The largest and most difficult Premier League game remaining on Liverpool’s schedule calendar provides Jurgen Klopp with a lot of options to make.
With Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, and Diogo Jota absent, the Reds manager has numerous selection quandaries as he strives to lead his team to victory.
There is also a major question mark over Ibrahima Konate‘s fitness, but let’s assume that cautious change in Prague on Thursday means he is fine today. Caoimhin Kelleher remains in goal behind a back four of Joe Gomez, Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andy Robertson.
I debated Conor Bradley at right-back, but I went with the defensive solidity and experience of the in-form Gomez on that right side. With Jack Grealish out and Jeremy Doku in doubt, Phil Foden could start tonight, making it a significant individual struggle.
Wataru Endo patrols the engine room in midfield, and the Japan international must maintain his recent performance levels. It’s a big deal for him to keep Kevin De Bruyne and the others quiet. Alexis MacAllister also begins with Dominik Szoboszlai, who takes over for Harvey Elliott.
Mohamed Salah returns to the right side, with Luis Diaz flanked on the left. Darwin Nunez, who has nine goals since Boxing Day, is expected to derail Guardiola‘s title hopes.
My squad (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, MacAllister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Ian Doyle: Bradley and Gomez both start.
It’s the big one, even if a draw means none of the two main contenders will lead the Premier League heading into the season’s last international break.
Manchester City is in town, and they’ve made it apparent in recent days that they like celebrating their trophy triumphs while hinting that Liverpool isn’t such a great club. Right.
What is Jurgen Klopp gonna do?
Caoimhin Kelleher, who is in good form, is between the sticks. Ibrahima Konate should not be risked, thus the versatile Joe Gomez will play centre-back with skipper Virgil van Dijk. Conor Bradley is therefore the right-back, and there’s a chance Kostas Tsimikas may start, though I’d go with Andy Robertson at left-back.
In midfield, the heavy guns are revealed, with Wataru Endo at number six, Alexis MacAllister to his left and Dominik Szoboszlai to his right.
Darwin Nunez leads the line from the top, with Luis Diaz on his left. And I’d be tempted to start Harvey Elliott on the right, with Mohamed Salah in reserve.
My squad (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Szoboszlai, MacAllister; Elliott, Nunez, Diaz
Theo Squires – Quansah will replace Konate
Jurgen Klopp faces some difficult decisions ahead of Liverpool’s match against Manchester City, as injuries once again dictate his starting lineup.
Ibrahima Konate’s limping against Sparta Prague makes it unlikely that he will be cleared for this game. When his manager provided his most recent injury update, the Frenchman had yet to undergo any scans.
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah have served as replacements since recovering from hamstring ailments, but are they ready to start versus City? Time will tell.
All three are in Liverpool’s strongest starting lineup, but if they are not fully healthy and firing, the Reds should start someone else. There is simply too much at risk versus Manchester City to field a team that is not in peak condition.
Jarell Quansah can start in place of Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Conor Bradley reverting to right-back. It’s a young right-hand side of the defence, but such players are fearless, which might benefit Liverpool.
Joe Gomez, a natural right-footer, can complete the defence at left-back ahead of Andy Robertson, and he may be well-equipped to halt the in-form, inverted Phil Foden.
The midfield picks itself, assuming Szoboszlai is ready to go. The Hungarian scored off the bench against Sparta, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Wataru Endo and Alexis MacAllister round out the three.
Meanwhile, Salah maintains he’s ready, making it difficult not to start him. Darwin Nunez plays down the middle, with Luis Diaz on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, and Diaz.
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