LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL: PREDICTED TEAM

Liverpool return to Premier League action tomorrow when they take on Arsenal at Anfield. The Reds are looking to show a reaction after defeat last time out at the hands of West Ham United. There are a couple of selection dilemmas for Jürgen Klopp as injuries continue to bite. He could be without as many as nine players. We take a look at how he could line up.

You can find a preview of the game here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2021/11/18/liverpool-vs-arsenal-preview/

Alisson Becker should start in goal and will aim to make up for the torrid night he suffered at the London stadium. It was an off night for the Brazilian but he’s allowed to have that as he’s otherwise been brilliant this season. Ahead of him, we expect Matip and Van Dijk to continue their partnership at the heart of defence. Konaté is another option at centre back if the manager wants to change things up.

At full back, Trent will start on the right and hope to continue his rich vein of form which has seen him provide 7 assists in his last 5 starts for club and country. On the left, Tsimikas deserves a start. It could be argued he deserved to start against West Ham after impressing against Atleti. Robertson hasn’t been flying this season, and after sustaining a knock during the break, should make it a straightforward decision.

In midfield, there are only three left standing in Fabinho, Thiago and Oxlade-Chamberlain. The skipper picked up a knock and has yet to resume team training. In his pre-match press conference, the gaffer mentioned a late decision will be made on Henderson and Robertson’s involvement. I reckon they’ll make the bench and won’t be risked from the start.

With Milner, Keita, Jones and Elliott all out, we’ll get to see a midfield trio of Fabinho, Thiago and Ox. Ox was disappointing in that West Ham defeat as he failed to build on the momentum he had gained from the Atleti performance. With this tussle being against his former team, you’d expect him to maybe have a bit more fire about him than usual. You’d hope so anyway. Time is running out on his Liverpool career.

Upfront, Roberto Firmino has been ruled out till the middle of next month with a hamstring injury. That leaves the manager with a straightforward front three selection. Diogo Jota will line up through the middle and look to cause Ben White and Gabriel problems. He will be flanked by Salah and Mané, with Sadio overcoming his own knock from international duty.

Divock Origi also seemed to pick up an issue with Belgium, with Roberto Martinez confirming it to be a dead leg. Klopp didn’t mention Divock in his presser so I’m assuming that means he’s fine. With Firmino out during this hectic period, Origi and Minamino are in line to get a lot more minutes. With how decimated we are with injuries at the minute, they’ll be amongst the first subs if a change is needed.T

The Reds will still line up a pretty strong team filled with experience, quality and leadership. The squad is big enough to absorb the injuries so far. It’s no excuse and we simply can’t afford anymore dropped points. We’ve drawn each of the last two at home in the league and have only picked up 1 point against Brighton and West Ham since smashing United for five.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago, Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Kelleher, Williams, Konaté, Phillips, Robertson, Morton, Henderson, Minamino, Origi.