injury and it looks like Klopp will go with Divock Origi for the second leg of the Europa League tie with Dortmund.
Stoke haven’t been able to keep a clean sheet for the past four matches so Sturridge should have a few opportunities to boost his confidence.
