Liverpool will be looking to overtake Manchester United and move into second place when these two English football giants meet at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.
We currently hold a two-point lead over our rivals whilst both of us were in action during the week – we came from two goals down to win 3-2 at Crystal Palace on Monday night whilst Liverpool were held 0-0 by FC Porto in their Champions League second round second leg.
Jurgen Klopp has today confirmed that Nathaniel Clyne is his only absentee for this weekend’s big clash, whilst we have six players sidelined.
Here is the starting XI I think the German coach will name:
Goalkeeper: Loris Karius
After a dodgy start to his Liverpool career Loris Karius is in the process of establishing himself as their number one. The German has improved in recent months, keeping Simon Mignolet out of the frame.
Defence: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson
£75 million Virgil van Dijk has helped improve the Liverpool defence following his arrival from Southampton in January. The Dutch international is solid at the back and a good attacking threat from set pieces. Alongside him Dejan Lovren hasn’t been in the best of form ever since joining on Merseyside but he’s the next best thing they have to play centre-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold will be competing for the right-back role whilst on the other flank Andy Robertson has been playing well since being given his opportunity. The left-back gets forward and puts some good crosses into the box.
Midfield: Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Jurgen Klopp confirmed earlier today that Jorgan Henderson is fit to start after picking up a dead leg on Tuesday night. The club captain will be part of a central three which will almost certainly include Emre Can. I’ve never been a big fan of the German defensively but he does get up and down the pitch and forms a good link between defence and attack. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is starting to look like the player Arsene Wenger couldn’t develop hi into in recent weeks and could get the nod ahead of Georginio Wijnaldum who is only just available again after illness. James Milner and Adam Lallana are also available.
Attack: Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane
It was no surprise to see Mohamed Salah given a rest midweek in what was essentially a dead rubber. The Egyptian got himself into goalscoring positions when we drew 0-0 with Liverpool earlier in the season but failed to capitalise. With the goalscoring form he’s in we simply cannot afford to give Salah any time or space. Roberto Firmino has really come into form since the turn of the year too and the Brazilian will need to be marked closely. Sadio Mane may not have hit the heights of last season but is still a goalscoring threat down their left.
Here’s the Liverpool team on paper:
