By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings
The central talking point this week has been whether or not Michail Antonio will be fit enough to face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
So far David Moyes has managed to keep a lid on leaks concerning Antonio’s fitness – although there is a photograph circulating today purporting to show Michail back on the training ground.
But is this just smoke and mirrors from Moyes? It may be staged to keep his opposite number Jurgen Klopp guessing in the build up to the game?
Much – some might say too much – has been made of the Reds injury problems at the back. Virgil van Dijk’s absence is undoubeably a big blow to the champions, and Fabinho, who deputised in midweek for the big fella, limped off with a hamstring problem himself.
So Klopp has a decision to make on who he drafts in to fill the void this weekend. It might help the Liverpool manager in his choice of replacement if he knew how West Ham will line-up.
Antonio is a completely different striker to possible replacement Sebastien Haller. Michial is all about pace, power and mobility. Haller is a big man, equally strong but arguably better in the air than Antonio. So does Klopp opt for added pace in his replacement – or choose added height for more of an aerial battle?
If Haller does start, will Moyes stick with what has been a favoured five at the back system, or opt for a more conventional 4-4-2 giving Seb someone to play alongside him?
Of course we shouldn’t rule out the possibility that Moyes could turn to Andrily Yarmolenko to lead the line orr shuffle the pack by bringing in new signing Said Benrahma.
David Moyes no doubt already knows which options are open to him – and which he intends to choose. But he’s doing his level best to make sure Jurgen Klopp remains in the dark for as long as possible.
Keeping his opposite number guess. Does anyone blame him? I certainly don’t!
you Think moyes has some cunning plan to block any news getting out about Antonio? But what if Jurgan klopp listens to talk sport? Maybe then he would know Antonio’s out for 4 weeks? Let’s hope he reads your article instead and doesn’t see or hear any other news sources.
We knew that Micky is injury prone with his hamstrings… So let’s hope moyes has a plan B… We can’t go on being the poor relations squadwise… We need back up and should have got Josh King in… Oh well this is when the manager earns his corn… ⚒️
The manager earns his corn sully by recommending sully buy josh king. Unfortunately sully didn’t think we needed a back up for Antonio and preferred to spend the money on another winger. after saying we had too many wingers. 8 wingers I think he said.
Is that an opinion or fact cos if you know it to be the case present some evidence and we’ll publish your thoughts
You reported it yourself on several occasions that King was Moyes no 1 preferred choice, but when it came to signing him his wage demands were considered to be too high. So moyes had to switch to Benrahma. That’s the way you reported it at the time anyway. So if you want evidence just go back and read some of your own articles from the time.
So that makes it Moyes’ decision not Sullivans’ as Lobes stated. Which was what Hugh was questioning.