Second guessing Ernesto Valverde: Levante with Liverpool in mind
Some players could rest as Barça set out to win La Liga on Saturday
Ernesto Valverde is paying close attention to how he manages his players minutes during the final phase of the season. With the possibility of a treble still on the cards and the Liverpool game coming up on Wednesday, some big names could rest against Levante on Saturday.
It's true that it's an important game (If Barca win they win La Liga) but against Alaves we saw that Valverde is prepared to rest some key players.
At Mendizorroza, Messi, Rakitic, Alba and Lenglet did not start. Against Levante, Pique, Sergi Roberto and Suarez could start on the bench.
Leaving the three on the bench would keep them fresh for Liverpool, while the replacements, Umtiti, Dembele and Semedo, would not be bad. Umtiti would partner Lengler and Dembele would play on the right, with Messi as a false nine and Coutinho on the left.
In addition, pciking this side would allow Valverde to maintain an air of mystery regarding who will be his third forward against Liverpool on Wednesday at Camp Nou. It's not clear whether Coutinho or Dembele will partner Messi and Suarez.
Therefore, Valverde's team to try and win La Liga could be: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Lenglet, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Dembélé, Messi and Coutinho.
