After what seems like an eternity Liverpool should be able to once again call on the considerable talents of Daniel Sturridge to add pace and purpose to the front line against QPR this weekend.
And how Brendan Rodgers needs his main man to help build some momentum in a season that hasn’t started well for Liverpool.
With Real Madrid just round the corner Rodgers will surely want to give Sturridge some game time this weekend.
The fact that he’s not 100% match fit makes it even more likely that it will be either/or with he and Balotelli.
But we think that Rodgers will be missing a trick if he doesn’t get into the habit of playing both. Balotelli is a classic number 9 – an ice cool finisher – and, if Liverpool play to his strengths he can still be a devastating weapon for the team this season.
Sturridge is good enough to play on the left of a three up top, as Suarez did at time last season. That way he can hone his skills as a provider as well as a goal scorer. With Sterling on the right and the improving Lallana in behind the side looks tasty.
Here’s what we believe to be the strongest Liverpool XI, fitness permitting. Liverpool fans: would you start with Mario and Sturridge?
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mignolet, Johnson, Toure, Skrtel, Moreno, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Lallana, Sturridge, Balotelli