Morning.
After a difficult game on Saturday – and not for the first time this season either – is it too much to hope for something a bit more routine this evening when we take on Shaktar Donetsk in the Champions League? At the very least, keeping 11 men on the pitch for 90 minutes would make like a little easier!
In terms of the team news, it was reported that neither Bukayo Saka or Jurrien Timber were in training yesterday, but if caution for this fixture means they’ll be available for Liverpool on Sunday, then I’m all right with that. With all due respect to tonight’s opposition, it’s the kind of game we should be able to cope without them.
I suspect, having been sacrificed on Saturday after the red card, Raheem Sterling will be given another chance on the right in Saka’s absence. There were a couple of flashes from him at Bournemouth, but nobody really got going in the short period when we had the full complement on the pitch. It’d be good to see him deliver something this evening if he does start.
As I wrote yesterday, this is a game I’d love to see Ethan Nwaneri start, and Mikel Arteta was asked about it at his pre-game press conference. It was a classic Arteta answer, saying lots without giving too much away:
I think it’s identifying moments and understanding where he is, where the team is and where is the optimal moment to throw a player into that context. He’s already done a lot in a very short period of time, so let’s take it step by step and make sure those steps are consistent and can allow him to grow in the manner and form that we want him in the team.
I would ask if putting him on a 2-0 down away from home while down to 10 men is an optimal moment for him? Or when we’re drawing against Leicester? Or even in the final stages of a North London derby? What those appearances say to me is that the manager does have belief in his ability in difficult circumstances, so why not give him a chance to shine from the start when things…
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Author : arseblog
Publish date : 2024-10-22 07:02:11
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