5 major talking points ahead of Reds trip to Wembley

Will Fabinho get his first minutes of the season?

It feels like we’ve been saying this for a while now – it’s time for Fabinho to start. However this week it feels more likely than ever, with the Brazilian taking his time to become accustomed with the Liverpool way and what is role really is Jürgen Klopp ‘s side. Recent quotes from the Liverpool manager, however, have been promising. He recently said:

“Hopefully now Fabinho has games with Brazil, and then after he comes back we have games, games, games.

We have the whole of September a lot of games, only against top teams. We need all of the players, that’s good.

He has made big steps in the last few weeks. He could even play at the moment.”

Promising words from the Liverpool gaffer, and Reds will be desperate to see their new £40m man in action competitively for the first time this Saturday. Whether that be from the start or from the bench. It’s looking likely that the midfielder will start from the bench as him, Roberto Firmino and Alisson where whisked back to Liverpool in a private jet in quick time.

READ: Carragher:’Moments of truth beckon’ for Reds defence

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 7: Fabinho of Liverpool in the friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Getty Images)

READ: Klopp accepts need to rotate amid hectic schedule

Huge European test on the horizon –

In terms of 2 games in 4 days, it really doesn’t get much tougher than what is approaching for the Reds. First is a gruesome tie at Wembley against a Spurs side who will be hungrier than ever after entering the international break following a 2-1 defeat at Vicarage Road to Watford. Then, on the following Tuesday, is an enthralling tie at Anfield against French Champions PSG. If the Reds are to get something from both games, the squad depth that has been improved over the summer needs to show its worth, as it will have to over the course of the season if we are to be successful. Don’t expect any significant changes for the Tottenham game, however, with keeping the Reds 100% league record the main priority at the moment. The goal in Europe is to build on last seasons thrilling road to the final which put Liverpool back on the map and on the minds of every big European club. Every team looking at pot 3 in the draw would’ve been praying to not get Liverpool – PSG, Napoli, and Red Star Belgrade weren’t so lucky. It could prove to be a magical few days for Liverpool if they come out of this period with two wins against Europe’s elite. However, it won’t come easy.

Alisson will be kept busy –

After a promising start to life at Anfield, new goalkeeper Alisson knows that his biggest test so far will be this Saturday lunchtime. Following a rather comfortable first three games, his first real blunder came against Leicester. After a wayward backpass from van Dijk, Alisson’s confident demeanour got him into trouble, with Kelechi Iheanacho intercepting for Rachid Ghezzal to eventually tap in. And while the defence stood strong and Joe Gomez put in a mammoth performance, it was a warning to Alisson that he might not get as much time in the Premier League as he believed he would. With the high pressing, high intensity play of Tottenham, any time the goalkeeper is dwelling on the ball, he’ll be punishing brutally and effectively by the Spurs frontline. This isn’t even taking into account some of the shot stopping skills he’ll have to show. With Harry Kane, Lucas Moura and Christian Eriksen, Spurs have some of the best and most accurate strikers of a ball in the Premier League right now. Add into that the particularly hot form of Lucas Moura and Harry Kane’s history of scoring against the Anfield side, and Alisson should know that he’ll have his work cut out at Saturday lunchtime against the Lillywhites.

Are Liverpool truly title contenders?

After four wins from four at the start of the season, it’s very easy for the Anfield faithful to get ahead of themselves. And although the majority of these came in a gritty, unfashionable contest in which the cliche ‘Champions are made’ comes, they are yet to face a massive challenge in the form of a top six rival. Liverpool simply have to be beating their rivals consistently to be able to stay at the top and beat off the challenges of Manchester City, Chelsea or even their opponents, Spurs. Last seasons form against rivals simply wasn’t good enough, recording only 10 points from 10 games home and away against fellow top six members. Even more worrying for Saturdays game is that only 1 of these points came away from home, in a 3-3 draw at the Emirates in December. If you can’t beat the teams around you, the past will show you that it’s unlikely that you can still win the league title. Liverpool have tools to beat every single team in the league, and proved that in the season before last when their top six record was actually very impressive. New signings and more time for players such as Virgil van Dijk under Jürgen Klopp can only improve the Reds and give them more of a chance in these games. A win here would be a massive statement of intent from Liverpool, and would show the opposition that they truly are ready for a title challenge.

Will woeful Wembley form come to an end?

It’s safe to say that Liverpool haven’t had the best memories in recent years when going to Wembley. Their last success at Wembley came in the 2011/12 season, where Liverpool actually won twice. Beating Championship side Cardiff on penalties after a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes handed Liverpool the Carling Cup trophy. A couple of months later came the FA Cup semi final, where Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll saved the blushes of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, whose mix up had given Everton the lead. Liverpool would go on to lose the final 2-1 to Chelsea, and haven’t won at Wembley since. Opportunities came in domestic competitions, first in an FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa which the Reds lost 2-1. Then came the Capital One Cup final against Manchester City, which Klopp’s side lost on penalties after a 1-1 draw. The most recent defeat was of course last season, in the league against Tottenham. Whilst at the time the 4-1 defeat was extremely worrying for Klopp and his side and what would lay ahead, in hindsight it seemed to be a turning point in the season, with the Reds recording the best defensive record in the Premier League since that day. However, they’ll be looking to finally get that Wembley win on Saturday and end this terrible run which has seen trophies slip through the Merseyside clubs fingers.

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