Liverpool team news: The expected line-up vs Huddersfield

Liverpool have a near full-strength squad to choose from when they host Huddersfield on Friday night.

Manchester City’s convincing derby victory over United puts Pep Guardiola’s side in touching distance of the Premier League title but we have reached a stage of the season where pressure is at its peak and Jurgen Klopp knows that another three points will make City’s trip to Burnley on Sunday even more difficult.

Read more: When is Liverpool vs Huddersfield? Kick-off time, TV channel, team news, odds and predictions

Having said that, with a Champions League semi-final against Barcelona next week, the Liverpool boss may also use this game to rest some of his star men.

Here’s how we think the Reds could line up:

Defence

Joe Gomez has missed a huge chunk of this season with injury but he could be in line for a start after coming off the bench in the past two games.

That could mean one of Trent Alexander-Arnold or Virgil van Dijk, two mainstays in the first-team, could be rested.

Elsewhere, Dejan Lovren returns to the side after illness but may not be quite sharp enough to start meaning Joel Matip is likely to continue at centre-back alongside left-back Andy Robertson and goalkeeper Alisson.

Expected starters: Alisson; Gomez, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip

Midfield

Fabinho and Adam Lallana both face late fitness tests. The Brazil international sustained a head injury in Sunday’s win at Cardiff while Lallana is recovering from a muscle injury.

That leaves Klopp needing to pick three midfielders from Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum and Naby Keita.

Alternatively, with Liverpool expected to dominate, the lesser-spotted Xherdan Shaqiri could also come in as a fourth forward.

Expected starters: Henderson, Milner, Shaqiri

Forwards

With Roberto Firmino the most recently rested of Liverpool’s front three, Klopp could give one of Mohamed Salah, who has been away in New York this week, or Sadio Mane some time on the bench.

Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are the back-up forwards vying for minutes.

Expected starters: Mane, Firmino, Sturridge