Huddersfield should be an interesting opponent to say the least because David Wagner knows Klopp very well. They have been friends for a while (Wagner was Klopp’s best man at his wedding) and surely Wagner will have a decent idea as to how Klopp will set up. Regardless of Huddersfield’s form, they will be dangerous.
We are in a bit of a slump ourselves so our strongest lineup is needed. I would say a 4-3-3 of Karius; Robertson, VVD, Matip, Gomez; Milner, Henderson, Can; Mane, Firmino, Salah. The Ox would also not be a bad choice.
Huddersfield seem to favour a 4-2-3-1. I expect them to defend in a low block this game because they know that the speed of our forwards is our biggest threat. They may try to cut off any space for them to manoeuvre, and a low block could be a way of doing that. Then pluck a goal on a set piece, where Liverpool have a hard time defending.
So for us in attack, Firmino will be huge. To create opportunities for our wingers, we will need to overload on one side and finish on the other. Firmino should roam to either half-space and combine with the near midfielder and winger. Our fullback can then provide some width in the attack. This overload should eventually bring more Huddersfield players to that side of the field. Then Henderson can switch the point of attack with his long balls. Bam, we have a 1v1 for our wingers to take advantage of. Patience will be key, however. Quality over quantity when it comes to our opportunities.
Defensively, an intense press by the half-spaces would be an ideal place to win the ball back. A pressing trigger like a vertical ball (and therefore the receiver facing his own goal) may be the trigger that springs the press. The two defensive midfielders that Huddersfield may play with could make it harder to progress up the middle of the field when we win the ball, so that is why winning the ball away from where they are may be the way to go. Plus, having the ball in the half-spaces means we have access to the three different areas of the pitch with one simple pass (outside channel, half-space channel, middle channel). This will make us very unpredictable on the counter.
The game being away may complicate things, but then again we did just lose at home to West Brom, so you never know. With a full-strength lineup, I think we will come away with a victory.
