Brendan Rodgers Recalls Agger, Allen and Coutinho for Norwich Visit
We knew there was going to be collateral damage from the Reds 3-1 reversal at Hull City on Sunday, and today we get to see who the casualties are with Brendan Rodgers making three changes to the side for the visit of Norwich City.
Simon Mignolet retains the starting spot between the sticks despite allowing six goals in his last two matches, but Daniel Agger comes back into the side in place of Kolo Toure who drops to the bench. Martin Skrtel, who summed up Liverpool’s calamitous trip to the KC Stadium with an own goal as the match petered out, starts alongside the Reds vice-Captain in the heart of the defense and they’ll be flanked by Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan on the right and left respectively.
One of the biggest surprises of the day comes in the midfield where Joe Allen is preferred to Lucas; the Brazilian has looked off as of late and a rest for the weekend could see him return to the side a bit more focused. Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson join the Welshman in the middle of the park. Up top, Raheem Sterling keeps his spot on the wing and Philippe Coutinho makes an immediate return to the starting eleven after only being fit enough for the bench against Hull City. Luis Suarez, of course, starts up top and is looking to bag a hat-trick of hat-tricks against the Canaries.
From the bench, Brendan Rodgers has Brad Jones, Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho, Victor Moses, Luis Alberto, Iago Aspas and Lucas.
Chris Hughton is looking to build on his sides win at the weekend, though trips to Merseyside haven’t gone well for the Canaries in the past. John Ruddy starts in net for Norwich and has Russell Martin, Ryan Bennett, Sébastien Bassong and Martin Olsson in front of him. Bradley Johnson, Leroy Fer, Jonny Howson, Wes Hoolahan, and Nathan Redmond make up the midfield with former Bolton striker Johan Elmander ploughing a lone furrow up front.
Nash, Whittaker, Turner, Hooper, Garrido, Becchio and Josh Murphy make up the Norwich City bench.
Be sure to stop by after the match for a full recap and other assorted junk.