Liverpool have received an injury blow in the form of Mamadou Sakho as the Frenchman could be ruled out for up to two weeks.
Brendan Rodgers’ side qualified for the semi final of the FA Cup, but that was overshadowed by an injury to their defender Mamadou Sakho as the Frenchman had to be substituted after just 28 minutes. The 25-year old was seen hobbling of the pitch assisted by one of Liverpool’s medical staff after he pulled up his right hamstring.
Rodgers will have Martin Skrtel back for the semi final clash against Aston Villa as the center back would have completed his three-match ban that he was slapped with following his stamp on David De Gea. however, Losing key defenders at a crunch period for Brendan Rodgers hasn’t helped his side as they were beaten handsomely by Arsenal and haven’t looked convincing at the back.
Sakho has had a good second half of the season, but he could have done without two injuries, the first of which struck him in February and he subsequently missed four games. Sakho’s physical presence, combined with Skrtel’s no nonsense defending and Emre Can’s ball playing skills at the back was a good combination for Liverpool that resurrected their season and has gotten them close to the top four spot. Now, the disruptions will mean that Rodgers will once again have to show his tactical acumen if his side are to qualify for the Champions League or even lift their first silverware in four years.
Sakho’s absence and Dejan Lovren’s poor form could mean that Rodgers might go back to a more traditional formation with four at the back just like he did against Blackburn. The Ulsterman was forced into changing’s Liverpool’s formation into 4-3-3 setup after Sakho’s injury. With Kolo Toure struggling with his passing range whenever he gets the ball, Rodgers has a decision to make when Liverpool host Newcastle on Monday.
Emre Can will be available for the game, so Rodgers will have to decide if he plays the German alongside Toure or Lovren in a four at the back system of play all three of them together. Gerrard’s injury might be a boon for Liverpool in a way as it’ll mean that Lucas will play in front of the defense and just sit there unlike Gerrard who likes to foray forward. After having a game to forget against Arsenal, the Brazilian look slightly better against Blackburn. However, those were his first two games after quite some time and he will get better with time.