BURNLEY VS LIVERPOOL: PREDICTED LINEUP

Liverpool travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley tomorrow afternoon. The Reds are coming off the back of a 2-0 win over Leicester City whilst Burnley came from behind to hold Manchester United to a draw last time out. We look at how Jürgen Klopp could line his side up for the encounter.

For a match preview, you can head here:

https://made4liverpool.com/2022/02/12/burnley-vs-liverpool-preview/

For the first time since I can remember, Liverpool have a fully fit squad available for the match. This presents a unique set of welcome selection headaches for the manager. Not only does he have tough decision to leave out players from the starting XI, he also has to leave a couple out of the squad completely.

Joe Gomez and Divock Origi had that unfortunate experience on Thursday night, and with Henderson and Mané set to be involved this time round we will see even more players suffer that same fate. Wednesday night’s trip to the San Siro will also play on the manager’s mind.

He will be wary of playing certain personnel three times a week considering their injury history. That could mean two or three changes from the side that turned over Leicester City at Anfield. The manager has stressed the importance of his squad during this period and he won’t be shy to rotate if need be.

Alisson Becker will continue in goal and aim for another clean sheet as he chases down Ederson in the race for the Golden Glove. Ahead of him in defence, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson will likely continue at full back.

Joel Matip is one player the manager has to make a decision on though. He will be needed against Inter so starting tomorrow would mean three games in a week for the 30 year old. He seems to have put his injury woes behind him this season.

Given Leicester was his first game since the winter break, Joel is likely to go again tomorrow with any thoughts of rotation reserved for Norwich at home next weekend. Van Dijk will take his place alongside him as they hope to keep Weghorst under wraps.

In the middle of the park, Fabinho is a straightforward pick in his usual role infront of the defence. The skipper’s return from a back complaint should also see him return to the lineup on the right of the Brazilian.

The third slot in that midfield three is an interesting one. Thiago was excellent on Thursday night and is surely in line for a start at Inter. Problem is he can’t be expected to start three games in a week, especially when he just returned from a long layoff.

Curtis Jones has started the last two games but hasn’t really set pulses racing. That could see him drop down the pecking order with Keita, Elliott, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Milner all waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

The manager is a huge fan of Harvey Elliott and has handed the youngster minutes in every single game he’s been available for this season. Having started against Burnley in the reverse fixture at Anfield back in August, Elliott could well get his first start since injury here.

The 18 year old starting would mean Henderson has to shift over to the left of midfield. The skipper is at his best on the right though, combining and interchanging with Trent and Salah. His height will be useful against a big strong Burnley side.

Keita is the more likely option then, with Naby comfortable on the left hence allowing the skipper to line up in his preferred role on the right. With the competition in midfield fierce at the minute, Naby and Hendo both know they have to perform.

There’s a glut of options at the manager’s disposal in attack too. Sadio Mané has been in training since yesterday and has been absolutely flying if the training clips are anything to go by. Having two full days of training should be enough to see him go straight into the side on the left wing.

Luis Diaz was sensational on his debut last Thursday but a trip to Turf Moor brings with it a step up in the level of physicality. A cameo off the bench against tiring legs could be perfect for him as the manager gets at least an hour into Sadio’s legs ahead of the trip to Inter.

Diogo Jota is the man in form and is expected to line up through the middle at the expense of Firmino, with Mohamed Salah starting on the right wing after his cameo off the bench last Thursday. That makes it three changes in total to the side that beat Leicester.

Incredibly, the likes of Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Origi and Minamino could all miss out on the matchday squad altogether. It is another sign of the riches available to Jürgen Klopp when everyone is fit.

Predicted team:

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Keita, Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Kelleher, Konaté, Tsimikas, Milner, Thiago, Elliott, Diaz, Firmino.