Liverpool host Chelsea on Thursday night with hopes of leap-frogging the Londoners back into the top four.
The Reds have suffered a dramatic dip in form since the turn of the year but enjoyed a confidence boosting win against Sheffield United at the weekend.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have also been buoyed by the return to fitness of Fabinho and Diogo Jota while goalkeeper Alisson is back from compassionate leave.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up against Chelsea…
Defence
Alisson will be expected to return to the starting line-up following his absence against the Blades after the shock death of his father.
First-choice full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson can expect to start given the importance of this fixture but, as has so often been the case in recent months, Klopp has a big decision to make at the heart of defence.
Schalke loanee Ozak Kabak looks the most likely starter given he has played the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s last four matches.
Speaking to the Premier League ahead of this game, Kazak highlighted the importance of a return to winning ways at home.
“The last games we couldn’t win at Anfield,” he said. “It’s so important – we won away games, yes, but at Anfield we have struggled. For building our confidence as a team it is really important to win against such a good team like Chelsea.”
The difficult choice the manager faces is whether to risk bringing Fabinho straight back in after his most recent muscle injury or whether to stick with Nat Phillips who was part of the team that helped to keep a clean sheet at the weekend.
Midfield and attack
The midfield looks more settled with Giorgino Wijnaldum, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones starting each of the past three matches.
Fabinho is of course also an option here with the likes of James Milner, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain providing back up from the bench.
Up front, Klopp can be expected to stick with the tried and tested trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.
Jota is expected to return to the bench as he targets a first appearance since December.
Liverpool’s expected XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Phillips, Kabak; Jones, Wijnaldum, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Firmino
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3uPRXtj
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